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

[Courtney555]

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 )
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!...

How about cashmere.Just been looking at poetryfashion.com (sorry can’t do a link)they have some lovely sweaters etc
Also look at Boden and Not on the Highstreet for cashmere lined fine leather gloves and a matching purse.
Would she like a luxury bed for her dogs
Dog accessories and a subscription to Country life magazine or perhaps something like Country homes and interiors
Maybe on that tack would she like a small antique piece of furniture like an Esqcritoire (small desk) Buy online or get DF to fetch them to save you the leg work

What about a cookery course at Betty's of Harrogate? I'd love to do one of these but we live about 4 hours away so not really practical.

Awks - that is so weird, I was going to suggest that exact coat/cape!!!! 😮

A down jacket? https://www.ralphlauren.co.uk/en/belmont-down-fill-jacket-495239.html?dwvar495239colorname=Madison%20Red&cgid=women-clothing-coats&webcat=WOMEN%2FClothing%2FCoats%20%20%20Jackets#utmmterm=women&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIlLDQxMGl5gIVQrTtCh2JaQ4HEAAYAiAAEgKJdvDBwE&sskwcid=AL!6316!3!372959670192!e!!g!!ralph+lauren+jacket&utmcampaign=alwaysonnaw19&utmmedium=google&label=AW19c&utmmsource=paidsearch&utmcontent=crid3729596701922kwralph+lauren+jackettidkwd-1113744355pid%7Bproductid%7D&start=1&cgid=women-clothing-coats

Stylish dog walking jacket, there are some really beautiful tweed ones about, a large country store a bit like Wadwicks will have plenty of choice (wiltshire based, but plenty of other type stores about) cashmere scarf, cashmere wrist warmers/socks, i have some from Brora, they are amazing.

What would she do if she didn't get something she loved?

Sulk. All Christmas Day. She's deliberately "testing" him, which is really unfair, because she knows full well he's useless at presents. DF is fab at many things. This is not one of them.

So, I'm determined not to let him "fail".

I think because she puts so much time and effort into getting us all wonderful and thoughtful gifts (and to be fair to her, she really does) she has this expectation of the same standard back. Plus, she's a bit of a diva by nature

A gold bangle - although he might have to up the budget a bit, but sounds like that won't be an issue.

If you go to an antique jewellers they'll have lots of options and you can't go wrong with one imo - simple understated and really easy to wear.

Cashmere jumper - Brora rather than Uniqlo!
Get her colours done
Merrell do some nice outdoory coats
Bloom and Wild flower subscription
Pong! Cheese subscription

What about joules they do lovely stylish coats for outdoors country loving people that are very nice not like Barbour wax coats etc

My DH and DCs just bought me a nice coat from there for Christmas 😃

What about a spa package weekend away for them both

New ski equipment

Personal shopper experience if your mum is very fashion conscious maybe she would like a day being treated

A gold bangle

This is also a good idea. Hit and miss risky, but I'll have a look in some local jewellers.

That cape thing is lovely, but she wouldn't like the cropped sleeves. I think a new jacket would be perfect, she's more the quilted/fitted look... Think Cabotine or Mackage...but lower budget as will just be for dog walks in the woods.

Yep. Jewellery. Expensive, more than 400 quid.
And if she silks leave her to get over herself.
Or, left of field donate 400 to a charity and let her know that next year the same will happen until she ends the charade.

A vicuna scarf. I have read that vicuna really puts the mere into cashmere. I love snuggling into a bit of cashmere, so lord knows what this stuff feels like (angels' eyelashes brushing against your skin?) or how much it costs, but I'm sure your mum wouldn't see it every day.

We recently went here www.spiritofharrogate.co.uk/experiences/ and did the “master distiller” experience (you distill your own gin, to your own recipe), it was absolutely brilliant. Plus it’s in Harrogate so your DPs could make a weekend of it.

Fornums hamper
New foodie cookbooks of the moment (Diana Henry, St John, etc)
Dublin/Dubarry boots
Fedora with feathers (pp suggested this and I think it's a good idea too)
New sunglasses (£££ ones)

Cashmere jumper from naice brand maybe?

They may already go away every month but planning a trip to a new place she won’t have thought of is always a treat. A tasting menu at a Michelin starred restaurant again they may do this all the time, but an extra one as a surprise can’t be bad can it?

Charlotte tilbury have a very glam set of lipsticks at the moment. £200 which is a lot but ever so pretty and would make a little very gift. I’d do that and a cashmere sweater

Some Liberty silk pajamas? An absolute classic that you wouldn't necessarily buy yourself but gorgeous for wafting around the house and for when they go away.

https://www.libertylondon.com/uk/eluard-and-bramham-silk-charmeuse-pyjama-set-R313660006.html?dwvar0006414500_color=43-DK%20GREEN#prefn1=Filter+by+Product+Type&srule=price-high-to-low&sz=60&start=1&prefv1=Pyjamas

Smoking slippers therake.com/stubbs-and-wootton-blue-embroidered-martini-velvet-slippers.html

Good grief. I am not going to bash your DH, but your MIL sounds like hard work to me. . Those presents are all very expensive and to be so fussy. If I were your DH I' d have managed those expectations years ago.

I.also think.people who are fussy with expensive tastes who sit back and ' see what they get me' without saying what they would like are borderline abusive. She is ' testing' him. What the hell.for? So he can fail and get her something that isn't quite right and she can say ' see I knew he was useless' She is obviously difficult to buy for so should help him with ideas

Sorry no ideas for.presents though. In 40 years of buying presents I have never thought a . Le creuset pan ( usually hundred of £s ) appropriate as a gift from a dc. It would be way too expensive to be anything other than a main present

I’d second a cashmere scarf, and fancy dog bed/accessories (Orvis?). Properly waterproof gloves made my dog walking a lot better - Sealskinz are great, but might look a bit technical for her tastes!
Maybe look at Maude & Fox for a jacket?
Fancy ingredients of some sort, themed for a meal? Spicery kits get recommended a lot on here, but I’ve never tried them. Or a recipe book she might like, with a few of the more unusual ingredients?
He could play it safe/add some parcels with a favourite perfume, favourite chocolates, pretty accessories for the bar (gin botanical kit, flowers in syrup...) might be a bit meh as a gift, but something to say he does pay attention to what she eats/drinks/wears.
Or, does she have a good friend he could ask this year?!

Burberry do some lovely coats. Nice quilted jackets or a waterproof type coat. Classic and last for years. You may get one around the £400 mark in the sales that are all starting.

Sounds like she needs nothing. It's just pointless consumerism. Can he make her something so it's a genuine gift from him of his time and love ?

No judgement, but...if "useless" DF suddenly pulls this out of the bag (thanks to your mental effort) so you not think DM will see right through it? And then sulk all day anyway? As a compromise point him in the direction of a few useful shops and let him sink or swim. It's not your responsibility to keep everyone happy forever.

Dyson hairdryer?