Gift for 62 year old lady…

[ChakaKhanfan]

Not my mom but someone I care for deeply.
She is a widow and had breast cancer herself a couple of years ago although (hopefully) fully recovered.

She is wonderful to me and my children and I want to buy her a gift. It’s usually just socks and chocolate but this year I want to treat her a bit more.

She doesn’t really drink, I know she likes to read crime thrillers, she has mentioned a few times about sensitive skin (chemo side affects) not really sure what she watches on TV or whether she has a DVD or not.

Any ideas?
I am rubbish at gift buying!

The trouble is that you don't know her taste too well. If she likes crime thrillers, you could look up the latest or browse in Waterstones.
I'm 62. I am teetotal and would hate a voucher for Betty's tearooms, or a silk pillowslip, I don't have a blanket in the house and have no need, hate throws and would not appreciate a cashmere jumper or cardi. No skincare please, no bath products as I only ever shower.
You see the problem?! We 62 year olds are very diverse. You're trying to be kind, so maybe get to know her a bit better to find out more about her taste?

I wouldn't like being taken out for afternoon tea, it just doesn't appeal and seems a bit fussy. Maybe a proper evening meal, or if that's too expensive, a lunch?

I'm 62 and if someone bought me a scarf I'd be very disappointed.
I'd like a bottle of Amarone, cashmere wrist warmers, book token, Neom candle and a cheese hamper

A nice Christmas jigsaw, maybe only a 500 piece one in case she is not used to doing larger ones. Lots of my friends who are early retired enjoy puzzling.

Diptyque insolite candle (speaking as someone close her in years.)
La Roche Posay. Toleriane skincare set
A beautiful soft cashmere scarf or jumper (you may get one cheaper in the BF sales)
Afternoon tea
A John Lewis voucher
i would LOVE any of these, 🤣

I’m close her in age & definitely NOT a jigsaw!

Some Brazilian Bum Bum cream - seriously - or another indulgent but skin kind body cream ( not lotion.)

Jigsaw?? Scarf?? Dear god.

I'm that age if I'd like glazes for my pottery studio, a pair of swim goggles, and something special from Lelo ta

I am way over 62 and don't garden or do jigsaws 😂 I'm not going to go on about what I wear to prove that I am not "old" but rather address the OP's issue - I would love a cashmere scarf in any and every colour and you really can't go wrong with that. I just bought myself a huge one from maisoncashmere.co.uk/ladies/hats-and-scarves/cashmere-scarves for when I travel. They package them beautifully too.

I think you have a very good point, @SaffronQuoda , but I genuinely think that the issue is about knowing the person and taste, although there is some ageism on here! I personally would hate to receive a cashmere jumper or scarf, so it just shows how diverse we over 60s are!

My God! If someone gave me a jigsaw puzzle I Would Never Speak To Them Ever Again. Even the thought of such a thing is utterly horrifying.

But each to their own …

Some people like jigsaws, DS (30) loves them, maybe a book token which is boring I know but good if you like books

64 year old me hates jigsaws though

Do not get her a scarf. I'm in my 40s and have been given enough scarves to last me two lifetimes already. It's the classic 'gift for a woman whose tastes we don't know well'. Straight to the charity shop.

People know what skincare products they like. They buy them themselves. Being given something that's 'nice' but not what they use is a waste of money. Re-gifted / given to the nearest charity tombola.

I'd appreciate good quality consumables. Maybe a voucher for afternoon tea, or for a good food or drink shop.

There’s scarves and scarves though. Yes by 50 we will all probably have enough wool/acrylic neck scarves from M&S or Accessorize.
A large cashmere blanket scarf is another thing entirely and very sellable/ reguftable if it wasn’t to your taste.

Sellable, yes. Though is this 'poor old dear' <sarcasm> competent at internet selling? Plenty of people of all ages can't be bothered with that and either keep things at the back of the cupboard for twenty years, thinking maybe they'll use it one day, then throw it out, or give it to a charity shop straight away.

I'm not a wearer of massive scarves and would take that as someone trying to change my style.

And the many scarves I've been given over the years are not acrylic, or other low quality items. Some are quite expensive, which makes the fact I don't want them all the more galling. They are in a box at the back of the wardrobe and have been for years.

Some things I have bought for the women in my life of similar age (which have been liked & used, and may be relevant);

Favourite chocolate
Crystal vase
Dressing gown
Favourite perfume
Hamper of bits from M&S
Costume jewellery (I usually buy from M&S)

Given that you know she likes thrillers, a new release or a book token would be a good idea as it’s likely to get used but also she knows you’ve taken time to listen about what she is in to.

I'm 60. Now I like a jigsaw. But I haven't done any for donkeys years, and do you know why? Because it is next to impossible to find one that isn't unbelievably twee, and covered with cutesy kids, fluffy animals and thatched cottage scenes, all painted in what I can only describe as the Children's Book Cover style.

There are a few others, but usually the 'Impossipuzzle' style, or have steam engines or spitfires on them. Or dogs.

I always buy my neighbour (who we've adopted as our Nan) an afternoon tea - she loves it & then rings me to tell me all about it <3

Book a murder mystery night out, with a lovely meal.

I'm 63 and I'd appreciate:

Luxury level chocolates
A make your own bacon kit
Silk or merino base layers for my outdoor hobbies
Really
I wouldn't appreciate:
Toiletries
Perfume
A spa voucher
A blanket/scarf/snood or similar

Which just goes to show that 62yo women are just as varied as anyone else.

I am 65 and still working and socialising. I dislike scarves and candles but I would love a theatre ticket, a facial or afternoon tea. One of my best ever gifts was a digital radio that I listen to every day..

I'm closing in on that age and I'd like
Posh chocolate
Books
Expensive bath stuff
Silk scarf
Leather gloves

@barskits French Wine regions waterandwines.com/products/france-wine-puzzle (I've seen other wine producing country puzzles somewhere), would be lovely with a "matching" bottle of wine

Lowry www.restinpieces.co.uk/products/1000-piece-l-s-lowry-going-to-work-jigsaw-puzzle

Monopoly www.restinpieces.co.uk/products/1000-piece-monopoly-london-edition-jigsaw-puzzle

Actually that site has some amazing puzzles if you like art

John Lewis have loads - landscapes, houseplants,maps, , I especially like the phenomenal woman one www.johnlewis.com/browse/baby-child/games-puzzles/view-all-games-puzzles/jigsaws/puzzles/1000/_/N-6hxeZ1yze6ytZ1yze6yyZ1yzr0sh