If you were my mum, what would you want for Christmas?

[Firstbornunicorn]

Apart from a more creative daughter, that is!

My mum's in her early 50s and is a bit fussy. She's always been a tricky one to buy for. I usually get my thinking cap on and come up with something decent. I don't know if it's because I'm pregnant, or I've just used up all the good ideas, but I can't think of anything at all this year. Here's some info about my mum.

• she works in a garden centre and likes outdoorsy, gardeny stuff.
• she loves tea sets and delicate China. I tend to try not to buy this as a gift, because everyone else inevitably will!
• she's partial to a cuppa
• she bakes sometimes - mostly stuff like soda farls and wheaten bread.
• she's a bit Christmas mad
• she got a FitBit for her birthday and is obsessed with it
• she's pretty good at sewing but doesn't get much time for it
• she recently got her ears pierced, but insists that her delicate skin must only be pierced with gold, because she reckons she's allergic to everything else.
• she has recently started to show an interest in browsing in Argento and nearly bought herself some Pandora stuff, but decided it wasn't worth the money.
• she quite likes cats
• she lives with my dad and my brother, but my dad will soon be away for 1 week per month for his new job. Brother isn't home much either as he works a lot.
• she's a very good mum and has helped us out a lot when it has come to setting up our new home.

What do you think? Budget of about £60. Would be able to stretch it a bit for something she'd really like, though!!

C'mon, Mumsnet. Help a girl out!

Some luxury handcream may be appreciated if she likes gardening? Perhaps some sort of collectible Christmas ornament like Wedgewood or Swarovski? My mum's also tricky to buy for as she doesn't do chocolate, alcohol, jewelry, smellies, so I feel your pain!

If I were your mum I would like:

1. A collection of posh jams for the nice breads I made. Maybe miniatures.
2. 12 books, one for each month, to read in the weeks your dad is away,
3. Or same theme but a good magazine subscription

I received some in shower moisturiser last year (the sort you apply while still wet). Was a revelation so I have asked for the same this year.

If she likes the garden some Joules wellibobs would be nice. I live mine they are so pretty and we're £39.99.

I have bought my parents Amazon prime membership. £79 per year. Inckudes prime video, amazon music (they will use both) and a free kindle book per month as well as free delivery.

They don’t want/need anything.

A nice bird bath for her garden?

Some great ideas. OP I'm so relieved to find someone else who struggles with ideas

Earrings- if she's only just had them pierced she'll need to start up a collection. But not Pandora. Try proper jewellers if you want actual gold.

I would like an afternoon tea voucher for two, to enjoy an afternoon with my Daughter after a mooch round a garden centre (it’s really about quality time with you)

excellent inspiration for dh and my kids there (I give them a list), thank you ladies. For gardeners I’d add a nice trowel or fork from here, they are by far the best tools for gardeners.

Thanks for this thread! I might actually get my (always cold) mil something useful!

An Alexa?

I'm a similar age to your mum and some of the suggestions here fill me with horror! But we're all different...

As I'm a similar age though I thought I'd give some other suggestions -

A voucher for a local beauty salon to have a treatment - nails/facial etc, then arrange to meet her afterwards for a glass of fizz

An amazon voucher to buy books for her Kindle

A cashmere jumper or scarf

Some really lovely expensive bath oil - something like Jo Malone Red Roses

Theatre tickets

Afternoon tea is a great idea, depending on where you live a museum cafe might be nice so that she and a friend can make a day of it.

Some nice 'loungewear' for wearing when relaxing at home. From somewhere like Hush, or M&S occasionally have some nice pieces.

Monthly subscription to Readly if she has a tablet (loads of downloadable magazines) or a magazine subscription

Jigsaw holder (one of those things you can do the jigsaw on and fold up) and a jigsaw or 2.

Turtle Dove is all cashmere so while they will wash OK they will need careful handling - delicates wash, slow spin.

What about a sewing course? Especially a weekly one - she would be able to make time to get out of the house and sew maybe if she doesn't have time for it normally?

I second the ideas of a facial/spa visit (my actual mum is in her 70s and would hate this but I'm in my 50s and love spas).

Or gold jewellery.

I thought Joules wellibobs too! I love mine, as does most of my female friends (40-65)

For those who suggested Wellibobs - you seem to have the measure of her! She already has some and loves them.

@Deminism your post was so sweet, really personal to the info I'd shared about my mum! And the books aren't a bad idea.

Mum isn't really into spas and things, but the links to fancy gardening bits and bobs look very nice. Loungewear and a sewing course are currently high up on the list. She does like to treat herself to a regular file and polish, so maybe a voucher to a nail place wouldn't be a bad idea - although my cousin gets her one every year.

Afternoon tea at a local cat cafe? Alex Monroe Bumble bee earnings. Wireless headphones. I'm 43 and that's my wish list if Santa is reading.

I'm 50 and the best pres from my daughter is a day out with her. Theatre or shopping with lunch. That sort of thing.

Magazine sub to a gardening magazine or counyryfile mag etc?

Some nice gold earrings, jewellery box have some nice flower studs

www.jewellerybox.co.uk/category/earrings/jewellery/Earrings.html

Chilly bottle for cold water whilst out gardening in the summer.
L’Occitane Shea or Burt Bees handcream
Dawes Watering can
Wolf Garten push pull weeder
Seed storage box
Garden journal
Sibley patio almond tree in pot or a patio peach tree
Bio buzz terracotta watering spikes
Felco secateurs
RHS membership
Chelsea or Hampton Court tickets

Will the keep your dad is away give her more time on her hands? If so then maybe something to do with the sewing. Don't sew myself, so I'm not actually sure what - maybe MNetters who sew could help?

X posted - I see you might get the sewing course.

Are you anywhere near the Midlands? Here are two ideas that combine some of your Mum's interests with afternoon tea.

My colleague recently did this Wedgewood Experience You get to go round the museum, throw your own pot and have a splendid afternoon tea.

And my sister, who is a keen gardener, loved this David Austen You can get a nice afternoon tea at the David Austen Rose Nursery and I think you can also get vouchers towards roses too.

It sounds like I might have a lot in common with your mum.

I would also prefer to have an event/memory thing, rather than stuff. Eg. A family trip to an Escape Room. Or Indoor Skydiving with a photo thrown in. Or, a posh afternoon tea with you, maybe even in a tree house??!!! (I would love this!!!) All of these sorts of things can be bought as gifts in advance and there are often offers on at this time of year.

I've been looking around for some 'nice' earrings for a while - a stud for special occasions. I think this could be a good idea, so long as they are good quality. (Not Pandora.)

A basic manicure sounds good or how about a voucher to get her eye lashes dyed? I've been thinking of doing this myself as I can't be bothered with mascara etc.

A token for an osteopath or massage? (Good for gardeners.)

A professional family photo.

A photobook of happy times.

A mirror compact could be a good stocking filler - make sure it's got a magnifying mirror in it. (Sad but true.)

Some nice boots?

Audio books?