Ideas for a lovely but difficult to buy for couple

[RockingMyFiftiesNot]

I posted this on another thread but it got lost in amongst all the other 'who do you still have to buy for posts.

I have bought, or know what I'm buying for almost everyone now. Just one couple remaining.
Budget c. £30. They don't need 'stuff', consumables would be ideal but he works for Waitrose so booze or food treats would be a bit of a non-present. Previously, I have given them candles, vase, garden planters, houseplants, restaurant vouchers, cookery books. They aren't cinema or theatre goers, don't do jigsaws. She isn't particularly mobile so a game might have been ideal but they have loads and I wouldn't know what they do/don't have.
I have given them local interest books in the past, beyond that I wouldn't know what they have already. I'd prefer not to repeat previous presents if possible. I'd also rather avoid vouchers in the current climate.
I was going to suggest we stop buying but she mentioned she'd already got our gift, so will have that conversation in the new year re next Christmas.
I don't really want to go down his n hers gift route (so no gloves/scarves/toiletries), would prefer a joint present if that makes it better value.
Am stumped and am hoping for a little bit of MN Christmas magic.
Thank you !

What about a movie night parcel with popcorn, treats and a Google voucher for a film?

White Company hand and nail set? It's hand wash and hand lotion. Always like it when somebody buys me those.

I have a couple like this. In the past I have got them a hamper. One year, posh olive oil and unusual condiments. Last year a tea hamper. Most of this was from John Lewis which doesn’t really help you though!

How old are they?
Could you just send a nice Christmas bouquet?

What about a calendar or some kind of photo gift - mugs etc?

@UniversalTruth

What about a movie night parcel with popcorn, treats and a Google voucher for a film?

An option I think, but I just try to avoid the treats bit given that they always have a house full of Waitrose goodies at Christmas. I'll give that one a bit more thought because they do have to spend a lot of time at home. Thank you

I visited York this week and bought a Bettys gift box for friends of ours.

www.bettys.co.uk/christmas?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI-raUkb6l9AIVGtN3Ch2aWABOEAAYASAAEgIRN_D_BwE

@TeeBee

White Company hand and nail set? It's hand wash and hand lotion. Always like it when somebody buys me those.

That would be lovely for her. Any thoughts on how I would balance that for him? Would prefer a joint present if possible but happy to keep an open mind. Thank you.

Do they particularly like Xmas? I got a beautiful gold snow globe from Laura Ashley and a tray and 2 mug set.

Obviously just get them out at xmas but I love them!

A house plant, pot for the garden or garden centre gift voucher?

Hotel chocolat stuff? That’s what I get for my sister in laws who always send my DC gifts. You can’t get that in Waitrose!

My sister’s in laws that should have said

@Snoopsnoggysnog

I have a couple like this. In the past I have got them a hamper. One year, posh olive oil and unusual condiments. Last year a tea hamper. Most of this was from John Lewis which doesn’t really help you though!

How old are they?
Could you just send a nice Christmas bouquet?

What about a calendar or some kind of photo gift - mugs etc?

The hamper sounds like a lovely present but a bit 'coals to Newcastle!' Ditto bouquet but that sort of thing would be a good fall back present. Not sure a photo gift would be their thing but a couple of really nice mugs (of the non-photo variety) might be an idea.

Do they have an open fireplace or wood burner?

[quote TheKLF]I visited York this week and bought a Bettys gift box for friends of ours.

www.bettys.co.uk/christmas?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI-raUkb6l9AIVGtN3Ch2aWABOEAAYASAAEgIRN_D_BwE[/quote]
Thank you. I am trying to avoid food gifts because of his job but Betty's is different enough I guess. Inspired by PP, maybe with a couple of nice mugs.

We have more mugs than we have space for but if someone gifted us some particularly nice ones, I'd happily send some of ours to a charity shop.

Something personalised- from not on the high street or similar? They also do escape rooms in a box which is game-like but a bit dofferent

Rocket Garden’s do gift vouchers for around £30, wildflower plug plant garden, salad garden etc.

www.rocketgardens.co.uk/product/gifts/gift-vouchers/bee-butterfly-wildflower-plugs-gift/

@Santaischeckinglists

Do they particularly like Xmas? I got a beautiful gold snow globe from Laura Ashley and a tray and 2 mug set.

Obviously just get them out at xmas but I love them!

I was actually considering something Christmassy and delivering it a couple of weeks before Christmas. Will incubate that thought, thank you.

@Lovelydovey

A house plant, pot for the garden or garden centre gift voucher?

Have done similar before but I guess that is something you can repeat without it becoming boring. Will add that to my list of options. Thanks

@Snoopsnoggysnog

Hotel chocolat stuff? That’s what I get for my sister in laws who always send my DC gifts. You can’t get that in Waitrose!

That's true, HC has some lovely gifts. I'm a bit wary though because I know quite a few people who don't particularly rate it

I have friends like these! Last few years I have bought;

Posh hand towels & hand soap
Seed calendar
Chocolate tasting box
Water jug
Beautiful glass Christmas Tree decorations

@MrsSkylerWhite

Do they have an open fireplace or wood burner?

No they don't - but am intrigued by what you were going to suggest in case I can use the idea for people who do another time.

A mulberry bush

Possibly useless suggestion but I would like one…

Something that is not stocked by Waitrose/JL! I worked for the Partnership and between the huge loyalty plus the discount it felt disloyal to buy things from competitors so I loved something from eg M&S because I wouldn't have bought it myself.

M&S have tins of Merry Reindeer munch, light up gin liqueurs, the Fred Siriex recommended wines etc

Other brands/lines not stocked by the Partnership as far as I know
The White Company (the candles are gorgeous, as are the throws)
Most books {Waitrose carry a very small stock of recent paperbacks and cookbooks but that's it)
Paul A Young chocolates
Nespresso pods if they have a machine (this may have changed)
Fancy coffee/subscription eg the Colombia Coffee Roaster in Oxford
Anything from a small local/artisan supplier

RockingMyFiftiesNot

MrsSkylerWhite
Do they have an open fireplace or wood burner?

No they don't - but am intrigued by what you were going to suggest in case I can use the idea for people who do another time.“

Lakeland do lovely pine cones that burn with beautiful colours. Everyone we’ve gifted them to have loved them and gone on to buy them for themselves.

If The White Company appeals, I'd get the biggest size Winter candle that your budget will allow!

@RockingMyFiftiesNot JL stocks Hotel Chocolat, although not the full range, so Waitrose employees will get staff discount on that, too

What about a gift subscription to Audible? I think 3 months is about £24.