What can I get you for Christmas?

[Carleatspeas]

Dear Mumsnetters,

I am a man. I have a mother. I come in peace.

For the past few years I have cunningly used Mumsnet as a fountain of knowledge to buy Christmas presents for my other half. During that time, I have been guided towards silk dressing gowns (which were a huge hit), Coach handbags (which went down okay) and other things that I can no longer remember. You’ve been pretty helpful and I’m in desperate need of help again. I have zero time to go out shopping between now and Christmas and I will be away with work for much of the next two weeks – so it will mostly be done through the internet. The intended recipient is my wife, who is 42, active, loves dogs, the great outdoors and anything nice really. I have no idea how much I’ll spend. Somewhere between £400 and £1000ish by the time I’ve got a few things. We have no children so I like to spend a bit on her at Christmas.

Anyway, and top tips are gratefully received. What would you like as a present this Christmas?

Thanks in advance!

Carl

I remember you from last year

I am interested as to what your wife would say if you asked her as its a good budget and she may prefer one huge thing like a weekend at a vineyard in the South of France with you/ weekend in New York /pasta making in Bologna or she may like a daytrip to Bognor plus lots of small things to enjoy throughout the year …. basically if she could spend her days doing what she would like & with whom or wearing what would she choose - any help on this front would help our suggestions - also whether you are near any big city etc & what type of music she likes.

Anyhow taking on board no candles I would go for in no particular order:

simple gold or silver (depending on her preference) chunky but simple bangle thoughtfully engraved with a personal message

Space NK vouchers as so much to choose from - if you are near London perhaps change for Liberty vouchers as their beauty hall is lovely - give these wrapped up in something eg Aromatherapy Associates gift selection of bath oils - one there for every mood

Does she like Ballet - tickets to see Matthew Bourne's Red Shoes at Saddlers Wells (finishes 19/-01) or alternatively a theatre show for something she (not you) would like - Cirque 1903/Book of Mormon/Hamilton or a concert at Royal Albert Hall

Cashmere hoody to lounge in at home

Cinema - membership to Picturehouse or similar chain for a year

Something to do - perhaps a Calligraphy workshop, Tutankhamum exhibtion in Chelsea followed by cocktails - one of those tasting tings that Nyetimber are running

Reading in Hels subscription

A weekend away with her husband in the UK in a heated 5star plush cabin with nothing but takeaways and champagne !

I love my SSSHOWERCAP I got for my birthday... replaced the well used plastic one I’d got from a hotel.
They’re around £35 so more a stocking filler.

Kilian perfume - amazing but so pricey.
I’m 44, was outdoorsy before DC and would never appreciate generic cashmere gifts (just not me), or loungewear for that matter.
Expensive lingerie that fits! Now that’s a good thing.
I’d love an amazing small evening bag like the mini Aspinal ones. And somewhere to go out to with it!!
Well that’s the expensive tastes bit..
Expensive jewellery- I love Chupi but again, it’s pricey
Jewellery - earrings! Diamonds, Rubies or Sapphires

And once I stop daydreaming..
I’d love a weekend away
Wonderful chocolate
Books and time to read them
Kate Spade bits and bobs

What is " generic cashmere" ?

What a lovely, thoughtful husband you are. Please may I have:

Some Celtic and Co sheepskin slippers - boogie ones in Vole
A fairisle poncho from Hume Sweet Hume
Cashmere jumper from the White Company
Cashmere fingerless gloves
Tickets to Matilda the musical
Ren Rose bath oil
Neals Yard Frankincense oils/creams/serums

Thanks in advance x

Bootie not boogie!

I’m probably not your target audience but outdoor loving; would like a waterproof down coat (rab type) please. Thanks.

Ps i think you can get sustainable down. That would mean a lot to me.

www.petlandia.com/shop/story-book/adventures-in-petlandia
Someone bought me this personalised dog story book as a joke gift and I loved it!

If “outdoorsy” includes gardening then Niwaki sells the stuff of dreams. The golden spade is an absolute winner.

Brora does beautiful quality cashmere. Check it out.

As for lingerie, Selfridges online has a large selection of top brands. I think this is a little difficult to buy yourself.

A designer purse. Louis Vuitton

Tory Burch handbag. Very nice.

A Gucci scarf

Soft leather gloves - all the designers will do these

She's gonna be a lucky lady!

I’m nearly your wife!

