Presents that can be 'used' and not more 'stuff'

[OMGitsnotgood]

I’ve a few gifts I need to buy that I am out of ideas on: one for a couple for Christmas; one December birthday and a thank you gift. All adults.

Requirements are similar, keeping it brief:

No vouchers, candles, toiletries, confectionery, cakes, biscuits
No alcohol for 2 of them.
Nothing that will add ‘clutter’ as they are all of an age where they have all the stuff they need.
They aren’t ‘posh jams and chutney’ sort of people.
I wouldn’t know what books/cookery books they have so want to avoid, ditto games.

I sometimes, but not always, buy similar gifts for the person with a December birthday and the couple I need a Christmas present for, as I would say they have similar tastes (and they don’t know each other!)

In the past I have gifted outdoor plants; indoor Christmas plant arrangements (given early for the couple for Christmas); a pasta, sauce, olive oil combo (suggestions along these lines particularly welcome); a decorated plate for serving cakes/sandwiches etc. (which I know is ‘stuff’ but they admired one of mine and said it was something they didn’t have); stationery items and probably many other things I can’t remember as been exchanging gifts for years. Not something we want to stop as we enjoy exchanging gifts, I enjoy thinking what to give, just this year I’ve drawn a blank. Apart from DH they are the last presents I need to think of and have a hectic few weeks ahead so would like this off my mind!!

I’d prefer something they can use up but am not coming up with anything I haven’t already given. The couple we buy for almost always buy us gin or decent wines, which is a perfect present for us and they can repeat that forever and we’d be happy. Alcohol out for two of the gifts, it's is my fall back plan for the other, but would prefer something more original

Budget c £30 each

I’ve a feeling a lot of people will be looking for similar ideas so hopefully this thread will help others as well as me

Thank you

I like to get people gifts they’ll ‘actually use’ (hopefully) too.

Last year I got my FIL a set of hot sauces from around the world from John Lewis, SIL Ugg slippers that were on sale for £30 and SMIL a Charlotte Tilbury cheek set for around £25. All of which I got good feedback for.

However it is an increasingly difficult criteria.

https://www.theboxofcheese.co.uk/ A box of cheese

It really is, but worth striving for I think.
The hot sauces are along the lines of what I'm looking for, not quite right for these gifts, but am thinking a good stocking filler for DSs and son-in-law - thank you!

Adopt an animal at a local zoo or animal sanctuary? Or a magazine subscription?

An afternoon tea gift box…delivered from a local cafe?

I’ve received and also given kits from the spicery before. I think it would fit your criteri.

I was going to suggest cheese too. Or else afternoon tea voucher or theatre/book voucher?

Nice useful crockery e.g. Emma Bridgewater pint mugs
Garden sculpture
Small piece of artwork
Lovely wool blanket
Well-made/posh golf-size umbrella ('d be delighted with one of these!)
Voucher for local comedy store/opera house/venue
Board game (Zatu Games is my go-to for recommendations/reviews, and for buying)
Books set in their upcoming holiday destinations

Pie subscription/delivery! I think we used Turner's Pies

Are there any nice garden centres or hotels etc near you that do a nice afternoon tea you could book for them?

Any local venues that do comedy evenings? Or am dram productions?

QVC do some nice Christmas food which would be good for gifts, especially lebkuchen (pretty sure I’ve spelt that wrong) made in Germany.

Window bird feeder and bags of wild bird seed

A really nice jute or cotton reusable shopping bag done packed a bit like hamper with seasonal or unusual treats

Really warm fluffy winter socks, deluxe hot chocolate and some posh chocs

Gorgeous scented drawer liners (not just for old ladies!)

Thank you for the suggestions. I'm not going to comment on each one as the ideas will all be useful to someone reading this if not all for me. I am picking up some great ideas and some aren't quite right but are prompting other ideas. This is why I love MN, thanks again and keep them coming

I usually send a christmassy flower bouquet, then it acts as a decoration too.

It sounds like savoury food is your best option given they liked the Italian stuff. Although they aren’t chutney people. So I’m sort of struggling to find a suggestion. Some sort of Spanish hamper? One of those serrano ham things?

I’ve just been looking at the Christmas food and drinks on the national trust shop, they’ve got some nice bits and hampers available.

Cherry tree preserves do a lovely cream tea in the post, gladly received by my grandad last year! Cheese geek do nice cheese hampers, as do the Cheese shed. Also cinema experience vouchers, where you get popcorn and a drink as well as tickets to the film of your choice. Or a luxury meal kit? Pasta evangelists is nice.

I can't highly recommend the spicery set (the one with the little cook book) definitely not a gimmick, we have restocked the spices twice since last Christmas. Definitely elevated our curry game!

• secateurs
• Gold leaf gardening gloves
• A bird feeder or something to hang from their feeder
• A bird nest Wildlife World Robin Teapot Nester - Verdant
• Jigsaw puzzle
• Ceramic indoor pot
• Posh pork scratchings/flavoured peanuts/snacks

There was this company called awebox where you could buy a monthly subscription and select a number of things you were interested in IE candles, spices, creams, protein snacks, stationery etc.
I think they did Xmas gift boxes as well, obvs the more you spend the more categories you get to select from.

A wreath making kit. Lots of florists send these for you online. I would love one if I had a December birthday!

Or a beautiful wintery bunch of flowers and greenery

If they are into gardening how about a bee box?

A whole Serrano ham?

Magazine subscription?

Really nice coffee is a good gift, if they are into that kind of thing.

A beautiful Christmas wreath or flowers already in a vase, delivered before Christmas. This has the benefit of bro g nice for the holidays but doesn't clutter the house afterwards.

On another thread someone recommended these retro indoor fireworks which look a lot of fun https://www.grahamandgreen.co.uk/retro-indoor-fireworks

Delimann in Devon do the best afternoon tea hampers IMO

Are they crafty? Stitch & Story or Wool and the Gang both do v good knitting kits with high quality yarn and easy to follow instructions - work for both total beginners and eager knitters

Expensive olive oil and balsamic vinegar - the kind it’s hard to justify buying for yourself :)

Don’t be afraid to buy something the same or similar to previous years that you know they like. Like the couple who always give you nice wine. Getting something good that you like is always welcome IMO.