If you're in your 50's and financially comfortable...

[marezeedotes]

What would be a nice £30ish gift to receive from your daughter that loves you very much and is fed up of giving you marmalade and biscuits that you very graciously pretend to to love?

Bonus points for gift ideas for your slightly churlish older husband who's retired and has no hobbies other than the Masons.

I am the person you describe -

I love a bath so I'd love some lovely, luxurious bath things but not everyone does---if she does then maybe Neil's Yard bath stuff and a nice candle for bathroom?

I also love gin but not flavoured-some sip smith for me with nice fever tree mediterranean tonic.

White company has some frivolous and gorgeous slippers with pom poms- something that I wouldn't buy for myself but would like to have.

Last year I asked for specific sized Cath Kidson mugs for my morning coffee and every morning when I take one out of the cupboard I think of DC who gave them to me.

Not on the high street has some gorgeous framed things you can customise about your family etc-my DD has done a few of these for me and all hang in the kitchen and I love them.

Books. Chosen for me.

Grumpy husband: nice socks or gloves or a scarf (wool not synthetics)

Who doesn't have gloves or scarf? You only need 1 of each and if you buy well they last decades.

My DH was given 4 scarves one year (probably what made us give up exchanging presents). He has a scarf already, he spent 2 years finding the perfect scarf (don't ask), he doesn't need any more.

being the right category, really I don't see presents as proof of love

I do love spending time with dd though.

Otherwise Stuff I can use like bar soap , because it's useful,and I would hate strongly for her to waste money on stuff I don't need or like

But far better, a date or two in the diary for a coffee or a walk just the 2of us

I think some of the suggestions are quite a lot over the op's £30 budget!! (tickets for theatre/experiences, designer silk scarf...)

Another vote for not buying a flavoured gin! Honestly, as someone who has been drinking gin for over 30 years, they taste like alcopops. I like gin, not pink cough-sweet flavoured spirit.
And my favourite is Gin Mare, with a sprig of bruised rosemary and regular Fever Tree tonic.

Another one for Silent Pool Gin. Lovely flavour, pretty bottle and the do a nice matching cops glass in a set. Also scented candle.

I'm in this age bracket but all the above suggestions sound a bit impersonal and "older mumsy".

Think of a book your mum/dad likes and then look on Amazon/Goodreads for "if you like this, you'll like..." or on what other customers bought. If they're not big readers, a magazine subscription to - not Good Housekeeping - but some sort of niche publication might be an idea.

Basically anything that is not something your mum can pick up herself in Waitrose.

Certainly not tokens. If your parents are comfortable then they can go to the theatre/garden centre themselves if they want to. And no experiences. I wonder how many segway/hot air balloon/gin blending sessions are festering in people's kitchen drawers, occasionally causing the recipient guilt that they haven't been used.

My wish list includes various sizes of wooden knitting needles, a boot tidy for my car, an exploding box for my pins and needles and a jewellery box. I've also spotted an ox blood leather purse in TK Maxx that was bang on your budget.

DH, who pretty much fits your description apart from the Masons likes to garden and has eyed up a Bee Hotel that is about £30. I've just bought him a cast iron bird feeder from Dibor that is beautiful.

I’m early fifties and horrified at the thought of marmalade and biscuits 😱. Does your mum not have any hobbies? Knitting, crochet, gardening, reading, theatre. Spa day, afternoon tea.

Another vote for not buying a flavoured gin! Honestly, as someone who has been drinking gin for over 30 years, they taste like alcopops.

This time last year I had 40 bottles of gin mostly gifted- enough for a double each day for 2 years.

I selected the 8 gins I enjoyed most and gave the rest away to a friend who was having a massive new years eve party. Its as very liberating.

They have now sneaked up to about 15 which is annoying.

@IrmaFayLear with all due respect you don't represent all women in their 50s. My mum can buy anything she wants, what she values is time with us, she has 55 years of "stuff" so much prefers experience presents. So any experience that involves time with DB or I she loves. Most of us here are saying what our mums like, of course everyone is different.

Does your mum not have any hobbies? Knitting, crochet, gardening, reading, theatre. Spa day, afternoon tea

All the 50 year old women I know including me are at the height or their careers with lifestyles to match. They are 50 not 85

@Justapatchofgrass
Yes, some of us 50 somethings love Afternoon tea/a nice lunch out but have no interest in drinking alcohol so any Gin would be re-gifted or saved for visitors.

I’d love a magazine subscription to one I regularly read (olive or good housekeeping) a white company mint candle, a moleskin diary, books, nice knickers...

Do 50 yo women really go for expensive ‘afternoon tea’?

I do! That or a trip to the theatre would suit me very well, or really lovely warm slippers. And I am 'at the height of my career' - but I still enjoy trips to the theatre & warm feet!

Certainly not tokens. If your parents are comfortable then they can go to the theatre/garden centre themselves if they want to. And no experiences. I wonder how many segway/hot air balloon/gin blending sessions are festering in people's kitchen drawers, occasionally causing the recipient guilt that they haven't been used.

I agree. My Dh was given an £165 experience last year. 200 miles away and would require travel and an overnight stay. However mainly he was unable to to it as he had a restricting condition.The only thing nearby to change it too was afternoon tea with prosecco at dodgy hotels. It also cost to change it to another activity.

Such as waste of money.

Gin but not Bombay sapphire as previously suggested. Minimum Hendricks, possibly Edinburgh, Sipsmith, Boodles or brockmans in your budget. I would skip the gin glass and but a few bottles of nice tonic.

You won't get Jo Malone within your budget but a White Company candle would be nice.

I would like something that shows some thought. What is your mum into?

I personally would not particularly like toiletries or scented oils. Is gin her tipple of choice? I would love a spa voucher for a massage or facial but, I know, my old mum would hate it. It's a very personal thing.

Definitely take me out somewhere nice. Afternoon tea or the theatre

a trip to the theatre would suit me very well

For £30, it would cost closer to £80 for 2 people even in a provincial theatre.

My parent's 80th is coming up and one thing we are getting is wine tasting with lunch (that's their 'thing') which is £45 per head - stretching your budget a bit.

Old person here I do think a nice bone china mug could go down well. I have a lovely one with a robin on it. I know it came from Home Bargains, but my daughter chose it because she knew I would like it, and I think of her every time I get it out of the cupboard.

TK Maxx always has upmarket candles this time of year. What about a luxurious leather wash bag for your dad? My DH is a bit traditional, he loves that sort of thing. Another gift I'd be happy with is potted spring bulbs. Good luck!

I'd love a plant in a nice pot for the garden, a voucher for afternoon tea with you, a bottle of anything nice alcoholic - champagne, baileys, brandy - a subscription to a gift box, maybe a craft box or books, a ticket for something on at a local theatre, a nice hamper with chocs and things, some expensive shower gel I wouldn't buy myself, a framed photo or picture.

For me it would be a decent lipstick. I can afford to buy them myself but I can be a tightarse sometimes and buy cheaper but the pigment isn't as good so it's a false economy