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?

Would she like something like nice bath /bodystuff? The White Company do hand and nail sets ( handwash and hand cream). Or Rituals is cheaper but nice.

If she read, you could get her a magazine subscription.

Pot plant? Pots of bulbs from a garden centre?

Problem with a make up bag is that they last for ages so she’s likely to have at least one if not several. If she wears makeup get her that instead
the other bits are ok but not sure if it sounds like she’ll appreciate them. Could you get her a tv film
channel subscription or voucher to download some films? Or audiobook subscription? If she doesn’t like stuff and clutter don’t go to a makers market! I’d aim for something ‘virtual’ or something that wears out/ is used up quickly

The thing with stuff like slippers, is unless someone asked for them, they probably have a pair. Mine last 5-10 years usually so I don’t need a new pair every year

Early 50s and would like the chocs but not esp the rest. I am notoriously difficult to buy for so vouchers is usually the way to go.

I wouldn't buy her a present at all. Some people simply don't want them. She sounds very dull, and as if she has an aversion to possessions, so clearly doesn't want unsolicited ones foisted on her. Personally I'd just get her a lge bunch of flowers or a bowl of hyacinths or something. They at least don't last, and she can compost them within a week or so instead of them cluttering up her 'minimalist' home.

None of these. She’s not into music or tech or anything really. Not that it matters but she’s somewhere between a size 20 and 24 so I wouldn’t know what clothes to get at all. She tends to wear the same leggings and t shirts and has a few nice going out outfits but I’d be absolutely clueless with clothes. I’ve given her scarfs and gloves before but she’s never worn them to my knowledge.

I’d say she’s an ‘old’ 56 year old (not to her face though!)

Im 56 and none of those would be of interest to me, nor socks, candles, plants etc. Tickets to go and see The Damned or Stiff Little Fingers on tour yes please!

I know how bloody difficult it is buying for someone who doesn’t do anything though, Ex-MIL was the same. We eventually just stopped buying gifts for adults in the family which makes life much easier.

I'd like slippers, but what type does she wear? people can be fussy about slide on's.

Honestly the best gift is Beautiful soap, flannels, tea towels, great coffee/tea..basically stuff that will be used. She must like something?

61 here and none of the items mentioned appeal. Not necessarily age making it difficult to buy for some people, just they have always been awkward! Ideas to bank - donation to charity close to her heart, plant for garden or voucher, L'Occitane miniatures of hand creams, John Lewis voucher, bedding! I bought a friend, who has everything, a lovely set of bedding and she loved it, as not something she would splurge on, but something that most of us like. On the flip side, I have received some horrendous presents, when a little thought from my in-law relatives would not have agone amiss, but I always smiled on receipt regardless, when I really wanted to say 'What the F**k'!

That’s just rude.

What does she buy for you? Might give a clue as to what she thinks is a good gift?

Thank god you’ve said it! I cringe as well, I’m 56 and would like some things from your list! I want the automatic beach wave curling wand and some kettle bells (must be black).

I wouldn't want an eye mask or makeup bag . I'd be happy with nice slippers and I'd want some nice pj's instead of, chocolate is always well received

@DoctorBambino usually very generic things- gift sets from TK Maxx etc. I don’t mind and accept everything graciously!

I’m in that bracket and they sound like generic gifts and for a much older woman. I wouldn’t want any of them particularly. However, she sounds like a nightmare to buy for so I think you’ve done ok.

Yeah I'm over 50 and I wouldn't like any of those. Sorry.
I'd go for some booze if she drinks, lovely bottle of wine or champers. Or some lovely foodie thing (box of Fortnum biscuits for example). Worst case she can regift

What does she do all day? It sounds like she just stands there in a T position waiting for her animations to load.

Another one who thinks they sound boring. Definitely go for one nice thing.

So, e.g. a silk eye mask would cost ~£20. You could easily spend £25+ on a nice box of chocolates or a nice makeup bag. I'd say no to the slippers but you could get some alpaca bed socks in your budget. Or some leather or lambswool gloves.

The other thing is get something consumable, especially if she has a minimalist house so e.g. socks are better than slippers because you need more of them and they wear out. Boring but consumable gifts like booze, expensive chocolates, nice triple milled soap, perfume, nice diary (if she uses one) are all acceptable because they don't hang about forever. I think it's absolutely fine to recognise that gift exchange at Christmas is pointless so just find something you know she'll use up and buy that every year. Makes it easier for everyone.

Voucher for a manicure ? or a just eat voucher for a take away ? I don't think that your issue is age related. Is she alone or a little bit disappointed with life generally ? I think you are picking up on something and you are finding it difficult as it doesn't chime with your outlook on life.

Oh i HATE these people who are awkward pains in arses with presents!

They're either like your MIL and have no needs or wants because they're boring as
OR they're like my in laws who have literally EVERYTHING on earth that theyve even taken a passing fancy to.

Both camps either need to TELL us what they actually want or just bloody say "don't waste your money".

I'm 54, and like all other women in my age group, have my own tastes and preferences. I'm not your MiL (I know this because DDil has bought me a pair of pink converse!) so have no idea if she'll like that stuff. The only generalisation I can offer is that by our age, often we already have the basics and the wherewithal to buy what we actually 'need' ourselves. So if you want to please us, it's often a good idea to go for a small amount of a high end thing, that we may not buy ourselves. A proper little luxury with quality over quantity. A tiny pot of expensive skin care product, really posh hand made chocolates, whatever is up her street.

If she likes to watch TV, what about a subscription to a streaming service? DH got this for his grandfather when he got older and stopped going out so much.

I'm 53 and would be delighted with those gifts 🎁

It's a bit girlie. I am really not sure this is about age. I'm older than that age group and last Xmas my daughter gave me an armband which you can put your phone in when you go running. Which was a really useful gift.

But when people are 'difficult' and don't have hobbies/interests, I'd agree that vouchers are a safe bet.

Or for someone who really is a minimalist, I'd buy a charity goat for someone in the Third World - on the grounds that someone somewhere will benefit.

I’m younger than her but I would love those things!

So perhaps those gifts are more suited to people similar to my age (early 30s) and not older women, going by the responses on the thread.

You know her though, so if she acts quite young for her age then she’ll probably really like them but if she acts her age or older then she mind find them similar to some of the responses on here.