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!

Even my nan didn’t wear bed socks

Omg! It's a thread for ideas! If OP knew what the recipient was into then she would find it easy to buy a gift. Shes given the only info she has that might help people make suggestions.
Nobody said everything must be suitable for every single 40 something woman on mumsnet.
There really is no need to state how much you would hate someone else's gift. Just put something that you would like. The more ideas, the better.

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

It'd be great for me, I could use it to light the fire.

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.

Are you buying from the UK site? Afaik the French site doesn't deliver to the UK.

Those fingerless gloves from Turtledoves are made from recycled cashmere and would be my preference over high street branded gloves. Ok I would like:
Handmade ceramic mug ( without handle)
Books - various ( art & design, contemporary fiction, cult fiction - particularly vintage copies with cool covers )
Coffee subscription from an independent roastery
Pink & Red socks from Cos
A tote bag from Studio Nicholson.

@sophandbridge

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

It'd be great for me, I could use it to light the fire.

, this made me laugh.

I love Caitlin, think her musings are spot on, but clearly she's not for everyone lol!

Blimey, I’m the same age as the recipient & can’t imagine many of these gifts being remotely suitable. My wish list includes a pair of Nike Jordan 1 mids, a North Face beanie & a signed Moose ‘renagade master print (very reasonable but probably very niche to us old 90’s ravers out there: www.worldofmoose.com/products/neighbourhood-watch?variant=31873453523047 ).

A rug for my knees or a brooch, scarf or bed socks I’d take as a sly age based dig, plus I’m always hot (but not in the way I used to be that’s for sure!) so warm socks or hot water bottles definitely aren’t appealing.

I know I’m far from alone in feeling no different than I did 20 years ago in terms of my personality, likes/dislikes & sense of humour, it’s just sadly my increasingly haggard body and face didn’t get the memo! I suspect I would have also only seen ‘middle aged lady’ if 90’s me saw me now (although ‘lady’ might be pushing it, I’d assume that related to proper grown up and groomed appearance, which is far from the case here) but basically I’d prefer a ‘me’ at any age present than one based on my apparently decrepit age which I’d find slightly depressing & borderline insulting no matter how sweet the intention!

My ideal gift would be a squirrel feeder, we get them in our garden often and I'd like them to have their own feeder rather than trying to share with the birds.

rsababe we too love our squirrel family - there are 4 of them, 2 fat ones I think are mum and dad and 2 teens - just like us. A huge bag of monkey nuts would be a brill present!

@I8toys

rsababe we too love our squirrel family - there are 4 of them, 2 fat ones I think are mum and dad and 2 teens - just like us. A huge bag of monkey nuts would be a brill present!

Oh monkey nuts! Why didn't I think of that.

In the spring the babies would sit on my foot and climb up my leg as I walked round the garden, the parents didn't mind though I was worried about getting bitten by baby teeth

@LimaFoxtrotCharlie

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

These are your people They supply Fortnums and Masons

www.audreyschocolates.co.uk/index.aspx
www.ellieandco.co.uk/2019/04/audreys-chocolates-brighton-hidden-chocolate-factory-fortnums.html

I would swap 6 violet creams for 10 pairs of bedsocks

I'm older but I'd love expensive bath stuff, not harding and bayliss. Books, good quality chocolates , cashmere socks.

UsernameRebooted thank you! What a fantastic site!

@RosesforMama

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.

See I would rather have the stuff you don't want!! Think I'd cry if someone gave me beeswax cling film for my Christmas!! Good thing we're all different! Presents in this age range I've done this years are: Gin hamper - full of favourite gins, flavoured tonics, new gins, Eden Mill gin cocktails and some nibbly bits. Lovely soft joules scarf, Neom candle and favourite gin.

L'occitane almond oil shower gel (favourite but can't afford) with a gin bauble and favourite nutty chocolate.

This Works sleep Pillow spray (ongoing problem that is causing her distress), Neom candle, M&S cherry liqueurs, latest Victoria Hislop book - sequel to the Island.

I'm loving everything to do with sleep at the minute..satin/silk pillowcase, pillow spray, sleep body lotion etc

As others said before, go for quality over quantity.

Fingerless gloves
cool scarf
bag of some kind
nice pair of flip flops
One really nice candle not too perfumed
tray
Wooden bowl
Vase, solid colour or clear in an interesting shape

I’m definitely middle aged at 50. I’d like the new Assassins Creed and Cyberpunk games for the XBox One, some Harry Potter Lego, the new Charlie Stross and Susannah Clarke books, a T shirt from the Science Museum, a Qi phone charger and a pair of silk lined leather gloves.

I’d suggest that at a time like this a cultural gift supporting a local arts/museum venue would be nice, a membership of some kind to be redeemed in the new year.

Sorry, I am end Forties and would hate to be called Middle Age.

I love to get
really good luxery handcream
book vouchers
Turtle Dove gloves

I would hate:
"smellies"
candles
any kind of costume jewellery
any kind of typical beauty vouchers, I hate having my nails done
scarves

I would get her a nice facial oil.

I am joyously middle-aged, to my own surprise
I have asked for this: eattherich but I know it is not for everyone

I am sporty and I like plants and studio ceramics

A decent flask or drinks bottle? They can be quite handy at the moment and possibly some nice coffee/tea sachets with it.

I'm 47 but your post makes me feel about 150!
I like silver jewellery, just bought a beautiful feather thumb ring from soul analyse. I'd also like sanctuary bath stuff, prosecco, or a hamper of treats, books or a magazine subscription

My daughter and daughter in law are almost 40 and both love to have nice smells in the house so what about a diffuser with essential oils or a reed diffuser. Lots of lovely gifts at Ashleigh & Burwood: www.ashleigh-burwood.co.uk/

Alternatively, if she likes coffee, what about an Aeropress coffee maker (or Aeropress Go if she likes to drink coffee whilst out and about). Aeropress doesn't take up valuable space on the kitchen worktop and can be taken anywhere with you - we always take ours with us on holiday. www.aeropress.co.uk/

My daughter is in this age bracket and I would never think of her as middle aged.
Her wish list is kettle bell/s, good running shoes or trainers. One of the better gifts I was given was a small tool set - spirit level, multi screwdriver, metal tape measure, pair of small pliers, - the only bad thing about them was that they were all pink!

A nice pair of earrings... definitely... You can never have too many earrings...