What to buy 21 year old female

[EsmeraldaFudge]

DS1 and his relatively new GF will be spending Christmas with us. We've not met her yet and Christmas is likely to be the first time we do meet.
I want to get her a couple of gifts for Christmas Day but have no clue. My own DD is only 8 so not really up to speed with what 21 year olds are really into.
Any advice and ideas appreciated!

Ooh @PlanDeRaccordement my DD would love that - could you let me know where from please? I ordered her one online and when it came it was only about 8 inches long!!

@RaisedByPangolins
I haven’t bought it yet, still researching. It will be an epee as she fences.
What kind of sword does your DD want?

None of the suggestions so far sound particularly young - mostly generic female gifts. And I can think of at least 2 or 3 people in my circle (myself included) who wouldn't like them. I'm not really a girly girl for example so bath bombs, makeup etc out of the question. I love chocolate though! That's the safest thing but then you might get the odd person who's dieting, or has too much already from everyone giving them that etc.

If you really want something that she'll like ignore this thread and just wait for your DS' reply. Otherwise get her a nice M&S voucher.

Nice booze is pretty safe!

@Patapouf

Nice booze is pretty safe!

As long as she is not tee total, lots of people don't drink for many reasons.

At that age I was skint so would have loved some upgrades of every day items:

Nice socks
Scarf
Nice mascara
Starbucks voucher
Hotel chocolate
Champagne / wine
Waterstones voucher
Elemis skincare
Molton brown shower gel
Restaurant voucher for a night out

Anything that’s useable - I hate tat for the sake of it.

@TractorAndHeadphones

None of the suggestions so far sound particularly young - mostly generic female gifts. And I can think of at least 2 or 3 people in my circle (myself included) who wouldn't like them. I'm not really a girly girl for example so bath bombs, makeup etc out of the question. I love chocolate though! That's the safest thing but then you might get the odd person who's dieting, or has too much already from everyone giving them that etc.

If you really want something that she'll like ignore this thread and just wait for your DS' reply. Otherwise get her a nice M&S voucher.

Not sure many 21 year olds shop in M&S

https://www.marksandspencer.com/pure-cashmere-socks/p/clp60122223?intid=mobileappppdpshare

Cashmere socks from M&S. Luxurious treat that you wouldn't buy for yourself... perfect present in my book.

@Snozzlemaid
M&S has a lot of quality, gifty things that supermarkets don’t carry in general. General enough to guarantee that the recipient will find something they like. But more thoughtful than a generic Amazon or ASOS voucher.

Plus you don’t want to give people a voucher to where they do their grocery shopping… where’s the fun in that? You want them to treat themselves

@FranklyIgiveadamn has proves my point!

Ahh an actual useful sword @PlanDeRaccordement ! Mine will be a decorative samurai type sword as she’s into anime. Struggling to find a metal one, they’re all plastic and wood which just won’t do.

@TractorAndHeadphones

None of the suggestions so far sound particularly young - mostly generic female gifts. And I can think of at least 2 or 3 people in my circle (myself included) who wouldn't like them. I'm not really a girly girl for example so bath bombs, makeup etc out of the question. I love chocolate though! That's the safest thing but then you might get the odd person who's dieting, or has too much already from everyone giving them that etc.

If you really want something that she'll like ignore this thread and just wait for your DS' reply. Otherwise get her a nice M&S voucher.

What’s young then?

@RaisedByPangolins

You want to do a search for “replica swords” then.
I found this one it’s stainless steel
swordskingdom.co.uk/tashigi-shigure-sword

Thank you so much

@ladycarlotta

I guess I'm thinking of things that feel luxurious and good quality, and a little cut above what she might buy for herself. That kind of thing really perked up my daily life.

That's exactly what I try to do for my nieces and god daughters.

I stalk their Instagram and Facebook for inspiration.

