Gift ideas for middle aged lady - drawing a blank.

[flalalalala]

She's approaching late 40s. Likes to be a bit younger in the way she dresses and says she doesn't feel her age.

Budget around 20-30 , she has just received a huge bottle of her favourite fragrance so that's a no go.
She doesn't do cook books and so on as she trained in restaurants and prefers to research her own recipes. Cooking gadgets a plenty.

She's quite practical but also a bit partial to something "nice" but not OTT.

Any ideas would be really handy as I'm drawing a blank!

I’m buying another friend one of these
www.seasaltcornwall.co.uk/accessories/scarves-shawls/organic-cotton-handyband-scattered-tulip-slipware.htm?utm_source=google&productid=74910&lgw_code=11383-159699B011&cm_mmc=google--Smart-Shopping--Handybands-_-159699B011&gclid=EAIaIQobChMImPuR9e-W7QIVR-vtCh19MwfYEAQYAiABEgIU8PD_BwE
And some Joe’s Earl grey tea bags

Another friend, a seaglass bracelet (I’m making it) and some nice chocolates

I'm the same age. Some things on this thread I'd love and some I'd loathe! Don't you know a bit more about her?

Not feeling her age, she’s 40s not 90s!

As I’m WFH for the foreseeable I’m in the market for a nice necklace, absolutely not statement one though. Some warm, cosy but smart tops. I can never have enough hand cream. I’m a stationery geek, so love notebooks and posh pens.

I wouldn’t be bothered about gardening stuff, posh wines, or fancy toiletries.

Forget her age, it's completely irrelevant. What does she actually like? If she loves cooking then maybe some fab olive oil and balsamic vinegar? truffle oil? what else does she enjoy?

I’m her age and can’t bear candles. Does SHE like them?

I like DianaT1969’s list.

I’ve picked my own presents this year I’m 54 so I’ve got silk pillowcases in sales nice chocolates, Charlotte tilbury lipstick.I don’t drink.

I’m in my 40s and am quite difficult to buy for. Sad to say, but I would not enjoy receiving most of the gifts suggested on this thread, although I can never have enough wool/cashmere fingerless gloves, wrist warmers and socks. Not sure how universal that is though!

If you don’t know her very well I would suggest a gift voucher that she can use to purchase something online (not an experience) or food/other consumables from a local producer that she might not otherwise have heard of.

The turtle doves wrist warmers are fantastic.

The cashmere bed socks are a good idea, definitely go for quality over quantity.

Well I’m 52 and definitely feeling my age! It’s not a competition where we all pretend to feel 20 for our entire lives!

I second the jewellery/ trinket box idea. Depends how much you want to spend, White Company do a lovely one but £££ or Oliver Bonas do nice ones at a more reasonable price.

Dr Botanticals have 70% off today with NOV70. Some fabulous things on there.

another vote for Turtle doves cashmere things

otherwise there's a very popular thread from a possibly middle aged poster all about the AMAZING personalised cushions she received last year......with her own face on them, plus mugs and a calendar, so I really think that might be best.

FML I am 56 and don't consider myself middle aged yet

Jesus Christ - you've made her sound practically in her dotage.

The ageism on this site never fails to amaze me

I know it's not the point but good grief OP! She's in her mid 40s?!!

I'm 48 and with a 10 year old and an 8 year old do not consider myself middle aged.

Anyway, it's out of the budget specified but I have asked for a weekend in Iceland for christmas.

Perhaps a couple of years older than me. Make up and jewelry straight to the charity shop unopened. Booze re-gifted if possible. Seasalt still looking a bit old for me.

Voucher for beauty treatments would have me wondering if there had been a terrible mix up and someone else had the gift that was meant for me.

I'd snap your hand off for posh chocolate or cashmere. I'd love to go karting or do an escape room.

The individual much more relevant than the age.

@Frauhubert

The white company cashmere bed socks? Every woman 30+ loves cashmere, and winter is for bed socks obvs

I got those and they shrunk in the wash. 😬

@Frauhubert

The white company cashmere bed socks? Every woman 30+ loves cashmere, and winter is for bed socks obvs

Do they really? I don't know anyone who wears bed socks, other than one woman in her 20s.

Fuck. I am 48 and do not consider myself 'middle aged'. I am actually quite offended by this thread title.

OP please think if your friend as a person, not an age bracket.

And I do NOT love cashmere. I LOVE Fly boots.

Thankyou for all the suggestions. I do not mean to be ageist I didn't know how else to describe her as I don't know her too well unfortunately. I would say she's middle aged as she's late 40s and I would say the average life expectancy is into the 80s? So that puts her in the middle?
She always points out how she doesn't feel her age and how she's always mistaken for her daughters sister hence why I put that in my OP too. I didn't mean to sound like she's at the end like one PP mentioned...

Candle is a good idea I think as I've seen a specific brand in her house a few times before. Silk pillowcases sound good too.
I will be checking out the links as well.
Thanks

Lovely bubble baths and decent smelly candles (maybe body items to match perfume??)
wireless bluetooth headphones (said this one before)
trendy shoe slippers
favourite beauty treatments
some make up treats that come with a good freebie?
Books
I am into crafts so books, wool, material, voucher for somewhere that does "good stuff"
Gorgeous decent wool socks I really appreciate these

As for hurtling towards menopause I am 52 and its no where in sight - where the hell is it

@madroid
A nice pair of "Harvest Festivals" Definately buying my mum those!

@Millie2013

Love Handy Bands myself, good present.

I'm middle aged. Buy me a candle and it'll probably go straight to the charity shop!

Hair or beauty vouchers are all a bit up in the air, at the moment, so I'd avoid those.

In the absence of booze, really good coffee might go down well. I love this stuff www.ouseburncoffee.co.uk/product/artisanbox/

YES to cashmere gloves. Uniqlo are £25 in a variety of colours, and if you sign up with a new email address, there's £10 off your fist order.

And I've just read Caitlin Moran's latest - perfect for a woman in her 40s-50s.