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

No no, don’t worry! I was just explaining the reasons in case you thought I was badgering you to move it.

But it doesn't sound like the OP enjoys it. She has no idea what to buy and it sounds like everyone has plenty of money to buy what they want, when they want it.

I'm not saying don't do presents, just not 'significant' ones where they have to be right, or else it's a waste of money. All the suggestions about jewellry, scarves etc, you don't know what people need, whether they wear things because they like them or just because they feel obliged to because it was a gift or are too polite to say they don't like them.

And as for things like slow cookers and dashcams, if those people wanted those things, they would have bought them themselves.

Anyway I have reported it now so MNHQ will do their thing and we can get down to serious business!

@Ninkaninus thanks!!!❤️⛄️

Of course this will really be quite different from person to person but I am 43 and also like to dress well. I would always welcome a new cashmere scarf (look at what she already wears to ensure you don’t duplicate with something too similar, but also to get an idea of what she likes).

I also would really be very happy with a liberty voucher or similar as mentioned above (unless she goes shopping there a lot already). Sometimes having a voucher can do a psychological thing of giving you permission to spend on something you normally wouldn’t, or to be a little more daring and adventurous or ‘frivolous’. This would be a lovely gift if you combined it with going to the particular store together on a day out (especially if it’s in a town she or you don’t often frequent), making it a shared experience too.

I tend to agree that if your dad wanted an Alexa he would already have got one (unless he’s not the type to just buy what he wants). In fact he may well not be keen on them at all if he’s a tech type (they ‘listen’ all the time and record and are a serious intrusion on privacy).

Oh haha it’s your partner not your dad!

I would not want Alexa in my house. Read up a bit before you invite her in...

Oh man I’m tired,. Didn’t sleep much last night and need a coffee!

Got myself all in a tizz there with referring back and skim reading.

Suffice to say I would not gift Alexa to anyone, nor have one myself.

@Ninkaninus Why not? Heard some stiff but never been bothered (we don't even speak english at home, just a random not too popular language so how could she pick it up?) we only talk english to her, lights on/off, radio, music, weather, etc

Is there a band your mum is into? I'm a big Take That fan but had never seen them and my daughter surprised me with Take That tickets for their tour this summer. I was hysterical haha I'm 50 btw
What I would like is a night away in a hotel, I love make up

For your partner I would consider a curry or other cooking subscription (unless you both really hate cooking, or absolutely love cooking and already do a lot of it together) - a weekly box with recipe and all the ingredients. It’s a great way of getting out of a meal rut and also it’s really nice to cook together - again it’s a shared experience you are gifting him. Added to that I would give him a weekly beer subscription.

It sounds silly but my OH loved the several pairs of cashmere socks I got him last year. So comfy and warm and soft. He wears them at home when he’s working from home, or in the evenings in winter to make sure he’s always toasty and warm. This year I’m going to give him some sheepskin slippers, and a cashmere scarf to upgrade the rather tatty wool one he’s had for years.

He also really liked the lego model of a Sopwith Camel plane I got him a few years ago. Another year I got him the Sydney Opera House which was painstaking and took a good few weeks to complete (he also works in tech, in a very demanding role, so he is permanently mentally fatigued. He liked being able to switch off by doing a different kind of problem solving in the evenings).

Posted too soon! Yes I love make up Mac, Urban Decay etc if your mum is into that?
I do love a nice handbag for high street I like River Island bags.
Clothes I do prefer to pick myself personally but I don't mind a voucher maybe your mums the same?
I do love a cosy dressing gown Next have some nice ones but my top present would be a night away in a hotel or a concert tbh
HTH

Fair enough, that helps a little. It’s the wider privacy principles and potential for gross misuse and negative societal repercussions that concern me but that’s really a discussion for another day! This is a light and fluffy thread!

@kissmelittleass that's amazing!!!!!! We love take that, our first wedding dance will be "rule the world"!❤️ We took mum to Ed Sheeran this summer, she loved it! noted for dressing gown, she doesn't have one, I love Oysho!

@Ninkaninus subscription food box noted, cashmere socks noted, these are great ideas! man, you really rock Christmas, don't you???? May I ask, how old are you?

If she does like make up a palette from Bobbi Brown would be an excellent gift. It’s well matched to more mature skin and colouring and is always beautifully packaged and feels luxurious. I do like UD too, but I’d take BB over UD any day of the week. It feels more sophisticated and grown-up to me (but I appreciate that we’re all different in that respect - I have multiple palettes from either brand so I’m not dissing UD).

I’m 43.

I’m probably a little older than my years, though, as I have grown up children so I’m probably at your mum’s general stage in life and attitude.

(In other ways I’m much younger that my years...I’m really just s great big ball of contradictions! )

It was amazing! I love Ed Sheehan too would love to see him and Coldplay.
Another thought for my 50th this summer my daughter got me a Tiffany bracelet and my son got me Tiffany earrings which I love. Think they would be within your budget?
I have a 9 year old too who bought me a nail varnish out of her money and a cake which was just as precious ❤️
So what I'm trying to say is whatever you get your mum it will be precious because it's from you! I am the same with my mum though so I know you're trying to get the nicest gift you can get x

Give your mum a scarf from Liberty

He also really liked the lego model of a Sopwith Camel plane I got him a few years ago. Another year I got him the Sydney Opera House which was painstaking and took a good few weeks to complete

@Ninkaninus Ha! I was going to suggest Lego. Both DH and I work in tech - I am in late 50s and he is in early 60s. Christmas before last I got him the Lego model of Saturn V and he loved it. Last Christmas he got me Tower Bridge. It took days but is one of the best presents I ever had.

I think it is hard to suggest for people you don't know. From OP's pen-portrait of her DM, for instance, I don't think suggesting any of the things I got would help much. But just in case recent Christmas and birthdays I have had a lot of pleasure out of kits for making / doing things and experience day vouchers also for crafts and things. In the past year I have been rug-making, spoon carving and felt making and I have a few more similar experiences pending.

Other options for your mum:

Something from Aspinal of London. Great quality, great designs, and each item comes in a beautiful gift box.

I would like these:

www.aspinaloflondon.com/products/double-sided-zip-card-holder-in-deep-shine-bordeaux-croc

www.aspinaloflondon.com/products/roman-silk-scarf-in-bordeaux

www.aspinaloflondon.com/products/handbag-tidy-all-in-midnight-blue-lizard

www.aspinaloflondon.com/products/cleopatra-cuff-bracelet-in-deep-shine-tortoiseshell-patent

Leather goods can be embossed for an elegant personalised touch.

If I was giving the handbag tidy as a gift I would buy a luxury lipstick (Lancôme/Estée Lauder/YSL/Chanel etc) and pop it in there as a little extra surprise.

For you mum anything fromJo Malone, especially room fragrance diffusers. I am really just posting this in case any of my kids or grandkids are trawling MN for ideas for me😃

Charity gifts? They have some really cool tailored ones now - like a beehive for a community etc. Have a look at Oxfam selection, they've got loads.

@5foot5 it really went down well. . There was added meaning to it because he really didn’t have a lot when he was growing up, didn’t have loads of lego as a child and had always really wanted it.

Omg, so many good replies! I'm actually writing things down.

Please keep them coming and don't forget my poor DP!