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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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User2856948 · 13/12/2023 15:32

I would just give a gift voucher for somewhere like M&S or John Lewis, whichever one is best for her, better than something she won't like, they can always be spent in the food hall or Waitrose

LastYearsChristmasStamps · 13/12/2023 15:32

I would prefer one very luxurious thing to three cheaper ones. But we’re all different.

What you’ve got is fine. Sounds like you’ll get a muted reaction because she’s that sort of person.

Goingwelltrying · 13/12/2023 15:32

Not all socks are boring and some can be very luxurious but that depends on your own circumstances of course. Does she have a garden? Plant with winter interest - box it up last minute if handing over.
A special plant pot - does she like sparkles they have some sparkly ones in our garden centre not my thing for a garden, but a friend surprised me as she loved them and they actually look lovely.

AndyPandyismyhero · 13/12/2023 15:32

Sorry, I'm 63 and the only thing I'd like from that would be the make up bag, possibly!
If she wears make up I'd rather have some new make up - I replace all mine regularly, so would love it if someone did it for me!
I would like a bottle of my favourite perfume, calendar with pictures of the grandchildren, decent pair of dressmaking scissors, small Alexa devices for the bedroom and kitchen, Bluetooth speaker for my record deck, some vinyl records.
I realise these could be pricey items and would happily have just one, or even money towards one, rather than a whole heap of stuff I am unlikely to use.

Katrinawaves · 13/12/2023 15:33

55 here and I would loathe all of those. Sorry!

I’d like a good book (how about a recipe book if she doesn’t read?)
Some decent wine
if she doesn’t drink fresh coffee, how about a nice hot chocolate kit? Or nice tea in a caddy with nice teapot?

Does she drive? Maybe an in car charger for her phone? Or a mobile hotspot for the car if she prefers being a passenger and would like to surf?

if she’s a gardener, a nice bush for the garden?

Mrsjayy · 13/12/2023 15:33

Namechange4234 · 13/12/2023 15:24

I'd prefer a voucher 🤣

I mean this just give me a voucher I'm happy by my age.i like to just pick my own stuff.

skippy67 · 13/12/2023 15:33

56 and I wouldn't like any of those. However, I would smile, say thanks, and you'd never know😊

Hoogieflip · 13/12/2023 15:34

What about more luxurious version of something she uses regularly? Hand soap with a lovely hand towel? Posh hand cream? A nice long-handled wooden shoehorn? A One Hundred Stars robe/scarf?

HomburgandTrilby · 13/12/2023 15:34

They’re dull and generic as fuck, but as pps have said, she sounds like the dullest person on earth, so go for it. Or just give her a voucher.

Or circus skills lessons.

Original poster
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)

OP posts:
User2856948 · 13/12/2023 15:35

She is probably about 10 years younger than me and you have made her sound about 80.

PoppyCup · 13/12/2023 15:35

I must be honest - those presents would really depend on getting my taste right. Any pastel fluffy slippers or floral make up bag would never get used.

Chocolates at Christmas are just a hassle to get rid of - there's already so much fatty rich food around. I'd think about giving them to a neighbour who has done you a good turn, or putting them in the food bank for the Christmas hampers.

I'd love - as PP said - some really nice bath oil or shower gel: REN, L'Occitane, Neal's Yard, Liz Earle.

Or some cashmere gloves in a neutral colour.

Maybe a very plain planted bowl of white hyacinths or amaryllis (if she likes house plants)

Does she read magazines? A subscription to House & Garden or a glossy women's mag.

She must do something with her life!

shepherdsangeldelight · 13/12/2023 15:35

I think vouchers (maybe to a local restaurant that she does like or a local attraction she visits) would be better.

I'm in my 50s - I'd be ok with the chocolates (but would hope you've bought ones that you know are favourites rather than random ones ) and would have no use for the rest. And, like your MIL, I don't want random things cluttering the house. However I would tell you not to bother to get me anything.

isthismylifenow · 13/12/2023 15:36

I'm 53 and although these are OK gifts, they are a bit genetic iyswim.

