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?

Not yet in that age bracket, but close. Regardless to age, she seems hard to buy for! What about getting her a newer version of whatever she already has/uses? Let's say she has a blanket on the sofa maybe you could buy a similar but in another colour? Or a new vase for her flowers if she like cut flowers? Or a new kettle if it's old etc?

How about an oxfam goat...

She sounds boring AF. Which is why you're stuck with dull generic gifts.

A pp suggested a voucher for somewhere she already goes to, that would at least be useful.

A framed photo of your DH?

Or give her an Oxfam voucher thing. Or twin her toilet: Home - Toilet Twinning

I'm in the lower end of that age bracket key and would be really underwhelmed by those gifts, sorry. They just sound cheap. And generic.

Much better to have one nice thing eg a lipstick or a cute beanie hat or something. But without being mean I'm not even sure if you could find decent ones for that budget. Maybe glossier or jones road lipsticks?

I think it's the misconception that being 50-something is really old and dull and into eg gardening centres. If she has a minimalist house she sounds quite stylish? What about Hay wine glasses or similar, assuming she drinks?

https://www.nordicnest.com/brands/hay/tint-wine-glass-25-cl-2pack/?variantId=585384-01&country=GB&gadsource=1&gclid=Cj0KCQiAyeWrBhDDARIsAGP1mWSQjWmCCwFQQJSElxoBVspx9q7329Qpn9VJGgt-uUhQTjGdMp0CO80aAi5gEALwwcB

Apologies you said your husband was unwell, I'm sorry , although with that in mind she should be even more grateful that you are giving thought to her presents at this difficult time.

😆😆

I don't think age is a factor here tbh.
I'm 50 and none of that would fill me with joy. Don't get me wrong, I'd be suitably grateful but they're all gifts that scream 'i really don't know you at all'.

I love crafting so anything along those lines would be ideal for me, but I'm not her. Obviously. 😁

Has she ever expressed interest in learning anything new?

The other question is - do you have to buy her anything at all? If there's nothing she needs and nothing she wants - what's the point? It's just money wasted.

Is she someone you could be honest with?

Cashmere scarf
bath oil
face creams
difusser
champagne
belgian chocs
small nice handbag from John lewis
nail stuff
white stuff cardigan 75 but might get an offer in jl
plant in pot or artificial one
posh hand cream
perfume
dressing gown
would hate the fluffy slippers
echo dot

51 - lovely gifts 🤩

Plants for her garden?

A 12 month flower subscription so she gets a lovely arrangement every month?

I’m in that age group and wouldn’t need one of that stuff. Got given a makeup bag by a relative for my birthday and it will sit unused. I’ve already got one and don’t need another. It is difficult, because I know my own taste, and don’t need more stuff.

Rather than lots of cheap bits, I’d get her one nice item. Does she have a preferred skin care range, or perfume? My girlfriends asked me what I wanted for my last birthday and I asked for just one expensive lipstick, rather than lots of things.

This. I'm 53 and would hate the gifts you have got. A voucher for John Lewis or M&S gives many nice options.

Sound just like my late mother and mother in law - nothing ever put a smile on their faces on opening gifts! I’m 67 and am always delighted with my gifts, I always say don’t spend much use your money for your children.
Gifts I’ve received in recent years which I’ve loved include
Calendar with the childrens photos on ( one of my sons does it every year and leaves it til December so you might have time!£
Cashmere socks
Emma Bridgwater mug
Lovely tins of biscuits which I use over and over again for cakes
Sunglasses case with my name on
Afternoon tea vouchers.
Nice pot for garden
Turtle dove cashmere fingerless gloves

I don't think its her age that dictates what gifts she would like so much as her personality, likes and interests.

If she genuinely doesn't seem to like anything, or anything that you know about, get her a voucher for Amazon or John Lewis or something and let her please herself.

I would love it if she named a lipstick or something I’d happily get it but she doesn’t/won’t.
I’ve never met anyone like her. She really doesn’t do anything. She seems happy enough but there’s no little interest anywhere I can use!
I used to give her framed photos of the kids but she made a passive aggressive comment about having too many last year so I don’t want to get her another.

I keep coming back with thoughts 😊

What about a Christmas bauble set which is personalised, either with a family photo or names of the children etc.

She won't get too much use for it this year, but it's something she could put up every other year. Will he memorable at least.

I'd give her a rocket up the backside. 😂😂

@lovenotwar149 i know! Tempting…

I think I'd scrap the presents entirely and give her a card!! ONLY!!

I’d love something like posh hand cream that I’d never buy for myself.
Decent wool socks
Small box of expensive chocolates always welcome
Neals Yard shower gel.

I think I’m easy to buy for but I still get random useless stuff every year and I probably give it too to be fair.

What type of 50-60 year old is she? young outlook? finger on the pulse for fashion and technology? Into hair and make up? up to date music?

That’s a lot of small items for your budget. I would personally prefer one luxury item which I would consider a treat. So if socks, cashmere socks (White Company). If make up, one beautiful item.
John Lewis voucher is always a good fallback, so much choice and out towards a food shop if nothing else.

Thanks so much for asking OP, I am 58 and cringe whenever I read the gift recommendations for ladies my age. Usually I read - gardening stuff , cashmere, naff coloured pottery etc. The chocolates would be nice and hopefully she will just have to like the rest if she is a problem. I would actually like slippers.
For the record, I would like some sweat betty running gear, slouch socks, lip oil, earrings, champagne/prosecco stopper, loewe elephant bag in pink (lol), Monica Rich Kosann Viv Gold Locket, l'occitane bath stuff, barbie pendant (the heart one), elemis skins stuff, hair claws, travel duffle, toothbrush sanitizer, mini macron nail kit. Ive just bought myself a travel jewellery case that would have been a good gift.

I would not want slippers (unless I had asked for them) or an empty make-up bag (again,unless I said I needed one). Just eye masks are a bit weird unless they are part of a whole set of nice pampering toiletries.

I’m 53 and my Dil gets me nice make up like Benefit that I wouldn’t buy for myself