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Christmas

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

Original poster

What do you buy the person that has everything and wants nothing?

100 replies

christmas2022 · 02/10/2022 07:01

This could be a husband, parent, grandparents or friend?

Most adults don't particularly want anything as they but whatever they need.

What's your go to gift for people like this?

Females is perhaps go for a candle, males are harder, slippers perhaps. But both are quite plain gifts so looking for some other ideas.

OP posts:
MrsLargeEmbodied · 02/10/2022 07:02

food
nice jar of something special
cheese
wine
chocolates

Needmorelego · 02/10/2022 07:03

A £20 note and a chocolate Santa.
(Pretty much my gift to my Dad for the past 25 years).

Olivetreebutter · 02/10/2022 07:04

Do you need to buy them anything? So much of Christmas and birthday gifts is just wasteful obligations.
If they would be offended if you didn't get them anything, I'd say
A) ask what they want
B) food or drink items
C) An activity/experience rather than a thing.

MrsLargeEmbodied · 02/10/2022 07:05

novetly socks - bamboo socks are popular

scrivette · 02/10/2022 07:05

Something for the garden (plant or ornament)

erinaceus · 02/10/2022 07:10

Something from the Good Gifts catalogue. They have such a range of gifts so you can look for one that matches the recipient’s interests.

DoubleHelix79 · 02/10/2022 07:10

A nice version of something they use anyway - for example my mum tends to give me nice jumpers that I could easily buy myself, but for some reason never do.

Procrastination4 · 02/10/2022 07:16

Sometimes I think it’d be great if we adults could write a “Santa list” for our nearest and dearest, who, despite telling them that you don’t want anything, want to give you something anyway. And I’m the same, if I’m honest. My parents are forever saying not to buy them stuff at Christmas but there’s no way I could actually do that! A Santa wish list would be SO useful in these situations. When I’m Christmas shopping for my family, I see so many things I’d love to get for myself.

One Christmas, my husband actually has a shovel wrapped up under the tree for me. My teenage sons stared at it in amazement when I unwrapped it and must have thought I’d lost it when I yelled “Yes! Just what I wanted!” But it was true-I’d spent the early months of the year saying “I MUST get a decent shovel for the coal bunker” but had never got around to it so my OH decided to remedy that. 🤣 (He gave me other more “normal” presents too though!)

All that just to say-go with @Olivetreebutter ’s suggestions!

Landlubber2019 · 02/10/2022 07:16

I don't buy for these people! I will however go out of my way to spend time with them.

Juancornetto · 02/10/2022 07:18

Waygu steaks from www.thesteakshop.co.uk/

KnickerlessParsons · 02/10/2022 07:25

We do do lists here. It makes it much easier - for me. It's always me people ask "what shall I get for DD/DM/DH etc. I have to think of what I could get people and what everyone else should get them too.

AuntieStella · 02/10/2022 07:30

Luxury consumables

  • posh olive oil (production standards, not flavoured)
  • aged balsamic vinegar
  • Fortnum's tea
  • Rococo chocolates
  • the really good version of their favorite tipple
JaninaDuszejko · 02/10/2022 07:33

My family all have Amazon wishlists and buy each other books. Otherwise food and drink or socks. It's just a ritual adults buying each other gifts so it makes sense buying things that will at least be used.

The ILs are all about buying something 'meaningful' but it never is because they don't know me well enough. The majority of it goes straight to the charity shop.

AperolWhore · 02/10/2022 07:34

Experience voucher, charity donation or magazine subscription always goes down well.

BuddhaAtSea · 02/10/2022 07:40

Books and a nice chocolate bar. I choose them carefully and wrap them in amazing wrapping paper.
Homemade Christmas biscuits, I have some cellophane bags to put them in :) and tie a bauble to it.
A nice bottle of something.
Photographs in frames (I seem to be really good at portraits)

I often find that the presentation shows the thought put into it, so I really do try.
HTH

goldfinchonthelawn · 02/10/2022 07:41

Really nice versions of their favourite foods - fancy cheese, coffee, wine, fruit, pickles, jam, honey.

If they love cooking, some fancy oils - walnut, pumpkin seed, herbs, salts and spices. Or a lovely chopping board or serving dish.

A biography of a favourite sports person, actor, musician, a novel by their favourite author.

I love getting beautiful mugs as I wfh and drink tea a lot so they fade.

Bamboo socks as a pp said. Or bamboo PJs. They are so soft.

changingforthebetter3 · 02/10/2022 07:42

A voucher for a restaurant

borntobequiet · 02/10/2022 07:45

Landlubber2019 · 02/10/2022 07:16

I don't buy for these people! I will however go out of my way to spend time with them.

This.

Stickytreacle · 02/10/2022 07:47

One of the best gifts I've received was a sponsorship for an Amur leopard from the Wwf. It was much nicer knowing that it was doing some good rather than more unnecessary stuff.

We're all doing a secret santa this year, each adult has to have a wishlist of at least three things up to a certain value. I'm hoping it will be loads easier, and nobody is receiving something they don't like.

00100001 · 02/10/2022 07:48

... nothing.

oatmilkisntsobad · 02/10/2022 07:49

I donate to a charity linked to their work, interest, location. And ask for the same in return.

Talkingtocamels · 02/10/2022 07:51

By them nothing. I am one of those people- cash rich and time poor. Make me a lasagne or go for a run with me or if you really want to spend money buy me a coffee when we go out. Don’t buy me shit -candles, soaps, plants, scarves, any clothing item, literally any kitchen item- to clutter up my house/go straight to the charity shop.

Worriedaboutethics · 02/10/2022 07:52

@christmas2022

get then a charity donation.

WomanWomenGirlsFemale · 02/10/2022 07:55

Stop wasting your money buying people things they don't need or want 🙄

SallyWD · 02/10/2022 07:57

We write lists in my family - often send links to the gifts too! There's nothing worse than other people wasting their money and you getting clutter you don't want. I also ask my friends what they would like. They always respond with suggestions which are so helpful.
By the way, as a woman I do not want to get candles. They give me a terrible headache. They go straight to the charity shop. I know other women who dislike candles too. Please don't think they're the default gift for women.