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Christmas

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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
PickAChew · 13/12/2023 16:21
  1. Couldn't eat the chocolates. Probably couldn't wear the slippers. Might use the eye ask once or twice. Can't remember the other thing.

I'd just shove her a markses voucher. Or John Lewis if she has one.

givemushypeasachance · 13/12/2023 16:21

Would she like something "consumable" that isn't food or drink, but that does get used up so it isn't cluttering the place up - so e.g. a subscription to some flowers each month?

Sugarsun · 13/12/2023 16:22

GrannyWeatherwaxsBroomstick · 13/12/2023 16:19

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.

Good idea.

You can also get magazine subscriptions too if she enjoys them.

PushkaMcgee · 13/12/2023 16:22

I'm in my early 60s and really wouldn't like any of those, I've loads of make up bags, have wonderful Ugg slippers already and would never use an eye mask!

I'd aim for, as others have suggested, a gift voucher for John Lewis/ M&S for £20 and a really nice shower gel or some nice socks with the other £5 budget.

Years back I was stressing over buying a gift for a female relative and the shop assistant said to me 'buy something you would like to receive and be happy with' and I try and use that as my mantra now!

Good luck and if she doesn't appear to like what you buy then that's her problem, not yours!

Stress101 · 13/12/2023 16:22

My MIL is so hard to buy for so I dont bother now. We have bought her so many presents for her birthday and Christmas over the years and she has never used them, lost them or just didn't appreciate them.

Real pearl earrings, she loves pearls but all fake. She never wore them.

Clothes from the shop she buys her clothes from, right size and the same as the clothes she wears, brought them back because she was planning on losing weight and didn't want more clothes, it was literally two tops. She never did lose the weight.

Dermalogica set - asked what skincare I used and requested a set as a gift. Never used it. Didn't even take it out of the gift bag as I seen it gathering dust on her landing dresser.

Tickets to a concert of a singer she called my DH after. She went to the concert but left halfway through as sound was apparently bad, it wasn't.

More tickets, said performer was miming and made a joke about stupid people not noticing. Myself and DH were also at the concert.

Luxury hamper with specialised foods as she had recently diagnosed food intolerance. She said she wouldn't eat anything in it as she was staying away from the free from food. Her press was full of gluten free products.

Voucher to get nails done after she admired mine and enquired about getting them done. Let the voucher go out of date and then said she could do a better job herself, she couldn't.

Designer sunglasses, left them in a hotel bathroom.

Camcorder, left it on a table in Croatia.

Vouchers for many shops didn't use them.

Specialised runners that were recommended by her podiatrist. She had other footwear from the brand but not runners. She wanted to go walking so we bought them. Never wore them.

Designer bag, gave it to a charity shop as said she didn't think it was real, it was.

Lots of other stuff. DH now gives her cash which I hate but she loves. Sorry op just needed to get that of my chest.

AgnesX · 13/12/2023 16:22

As a person in that age group sigh

The chocolate yes, after that nice shower gel, doesn't have to be hugely expensive
I'd like a book token
A bottle of nice wine
A short nighty ( short as I'm shrinking)
Leather gloves - M&S won't break the bank
The aforementioned wool socks

Generally if I can read it, eat it or drink it I'm happy.

Although, I'd be happy that someone had thought of me and made an effort and its so nice that you're thinking of your MIL

ILookLikeAPinkBlancmange · 13/12/2023 16:23

What about Good Gifts? Give a donkey to a poor family in Africa sort of thing. Or sponsor an animal at a nearby zoo?

toomuchtosay · 13/12/2023 16:23

That's sounds fine but for future inspiration...

A nice indoor scarf.
Bottle of baileys
Plant
Dressing gown
Sunglasses
Novelty jams or chutneys
A mug or cushion with a family photo printed on
Nail polish
Candles
Perfume or body spray
Make up or pamper items

newusern99 · 13/12/2023 16:23

What about food? A hamper? Jam, biscuits, teas, chutneys, pate, panettone etc etc? My parents generally just ask for food now they are older (70s) and my grandparents were the same. Something to unwrap but is useful.

TinkerTiger · 13/12/2023 16:23

BitOutOfPractice · 13/12/2023 15:20

56 and would think that was a boring present - but your MiL sounds dull too so it's perfect 😉

Aw, sending you a trophy in the post, well done you! ⭐️

Crikeyalmighty · 13/12/2023 16:24

Magazine subscription to good housekeeping or woman and home??

sweetsardineface · 13/12/2023 16:25

Look, if she's going to hate whatever you buy, why not buy a charity gift card? It's not landfill and will help someone.

