Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
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
ChlorrOfTheMask · 14/12/2023 14:59

SouperWoman · 14/12/2023 14:11

Sorry @GotMooMilk but a hamper of home-made food and drink is not the same as a box of expensive chocolates or a lovely wine (I’d be 🤨 too unless you are an award winning maker/baker) 😀
One really lovely bottle of wine for £25 would be an excellent present or some Fortnum and Masons jams/biscuits/ etc if she doesn’t drink alcohol.
Hope your DH is better soon

Show quote history

A hamper of home made food and drink is a huge amount of time and effort put in to show how much the OP cared and way more meaningful than expensive chocolates or wine imo. I'd be so grateful if someone did that for me.

mrlistersgelfbride · 14/12/2023 14:59

Sorry just realised you said 50 to 60, not in your 50s or 60s! Close enough though. My mum would have liked that 10 years ago too 😊

Original poster
GotMooMilk · 14/12/2023 15:02

CurlewKate · 14/12/2023 14:27

What would you buy for a 30 year old friend?

Something nice from Oliver bonas but MIL would hate everything in there!

OP posts:
Chewbecca · 14/12/2023 15:10

Snowpaw · 14/12/2023 14:40

I sometimes buy my mum a nice replacement of something she already has, like if I'm at her house and see an old scratched frying pan I get her a nice new one for christmas. Or a nice new cheese grater if the old one is tatty or something like that. Or she likes decorative bowls to store fruit / veg in, or to serve salads in. My Mum is a really frugal lady (even though she has plenty of money) and has pans that are 50+ years old and if no one treats her to a replacement she wouldn't spend the money on it herself.

I repeat my plea to listen to actual 50somethings, not the people buying for them. Noone ever wants to unwrap a 'nice' cheese grater to replace one which, I would bet, functions really well.

TheKnittedCharacter · 14/12/2023 15:11

I am 52 and would find that very blah and the fluffy slippers frankly insulting. But that’s because they are the last thing I’d ever want or wear.

fishonabicycle · 14/12/2023 15:16

I'm 58 and would like perfume, expensive mascara, nice jumper, voucher for facial, theatre/exhibition tickets, voucher for restaurant etc. Vineyard tour etc

Jenasaurus · 14/12/2023 15:19

I'm 58 and would be happy with those gifts. My DIL is getting me Lego this year ad she knows I enjoy the adult sets but in previous years has bought me similar to you and I am pleased with anything. My favourite was when she booked to see ABBA tribute and the 2 of us went for an overnight to share the experience xc

Princessfluffy · 14/12/2023 15:26

I really wouldn't worry too much about it. If she was overly bothered about what you get her she would give you a wish list when you asked for one.

Frasers · 14/12/2023 15:36

Goodness me, I wonder if it’s as you see her aa some old fuddy duddy you keep picking stuff like that for her, those gloves are bad, she’s not 80.

ger a nice bottle of red wine,and something like some nice Molton brown shower gel. I assume she washes. And doesn’t need a bed bath? 😄

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Molton-Brown-Delicious-Rhubarb-Shower/dp/B0BZ8L2G6F/ref=sr_1_10?crid=62HQYQANK2X8&keywords=molton+brown+shower+gels&qid=1702568158&rdc=1&sprefix=Molten+brown+show%2Caps%2C84&sr=8-10

Ramalangadingdong · 14/12/2023 15:42

Gettingbysomehow · 14/12/2023 13:43

I don't like any of these things as I have very specific hobbies and interests and prefer to buy my own things - I'm 62.
My best christmas gift would be gift vouchers for Amazon.

Ooh, you have just sorted out one of my presents. Thank you!

ArseInTheCoOpWindow · 14/12/2023 15:44

Cheese grater😮🙁
Talcum powder😮🙁

Can you still buy Talcom powder. I’d be totally bemused by talc, and laugh like a drain if someone bought me a cheese grater.

Jenasaurus · 14/12/2023 15:50

Can I ask add I like the same things at the age of 58 as I did in my 30s so happy with anything like perfume or jewellery flowers wine etc xc

Jenasaurus · 14/12/2023 15:50

ArseInTheCoOpWindow · 14/12/2023 15:44

Cheese grater😮🙁
Talcum powder😮🙁

Can you still buy Talcom powder. I’d be totally bemused by talc, and laugh like a drain if someone bought me a cheese grater.

I actually have a thing for talc lol

Christmassss · 14/12/2023 15:53

GotMooMilk · Today 15:02

CurlewKate · Today 14:27

What would you buy for a 30 year old friend?
Something nice from Oliver bonas but MIL would hate everything in there!

I am 54 and I buy out the whole shop!

HardcoreLadyType · 14/12/2023 15:55

Snowpaw · 14/12/2023 14:40

I sometimes buy my mum a nice replacement of something she already has, like if I'm at her house and see an old scratched frying pan I get her a nice new one for christmas. Or a nice new cheese grater if the old one is tatty or something like that. Or she likes decorative bowls to store fruit / veg in, or to serve salads in. My Mum is a really frugal lady (even though she has plenty of money) and has pans that are 50+ years old and if no one treats her to a replacement she wouldn't spend the money on it herself.

