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Christmas

From present ideas to party food, find all your Christmas inspiration here.

Original poster

Present for MIL with no interests or hobbies

27 replies

mnahmnah · 16/12/2018 07:08

Help!

DH has been trying everything to get out if his DM what she wants for Christmas for weeks. It is always either ‘I don’t know’ or ‘I don’t need anything’. Helpful!

She does an awful lot for us so we really want to get her something, obviously. The trouble is, she has zero interests or hobbies. Her house is full of clutter that she buys at car boots. She doesn’t wear make up or care much about hair, clothes etc. She reads, but gets plenty of books from car boots. She would never do a spa treatment or anything like that. She doesn’t go out ever for a drink or meal or anything with FIL, just not their thing, so cinema or theatre tickets no good either.

Anyone have any suggestions please?!

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Frogletmamma · 16/12/2018 07:09

Scented candle?

Original poster
mnahmnah · 16/12/2018 07:11

Her living room is littered with them! From car boots, of course. This is the problem. She buys things constantly from car boots and charity shops

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SnuggyBuggy · 16/12/2018 07:14

Maybe a nice storage box

PostmanBos · 16/12/2018 07:14

Nice food. Something homemade. Something related to the kids such as a photobook or calender or a gift the kids have made for her.

UnexpectedItemInShaggingArea · 16/12/2018 07:15

I have the same problem with my SIL. And she can't have food or alcohol presents. So watching with interest.

Original poster
mnahmnah · 16/12/2018 07:15

Storage boxes might be an idea. Thanks

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AthenaisdeRochechouart · 16/12/2018 07:16

Would she go to the cinema with DGC? You could get her tickets for something like Mary Poppins.

Original poster
mnahmnah · 16/12/2018 07:16

Yeah they don’t do ‘nice’ foods. They eat very simply

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Silkie2 · 16/12/2018 07:20

Subscription to the Radio Times or a gardening mag or women's mag, she might enjoy passing it on to friends when she read it if it's a good one. Or one of the local news magazines if you have one in your area.

madvixen · 16/12/2018 07:23

You say she reads a lot, does she have a favourite author? A lot of authors sell signed copies of their books via their websites so that could be an option. Or a books by post subscription?

user1493413286 · 16/12/2018 07:25

Some nice “luxurious” food collections of foods she likes so you know she’ll eat them

cheeseandcrackers · 16/12/2018 07:26

Photo book with photos from throughout the year? Photo calendar? Tickets for concert?

Original poster
mnahmnah · 16/12/2018 07:27

I think with the cinema she would see it as us getting her to do childcare! Plus she doesn’t drive. Which makes any present requiring travel difficult. FIL drives but only to local places he knows the route to and he often works weekends. They live 40 mins from us too.

She doesn’t read magazines. I’ve got my DM subscriptions before. They’re a great present.

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Rogueone · 16/12/2018 07:29

She sounds like my mum. No hobbies, simple foods, doesn’t really drink, doesn’t bother with make up! I ended up getting her a dressing gown and a nightie and toilet bag. Fairly bland but I know she will be happy

Original poster
mnahmnah · 16/12/2018 07:29

We’ve tried photo stuff before. She doesn’t seem bothered.

Lots of great ideas though, thank you. I don’t mean to be dismissive. She just really is very difficult to buy for. She’s lovely. Not a difficult person in the slightest. She just has no interests or hobbies, doesn’t leave the town they live in, no friends or social life

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Original poster
mnahmnah · 16/12/2018 07:30

Dressing gown and nighty might be a goer....

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Urbanbeetler · 16/12/2018 07:30

A cleaning service?

Seriously though, don’t add to the clutter with more tat. Bed linen or shoes - some bright trainers maybe?

PatchworkElmer · 16/12/2018 07:36

I know she’s not bothered by photo gifts, but would she like to have photos taken of her and your DC? You could book a photoshoot?

My parents are getting their Christmas present from us today- santa steam train with us and DS, followed by lunch. If you think she’d view taking just the DC as providing childcare, is something like this an option?

Or, if all else fails- do they have a holiday coming up? I often give foreign currency as a gift (though this is less than ideal with the current exchange rates!!)

cushioncuddle · 16/12/2018 07:37

The ancestory DNA thing.

Catch Kidson shopping bag for going to car boot sales.

Pretty storage boxes from TK Max.

Bird feeder and bird bath.

Bees wax reusable food covers.

Silicone oven gloves.

T towel with a picture of your kids on.

Jigsaw.

Pot planted up with winter flowers.

Original poster
mnahmnah · 16/12/2018 07:44

Winter flower pot might work! Thanks

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Twisique · 16/12/2018 09:00

Life coach who specialises in hoarding... Or slippers.

Littlelambpeep · 16/12/2018 09:08

Storage boxes would be good. Nice set of wicker ones or argos do a cream leather one that hold loads.

Louby6 · 16/12/2018 09:17

How about a simple charm bracelet, your children could choose a charm each to start it off then you could add to it for her birthday and Christmas and other special occasions 😊 Pandora do nice ones but I’m sure there would be plenty to choose from.

Santababyclaus · 16/12/2018 09:17

What about a supermarket voucher? I know a voucher to say Tesco is boring but at least it would be used. (maybe add a small pot plant)

Original poster
mnahmnah · 16/12/2018 09:32

twiseake
Haha!

Surprisingly, she doesn’t do jewellery either....

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