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!

@thelegohooverer

A lovely selection of Ladurée macarons.

Ive been trying to buy some of those for weeks but I cant get to the checkout as there’s no ‘UK’ option - it suggests Ireland but then freezes. So annoying.

Turtle doves cashmere gloves

Something coffee or tea related?
I love decent coffee beans.

A body lotion/shower gel to match or complement the posh perfume she has been given already.

Orla Kiely Storage tin/jar - love that stuff.

Molton Brown luxury hand wash as already suggested

Something like this :
www.thewhitecompany.com/uk/Seychelles-Home-Spray/p/SEDHO
www.thewhitecompany.com/uk/Seychelles-Hand-Wash/p/SEDWA

Or:
www.thewhitecompany.com/uk/Seychelles-Botanical-Medium-Candle/p/SEDBN

I’m the same age. I’d want a running top and some proper sports socks

Just think about what you'd like yourself and get her that.

A book you think she’d like and some decent chocolate/non alcoholic drink (I like Pentire but there are dozens of teetotal botanists on the Cornish coast these days, by the sounds of things!)?

Have a browse on Oliver Bonas, like ads of nice novelty/quality stuff.

Amaryllis in pot for forcing never fails to please me (55)
Hamilton CD bloody love it, could listen to it over and over
Brooch
V expensive soap X 3
Cut Glass ornament
Conservatory plant, ie geranium, citrus, jasmine
Rug for knees!
Cushion with unusual pattern
Notebook
Candlestick (never have enough)
Hyacinths in fancy pot
Mini bay tree

Hate: bowls
Handcream
Body lotion

@Nettleskeins

Amaryllis in pot for forcing never fails to please me (55) Hamilton CD bloody love it, could listen to it over and over Brooch V expensive soap X 3 Cut Glass ornament Conservatory plant, ie geranium, citrus, jasmine Rug for knees! Cushion with unusual pattern Notebook Candlestick (never have enough) Hyacinths in fancy pot Mini bay tree

Hate: bowls
Handcream
Body lotion

You see, this is why basing a gift on someone's age is pointless. I wouldn't choose anything on that 'like' list. Brooches, ornaments, fancy pots etc wouldn't be to my taste, everyone is different. You need to choose based on what she likes and is interested in.

What about a handbag?

Something they can regift or donate easily
So no food

White Company or Diptique Candle is good

(cashmere gloves or socks would be donated to charity shop immediately)

Luxury macarons
Pyjamas
Costume jewellery
Theatre voucher
Cheese hamper (Pong cheese is good)
Tea selection
Coffee selection (Whittards do a nice one)

Aspinal leather heart key ring with her initials on, reduced to £32 at the moment.....

www.aspinaloflondon.com/products/heart-key-ring-in-deep-shine-red-small-croc

for £30?

A handbag, that is.

Cashmere socks
Fingerless gloves or wrist warmers - like these
www.turtle-doves.co.uk/products/grey-baby-pink-cashmere-wrist-warmer?lshst=collection
Chunky scarf
Earrings or necklace
REN Morrocan rose body scrub - smells divine and lovely on skin - everyone I've given it to loves it

www.libertylondon.com/uk/Moroccan-Rose-Otto-Sugar-Body-Polish-330ml-1001445124.html?istCompanyId=53594fab-416e-42ab-b3ca-8816d2013fe8&istFeedId=6894997c-21a2-4de5-ad8c-4f4c2b36367d&istItemId=irxlimmii&istBid=t&gclid=CjwKCAiAtej9BRAvEiwA0UAWXrQwQtsrvDhWXivPkct4fYOLrCKdHqS3crL38V6kMTG3ocao4FGmWBoCKnkQAvD_BwE

Fuck me, I'm 46 and couldn't feel further away from your description of 'middle aged lady not feeling her age'.

Without any specifics the only thing you'll get from this is that women in their 40s are a very diverse group with tastes that go from knitting to clubbing or paragliding....

@Frauhubert

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

I'm a lot over 30 and I'd consider that to be a terrible gift, ditto anything to do with beauty treatments.

I am that kind if age and apart from chuckling at your description of someone in their late 40s as if they were at death's door:

Definitely no to prosecco or champagne, flowers, candles or chocolates. These say "obligation gift".

I would want some reusable beeswax cling film substitute or other "ethical" kitchen stuff.
Sheepskin mittens are always appreciated as well. Also very expensive soap that you would never buy yourself. Oliver Bonas and Not on the High Street are decent bets.

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

I’m 57. I read a Caitlin Moran book and thought it tedious drivel.

I’d like proper luxury chocolates, handmade by a chocolatier. Small box fine as long as I don’t have to share

@Gottalovesummer

I'm slightly older than your recipient and would like in price descending order:

A weekend in a European capital
A voucher for a decent restaurant
Tickets to a live gig
Voucher for haircut at a decent salon
Really decent bottle of red wine
Book vouchers

Definitely NO candles and NO prosecco

Thanks!

I think you, sling with many others, might have missed the £20-£30 budget!!!

It'll be our advancing age & failing memory!
😂😂😂

"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. 😬"

You are supposed to hand wash them, no?

A yuyu! Full body length hot water bottle, comes with lots of fun patterned covers for around £30 or cashmere ones for £100.

As a perimenopausal late 40- something, I really don't need a full length hot water bottle, though I might stash it away for use once night sweats have buggered off....