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

Calendar?

Lots more lovely suggestions, thanks all.

Don’t be afraid to buy something the same or similar to previous years that you know they like

that is sound advice, thank you, and was staring me in the face!
When we were little, family friends always gave my parents a box of Family Circle Biscuits. We didn't have much money and my Mum relied on this as a Christmas treat.
Just reinforcing your comment for anyone else reading this.

As a small gift I used to do nice bags of ground coffee and decadent florentines biscuits, used to get some good bogof/half price deals in sainsburys running up to Christmas. I put them in a nice bottle bag, my elderly aunt thought it was a lovely gift.

Ringtons hamper. They do one called the monty, nice tea and coffee with some nice extras x

Whenever anyone asks me, I ask for a voucher for a restaurant in the local city - they can choose which restaurant. Me and DP then usually have a few trips out during the year to use them, which is great.

Cashmere socks
Turtle Doves fingerless recycled cashmere gloves
Very nice dried pasta
Herb plants
Succulents
A good quality hand cream
Notebooks (Leuchtturm)
Uni Ball rollerball pens
Mixed nuts and a nut cracker
Tangerines

A really good website for food and drink presents is Yumbles - lots of small producers and niche products. I've found lots of good things there over the years.

Ahh nice notebooks is a good call @PictureFrameWindow - I am partial to the three-pack of softcover Moleskines but hardly ever think to buy it myself.

A couple of years ago, John Lewis did Quality Street metal tins you could get them personalised, so they'd say "Smith Street" or whatever surname they have. Then you can choose what QS to fill it with, so can do all coconut for the weirdo who likes those, or a mix of a few etc.

Nice gifts, they can recruit use the tin each Christmas (the shop also refills previously bought tins).

A magazine subscription? Just remember to cancel before it renews automatically....

If they live within driving distance of Kent, how about ‘rent a cherry tree’ from www.rentacherrytree.co.uk

I'll second the Spicery Curry Legend gift tin, that or a coffee advent calendar (several retailers doing these at the moment) or coffee subscription

Picturehouse cinema do a Black Friday membership in November. It's £100 at the mo for a year outside of London but goes down quite a lot in the sale. Tesco vouchers can be used too. You get 10 free tickets for a year plus other discounts

I bought my sister and sister in law a set of Le Crueset mugs last year which went down very well (I'd have been super chuffed to receive them myself!)
I think unusual wine/champagne/cocktail glasses are always nice to receive.
Some really good quality wool socks or gloves as well.

This list appears to be the exactly what the OP had ruled out.

Clutter, games, vouchers 🤔

I love a nice mug, and often buy them as presents. But you have to know what people like, individuals can have strong preferences- eg SiL loves a big sturdy pottery- type mug, but DH likes bone china and is fussy re shape and pattern.
My current favourites are from National Trust.

Luxurious hand towels.
Tea or coffee.
Luxury soft drink (unusual cordial?)
Cheese and biscuits.
Bird bath.
A lovely Christmas bauble.
Tear-off daily calendar.

Why not keep with the drink theme but just make it non-alcoholic? A variety of posh teas, some fancy hot chocolate, some boutique cordials, etc.

A lemon tree in a pot and a bottle of nice gin.

Did you want me to ask for it to be deleted?

Posh paper/ stationery?

Ignore the misery guts. You tried to help. Some people can't help sniping.

Can’t go wrong with good chocolate (I like montezuma truffles) or posh olive oil.

Thank you all. Yes there are some suggestions which disregard my OP but that's ok, i can just scroll past and maybe they will be helpful for others reading this thread for ideas.

Sushi kit

Bread making stuff

A tree sapling ( have given and received this in the past and loved it)