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Christmas

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

Original poster

Gifts for DF to give to DM, no judging please...

182 replies

Courtney555 · 08/12/2019 06:41

Each year, DF has no clue (or time) to get DMs Christmas presents.

Standard procedure is that I'll investigate what she'd like on his behalf, and let him know. I then tend to go out and get it, and he reimburses me, more so he doesn't accidentally get the wrong thing (DM is very particular at times).

This year, I'm heavily pregnant with twins, and DM is keeping quiet...she says I should be relaxing, and she's interested to see what he gets her without my assistance. I understand where she's coming from, but I can answer that pretty easily... she'll get nothing. Not because DF is an arse, but because he honestly won't know where to start.

So. Given that she's not revealing anything, what would some lovely gifts be, that would look really thoughtful, or really well picked? Budget £300-400, 2 or 3 items.

Previous years have included:

Fairfax and Favour boots and handbag.
Jimmy Choo handbag (I think he was in the doghouse that year Xmas Grin )
Bread maker and Bread making course
Jewellery set
Perfume
Fitflop slippers
Ted Baker PJ's and dressing gown

She's early 60s. Very glam. Likes: Cooking. Skiing. Makeup (but this can be tricky, she's allergic to lots). Her two dogs. Country life.

Would not appreciate: Candles. Meal out/experience day. Undies or more nightwear.

Please no "useless DF" bashing. Thank you in advance!...

OP posts:
ContessaLovesTheSunshine · 08/12/2019 06:49

Wow. £300 is a lot of money to get wrong! And she knows this is the procedure? Confused

I think she will expect him to repeat a previous gift idea that worked well, so in a way that makes life easier for you - no novel thinking required. Maybe another designer bag? That will absorb most of the budget so you've less to buy....

TheLovleyChebbyMcGee · 08/12/2019 06:51

Does she drink? Maybe a nice fancy bottle of gin or champagne? Would a tour of a distillery work? You get some places that do tutored tastings, but I'm not sure if you'd consider that a day out or experience. One of my pals did one where you make your own gin and loved it.

A nice cashmere scarf?

Original poster
Courtney555 · 08/12/2019 06:52

I should have added no bags/purses/wallets either, as that's what she's just had for her birthday a couple of months back.

OP posts:
MinnieMouseMaze · 08/12/2019 06:53

@courtney555 do you not think if she's made a point this year that she wants DF to find something, it would be fairer to leave them to it (even if it means nothing?).

stripes1 · 08/12/2019 06:54

Dublin footwear river boots for stylish dog walking? Good quality waterproof coat to go with them?

If she likes cooking she probably has Le Creuset casserole dishes but they are bringing them out in all sorts of colours at the moment. Could be an option in a favourite colour.

RhymingRabbit3 · 08/12/2019 06:54

She doesn't want you to help your dad so I think you should follow her wishes. You can warn her that she risks getting nothing. You can tell your dad that he absolutely must get her something. Surely he can think of something!? You could still get her a nice present from you.

Original poster
Courtney555 · 08/12/2019 06:55

Does she drink? Maybe a nice fancy bottle of gin or champagne?

They have a games room with a huge stocked bar. She loves gin, but they've got easily 40 different types lined up.

Would a tour of a distillery work?

They live 4 minutes from one, she's done the tour twice.

The woman is a nightmare to buy for.

OP posts:
gerispringer · 08/12/2019 06:58

A weekend For the two of them in a posh hotel somewhere like the Cotswolds or Yorkshire Dales.

Bodear · 08/12/2019 06:58

She must need some new ski stuff. What goggles does she have?
New boot bag?

ContessaLovesTheSunshine · 08/12/2019 06:58

Well, surely she's your dad's nightmare to buy for this time!

FredaFrogspawn · 08/12/2019 06:59

Silk bed linen - so kind on the skin and hair
Luggage - a super-light case and overnight bag
Jewellery- he must have some idea of what she likes
An Oxfam goat.

