Buying for people richer than you

[Zaphodsotherhead]

Practically everyone I buy for (which is mostly my five adult kids) earns more than I do. Buying for them when they were students was easy, but now they can afford to buy most stuff themselves.

So I need help thinking of those things that you wouldn't normally buy for yourself! Experiences are popular, one lot are getting a llama walk, but several don't drive and live in a small city. So, suggestions, please?

I find it so very pleasing when my mum gets me one more of something that i love. Most people want to gift something that is a surprise and something they haven't already given me at previous years and i find that to be a mistake. My mum is the person who ALWAYS gets me a book even though most people think it would be boring to give me books yet again... but she knows i love books and books can never be too much for me. She is also the one who gives me great shoes always from the same brand i adore. My partner also does this; she'll give me fancy chocolate because she knows i really like it. No need to get unexpected stuff. Just give what people love.

I just get my kids a box and put in a few things they like, chocolate, wine, a hoodie and socks, a book or DVD. I think it’s fun and easy.

My mum and dad are the same! It's so difficult. My mums birthday recently, I got her a photo puzzle of my daughter! I also went to a local soap shop and got her some body butter and lip balm. It was a risk as she is really fussy with things like that. But luckily she really loves this one! Haha

What sort of things do they buy you, OP?

We just place a limit on how much you can spend per person - £20 max. Evens out the playing field.

I came on to suggest things but thanks to @NewAndImprovedNorks I have just purchased new mugs for myself .

Nice things to drink - boutique gins or beer for drinkers, bottles of Seedlip and FeverTree tonics for those of us who don’t. Or luxury teas - one of my friends bought me a TeaPigs selection box last Christmas and it was fabulous. Smaller luxury items that you wouldn’t buy for yourself but are so nice to have - leather gloves, silk or cashmere scarves, cashmere bed-socks etc. Luxe pyjamas and slippers. I’m also always trying to steer people towards buying the sorts of things I use/wear daily and run through quickly - running gear, yoga gear, white t-shirts etc.

If you know someone’s interests / hobbies (and they’re your children, so you must!) a gift linked to those is always a good idea. After years of highly stressful gift-buying my DM now buys my DP a few pairs of socks or a base layer from his favourite cycling brand every Christmas and birthday - and he is totally happy with that.

A beauty treatment; facial or massage?

@Zaphodsotherhead omg you're amazing!!! Just booked an alpaca walk for my DIL!!!!
Thanks for idea!

My parents and I have a no-present pact. It’s wonderful and so liberating. I thoroughly recommend it.

@PersephonePromotesEquanimity - I've recently moved into a new house so they buy me things they think I will love for the house, or equipment for my hobby. They are all brilliant present buyers!

@GreyShadow Glad to have been of service!