Myfirstsecondthird · 13/12/2023 16:25

My mum is similarly hard to buy for. One thing we have recently started doing which she appreciates (I think) is a calendar with photos of all the family. Then she only uses it for the year and then can throw it away. We also put in all the family birthdays on there and anniversaries. If she has a calendar up I think it is a great idea.

flyingvisit · 13/12/2023 16:26

Is she a makeup or jewellery girl?

HoopLaLah · 13/12/2023 16:26

GotMooMilk · 13/12/2023 16:15

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!)

Show quote history

If she mostly wears leggings and tunics you could try the Seasalt website. It’s popular with women in your MIL’s age range and includes her size range.

Would she like a voucher for a manicure or pedicure?

timoteigirl · 13/12/2023 16:26

Presents would be too boring for me. They would make me think you don't really know me at all.

Rowgtfc72 · 13/12/2023 16:28

I'm 51. Dd asked me that question. I've told her fluffy socks, a nice marmelade, chocolate and a nice interesting cheese. I'm not into girly stuff and also like your mil, rarely go out. The only other thing I ask for at Christmas are books but as you say your mil doesn't read.

fridascruffs · 13/12/2023 16:28

A massive bunch of flowers and some chocolates or a box of really nice biscuits. If she doesn't like them, they'll be gone soon enough anyway. I always like getting flowers and chocolates/ whatever your food of choice is. Who wouldn't?

JonnyTheDogFacedBoy · 13/12/2023 16:31

If her home is quite minimalist, would she like a good quality candle or reed diffuser from somewhere like White Company?

TheShoulder · 13/12/2023 16:31

Does she not like food gifts or does she not like homemade food gifts? Are you sure that it wasn't the fact the hamper you gave her was homemade food that was the issue? Some people are squeamish about food made by other people. Perhaps she might feel differently about a hamper with some F&M tea and biscuits, or her favourite tipple and some good quality savoury nibbles.

Sorry, I would hate all those gifts.

I don't wear slippers, if I did, they wouldn't be fluffy ones and I would already have a pair. Doe she already have slippers? I guess if you have bought some similar to what she already has, they will come in use eventually.

I have no use for a gel eye mask. I have specific beauty products that I use after many years of trying and testing 😂Do you know what products/perfume/toiletries she likes?

Chocolates... If they are my favourites, that would be lovely. If not, I don't really like a lot of brands. They would probably end up at the food bank. Unless you know what your MIL likes?

I have a make up bag that has pockets/sections that work for the products I use, I assume your MIL will have one too? I also have a million free make up bags that came with purchases.

How about silk pillowcases, if you know what colours would work with her bed linen? Expensive soap is always nice and useful if she doesn't have allergies. If she likes candles, a really good candle that is more expensive than her usual choices. Really good quality socks or cashmere gloves are always useful.

I think, if you are going generic, you need to either be 100% sure it is her favourite brand (eg chocolates, toiletries) or pick an upgrade (eg a more expensive brand of candle or hand soap, black cashmere blend socks if she normally wears black socks etc). I would probably prefer a voucher than a bunch of stuff that I won't ever use.

KatBurglar · 13/12/2023 16:32

wronginalltherightways · 13/12/2023 16:06

Plants for her garden?

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

The budget is £25 and a subscription costs that for each month, so won't work for the OP.

loveinthe90s · 13/12/2023 16:33

Others things I'd like would be Persephone books, or some really lovely soap.

Surely you must know something about your MiL? Does she like to read?

People saying framed pictures of family/photo calendars etc is what I'd get my own MiL in her 80s.

Then again I have a teenage daughter so no grandkids yet.

Catinknickers · 13/12/2023 16:34

I’m 60. I think those gifts are rather bland. Still if MIL is bland maybe they would suit her.

I would have thought really fancy bubble bath or soap, Fortnum biscuits, posh alcohol, nice unusual jewellery, a book reflecting her interests or just an M & S voucher might be better.

I’m getting a game for my Nintendo Switch, membership of the Society of Genealogists and a couple of books I want from my immediate family. Clothes from my Mum which I will choose myself. We are having a fairly minimalist Xmas.

Original poster
GotMooMilk · 13/12/2023 16:34

@loveinthe90s I do know her 😂 she just doesn’t have hobbies! Or read. Or drink tea, or like clothes. She drinks red wine so I’ll add a bottle of that to the gift bag 😊 (a Nice bottle!)

OP posts:
LadyMary50 · 13/12/2023 16:35

I’m 73 and always love getting Aesop hand wash or shower wash.Its a luxury I always love to receive at Christmas..