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Christmas

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Original poster

If you are a woman between 50-60 please give me feedback on these gifts!

727 replies

GotMooMilk · 13/12/2023 15:15

MIL is the HARDEST person ever to buy for. She doesn't really have any hobbies, doesn't like food presents (have given her a hamper of home made food and drink last year and no one has looked less impressed at anything...!) and has an incredibly minimalist house so doesn't like home gifts. She doesn't like going places she hasn't been so a restaurant/theatre voucher wouldn't be used.
Every Christmas or birthday she kills me! Anyway I have got her:

  • Fluffy slippers
  • Gel eye mask that can be kept in fridge or warmed
  • Small box of chocolates
  • Make up bag
Does this sound ok?
OP posts:
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6
socialdilemmawhattodo · 13/12/2023 17:35

RosesAndHellebores · 13/12/2023 16:37

I'M 63 @GotMooMilk

Things from:

Neom
L'Occitan
A nice umbrella (I lose these)
M&S leather gloves (I lose these too)
A moleskine notebook
A very nice candle if not Neom
A charging block and/or new phone charger
A shrub for the garden
A bouquet of flowers (always love)
A little torch for my handbag or keyring with a light.

Sorry this is a much nicer list. 58 here.

All2Well · 13/12/2023 17:36

FreshWinterMorning · 13/12/2023 17:27

I am mid-late 50s, and a 'young' 50-something. I like things people 25-35 years younger like. I would hate to receive those gifts. Apart from the chocolates. Sorry @GotMooMilk .

I am easy to buy for as I have about 7 or 8 hobbies and interests, so my 2 DDs never have a problem getting anything for me. (DH is a different story however. He is very hard to buy for!)

Still not sure why you are responsible for your MIL's gifts though. Hmm Stop doing it. It's not fair on you! My son-in-laws don't do the gift shopping for me. No grown man would be gift shopping for his mother in law! So why should a grown woman be buying for HER mother in law? FGS.

You mustn't have read it but OP made it clear that she didn't want a pile on for buying for her MIL as her DH is too unwell and currently undergoing treatment.

Silverbirchtwo · 13/12/2023 17:38

Bottle of Port or Madeira?

Pigsears · 13/12/2023 17:38

MaturingCheeseball · 13/12/2023 17:32

@FreshWinterMorning -read the OP as in your haste to be a judgemental “feminist” you have embarrassed yourself.

The OP’s budget is £25, so gym memberships are out. Tate membership? The OP’s mil might live in Scunthorpe!!

Or she might live in London, Liverpool, St Ives or Margate... St Ives pass is £12 for the year... As is Liverpool. 🙄

Twiglets1 · 13/12/2023 17:39

TerfTalking · 13/12/2023 17:19

For someone in her fifties? Fucks sake, it will come round a lot quicker than you think and I hope you remember posting that when it does.

Show quote history

Wow, it was a joke! I'm 57 and I laughed.

Angrycat2768 · 13/12/2023 17:39

MaturingCheeseball · 13/12/2023 17:27

Some No. 7 stuff, like some moisturiser? It’s within your budget and I believe it’s on special offer at the moment.

Why are people so difficult?! It’s so deflating when you make an effort to find a good present and the recipient looks as if you’ve given them a clod of horse manure.

I agree. I love getting most things. It's so disheartening when people look ungrateful or don't wsnt anything. This is why my mum gets the same thing every year! My late FIL used to love buying presents and we'd get loads of little things- jewellery, trinkets, little bits of stationery, chocolate etc. I don't often wear jewellery, but whenever I open my jewellery box I think of him because of all the brooches and earrings and giant pendants on chains I have!

Doyathinkhesaurus · 13/12/2023 17:40

I'm in that age bracket.

That all sounds tediously dull. Sorry.

Voucher for a facial/treatment somewhere nice.

Voucher for Starbucks/coffee place of choice plus new reuseable cup

Molton Brown soap and hand cream

Rew scarf

Leather gloves in wild colours

KrazyboutKillian · 13/12/2023 17:41

What about an upgraded legging and t shirt ? Tk maxx do some lovely soft plain black leggings ?
or a wide legged yoga style pant pj set , which is also comfy for relaxing in / reading / watching tv ??

AmethystSparkles · 13/12/2023 17:43

Gosh this makes me feel so old!! I’m 51 and would mostly like the same presents I’d have liked in my twenties. So nice toiletries, skincare, jewellery, chocolate, tights, nice notebooks, nice pen, perfume, books.

