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

[GotMooMilk]

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?

Well, if it’s the thought that counts, you have certainly thought a lot about it!

I’m 60 and I’m afraid all that would be going to the charity shop.

Wine, gloves and chocolate are better

@GotMooMilk 55 and I'd love all those 😁😁 I'm probably boring too 😁
I also like hand cream, hot water bottle in a fluffy cover and expensive hot chocolate.

Presumably she knows that her son is unwell and it's all falling to you.
In these situations, I always remind myself that you're actually saying, "Yes it may not be a perfect present but we are thinking of you". But tbh I think of Xmas presents for adults as a token, rather than the best present ever. Hope she likes what you've bought 🤞

@Palewildflower do you mind sharing which of the Lidl ports did better than Fortnums? Thanks

Wine, gloves and chocolate much better. Unlike slippers, it's always useful to have a spare pair of gloves!

56 and I wouldn't be impressed. What about a book for something she's interested in? Posh smellies, nice perfume.

What TV package does she have?

I'm thinking an Amazon fire stick or a soundbar.

Maybe an Alexa / echo.

My dad is in his 80s and although he has likes and I could get a box of fudge every year and he would be delighted I try to get something a bit different.

This year I have got him a patio heater, in summer he sits in the back garden with his neighbours for a drink about 3pm so the heater is for when it is a bit cooler.

How about a photo book? And fill it with pictures of family/memories etc. they have them on free prints.

Does she particularly like any causes? Animals, Children, other... could you not get her a Dolphin/Tiger/Elephant sponsorship or some other charitable cause she would appreciate? Ideas for next time, would she enjoy the regular updates? Would she relish in knowing she helped save the world?

By the way, don't get a candle. Not everyone likes candles.

I'd like all of that. How about a nice bath foam/shower milk...Elemis do nice ones with a matching body lotion. Nice candle? Neom/white company if she is quite minimalist as they aren't coloured.

Handcream is always good. I'm slightly younger but my hands are always dry now. I like the eye masks but that's cos I get headaches and they ate good for relieving those.

OH! and also (or should I have edited to add?).

Regarding not wanting "stuff" at this age.

One one hand I agree, having buried both parents and having to sort out enormous amounts of stuff (and thousands and thousands of books - I now have a kindle).

On the other hand, I am 58 and this year became an empty nester. I have spent my whole life in the sacrificial parent role, forgoing "good" things for the sake of the kids/as I had to prioritise family over nice things for me. I don't want a Chanel handbag or anything crazy expensive but for the first time in my life, I'm thinking its time for me to have nice things. I dont think we want lots of collectible trinkets, just some quality items that we probably didnt have before.

I know not everyone lives this way and many are really good at looking after themselves and prioritising themselves even with kids but many of us aren't. This age is quite nice as I can treat myself.

@BerfyTigot I can’t actually remember exactly what one it was 🙈 but i think it was the one with the black bottle with white writing on it. It was a channel 5 program I was watching, you could probably get it on catch up and get the bottle from the show. Sorry I’m not very helpful 🙈 but they really like that port, I can tell you that much lol.

Well according to a rather bitter PP, those of us in our 50s who like nice things are inherently dull.

@BerfyTigot @Palewildflower

I didn't see the TV show but this Lidl port always gets amazing reviews https://www.decanter.com/wine-reviews/portugal/douro-valley/lidl-armilar-10-year-old-tawny-port-douro-valley-34197 (eg here on Decanter, it's also a GH best buy).

Hello, am 59 and don’t really need anything either but for me my family knows that their donations to different child charities and Mary’s Meals charity makes me very happy so maybe get mil an concern/Oxfam/Mary’s Meals gift voucher, people that really need stuff get them and mil might be happy with that ( if she is in any way charitable) 🤷‍♀️.

So much unwanted presents 🎁 and so many needy causes.

Good luck with all, hope your husband is doing well too. 🙏🏻

I’m genuinely amazed at how ungrateful all you old ladies on here are. I pray for any of your own children or god forbid, grandchildren, buying you gifts which you will then dump off to charity shops or palm off to someone else.

Old ladies?

I'm that age. Your choices are fine. Other ideas?
What about some beautiful flowers? It's lovely to have fresh flowers at Christmas- either a lovely off/ white bouquet - lots of red at Christmas tho I prefer white and it goes with any decor, or a planter or a mini Christmas tree

I'd appreciate fluffy slippers and chocolates, I think that's a lovely present OP! but then I'm 35 and can't afford to buy myself things. Can't believe how many people on here are saying they'd be unimpressed with this or that present; the entitlement, ingratitude and snobbery. Most people are struggling financially; I can only afford my children's presents this year and school photos/school concert tickets for the grandparents, plus a wee token thing each (like a bauble shaped like a fish for my Dad who goes fishing) and cards homemade by the kids.. and I've left bills unpaid to afford this.. and that's with my Mum and my ex MIL both having put money into my account to help me afford Christmas time for the kids. I usually don't have anything to open from anyone on Christmas morning. Last year 2 of my friends gave me a basket with some fancy shampoo and body wash, body lotion, a pillow mist and a few other things like that.. and I felt so spoilt and loved. If someone gives you any present or even a card or a text, it shows they've thought about you and care about you.

I am 55. Those gifts would make me feel OLD! (I'd eat the chocolates though).

You are very nice to make such an effort - your MIL is lucky.
On a budget of £25 I would prefer one lovely treat rather than lots of bits - a decent bottle of wine or olive oil, ticket to an exhibition, bunch of flowers, hardback book, wool/cashmere socks.

Definitely agree with previous comments about accumulating "stuff"

Old ladies????????????

And I don't think this is a thread of people being ungrateful. It's people trying to help the OP to not waste her money.

I think its less snobbery and more the frustration of ladies our age who have to read that people think we are like 80 year olds and in to photo books, shawls, gardening gear (er, I work, who has time), emma bridgewater , gloves (why?). No offence to people who suggested these, I realise they are trying to help.

the entitlement, ingratitude and snobbery

Don't be ridiculous. We're talking about gifts on an Internet forum to somebody who asked for opinions and ideas. We're not saying that we'd complain/be ungrateful if we actually received any of these things from our loved ones, just that we'd prefer them to spend their money on themselves or talk to us about the wisest ways to blow some of their hard-earned cash on us, should they still wish to.