If someone bought me a frying pan to replace my lovely old de Buyer frying pan, I would feel somewhat annoyed (of course I’d be polite to their face!). I bought it because I hate the waste of buying “non-stick” pans that last a couple of years before the surface stops working. I have had it for maybe 15 years, and it should see me out!

My cheese grater, ditto.

Also, a kitchen implement for Christmas? Only one step better than a hoover for a wedding anniversary. 🙄

Jaxhog · 14/12/2023 16:04

Skip the slippers - it's dangerous territory! I'm slightly older, but my niece just bought me a posh afternoon tea at Goodwood. Maybe something like that?

Frasers · 14/12/2023 16:07

To be honest, I’d not be really pleased if someone bought me a cheese grater for Xmas either.

im not sure why folks struggle so much, it is so easy. If you don’t know them well enough, as the op clearly doesn’t her mil. Then There are very few people who don’t appreciate one of the following, a luxury shower gel, an expensive bottle of wine, port or spirit,, a great box of hand made chocolates, a luxury cheese selection , a box of hand crafted fudge, a Xmas hamoer of drinks and sweet stuff or savoury stuff.

very few people, eat no sweets, no chocolate , no cheese, no alcohol, and never wash. Sure some, before anyone shouts my minging mate likes none of that, but the majority like at least one thing on that list.

just think of what they like and buy the luxury version. A treat they’d not normally get themselves, the luxury version of what they actually like.

FreshWinterMorning · 14/12/2023 16:10

@HR313 · Today 10:25

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.

Fucking hell! 😂Old ladies! Are you taking the piss? 😆

FreshWinterMorning · 14/12/2023 16:13

IcakethereforeIam · 14/12/2023 11:46

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

WOW what a fab gift! Grin I'd love that! (Ancient fossil several years off my 60s here.)

IcakethereforeIam · 14/12/2023 16:15

FreshWinterMorning · 14/12/2023 16:13

WOW what a fab gift! Grin I'd love that! (Ancient fossil several years off my 60s here.)

Show quote history

From your keyboard to Santa's ears Xmas Grin

Jenasaurus · 14/12/2023 16:16

Frasers · 14/12/2023 16:07

To be honest, I’d not be really pleased if someone bought me a cheese grater for Xmas either.

im not sure why folks struggle so much, it is so easy. If you don’t know them well enough, as the op clearly doesn’t her mil. Then There are very few people who don’t appreciate one of the following, a luxury shower gel, an expensive bottle of wine, port or spirit,, a great box of hand made chocolates, a luxury cheese selection , a box of hand crafted fudge, a Xmas hamoer of drinks and sweet stuff or savoury stuff.

very few people, eat no sweets, no chocolate , no cheese, no alcohol, and never wash. Sure some, before anyone shouts my minging mate likes none of that, but the majority like at least one thing on that list.

just think of what they like and buy the luxury version. A treat they’d not normally get themselves, the luxury version of what they actually like.

I may be the exception. I can't have chocolates or food gifts due to cholesterol and diabetes but love to receive perfume or similar

FreshWinterMorning · 14/12/2023 16:18

IcakethereforeIam · 14/12/2023 16:15

From your keyboard to Santa's ears Xmas Grin

Show quote history
tank GIF

May be too late for Christmas at this point. BUT I have a birthday in the Spring. So as soon as DH asks me what I'd like, I will know what to say! Grin

DuckbilledSplatterPuff · 14/12/2023 16:20

Ramalangadingdong · 14/12/2023 15:42

Ooh, you have just sorted out one of my presents. Thank you!

Show quote history

Except maybe a John Lewis voucher... so I can choose something glamish for myself...
I think with those four things you've probably spent a bit OP but dividing it up like that makes it seem more inconsequential.
I'd rather have one nice present than four small ones. But I'm very fussy about things like slippers. Hand cream etc as people have suggested, except for me it tends to sit in a drawer for years.
At least with a voucher, I could put it towards something fancy like a nice scarf or top in the sales. You could offer to go with and have tea together. That would be a nice present.

Ramalangadingdong · 14/12/2023 16:22

DuckbilledSplatterPuff · 14/12/2023 16:20

Except maybe a John Lewis voucher... so I can choose something glamish for myself...
I think with those four things you've probably spent a bit OP but dividing it up like that makes it seem more inconsequential.
I'd rather have one nice present than four small ones. But I'm very fussy about things like slippers. Hand cream etc as people have suggested, except for me it tends to sit in a drawer for years.
At least with a voucher, I could put it towards something fancy like a nice scarf or top in the sales. You could offer to go with and have tea together. That would be a nice present.

Show quote history

I might just give them cash. Things are tight for people in my family.