If people started buying me food hampers, gardening gloves and silk scarves I wouldn’t be very happy!!

ThisIsntThe80sPat · 13/12/2023 17:44

Does she a favourite shop? Cafe? I'd just do a voucher with some red wine

Hallmark1234 · 13/12/2023 17:45

I'd be happy with a Marks/John Lewis voucher so I could choose my own gift!

ScribblingPixie · 13/12/2023 17:45

OP, I would like a very good quality simple version of something I already use, whether it's an olive oil, chocolate brownies or a body wash. I love it when I get 'upgraded' at Christmas.

Calliopespa · 13/12/2023 17:47

AmethystSparkles · 13/12/2023 17:43

Gosh this makes me feel so old!! I’m 51 and would mostly like the same presents I’d have liked in my twenties. So nice toiletries, skincare, jewellery, chocolate, tights, nice notebooks, nice pen, perfume, books.

If people started buying me food hampers, gardening gloves and silk scarves I wouldn’t be very happy!!

Still less eye masks for my bags and slippers for my bunions! 🤣 Not mocking Op: MIL sounds genuinely a bit tricky if no hobbies, no food, no ornaments etc

Diggerdriverless · 13/12/2023 17:49

I'd like a big box of chocolates (but not Ferrero Rocher), wine, bunch of flowers. Does she read magazines? You could get her a subscription for one and it could be birthday and Christmas presents for ever.

Simpleblessingsxx · 13/12/2023 17:52

Its a difficult one and lovely of you for being so considerate. My thoughts rather than think about age you have to think about the individual within the older age bracket. When you think about people like Kylie Minogue late 50s, she may not appreciate gifts more appropriate for elderly people. It really just depends on a person's outlook in life as they grow older & what gifts they'd appreciate.

Calliopespa · 13/12/2023 17:53

Simpleblessingsxx · 13/12/2023 17:52

Its a difficult one and lovely of you for being so considerate. My thoughts rather than think about age you have to think about the individual within the older age bracket. When you think about people like Kylie Minogue late 50s, she may not appreciate gifts more appropriate for elderly people. It really just depends on a person's outlook in life as they grow older & what gifts they'd appreciate.

Edited

nail on head

DisforDarkChocolate · 13/12/2023 17:54

I'd go for a nicer version of something she already has or uses.

I'm a MIL and I ask for a family photo from my son (not my DIL because she has her own parents to think about). It's easy to do and inexpensive, plus I love it.

Calliopespa · 13/12/2023 17:54

Calliopespa · 13/12/2023 17:53

nail on head

Show quote history

That was a response to the suggestion not a gift idea btw!

sleepismyhobby · 13/12/2023 17:55

I'm 50
Next year and I'm sorry I would like any off these things, saying that I have a 6 yea or so have a pretty active life . It does sound so hard I have a mil with no hobbies , interests, doesn't like clothes, perfume or anything really 😂. I got her a magazine subscription one year which went down well but generally the presents just sits about gathering dust

Rainbow1901 · 13/12/2023 17:56

GotMooMilk · 13/12/2023 15:35

@Katrinawaves if only!
she doesn’t garden, doesn’t drink tea, doesn’t really cook wouldn’t use a recipe book.

Sorry I feel like I’m being difficult but I’m not trying to! Budget isn’t huge usually spend around £25 (same as for my parents)

I'd buy her a chocolate pizza and add a Just Eat voucher especially if she doesn't cook.
😋

All2Well · 13/12/2023 17:57

See...I'm in my 30s and would kill for a Liberty style silk scarf, plants or food hampers as would most of my friends 😃

Fairyliz · 13/12/2023 17:59

Someone so rude and clearly boring doesn’t deserve gifts.
I would be making a donation to a charity of your choice in her name. Stick the receipt in an envelope and give it to her.

MerryChristmasToYou · 13/12/2023 18:00

have given her a hamper of home made food and drink
I'd not touch any of that.

fluffy slippers - no
eye mask - no
box of chocolates - yes
make-up bag - got enough already
scented candle - most are vile
jewellery - would prefer to choose my own

M&S gift voucher would be lovely.

pointythings · 13/12/2023 18:02

I'm 55 and I would donate everything except the chocolates to charity, but then I'm a weirdo who never wears makeup, insists on sturdy slipper boots at all times and hates having things on my face. But I'm very easy to buy for - just ask me what I like (earrings, Dr Who merch, board games).

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