I’m getting, in (order of preference);
A puppy
Cashmere scarf (I have a men’s Abercrombie &Fitch which I have worn loads, ideally it should be washable if to be used dog walking).
Snickers bars (it’s essential to get her favourite chocolates, and NOT anything she does not like, particularly when you have been married several years ‘D’H)
Extravagant dog accoutrements (towelling wraps, Christmas dog bed, and bow ties this year), but they need to be wrapped for the dogs and not passed off as hers - whatever the truth may be.
New le Chameau wellies
New Timberlands
Barbour jackets (quilted and wax)
Books

I’ve really loved/would love;
Short city breaks (Amsterdam esp, but London and Barcelona were good, and a PPs suggestion of Bologna is one I’d like to try)
Clay pigeon shooting lesson
ballet tickets (Romeo n Juliet was great, Nutcracker is seasonal)
Paintings/prints
Gardening tools - a silky saw would be ace, but I’ve been spoilt this year as it is.
New shed
Plants and bulbs, or a voucher so I can chose my own.
Crafty things - paints, sewing, kit/borax and fake eyes for taxidermy, knitting, needle felting etc
My friend has some needle felt models of his dogs, which I am rather jealous of. Lots of people offer pet portraits, DSD loves hers.
I like LUSH, but it’s not for everyone. I also like some REN products, and hand creams - L’Occitiane, Esteé Lauder...
Memory foam dog bed (Orvis)
Car seat covers (again Orvis, although you can get similar ones A LOT cheaper) again, these should be wrapped for the dogs
I’d be chuffed with ironic totally not ironic tiger fur covers, although I’ve never seen any waterproof ones.
Sealskin gloves (hat is horrible though)
Do wear my eternity ring a lot, but might be over your budget.

Our local farm shop has wellie drying gadgets, little heated bits you drop into the wellies. Not sure if they just saw me coming...
I fancy a pair of Sarah Raven’s sheepskin Chelsea boots, does anyone have them? Are they as good as they look?

Personally If i had the choice i’d like a fitbit versa 2, some decent walking boots, a kitchen aid mixer, tickets for a show with hotel stay, a dyson hair dryer, some nice elemis face creams or failing that jewellery.

I would love -
A really soft cashmere scarf from Brora
A little box of chocolates from Audreys (no nuts or toffee fillings)
A gift voucher from Space UK
A short city break together
A visit to Sarah Raven's garden and a selection of plants / bulbs

p.s. please do not buy your DW anything from Lush....

One more suggestion....... soft leather gloves that you can wear and text with them on

New Canicross butt-belt.

Or for something less niche, books, books, coffee, beer. Handcream.

A quad bike? A Mulberry Anthony - my dog walking bag of choice.

www.heywoodhill.com/subscriptions

Please. Thank you. x

I bet there has been a lot of googling of
"what is a pricey posh present for my missus"
and the results are all listed here!

I will be honest and say I have no idea what half the 'makes' are on this list.

Lindt chocolate balls are a treat in my stocking

• One of the new Dyson hairdryers
• silk long pjs or silk cami and short set
• cashmere scarf, gloves or pullover
• beautiful journal and pen
• handbag - Kate Spade do a great one that will fit your lap top in it. I use mine for work.
• kitchen aid mixer
• Le crueset casserole or bakeware

Hmmm...if you are getting a noodle maker you probably already have the bottom two items on my list.

Best cooking class type thing I’ve done recently is using to temper chocolate.

I’ll have a ski holiday and a pre packed case, thankee very much!

Or a dog friendly break to somewhere like the Cairngorms, in a lovely house with a real fire.

Set of 3 silk travel bags from Sara Miller.

A nice hand cream.

A good quality small umbrella for my bag.

Long weekend in Berlin, please
Really top notch chocolate
L’Artisan Parfumeur Tea for Two or Les Exclusifs de Chanel Coromandel
Solovair or Paraboot hiker boots

God if money were no object:
A Karen Mabon Scarf

An Aspinals portfolio

(Needs a Mont Blanc pen to go with it, I have had mine six years and adore it every single day)

The whole of Anthropologie’s homewares

A couple of nights on Spitbank Fort

Chanel Chance Body Moisturiser which just makes me feel special every time I put it on. Probably because I’ve slathered myself in a fiver of moisturiser

Aromatherapy Associates bath oil selection, one for every mood is totally wonderful. Bought from Space NK as a gift for someone and ended up having to keep it for myself