Mum - 55 'doesn't need anything'

[pontipinemum]

Hopefully this might help someone. My mum who is 55 and 'doesn't need anything'

I have bought her a coffee pod holder, mug and loads of her favourite pods from Kaffekapslen.
I am going to get her a fake oddie probably the M&S one - mentioned she loved mine
Slippers - lives in these at home
Desk calendar mostly filled with pictures of DS who she is crazy about! So that she can proudly display it at work but only out of duty because her DD bought it.

I still like to get her a few gifts because she spends all of Christmas here as I am an only child.

An experience rather than i gift?

Depending on budget and tastes.

Theatre/concert tickets
National trust membership
Spa day
Magazine subscription
Afternoon tea
Short course
Dinner out
Weekend away

Chocolates
Books
Candles
Soap/hand cream
Game/activity she can do with your ds

Tbh I think what you've got already would be fine for someone who doesn't want anything.

I'm the same age. Get me a beauty treatment, spa day , afternoon tea please x

@RiaOverTheRainbow no I'm not planning on getting her anything else. I was just hoping to give others ideas

@Maddy70 see she says she would love these things but then never uses the vouchers!! Then says about 2 years later, I wonder where that is. TBF she does love her face oils/ creams and you can tell she started using them young she looks her age but isn't wrinkled really if that makes sense.

I'm a bit older and have everything I can want, and enough money to buy what I need. So this year I have, to their consternation, asked my kids to give me home made things. One daughter crochets and embroiders, one takes excellent photographs (and I went on holiday with her, so she's got lots of amazing shots from that), one DIL is a brilliant artist and another bakes fabulous cakes. The sons variously cook, make models and garden. So there's plenty of choice, but they ALL said 'we've got no IDEA what to do!'

Sometimes something handmade and wonky means more than any amount of expensive purchases.

I am 55 and have told my adult DC not to give me anything for Christmas unless it is tiny (eg earrings) or consumable, ie food, drink, tickets etc. I still have nice toiletries left from the last few Christmases and birthdays.

I am spending all my time at the moment getting rid of stuff, from my late parents' house and mine, and it has made me absolutely dread the consumerist urge to give people more useless stuff every year just so that they have something to unwrap.

@exexpat I am mostly against giving for the sake of giving. I only buy for DS, DH, DM and 1 person in my ILs. Oh and my Goddaughter. I think everything I have picked she will use. She loves coffee, she also loves being cosy after work when she watches the soaps. She loves to show off DS even though I have told her 1 pic at a time to colleagues because they are only says 'awww' out of kindness. 😂

I thought these were good presents for her. I'm starting to doubt myself. I was going to get her a robot vac but electronics (bar the coffee machine I bought a few Christmas's ago) go to her house to die.

Obviously you know your mum better than we do, so I am sure she will like what you have picked. I just wanted to point out that sometimes when someone says 'don't give me anything' they really mean it.

That is very true, she did ask for the oodie. And I know she will use the coffee. I think she will like the stuff. She won't be getting presents from anyone else so won't end up with a pile of useless tat she doesn't need/ want.

I am 50 and my favourite things would be;

cinema ticket subscription
magazine subscription
facial subscription

all things I enjoy but can never justify getting for myself

I am 55 and will get absolutely nothing from my "permanently skint" student only child. I love books, candles, cushions, chocolates, perfume, nice soaps etc You all sound wonderful getting all these lovely things for your mums. I live in hope it's my turn one day!

Or yes- an afternoon tea for two with you as the other person. I'd love that.

Those are lovely gifts for your mother!
I'm sure she will love them. And you know your mother well.

I think experiences are really good gifts. Especially an experience together with the person giving the gift.
I am giving my parents a trip to the city where we used to live when I was really little (they lived there for ten years before that). We will travel around by bus, visit our old block, visit the cheese shop where they used to buy cheese every Friday, and eat dinner at a restaurant. We are all looking forward to it!

I agree with some previous posters about giving stuff, even though it might be really nice things. Sometimes when someone says that they don't need anything, or don't want any stuff, the really mean it. Many people have A LOT of stuff already.
Good gifts are things that you can eat or drink, like chocolate, coffee, tea, etc.

@Itsuitsyou aw some day they will. I am well passed my uni days now so I'm a bit better off. I did used to buy things for her. But my cousin who is also an only was a disaster until he reached late 20s now treats his mum very well and she is heavily involved in his life with kids etc

@NovemberAutumn I can certainly get behind a gift that includes me getting something nice to eat! But actually she goes on about some fancy hotel that such and such went to and had great pictures on Facebook from (makes her sound very shallow but she loves people to see us out and about) I don't think she had ever posted anything to FB just gets me to post pictures and tag her. Its very pricey for afternoon tea but maybe I'll take her for her birthday which isn't far away either.

@SkaneTos that sounds like an amazing gift! Maybe some day DS will take DH and I to the place we first lived.... Australia 😂

A bit older than your Mum but I can honestly say when she says she doesn't need anything, she probably means it!

If she is comfortable financially, then she probably buys what she needs when she needs it.

I prefer things that can be used up. Depends on people's tastes but am guessing you know your Mum fairly well!

I'd appreciate:
gin
prosecco
a liqueur
a gift bag containing contents for a cocktail + recipe

chocolate (try not to eat it usually, doesn't have to be expensive, I love Thornton's and Lily O'Briens)
a voucher for a facial or massage.If you think she wouldn't get round to booking herself in, make her a voucher for 'a surprise', then book her in when you have arranged to meet up.
Agree re afternoon tea with my daughters!

A friend gave me a lovely Christmas plant arrangement, brought it a couple of weeks early so I could enjoy in the run up to Christmas.
Ditto Christmas decorations.

Does she have a coat/jacket lacking a well matched scarf / gloves?

I love cooking, a different cookery book always welcome and doesn't have to be new - browse charity shops or ebay
Another favourite gift was a set of herb seeds and plant pots.

I love candles, not everyone does but you know your Mum

What about a spa day with you or tkts to something she is interested in

Consumables go down well I think, as long as they are things the person likes to eat or drink.

Something to eat, drink, wear, read, experience.

When I say she said 'she doesn't need anything' she is the sort now that wouldn't say but would be genuinely devo if I had nothing for her on Christmas day.

Her main gift is a consumable, she buys coffee pods every week. I have bought her about half a years supply.

Just wanted to say what a kind thoughtful daughter you are!
I'm 58 and my 3 sons usually club together to get me one item I'd love but wouldn't buy myself
This year, it's a bracelet
I'm sure your DM Will appreciate such a nice range of gifts

You know your mum so I'm sure she will love what you have got her. You have obviously put some thought in.

If you intended this as an ideas thread for others who are buying for 50-something mums, and as a 54 year old mum who doesn't need anything myself, I would always appreciate the following:

Theatre tickets
Gig tickets
Dinner and cinema with the gift giver
I'm not a big fan of receiving food or drink but I can never have enough soap.