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Christmas

From present ideas to party food, find all your Christmas inspiration here.

Help find a gift for my mum?

13 replies

IToldYouIWasFreaky · 08/12/2021 15:51

Sorry, it's another "what can I buy my parent?" thread but I'm absolutely stumped for what to get my mum.
She normally gives us ideas but this year really doesn't seem to want much.
She's a young mid 70s, in that she's very active (enjoys her garden and allotment, community work, having days out with friends, theatre/cinema etc) and dresses like a teenage boy in hoodies, jeans and trainers most of the time! She used to walk a lot but recently some minor health issues have meant she's not doing so much of that. She loves travel but obviously hasn't been able to do much for the past couple of years.

She likes good food and booze but I pretty much always buy her a bottle of something or a new glass, as do lots of other people! I was considering a tour of a local vineyard but it's much nicer to do in the summer and I'd rather she had something she enjoys now.

Previous gifts that have gone down well were a bird box camera set (that was a MN idea!) and a cashmere hoodie. She's got all the tech I think she'd want/use like an ipad and Kindle.

Budget of up to about £100...any ideas please?!

OP posts:
CloudyStorms · 08/12/2021 15:53

Flower subscription?

SmallProvincial · 08/12/2021 15:56

I have a mum in a very similar demographic/interests, and I've bought her:

Pasta Bowls < her request
Cashmere scarf
This Works pillow spray
Fancy foods
Vegetarian cookbook (
Face cleanser and cream (La Roche Posay for sensitive skin, I use it and recommend it)

CeeceeBloomingdale · 08/12/2021 15:57

My mum is a similar age, I've got her Elemis skincare, a cashmere scarf and am making a hamper of food treats that I know she likes and of a better quality than she would normally buy herself. She had enjoyed in the past L'Occitane toiletries including hand cream (great for gardeners), earrings (she doesnt war much jewellery but likes earrings), theatre tickets, afternoon tea vouchers etc, English Heritage/National Trust membership, a night in a hotel, day trip on the train somewhere etc. Basically consumables that are better grade than standard and days out.

Daffodils1 · 08/12/2021 16:02

In addition to the memberships mentioned in the previous post, what about a membership to RHS if she likes gardening/outdoor things?

ForTheLoveOfSleep · 08/12/2021 16:09

A night vision trail cam for her allotment?

Sprig1 · 08/12/2021 16:12

Subscription to a gardening magazine? I like English Garden because it is more about showcasing beautiful gardens than telling you how to garden. Pots of bulbs/plants for in the house?

IToldYouIWasFreaky · 08/12/2021 16:15

Fab ideas, thanks! I'm fairly sure she has all the memberships to NT, RHS already, as well as membership to a local independent cinema which would have been perfect gifts if she hadn't already bought them herself. Grin

Love the idea of a flower subscription, and night camera for the allotment. She'd get a kick out of being able to watch the vermin eating her veg!

OP posts:
LeftieLucy · 08/12/2021 16:26

Swarovski 2021 Christmas bauble. They’re gorgeous

CeeceeBloomingdale · 08/12/2021 19:59

@LeftieLucy

Swarovski 2021 Christmas bauble. They’re gorgeous
I have just found the one I was gifted last year, still in the box. I have no idea what to do with it. It's an utterly pointless ornament that doesn't suit my style, tree or home so I'd only recommend one if the recipient collects such things. I can't believe how much they cost now I've just googled, I'm actually a bit gutted that someone spend so much.
waltzingparrot · 08/12/2021 20:46

A Velvetiser

didireallysaythat · 09/12/2021 00:20

I have a flower subscription with Arena Flowers that I would recommend - their bunches always seem bigger than the equivalent from Freddie's (but they tend to focus on one flower en masse, rather than one stem of 6 different flowers).

loveablequalities · 09/12/2021 00:58

A tree
Some art by a local artist
A voucher for afternoon tea
A notebook/gardener's diary - you get beautiful ones
Cooking experience (particularly vegetarian if she likes growing things)
A voucher for Otter Farm gardening website

IToldYouIWasFreaky · 10/12/2021 08:41

Thanks all for the suggestions! I ended up just Googling "gifts for allotment owners" and found this site - The Worm that Turned which has some beautiful gifts for gardeners. I've ordered some lovely bits and pieces, including a bag of alpaca poo fertiliser that I'm sure will raise a laugh on Christmas Day!
Just wanted to share it as other people had a similar demographic to buy for.
I'm keeping all the other ideas in my back pocket for Mothers Day and birthdays Smile

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