Good gift ideas

[sweetdreamtennasee]

Immensely enjoyed reading through rubbish gift threads this evening, although some absolutely shockers in there which were quite sad :(
I am never buying chocolates or scented candles again..

but speaking more generally, what are good gifts for family in law, distant relatives ect?
what generic gifts do you like receiving?

want to do better in the future as I have in laws now and more people to buy for, but not a huge amount of energy to get every single person a well thought out personalised present.

How I wish we would all stop gifting!

Easy...
Only buy for close family members - don't buy for "distant relatives".
Even among close family if there are quite a few of you do a Secret Santa.
Everyone provides a wish list. You buy from the list.

No one likes ‘generic gifts’.

Even basic things like alcohol or soap should be chosen to delight the particular recipient. I, for instance, generally love giving people the luxury version of a thing - but I’ve learned through painful experience that some people prefer ‘ordinary’. And I’d be disappointed to receive 95% of the wine or whisky available to buy - you’d need to know the specific types of wine or single malt I enjoy.

To me a newly published book ought to be a reliable gift for anyone (who can access printed material) - but I gather even this safest of all options would put some peoples backs up.

would love not to buy for distant relatives and neighbours, but very tricky when they get you presents!

What about homemade? Looks nicely thought out but doesn't cost a lot and everyone can have the same.

Jam, truffles, cupcakes, sloe gin? Or if you are crafty making coasters, book marks, Christmas baubles etc.

Those are perfectly horrible ideas,@Wrongsideofpennines.

Bad enough a bought bookmark, never mind some ‘crafty’ homemade effort.

But I guess we’re all different!

Personally I love a scented candle and got two this year, from a son and a nephew. Am also happy with chocolate.
I also love bubble bath.And flowers.
Generic all the way for me.

I love booze gifts, candles, soap, hand cream, socks - all of them!

We are all completely different. I wouldn't want homemade stuff & some people would throw it away. A newly published book would be some people's nightmare & if I wanted to read it I would already have bought it. Read a lot. I don't rate most alcohol, plants or chocolate as gifts. Love flowers, nice candles, nice toiletries and lovely soaps. Pens, notebooks good too. Jewellery always good if it's my taste.

Yes socks are good too.

Wow. Harsh. I've received all of the above as gifts and been grateful of them all.

But I'm also quite grateful to receive chocolate and scented candles. Or any other gift that has been thought through by the sender.

What sort of gifts did you receive @sweetdreamtennasee?

I would love a box of standard shortbread. No funky weird flavours, just normal stuff.

no generic gifts this year, just very thoughtful ones from my immediate family. But in the past I have bought scented candles and coffee table books for friends birthdays, but was surprised to hear how many people on the bad gift threads hate scented candles, so I’m second guessing myself! think I’m a rubbish gifter.

Well, lots of different people on MN hate lots of different gifts.

I'd love anything consumable (maybe not at Christmas though) or a voucher for somewhere like John Lewis. I hate the idea of me giving something to someone that they won't use, it seems like such a waste of time / money / resources. We've got a relatively pared down gift list, so we're able to target hopefully appropriate gifts to those we buy for.

Generic lover here. Nothing would make me happier than a box of hotel chocolate, a bath bomb and a scented candle. I would also adore a homemade hamper.
generally, anything consumable would win

I love a box of chocolates and a candle! But everyone is different so that's what makes it difficult. If your recipients aren't keen then obviously you can't go down that route but I feel like it they aren't grateful either then why bother 🤷‍♀️

For distant relatives flowers and a nice card. From close relatives I love to receive photos or edibles, jams, nuts etc and usables, soaps, herbs, cordials etc. or, best of all - Secret Santa. Fewer presents is a great idea. Decide on a monetary range ie 50 -100 and allocate who buys for whom. Always expect contact from your gift buyer for suggestions so have a list of three or four things to help them not waste their money. Over the years Secret Santa has bought me - a lovely slotted serving spoon, a great bread knife, tickets to a concert, a poetry book, a wallet in my choice colour, a cordless drill, gardening tools, waterproof boots, knitted gloves. For kids - the popular toy or money.

My friend bought a box of 6 crackers from the Picture House cinema group for £100. Inside each cracker was a voucher for snacks, drinks & a cinema ticket. She gave a cracker as a gift to each member of her family. I'd love to have received this as a gift. No clutter and a pre-paid night out in Jan when the purse strings are a bit tight, what's not to like?

Single malts always a win I think (as long as the person drinks).

Also expensive perfume- Chanel No5 or Dior J'adore are always a win.

I actually love scented candles and shower stuff. I also love fluffy socks and Christmas PJs. I know I'm in the minority 🙈

Ohh that's a good one!

I also like giving/receiving cinema vouchers. i gave some to my brother for Christmas this year, but to Vue.

We are indeed all different. I would love to receive those homemade gifts.

Scented candles are fine imo. Totally innocuous. I didn't buy anything for anyone this year apart from my kids (late teens early 20s) and it was a game changer. I gave a few people who help me out during the year nice bottles of Nyetimber.

Also expensive perfume - Chanel No5 or Dior J'adore are always a win.

Nope! Again. I love particular (very expensive) perfumes I have chosen myself, but if I were given either of those I’d have to re-gift them. I don’t hate the smell of either but they wouldn’t feel personal to / representative of me.

The Picture House Cracker Vouchers are an excellent idea!

I think it depends on person in general : I don’t like people gifting me make up, clothes, perfume (even a close relative) however I would be happy with a box of chocolates or bottle of wine. I hate candles or anything smelly.

Few people I know would appreciate a single malt. And perfume is very personal.