I was joking about the goat.

Bodear · 08/12/2019 07:00

But yes, as pp say, I’m not sure it’s right that you’re this involved.
You dad sounds like he decent job so he can’t be incompetent.

gerispringer · 08/12/2019 07:00

Or maybe a weekend in a posh hotel in a town they haven’t been to Ludlow/ Harrogate/ Edinburgh/ Canterbury etc etc

Rainbowqueeen · 08/12/2019 07:01

Expensive pen
Posh sunglasses.

Expensive hand cream

Recipe books.
Flowers delivered once a fortnight for a year.

gerispringer · 08/12/2019 07:04

Barbour have some new jackets with National Trust inspired floral linings.

Original poster
Courtney555 · 08/12/2019 07:05

A nice cashmere scarf

This is a possibility.

If she likes cooking she probably has Le Creuset casserole dishes

Yup. That's what DS has "bought" for her present this year.

From DH and I, she has: new journal to hold all her recipes, naice dressing gown, DVDs of favourite singer in concert, books of local dog walks. Canvas bag (for all dog training bits) with caricatures of both dogs on. Diffusers and posh soaps for bathrooms.

I like the idea of a good dog walking coat. She's more style over substance, so a waxed or tweedy jacket would not necessarily be the way to go... anything more outdoorsy chic to recommend? I don't think she'd wear Barbour.

OP posts:
Gizlotsmum · 08/12/2019 07:06

Would a cookery course work? My MIL did a knife skills course or is that too much like an experience?

Original poster
Courtney555 · 08/12/2019 07:09

A weekend For the two of them in a posh hotel

They do this and go exploring somewhere at least once a month now they are both retired. Going away next weekend actually...hence no meals/trips/tickets/tours as they do that very regularly anyway.

OP posts:
BlueEyedFloozy · 08/12/2019 07:09

No bashing here - DH is absolutely useless with gifts so I used to buy my own and get the money back but now we just book a cheap 2 day break later in the year when we can get a babysitter instead. No point in wasting cash!

Anyway, how about;
Kitchen Aid Mixer
Designer jewelry (Tiffany sort of thing?)
A weekend break
Barbour jacket for winter dog walks
Tech - camera, tablet, Kindle?
One of those cookery subscription boxes with spices of herbs to try a new recipe each month.

What would she do if she didn't get something she loved? Maybe she's reached the point where gifts are meaningless and unnecessary - I'm in my 30's and don't really enjoy/need people buying me "stuff" anymore.

Bogoffrain · 08/12/2019 07:10

Qvc have a fantastic offer on Tarte make up today.

lifeisgoodagain · 08/12/2019 07:11

How about a short cruise on Cunard - stylish, glam for sure. I bought it for my mum. The short ones can be had for £4-500 for two people. They send you a lovely brochure ideal for wrapping.

Awks · 08/12/2019 07:12

I see a few of these type of jackets on stylish women, useful too. Or fedora hats with the feathers on them www.celticandco.com/womens/womens-outerwear/wax-cotton-cape

Asschercut · 08/12/2019 07:14

Cashmere. A beautiful Christmas table arrangement of flowers. A night away in the Four Seasons or Penny Hill Park etc. Tickets to Glyndebourne or the theatre. Afternoon tea at Browns Hotel, Mayfair (don't know where you are in uk though). A cookery weekend. A super soft pair of driving shoes (Todd's etc).

MarmaladeTeepee · 08/12/2019 07:15

Weekend at a spa? Or day visit to a really exclusive one with lots of treatments booked in? Or vouchers for her preferred beauticians? I'm just going off the fact you said she's glam - my DMs the same and this these are our failsafe options with her.

festivetootsie · 08/12/2019 07:15

I know you said no tickets but how about something like VIP tickets to cirque to Solveig at Royal Albert Hall that includes special bar access and food?