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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:
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6
Aroundthewaygirl · 14/12/2023 16:24

I don't think age has anything to do with gifts, it's more about personality and personal interests.

I would like the chocolates as i love food 😂but the other items i wouldn't like.

But I don't really care for gifts like that, I'd rather have a gift card.

Pluvia · 14/12/2023 17:11

ChlorrOfTheMask · 14/12/2023 14:59

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.

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I think there are a growing number of people who don't eat home-made food gifts. They will say they don't know the full ingredients and that they don't know how hygienic the maker's kitchen is. I know someone who makes her own jam and chutney etc and gives it away as gifts, but won't use anyone else's because according to her you never know when you're going to find a hair in it, and you don't know if the jars have been sterilised properly. One of my neighbours is OCD about cleaning. Her plastics recycling is always full of bleach bottles, Dettol sprays and whatnot. Last Christmas she made home-made truffles as little gifts for us and others. Most of the others binned theirs on the basis that a) they wouldn't eat anything made in a kitchen they hadn't checked for cleanliness of b) that the truffles might be contaminated with bleach. Many people would prefer M&S or Fortnums.

Stopbloodybanging · 14/12/2023 17:14

I’d prefer one nice present to four little ones. I can’t be bothered with tokens, even if I didn’t like the present, if it were decent quality at least I could re gift it. So nice cosmetics, skin care, silk scarf, cashmere socks, White Company type stuff would be great. Don’t spend more, just spend the same amount on decent quality.

Biddie191 · 14/12/2023 17:24

"RADIOOFF · Today 14:34

MorvernBlack · Today 14:19

House rabbits are lovely, but you need two as they like company.
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@Biddie191

Though quite why @MorvernBlack suggests two … Perhaps DMIL is ambidextrous?"

Well, you can never have too many.......

Teresa3349 · 14/12/2023 17:30

I’m in this age group and would be upset if a dil got me anything like that on your present list. However would be delighted with a voucher for my favourite restaurant, cinema even hairdresser . All of which I have been to beforehand

Waxdrip · 14/12/2023 17:32

Heated throw for watching TV? I love ours

BombaySamphire · 14/12/2023 17:36

Why would people be upset at getting a present they didn’t care for?
Don’t be so fecking grabby.

Mrsjayy · 14/12/2023 17:37

Waxdrip · 14/12/2023 17:32

Heated throw for watching TV? I love ours

I'd never get off the couch if I had 1 of those..

Original poster
GotMooMilk · 14/12/2023 17:54

Thanks for the help.

I find it hard- Id be happy with any of those things and tbh pretty much anything people have suggested! I’d never be upset if offended over a present. The things I’ve got are nice not crap quality.

this thread has been helpful but also I guess highlights very different expectations! I’d love to buy her a spa day or something (I don’t think she’d like it to be fair…) but money is tight at the moment.

OP posts:
HardcoreLadyType · 14/12/2023 17:56

BombaySamphire · 14/12/2023 17:36

Why would people be upset at getting a present they didn’t care for?
Don’t be so fecking grabby.

Because a present you don’t want is just a waste of their money and the earth’s resources? Because if someone who knows you gives you a gift, you would hope that they cared enough to consider what you might actually like? And probably not at all just because you hoped for something more expensive?

Original poster
GotMooMilk · 14/12/2023 17:58

@HardcoreLadyType that’s fine until you don’t like anything and don’t give anyone the slightest hint of what you want!

OP posts:
BombaySamphire · 14/12/2023 17:58

HardcoreLadyType · 14/12/2023 17:56

Because a present you don’t want is just a waste of their money and the earth’s resources? Because if someone who knows you gives you a gift, you would hope that they cared enough to consider what you might actually like? And probably not at all just because you hoped for something more expensive?

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I doubt the earth’s resources are a factor or they wouldn’t want presents at all.

Original poster
GotMooMilk · 14/12/2023 17:58

And all the suggestions of a donation to charity- I’d love that and appreciate it. MIL would HATE that. Not a proper present in her eyes

OP posts:
greyhairnomore · 14/12/2023 18:00

She sounds so hard to buy for.
I'm 55 and wouldn't really like any of those things , sorry.
I don't wear slippers , or do eye masks.
I'm like chocolates , but only some.

