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Christmas

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

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:
Thread gallery
6
Crikeyalmighty · 14/12/2023 11:44

Can I just say I'm 61 and yes I agree we are a hard bunch to buy for - however I am simply delighted that my son cares enough to buy me something that is always nice- even if I don't really need it. I always look delighted and no I don't 'regift' or take down the charity shop - at some point it will be used. Some of you come over as thoroughly unpleasant in your attitudes and I wonder if that seeps into general life and not just Xmas. If it was random relatives then yes, I might discreetly give away if it's really not my thing - but my son - no!

IcakethereforeIam · 14/12/2023 11:46

Nrtff. I want to drive a tank. Get her a day driving tanks!

goody2shooz · 14/12/2023 11:47

Buy her a charity donation - hens, a goat or a toilet somewhere!

MaturingCheeseball · 14/12/2023 11:47

I agree that there are a lot of ungrateful old ladies on here - and I am old!

Also people who can’t be arsed to read a thread: the OP gave her budget (£25) so posters suggesting luxury items are a) wasting their time and b) sound mighty greedy!

The OP has updated and her gifts of gloves and wine sound nice.

I love a pp’s idea of a sock bouquet, though. I would love that!

What is it with all this “cashmere” - especially socks? The problem is that this is going to become the new “old lady present” just as much as a china figurine or sandalwood bath salts in the past.

EachandEveryone · 14/12/2023 11:48

Another oldie here.tickets for Elvis Costello next year. An electric blanket!

IcakethereforeIam · 14/12/2023 11:49

IcakethereforeIam · 14/12/2023 11:46

Nrtff. I want to drive a tank. Get her a day driving tanks!

tank GIF

Like this 👌

shearwater2 · 14/12/2023 11:49

Sounds great.

MaturingCheeseball · 14/12/2023 11:49

@Crikeyalmighty glove punch of solidarity!

MorvernBlack · 14/12/2023 11:52

Crikeyalmighty · 14/12/2023 11:44

Can I just say I'm 61 and yes I agree we are a hard bunch to buy for - however I am simply delighted that my son cares enough to buy me something that is always nice- even if I don't really need it. I always look delighted and no I don't 'regift' or take down the charity shop - at some point it will be used. Some of you come over as thoroughly unpleasant in your attitudes and I wonder if that seeps into general life and not just Xmas. If it was random relatives then yes, I might discreetly give away if it's really not my thing - but my son - no!

Actually you make a good point. If it was a gift from my child, even the grown up ones, I would make an effort to appreciate and use it, because I love them. I'm more thinking about gifts from my in-laws and others.

Westwindworries · 14/12/2023 11:55

I'm 59. I get a pair of slippers from my mother each Christmas and like them. I'd like the gloves, too.

I like generic gifts of wine, chocolate, shower gel, too.

None of them would be on my list of things I want, but I'd be happy with them.

MorvernBlack · 14/12/2023 11:56

goody2shooz · 14/12/2023 11:47

Buy her a charity donation - hens, a goat or a toilet somewhere!

I'd actually rather have this and know someone is benefitting.
Or a tank driving voucher, I'd love this! As long as it was easy for the recipient to use the voucher. DH had an experience gift which was probably expensive, but we didn't use it as it would have involved a long journey, a hotel stay and time off work, none of which we could afford.

Caspianberg · 14/12/2023 11:56

@Crikeyalmighty - no I wouldn’t just eat something I hated because my child gave it to me. I would said thank you, but it would eventually be discreetly donated. I would rather a £2 bar of Lindt than a £25 box of orange cream chocolate that I hate. I would also hope by the time I’m 61 my son vaguely knows what I do and don’t like

ChlorrOfTheMask · 14/12/2023 11:56

GotMooMilk · 13/12/2023 15:46

Thanks so much.

there’s a makers market near us this weekend so I’m going to have a look around there and if I can find something more inspiring I’ll take back the other things and replace it.

Thanks for taking the time to help I appreciate it.

Aww. You're putting so much thought and effort in and seem like such a kind person. I hope your DH's health improves this year and that your MIL ends up liking whatever you give her. If she doesn't, it's not your fault. You've done your absolute best for her.

Sorry I haven't got any great present ideas to add, anything I'd have suggested has been covered by previous posters.. for this year I'd have stuck with the slippers, chocs, eye mask and make up bag.. maybe put the eye mask inside the make up bag with another one or 2 wee make up/bath/self care things if you could afford it.. which I think would make up a lovely pamper set. As you've decided to take the things you'd bought back though, I hope you find something lovely at the craft market.. maybe some handmade cosy socks or nice gloves, or a locally made fancy hand cream, as they seem to be popular ideas.