Does she drink tea? Maybe a hamper of different teas, instant coffee sachets and perhaps a bone China mug/ cup and saucer.

Bathrobe with matching slippers maybe?

Does she wear perfume? What about a sample set.

An orchid.

Even a box with lots of little things inside, chocolates, socks, scarf, gloves and random small things.

There honestly seems no thought out into what you do have, even though you have probably wracked your brain to think of these.

LadyMacbethWasMisunderstood · 13/12/2023 15:36

I’m 57. But I’m easy to buy for and have hobbies. I tend to think it’s the character of your MIL rather than her age demographic that will be determinative.

But here goes:

Despite being generally easy to please I would dislike fluffy slippers (not my style at all and maybe not hers if she lives in a minimalist house).

I would hate a gel eye mask (but I’m claustrophobic and that would make me feel closed in)

I would very much appreciate a make up bag

I would also like a small box of chocolates if they were decent (not outlandishly expensive, but HC rather than Roses)

I would also really love to receive Roger & Gallet bar soap, L’occitane shower gel, M and S cashmere socks, Neals yard rose and geranium hand cream, or one of those long hot water bottles I’ve seen that you can lie against. Hope that might give you some ideas.

Hope your DH is doing better.

LauderSyme · 13/12/2023 15:36

Am in your required age range and I would be delighted with the thought you've put in, and fairly pleased with your selection of gifts.

MIL sounds flipping rude though, if she makes it so obvious she isn't impressed, especially given all the time and effort you must have put in to your homemade hamper.

Have you ever sneaked a look at her bathroom cabinet or dressing table to see what her preferred bath, body, make up and perfume brands are? Might be worth a try.

Does she read a newspaper or magazine? Get her a subscription on the next occasion. And another vote here for a voucher.

SageMist · 13/12/2023 15:37

She does sound sound very difficult to buy for. BTW I am 62 and I love pot plants and bunches of flowers and cookbooks!

User2856948 · 13/12/2023 15:37

I'm a bit older at 65 and would like the chocolates and scrap the rest

lovenotwar149 · 13/12/2023 15:37

I would just stick with choices if she's that hard To buy presents for

RuthW · 13/12/2023 15:37

I'd love the chocolates, but I'd give the slippers and mask away as I'm not that sort of person. Make up bag is ok.

Restinggoddess · 13/12/2023 15:37

I think many of us are in the same boat - people are difficult to buy for and most I us have too much anyway ( I am with PP on this)

The gifts are fine and you will get various views here

Is there a reason you are concerned about missing the mark with these presents? She sounds really difficult to buy for and unless you buy her a replacement if something she is running out of ( fav perfume, make up) then you have a tough call
Relax - it’s the thought that counts - it’s not worth the stress, really it’s not
Sorry to hear about DH - hope you get a stressless Xmas

GuitarGeorgina · 13/12/2023 15:38

I’m 52 and my heart would sink a little at those gifts, I’m afraid BUT I’m not the recipient. None of them are things I’d want or use.

Original poster
GotMooMilk · 13/12/2023 15:38

Thanks so much for all the feedback and other ideas! I will come back to this thread and work my way through it every year 😂
It makes her sound awful but she’s nice- she just doesn’t do anything. Goes to work and comes home and watches tv. My parents have always had loads of hobbies so quite easy in comparison!

OP posts:
hellsBells246 · 13/12/2023 15:38

Look, not all women aged 50-60 are the same. You've bought the gifts; you've made the effort. It's up to her if she likes them or not.

You have more important things to worry about, eg your h. I hope he recovers soon.

Lengokengo · 13/12/2023 15:39

What does she get you? People often buy gifts for others that they like a variation on for themselves. I remember one year, I would have vastly preferred to have kept the gifts I gave, rather than what I recieved.

Match her gift in terms of style , quality, price and concept ( eg smelliest, clothing etc).

Since she doesn’t give you ideas, do the same back to her!