Christmas present help

[proseccoaficionado]

Hi, lovely people of MN.

Posting in AIBU for traffic.

Ok, I know Christmas is 3.5 months away, but I usually start my Christmas present hunt in October, just to make sure I have plenty of time to get thoughtful presents for the people I love.

I have no idea whatsoever anymore what to get Dp, DM and DF

Some relevant info
Dp: in his 30s, he's a senior software developer, loves technology but has everything he could have. A part of the present will be a perfume, but what about the rest? Budget about £250

Mother: in her 50s, very passionate about dressing nice, she loves perfumes (but has plenty) and generally is passionate about nice things overall. Buget about £100-ish

Father; in his 50s, senior software developer too, loves technology but doesn't own a lot, not a big fan of phones, etc. Budget about £100-ish

Please help, lovely MNetters

For your mother, what about a nice royal doulton vase, or some nice crystal? Or earrings? You can get pretty nice ones for £100, or look on ebay for antique, and pay to have them professionally cleaned?

@Marshmallow91 I got her earrings last Christmas This is so damn hard!😂

It depends on their outlook to life & their interests. I’m in my 50s & if someone gave me a Royal Doulton vase or some crystal, I’d be grateful but unimpressed. I’d like theatre tokens, or a Salsa lesson for me DP, or n afternoon canoeing. 😳

For dad, maybe alexa, or amazon echo?

Or a nice watch?

Also, you could go for experience days with your partner, like sky diving or f1 driving experience (I've bought the latter for previous partner and he loved it)

@funmummy48 you're very right, I'm in my late 20s, and I collect royal doulton bunnykins, and antiques!

@funmummy48 she'd be unimpressed too, however I'd be very impressed and I'm 27

@Marshmallow91 alexa sounds great for dad!

I will come back with suggestions but just wanted to let you know that there’s is a Christmas topic where it is never too early to talk about Christmas prep/gifts/decorations/memories/nostalgia/plans/etc!

There is a Christmas gift bargains and ideas thread running where you will find lots of inspiration and people share links to good deals they have found to make shopping easier and less hassle.

You could also reports this thread to MNHQ and ask them to move it to the Christmas topic for you, if you like.

Agree right now to not do presents like this. There's simply no need.

Buy everyone a bottle of wine, spirits or similar, maybe have a nice meal out together and leave them to buy their own tech and ornaments.

That way, they get exactly the right one if they actually want one and no-one has to spend the next 3 months worrying about getting the right present when you don't know what they need and whether they actually want anything.

@Ninkaninus could you please give me the link to the thread?

@Ninkaninus no clue how to report? Can other posters report it and ask for it to be moved in Christmas?

@BarbaraofSeville I agree to a certain extent but there's joy in giving and receiving presents, and thankfully I have an amazing family and we always get eachother beautiful gifts! It's a lovely tradition

Up at the top of your op there is a report button. Click that and a box will open where you can ask them to move it.

(AIBU can get pretty heated on mentioning the ‘C’ word before some people feel it’s warranted (some with valid reasons tbf)

I’ll find the link for you to the thread, but you can also have a look at the Christmas topic and it will be there on the first page.

Urgh I used double parentheses and then dropped one! Never mind.

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/Christmas/3689131-Thread-3-I-do-not-need-hot-chocolate-balls-and-I-never-thought-Id-get-so-stressed-over-willies

This:
Agree right now to not do presents like this. There's simply no need.

Buy everyone a bottle of wine, spirits or similar, maybe have a nice meal out together and leave them to buy their own tech and ornaments.

Save yourself, and them, a load of time, faff and money. Agree to go somewhere nice together or have a nice meal out and split the costs.

Either that or an "experience" thing rather than tat which they'd likely not have chosen for themselves and will feel obliged to display etc!

I'd also think about an animal adoption with WWF/Born Free or similar. Those always go down well and actually do some good and don't clutter peoples houses.

Some people actually enjoy giving or receiving a gift, I don’t think it’s necessary to completely opt out of that unless it’s causing huge stress or money difficulties.

OP has already clarified that she enjoys it and wants to participate, just doesn’t know what to buy yet.

@Notajogger We never buy things to clutter people's houses. Previous presents have been either jewellery, clothing they needed (such as a coat/boots), etc.

Also, my mom adopted 4 dogs and 2 horses and she pays for them monthly, so can't do that either, unfortunately!

@Ninkaninus thanks a lot! I'm not bothered, Christmas is my favorite time of the year. I'm a very organised person and I like to do it all early and properly

@Ninkaninus No stress or money difficulties, no, we all enjoy it. My father also always gets a book every year (last year he got a trilogy that he absolutely loved!)

What about a voucher for a nice shop? My mum got a Liberty voucher last year and spent it in the sales - she said it was a brilliant gift as she was able to choose something unique she wouldn't have normally bought.

You will fit right in with the Christmas lovers and early prepped over there then! Have you reported or would you like me to do it for you?

Posh smellies, candles, scarfs for your mum? Or a kitchen gadget- slowcooker or something?
For the techy men about dashcams?

@Ninkaninus If you could that'd be amazing, thanks, no button here (ios, maybe that's why?) thank you very much, you're really kind!

@mammabella1 i'll consider vouchers if I haven't found the right present! Normally we don't give vouchers! Thanks!

@Whatdayisit2 I kept buying her yankee candle candles & some jo malone with no occasion. I've screwed myself, haven't I?😂

(The reason some people prefer for Christmas to be kept out of the general topics until later in the year is because if they have been bereaved or have particularly difficult memories or associations with Christmas, it means they have to start confronting those much earlier in the year. If it’s kept to that topic they can just hide it and they won’t have to see them all popping up on the main threads as happens every year)

@Ninkaninus Oh, dear Lord, haven't even considered that, I am so sorry if I caused distress to anyone! So inconsiderate of me