Hope you have a fab Christmas and New Year, it sounds like you really deserve it xx

Alondra · 14/12/2023 11:57

GotMooMilk · 14/12/2023 09:11

Ok so I’m going to swap the slippers for some gloves (these ones https://www.marksandspencer.com/faux-sheepskin-cuffed-gloves/p/clp60622563?intid=mobile_app_pdp_share) give the eye mask to my sister instead as she will like that and get some red wine. So wine, nice gloves and chocolate? It’s over budget but I just want her to actually like something and those seem to be the top choices amongst all your very helpful suggestions! She wouldn’t ‘get’ cashmere socks and would be horrified if I spent £20 odd on one pair (I would love them tbf!)

I don't think this will help but for difficult people to buy for, I give a gift card that can be used in different outlets. From groceries to grog to fashion.

I wrap it nicely and handed out saying "I know you have everything but hopefully you can spend the gift in whatever you want". Big smile, a couple of kisses and you are off the hook.

EnfysPreseli · 14/12/2023 12:00

I'm older and would probably think they were presents for an even older woman. The fluffy slippers are the worst item, but maybe that's more to do with personal taste. I read books, love gardening and enjoy most things linked to cooking, architecture and history though, so it's maybe easier to think of stuff I'd like.

EnfysPreseli · 14/12/2023 12:00

I'm older and would probably think they were presents for an even older woman. The fluffy slippers are the worst item, but maybe that's more to do with personal taste. I read books, love gardening and enjoy most things linked to cooking, architecture and history though, so it's maybe easier to think of stuff I'd like.

ChlorrOfTheMask · 14/12/2023 12:00

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!

I love that you have a bank of ideas to delve into for years now x

DomesticatedHippie · 14/12/2023 12:00

If she has no hobbies or interests, but likes red wine, with a £25 budget I would probably buy a decent bottle of red and some posh chocolates.

I have given expensive wine and a really beautiful wine glass in a presentation box for my MIL in the past and similar with gin for my own DM. Both were very well received. MIL sets a lot of store by what people buy her and how much it cost too, so I have to tread very carefully there.

Fwiw, I am a couple of years younger than your MIL and have reached the point where I am done with ‘stuff’ and anything I need I can just buy anyway. So if you were insistent you wanted to get me something, I would be happy with an edible/drinkable treat. I have never been big on presents for myself really and genuinely don’t mind if I don’t get anything, although people seem to struggle to get their heads around this for some reason. It also frustrates the hell out of DH and my dcs, so If pressed will ask for something small.

ifIwerenotanandroid · 14/12/2023 12:01

Maybe she just doesn't like presents? My DH doesn't, so I rarely buy him anything. It kills me, too, but he's perfectly happy with nothing. If he needs something, from techno stuff to socks, he buys it for himself at the point he actually needs it.

The one thing that really hit the spot was a driving experience at a motor racing venue, where he got to drive Porsches, a rally car & a racing car. Would MIL go for that?😂

I've also suffered with people who, no matter what I give them for Christmas, are unimpressed with it & then watch the next person open their gift & declare they would've preferred that. It gets very wearing very quickly.

adriftabroad · 14/12/2023 12:04

53
Expensive,silk, La Perla knickers please.

MorvernBlack · 14/12/2023 12:05

I've also suffered with people who, no matter what I give them for Christmas, are unimpressed with it & then watch the next person open their gift & declare they would've preferred that. It gets very wearing very quickly.

That's just plain rude. I've stated my likes and dislikes here on an anonymous forum as the OP asked the question. But I am always appreciative in real life and I would never say I'd have preferred someone else's gift, that's a bit shocking.

flyingvisit · 14/12/2023 12:07

MorvernBlack · 14/12/2023 12:05

I've also suffered with people who, no matter what I give them for Christmas, are unimpressed with it & then watch the next person open their gift & declare they would've preferred that. It gets very wearing very quickly.

That's just plain rude. I've stated my likes and dislikes here on an anonymous forum as the OP asked the question. But I am always appreciative in real life and I would never say I'd have preferred someone else's gift, that's a bit shocking.

This.
I am very grateful for what I get. Ive just put a sort of "wish list" to give a general vibe of what people my age might go for. It doesnt mean "luxury items only" . It is just "this is what women of my age are like".
I will get bath bombs, sweets and a mug and will cherish them.

Dreamlight · 14/12/2023 12:07

I hit your age range and wouldn't like any of that.
How about a scarf (if she wears them)
Failing that a voucher for the cinema or M&S / John Lewis then she can choose something that she likes, even if it's ready meals!

Outlookmainlyfair · 14/12/2023 12:08

I am 50+ but I don’t think that age has really changed my Christmas wish list, I did not go from wanting a well cocktail shaker at 49 to fluffy bed socks at 50. Haivng said that the list looks lovely.
I know I have a relative who is determined to buy me personal things, so I have ended up with things she assume are personal such as an electric nail file. Sometimes seemingly impersonal things can be hugely rather appreciated tying yourself in knots!

grumpycow1 · 14/12/2023 12:10

Does she like beauty products? Can you find out what she uses and get something she will use? Liz Earle hot cloth cleanser kit for example?