It’s too difficult when you haven’t met her. I’d ask DS what she drinks and whether she has a sweet tooth (hopefully the answer to the latter will be yes!) Cashmere socks are quite safe so would be a good option, everyone wears socks. If she drinks hot drinks you could get her a mug with her initial on it - Fat Face and M&S both have them. Stationery is good for a student too.

I teach girls this age and we had a chat about Christmas presents in a tutorial just this week. Most things were big presents from parents, like DM boots, but vouchers for restaurants/cafes were really popular so they could go for lunch or dinner with a friend/boyfriend/girlfriend - Nando’s and Pizza Express came up, plus Starbucks/Costa, and a few independent places. MAC vouchers were mentioned, water bottles, and nice pjs - but I agree with pp that nightwear is quite personal if you don’t know the person. Most people will find something nuce to buy with vouchers for ASOS or JL.

I’m in my 40s and my MIL always gets me perfume which I choose myself and she buys, plus one of the big Molton Brown boxes with all the flavours of bubble bath. I love the MB stuff as I wouldn’t ever buy it myself - but she does know I enjoy a bath. One year she got me a subscription to an online florist so I had a bouquet delivered each month - that was really lovely.

@RaisedByPangolins

Ooh *@PlanDeRaccordement* my DD would love that - could you let me know where from please? I ordered her one online and when it came it was only about 8 inches long!!

Do be careful, there are some strict laws about swords, it is now illegal to have a katana in a private home, this could be why you are not able to find one.

allingtonhughes.co.uk/offensive-weapons-in-your-home/

Electric (battery) heated eyelash curlers and a mini perfume atomiser for handbag?

I wouldn’t get gloves or a scarf from Fat Face OP unless you know her style, Fat Face wouldn’t be for everyone. A plain soft blanket scarf from somewhere like Accessorize might be better. Perfume is also very subjective and personal and I don’t know why someone suggested fake tan, I don’t know anyone who uses tan anymore. Again, very personal. Without knowing her personal tastes it’s hard.

What about a wax melter and some nice scented wax melts. I got some for my similar aged sister last Christmas from Etsy and she loved them, there’s some gorgeous scents available.

What about fluffy slipper boots/socks or a beautiful cocktail glass (I got a beautiful Art Deco style one for a friends birthday recently with a beautiful hard back cocktail book with gold gilded pages and a pretty bottle of gin.

@IncyWinceySpiderWillies
Specific brands. PP have mentioned restaurant vouchers, Uggs and Abril Fatface 😂 I’ve also gifted extreme sport vouchers, home starter sourdough kits and temporary tattoos. For students/young people in small spaces a portable rice cooker/multi-functional grill was well received.
Stationery is probably useful to a student but if it’s pretty it won’t be used 😎 nice to look at though. I’m a student again and still can’t bear to touch the nice stuff I’ve lugged around with me

My DD is nearly 21. As it's winter, I'd thinking about some nice gloves or a scarf and and DD gets through her fair share of quality hand creams and lip balms. She loves gin, but I think that's a personal choices. Chocolate goes down very well. My DD would rather have some environmentally friendly toiletries than Soap and Glory (Boots do so some, so ask if you're not sure).

www.hotelchocolat.com/uk/large-chocolate-dipping-adventure.html?cgid=for-couples

What about this and a bottle of nice bubbles?

Seems to be a lot of mixed reactions to some options suggested. I suggest you decide what you think would be nice to give her and run it by DS just to make sure she hasn't got any skin/food allergies, what she drinks or whatever would help clarify a present would be suitable.

One of the most important things is to try and make her feel welcome, which is what you're obviously trying to do!

Is she vegan? Environmentally conscious? Cruelty free? Allergic to rose extracts in anything that goes on the skin? Or scented candles in general? Does she ever drink alcohol? Does she ever drink it at home? What sort does she like?

I think you need to know a bit about someone in order to buy them a present that won't be a waste of money and possibly make them a bit sad.