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Christmas

From present ideas to party food, find all your Christmas inspiration here.

Original poster

Inspiration needed for a treat for my mum!

52 replies

Stillcantgetnosleep · 10/12/2023 03:19

I'm really struggling to find a nice present for my mum this Christmas. It's been a terrible year for lots of reasons - she had a heart attack, my marriage broke down and there has really been a lot of turmoil all year. I'd like to get her something nice and to recognise that we still have a lot to celebrate and it could all have been much worse.

But what?! I am going to get her new phones for the house as theirs are very quiet and hard to hear. But that's not very special!

Some info about her and likes/dislikes:

75, doesn't ever treat herself but quite likes 'luxury' type presents. Doesn't like experience gifts (though I do a running afternoon tea gift which she appreciates). Doesn't like clothes, definitely not socks, slippers,gloves pyjamas etc. Doesn't like anything for the kitchen or food gifts. Doesn't drink alcohol and doesn't exercise. Likes reading but I've bought books many times before and it's not very special. Lives in a modern and v well insulated house so wouldn't use blankets, heated throws etc.

Hit presents in the past have included : diptyque perfume, dubarry bag. This year I don't have too much money so would like to find something under £100 if possible.

Any suggestions for a present that would make you feel special and loved by an adult daughter??!

OP posts:
Tilllly · 10/12/2023 03:38

Ok doesn't like experience gifts - but does that include a spa date with you?

Magazine subscription for the year?

Tilllly · 10/12/2023 03:39

Foot spa and pedicure items?

Original poster
Stillcantgetnosleep · 10/12/2023 03:42

Definitely not a spa - she is quite overweight and very sensitive about it and would never ever go to a spa. Definitely not a foot spa, I think someone gave her one a few years ago. Have done magazine subscriptions in the past with limited success, though that is a possibility.

(thanks so much for the ideas though!! She is actually very hard to buy for but would insist that she is very easy and doesn't want anything)

Other surprising successes in the past have been tech - a Samsung galaxy phone, an iPad. But I can't afford that kind of thing this year. I tried a Fitbit last year to encourage her to take a little exercise but was never used.

OP posts:
Original poster
Stillcantgetnosleep · 10/12/2023 03:44

Also, I live far away from them and will only be home for a few days so any shared trips or days out etc aren't possible, though she would quite like that. It needs to be an actual gift this time.

OP posts:
Tilllly · 10/12/2023 03:46

Doing gifts?
Jigsaw?
Puzzle ball?

A new hobby? Say cross stitch with a starter set and magazine or something?

Original poster
Stillcantgetnosleep · 10/12/2023 03:50

They are good ideas, she is a very competent sewer etc and her friends are quite crafty types (!) But she never seems to do it or to have much interest. If I could find a nice cross stitch pattern that is definitely a possibility. I have a feeling she would see it as more of a chore than a treat though!

OP posts:
Tilllly · 10/12/2023 03:51

Hamper? Either food or pamper hamper?

Original poster
Stillcantgetnosleep · 10/12/2023 03:52

Good idea with the photo tree. Something personalised and a bit sentimental with family photos is probably something that she might like- I think I've left it a bit late to get organised for that.

OP posts:
Tilllly · 10/12/2023 03:53

Does she like gardening? Could that be an idea, bird feeder, garden ornament? I'd be barked tho and see it as house related
Candle (house tho) in her favourite perfume range
Earrings?

Original poster
Stillcantgetnosleep · 10/12/2023 03:53

Hates hampers!! 😂 All throughout our childhood she would look wistfully at hampers in magazine and say she would love a Christmas hamper. My brother started buying her one every year and now she complains that they are so extravagant and not very personal!!!

OP posts:
Tilllly · 10/12/2023 03:54

Oooh newspaper?

I got FIL a newspaper book - front page of his birthday for every year since his birth, he loved it

Original poster
Stillcantgetnosleep · 10/12/2023 03:55

Doesn't burn candles (afraid of fire). Doesn't wear jewellery. Does gardening but doesn't love it and have done the gardening gloves , kneelers etc in past. Has bird tables and feeders.

(Seriously thanks for the effort you are putting into this!)

OP posts:
Tilllly · 10/12/2023 03:55

Stillcantgetnosleep · 10/12/2023 03:52

Good idea with the photo tree. Something personalised and a bit sentimental with family photos is probably something that she might like- I think I've left it a bit late to get organised for that.

Personalised presents do an express service

Original poster
Stillcantgetnosleep · 10/12/2023 03:56

Oooh indeed, the newspaper book might work!!! That is the kind of thing I think she would enjoy. Where did you get it?

OP posts:
Tilllly · 10/12/2023 03:56

Stillcantgetnosleep · 10/12/2023 03:55

Doesn't burn candles (afraid of fire). Doesn't wear jewellery. Does gardening but doesn't love it and have done the gardening gloves , kneelers etc in past. Has bird tables and feeders.

(Seriously thanks for the effort you are putting into this!)

No worries, can't sleep and have impossible in-laws!!

I'm thinking I might not come up with an idea, but one of my ideas might trigger an idea for you

GoodVibesHere · 10/12/2023 03:57

Does she like taking a bath? How about bathtime treats - a good bubble bath or oil, fluffy towel, posh soaps, loofah, body cream.

Tilllly · 10/12/2023 03:58

Stillcantgetnosleep · 10/12/2023 03:56

Oooh indeed, the newspaper book might work!!! That is the kind of thing I think she would enjoy. Where did you get it?

Let me find it

Original poster
Stillcantgetnosleep · 10/12/2023 04:00

No baths, only showers. And has heaps of lovely shower and bath sets (probably as otherwise she's so difficult to buy for...).

I'm thinking the newspaper book (an inspired idea) but please do keep any other suggestions coming!

OP posts:
Tilllly · 10/12/2023 04:00

www.historic-newspapers.co.uk

Tilllly · 10/12/2023 04:02

This is the specific book I got FIL

www.historic-newspapers.co.uk/gifts/your-date-books/

I had it embossed with his name and in a presentation box
It's nice quality

But you could get her an original paper from date of her birth

There's an express service too - costs tho

Original poster
Stillcantgetnosleep · 10/12/2023 04:05

Yes, the newspaper book is a good idea - it is a bit pricey but think she might like it (if I can convince her it wasn't expensive 😂). It did remind me of another interest angle though - she is very into politics. Better informed on UK politics than most journalists I suspect!

OP posts:
Tilllly · 10/12/2023 04:10

Maybe get newspaper for her bday if you can find something else for this Cmas, then you're sorted for a year!!

https://www.papier.com/send-with-love-285?utmmedium=PaiddAffiliate&utmsource=Awin&utmmcampaign=Skimlinks&utmcontent=78888&utmmterm=&awc=15522170218132777d52fc4d447442ecd9b5b048af49ba49

Original poster
Stillcantgetnosleep · 10/12/2023 04:12

😂 good thinking actually I was thinking I could probably do this as a shared present for her and my dad, maybe pick my dad's birth year and her birthday so get a few extra years and put both their names on the front?

OP posts:
Tilllly · 10/12/2023 04:14

Or their wedding anniversary?