Gift ideas for people who like practical gifts?

[zestysparkles]

Afternoon Christmas fans,

My lovely mum always asks for practical gifts, mostly tools/things for the garden/various outdoor projects. I always buy these and she is always happy with them. However, it does take the element of surprise out, I like to get her at least on gift she hasn't asked for specifically (as well as some edible goodies). I am the total opposite so it's a bit hard to get into the practical mindset, if you are a similarly 'doing' person, what would you be thrilled to receive but might not ask for? Thank you.

I got a cordless drill one year, best present ever

Nice gardening gloves

My mum really wanted a plain white jig from M&S one year and a cotton apron another. Those along with a bale of nice towels my husband randomly bought her one year are her most used gifts ever. Also very practical for gifts. This year I’m buying her a new pair of crocs. Her current ones are fit for the bin.

@Teaseall my husband asked for one last year and he loves it!! Mum's got a stock of drills, but definitely a good idea for others. He says it makes everything so much easier than using the corded one.

Jig is a jug. She’s not really a dancer🤣

@Cheerfulcharlie great idea. I actually got a really nice pair for my birthday this year and they've made such a difference. I'll have to try and scout hers and see what she's using atm. Crocs! Great idea, she has a pair of really old fake ones so that's an excellent upgrade idea without taking up space. I would very much like a bale of towels 😁and a jig!

Something for the garden then? I have a gTech hedge trimmer which is handy when I don't want to get 'the big tools' out.
Or a potting bench?

@Teaseall the hedge trimmer is an excellent idea for my brother, thanks! My parents don't really have garden hedges as such, it's a farm so they have a big hedge trimmer. Potting bench is another good idea, I don't think she has one hiding away. I'll have a to have a look around (it's big an has all sorts).

Lakeland make these fabric pads that you put in between nonstick frying pans, so that you can nest then in the cupboard and they dont scratch each other

teeny screwdrivers for repairing glasses (if she wears glasses)

an ultrasonic cleaner for glasses (see above)

a silicone hat for bananas so they dont go off as quickly

a battery powered leaf blower … cleans out the garage… blows grass clippings off the patio…gets glitter out of the car

if you are really clever buy a brand of battery operated things that has a wide range, then she can get a new tool for Xmas for the next 10 years and they will all work on the same battery packs. Ryobi is a good one, they do diy tools and garden tools and torches and radios for power cuts too

Has she got one of these?
www.amazon.co.uk/Premium-Garden-Kneeler-Handles-Detachable/dp/B09SPZ5P2F/ref=sr_1_9?keywords=Garden%2BKneeler%2BSeat&qid=1667308508&qu=eyJxc2MiOiI1LjE4IiwicXNhIjoiNC42MyIsInFzcCI6IjQuNDAifQ%3D%3D&sr=8-9&th=1

Personally, I’d love a greenhouse (can’t have one as I live high up and it’s far too windy), failing that a cold frame would be great.
Something I’ve asked for this year for Christmas is lots of huge plastic plant pots to fit inside my terracotta pots so I can swap planting schemes quicker and easier without having to wait for things to grow/die back etc.

Dremel with a flex shaft

i got one recently and it is fantastic

Does she have a full screwdriver set? My DF bought DSis and I a set each with about 15 screwdrivers in it. Fabulous gift, especially if you've only got a few in random drawers.

Joseph and Joseph kitchen utensils are a great gift !

Gilet
Cashmere socks
Solar powered garden lights
Decent gardening gloves
Hellebore for garden
Bird feeder
Small powerful torch that you can just put in your bag/pocket

My dad is like that, only appreciates practical gifts.

I’m tempted to get him a heated gilet this year.

In previous years I’ve bought him a Kent & Stowe trowel. It has measurements etched inside for planting depths, a serrated edge on one side for quick weeding/opening compost bags and the handle end is metal and can be used as a hammer. It’s about £10 but very handy.

We have a big garden with lots of council trees surrounding the side. I bought some bear claws (big scoopers for each hand). They are so useful for scooping leaves and if you have any prickly plants that need cutting back you can just scoop them straight in the bin.

I was thinking "saw".

Anyone thinking of a heated gilet…they are brilliant except a really bad idea if someone has a pacemaker as they might interfere with its operation when in heat mode

Thanks so much for the suggestions everyone, some brilliant ideas here and I'd never have thought of them. I would really like a heated gilet too (thanks @SeaToSki for the pacemaker heads up).

@Narwhaleahoy a woman after my own heart - I am exactly the same and swap my displays with the seasons.

@PineappleWilson she does, she has sp many tools and I have no idea what most of them are, she inherited a lot from my grandad too. My brother is very similar to my mum and he is always after some such tool too, I am in awe! I have given DIY a go but haven't found my skill yet!!

Does your Mum need a new pair of wellies, gardening boots? I've got some Mucksters jodhpur boots which are brilliant in wet weather and easy to slip on an off to put the bins out. Also have a pair of mucksters thick soled boots for gardening and walking which are brilliant for cold and mud, both pairs are so comfortable.

Cashmere bed socks and or good quality boot socks.
Sheepskin slippers or house boots.

Good quality bar soap. Her favourite scent.

e-reader - I've bought a Kobo this year so I can borrow ebooks from my local library for free, instead of having to buy kindle books.

Audible subscription
Wireless headphones
Portable radio

Hot water bottle? You can get photo collage ones.

Sugru is marvellous for any kind of mending or adapting of everyday things such as shoes, bikes, furniture, technology. Also fun.
sugru.com/

Turtledoves wrist warmers or fingerless gloves.

Thermal gardening gloves for winter - I bought these for my aunt and FIL and both say they love them

Head torch- game changer
you can also get woolly hat with the torches in now too
i love those long hot water bottles. You can put them anywhere. Round your neck. Belly etc. and in bed the stretch down more of your body like a warm 🤗
a coaster mug heat pad to keep drink warm
gardrn knee pad
seed calendar
Paint by numbers of a photo of you all