I'd love a book voucher but I see she doesn't like reading.
A magazine subscription?

MerryChristmasToYou · 14/12/2023 18:25

What's wrong with going to M&S and buying a nice £25 jumper in her size and looks like her taste?
She could return it if it was unwanted, and it would be a lot better than little bits & bobs.

FosterMommy13 · 14/12/2023 18:26

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?

I think they’re lovely ideas. My mum is 60 and I’ve got her new slippers, wash bag with goodies in it, a pretty scarf, a top she wanted and 2/3 of her fave chocolates x x

Original poster
GotMooMilk · 14/12/2023 18:29

MerryChristmasToYou · 14/12/2023 18:25

What's wrong with going to M&S and buying a nice £25 jumper in her size and looks like her taste?
She could return it if it was unwanted, and it would be a lot better than little bits & bobs.

i know this is what I’d do for my mum and anyone else. I wouldn’t know what size she is (she’s at least a size 20) and she would be mortified if I got her one that was too small or equally if I got her a 24 or something to be on the safe side. Her weight is never discussed or mentioned (obviously!) so there’s too much room to cause offence which I’d had to do. It’s one thing buying her a slightly shit present it’s another inadvertently fat shaming her in front of her whole family.

OP posts:
MerryChristmasToYou · 14/12/2023 18:37

Something in a size like XL but tell her the sizes run much smaller, or something 'one size'.

StaunchMomma · 14/12/2023 18:48

51 and I wouldn't fancy those, in honesty.

Slippers are hard to gift, I've never received a good pair unless I've requested a specific type. You only need a new make up bag when you need a new make up bag (not often). I don't use masks etc.

Does she read? Maybe a voucher for books or for a store she likes (John Lewis?) so she can buy something she likes/needs?

Only if you can return the gifts you've already got, obviously.

StaunchMomma · 14/12/2023 18:52

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!)

Much better idea, I think - seems somehow ore 'thoughtful'? Not sure how!

Everyone gets cold and drinks at Xmas 👌

Crumpleton · 14/12/2023 18:52

TBH I've told my family that I don't want anything this year, and not to worry about wracking (sp) their brains thinking about it.
Its not because I'm a miserable old sod but because I think the meaning of Christmas is being lost and becoming a bit commercialised and at my age I either go out and buy if I need or mores the truth don't really want anything.

I'm more than happy to all be sat round the table eating a roast dinner followed by an evening of games, banter, laughs and nibbles.
Can't buy that.

Calliopespa · 14/12/2023 18:58

RADIOOFF · 14/12/2023 12:47

If you’re still reading, @GotMooMilk - ‘faux’ anything (like faux sheepskin gloves) would get this blatantly ungrateful face from me - Hmm.

(And that’s the drabbest pair of gloves I’ve ever seen.)

But I’m sorry you’re having to do this in such difficult circumstances.

I don’t think they are drab OP. I liked them ( and I’m not even 50 plus!) .

Calliopespa · 14/12/2023 19:04

GotMooMilk · 14/12/2023 17:58

And all the suggestions of a donation to charity- I’d love that and appreciate it. MIL would HATE that. Not a proper present in her eyes

To be honest I might ask for it from some people but I think it’s kind of presumptuous to give a charity donation in lieu of a gift if the recipient (or non recipient to be more accurate! ) hadn’t asked for it. It’s not something I would do unless I knew they were a fan of the idea. It’s a bit like saying “ I decided you really didn’t merit a gift and I’d rather give to someone I felt did.”

MerryChristmasToYou · 14/12/2023 19:27

And all the suggestions of a donation to charity- I’d love that and appreciate it. MIL would HATE that. Not a proper present in her eyes
Look at me, I've donated your present to a more worthy cause, aren't I generous.

GettingStuffed · 14/12/2023 19:29

I'm that age but wouldn't like any of those

I'd like
a cashmere scarf in a bright colour
Luxury bath/shower stuff
Lip oil
Guerlaine lipstick (as much as for the packaging as the lipstick)