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!...

oliviavonhalle.com for silk pyjamas.

@Courtney555 - I had no particular problem with your thread until you started to be quite rude to people who were offering opinion re the overall situation.

If you really didn't want any of these comments you should have omitted information an simply post - "Suggestions for gifts for DM"

@malovitt those pyjamas are beautiful!!

Can your dad remember things like the first film they watched together, the first present he bought her, the first song they danced to? It sounds as if she’s very keen for something more personal than boots or a scarf, lovely as those things would be. I’d suggest a couple of fun presents that reference their shared past - things that’ll make her go awwww or laugh when she unwraps them - plus something naice.

Real leather gloves?

How about a donation to a charity? And your dad can wrap the "thank you for your donation" card?

Can your dad remember things like the first film they watched together, the first present he bought her, the first song they danced to?

That's a real big ask...He barely remembers his own birthday. I'll enquire...

It sounds as if she’s very keen for something more personal than boots or a scarf

She really is. It's just frustrating that after 20yrs together she hasn't accepted that whilst many things he is wonderful at, thoughtful presents is not one of them. She gets cross every birthday and Christmas that he can't use his own initiative. But he honestly can't. If he could, he would. He'd end up buying something like the "wrong" handbag, and she takes that far too much to heart, that he doesn't care.

A really thoughtful gift would be ideal, as you say, but what that would be...

Your father sounds lazy and you are enabling him. But you don't seem to care that you are walking all over your mothers wishes as your father has you so well trained. I think shell be doubly upset knowing that you disregarded her also, just as your father has been doing for many years.
If your father is fit and healthy enough to walk into a shop and , it seems, money is no object, there would be a shop assistant whose job it would be to help him. But he just can't be arsed. It isn't that he cannot pick out a present, he just cant be arsed to, and you seem to think it is ok to treat your mother so disparagingly.
I feel sorry for your mother.

Oh, and.....wellies.

I would absolutely love this stationery box: lifeofrileyonline.co.uk/collections/homeoffice/products/leather_stationery_box?gclid=CjwKCAiA27LvBRB0EiwAPc8XWbVSGezavxC7y-X68twhingXDIEuPGyVm5YpnOXVR7o5B00dIdKCCxoCLsAQAvD_BwE
Can have her initials embossed as well.

I ordered my husband the drinking box and popped in a couple of whiskeys goes down really well on naice picnics

Weed - that is absolutely gorgeous. Want!

@AmIAWeed that's gorgeous, but won't arrive until Jan 10th

It can definitely go on the back burner for their anniversary gift from us though! Thank you for suggesting.

Ah what a shame, sorry I didn't notice the delivery date. I'm also wishing for the umbrella stand but I know until I buy it myself it just won't happen!!

I always think jewellery is the best gift a husband can give his wife. Would your mum appreciate some earrings or something like that?

Food and Travel magazine subscription, the perfect magazine for anyone that likes food and travel (obviously). Thermomix, above budget but if she likes cooking she will love it.

I’m not really refined enough to make any suggestions but I’m just here to marvel at the fact the £429 pyjamas exist 😵 £420

Shame about the judgey posts as there are some really good suggestions otherwise!

I personally would buy a coat from Boden like this (but others available!)

https://www.boden.co.uk/en-gb/lovelace-coat-navy/sty-t0373-nav?cat=C1S22G2G34&pid=T0373-T0373-GG00000001979

I get the gist that this time your mum doesn't want the fancy/stylish/expensive gifts she wants the love of her husband so how about a donation to the closest dog rescue or breed specific rescue if her dogs are both same breed, or a dog?? A story of their lives together with pictures from their past up until now he could dig out the old photos of them and you can make a beautiful book online, a make over and photo shoot, you can get all kind of themes, boudoir/American pin up/sexy/relaxed etc I know someone whose husband got her thos one year and she was really sceptical about it and actually had an amazing day, felt a million dollars and the pictures were fantastic and they kept some of the raunchy for themselves, a voucher to make her favourite meal at home then give her a massage with some nice massage lotion obviously, then trust me on this but a board game that they can play together scrabble is good I play against my husband and actually it's a really fun night!

Dubarry coat for dog walking..
Aigle neoprene wellingtons..
Sweaty Betty ski thermals and other ski stuff..
A shot ski for the bar?
Superlight hand baggage..
Pashley bicycle..
RYA sailing course.

Omg @agteacht that coat would be perfect but she'd need a 12 and the 12 and 14 are sold out.

It says on the reviews that it's a little big for size...I don't wear Boden...would you risk a 10, or is it pretty much going to be too small in your opinion?

This one is gorgeous & you could wear this away in the mountains...

www.outofthecity.co.uk/womens-countrywear/jackets-coats/joules-carolyn-swing-coat-green-tweed

@Courtney555 I totally would. I buy 8s in Boden coats and I am a 10 on a good day but more like a 12 if I'm going to be honest with myself!

So would definitely go for the 10, it's free delivery so you could try it yourself and see what you think, send back worst case?

My dad bought my mum a bracelet to match her engagement ring the last Christmas before he died.
It was incredibly touching and romantic....and he thought if it all himself!

@agteacht I've just ordered, thank you so much, like you say if it's not right it can always go back beforehand, and if that's the case, although wildly different, I'll order the one @Notwiththeseknees has linked straight after, which is gorgeous as well

I have got her a stocking filler of a Fairfax navy handbag tassel, which will go very nicely with that coat.

Maybe now I've gone for a more fashion type coat, I should leave the boots and get a nice scarf (can anyone find the perfect scarf for that coat?) and some Charlotte Tilbury makeup as recommended upthread.

www.boden.co.uk/en-gb/cashmere-scarf-chalky-pink-navy/sty-a0556-lpk?cat=C1_S2_G1 Scarf

@Courtney555 ah feel very proud of myself 😂
Let me know what you think when it arrives, am tempted by it myself but I'm currently pregnant so putting off ordering new clothes until after the baby!