"Pot luck" present for middle aged woman

[redskydarknight]

A group of friends I meet up with regularly have decided to do a "pot luck" for Christmas presents i.e. like Secret Santa, but you are not given a specific person to buy for, you just need to buy a generic present that will be assigned at random.

I hate these things with a passion because I can never think of anything to get, while everyone else seems to manage to get well thought out unique gifts.

So hoping someone has some good suggestions for me?
The group consists of women from mid 40s - mid 60s; and budget is max of £10.

I was trying to think and couldn't really remember (which speaks words in itself, I guess).

There was nice handcream, a calendar with wildlife photographs, a garden ornament made by a local craftsperson, notebook with posh chocs ... and then I couldn't think of any others.

you’re amazed that other people have different tastes to you? Really?

I would be very happy with a book token and a bar of chocolate (to eat whilst reading the book) or a coffee shop voucher with a note to say to have some 'me' time.

@TheOnlyLivingBoyInNewCross as I suggested upthread Secret Santa should be done backwards - as in you buy your own gift !
It would be really interesting to see what other "middle aged" women actually like.
If I had to do a £10 secret santa for myself it would be a gift bag full of the cheap little compatible with Lego sets that you can get (Hobbycraft currently have ones for £1 so I could get ten !) 😂

Just asked DH who would be very happy to receive the olive oil!

I should add to the list of giftcards I'd be happy with - Lush. I'm not keen on the bath bombs because of the mess and I prefer showers but I do use quite a lot of their products.

These items are all ones most of us don’t want to receive.

We are doing this at work too. I’ve bought a bowl from Sainsburys that has a Christmas pattern on it and a small bag of fancy chocolates. We put the gifts into a large box and take one out at random. I’m hoping to pick mine 😃

We do this with local friends every year, though we have a swapping/stealing game that goes with it.

My most sucessful gift over the years was probably an old Smash Hits magazine from the 80s that I bought from ebay. Everyone wanted a look! We are closer in age though - I think we are all in our 50s now.

Or the local bric a brac shop is a good bet for a nice but inexpensive vase, jug or similar.

Consumables like soap or chocolate.

Sigh.

One day you too will be a bit old. And you'll realise that your tastes - and much else besides - may not have changed all that much.

People are individuals. And age is just a minor aspect of their personality.

soap bar of soap

Not toiletries or perfume, people are very fussy about these things and may have eczema (like me). And not another bloody scented candle. Consumables like wine, chocolate, biscuits are the way to go. As another poster said, if you live in an area that makes something special, like honey or cheese, then get something like that. The whole thing sounds like a pain in the fucking arse to be honest.

Mine would too, I think, a small bottle of some special EV.
He'd be up for hand cream too if it was the right sort for his eczema.

One day you too will be a bit old. And you'll realise that your tastes - and much else besides - may not have changed all that much.

Yes, but often our needs aren't quite the same. Older people tend to have more of the stuff they really want which is why you might shift more to consumables vs a young person who might have fewer mugs and glasses than they do friends for instance.

If you know their colouring and they use it then the £10 equivalent of a Clinique Chubby Stick.

Whittards do nice tea and biscuits or a decorated mug, you could fill the mug with chocolates. One of my DM’s fave mugs is an Alice in Wonderland whittard mug.

I’m this age range and if someone gets me another candle I’ll scream. Having said that they have been used in the past.

I don't agree. Whilst age shouldn't define us, it is nonetheless a major factor in our evolving personalities. For example, the last thing I on earth I want at my age is more "stuff" and I know I'm far from alone. I'd also rather be invited out to a lovely restaurant than stand around in a cold, muddy field listening to a band. There are certain foods I'd rather avoid these days and skin products I can no longer use and I certainly can't drink alcohol like I used to! People's needs, wants and tastes are simply not the same at, say, 60 as they were at 25.

That "nice inexpensive vase" from a bric a brac store would be going to the charity shop as soon as it opened.

Define a "good novel".... I can virtually guarantee we would disagree on this.

How can you say that when you've not even seen it?? You can find lovely vintage things if you poke around, including things that mght have been quite expensive originally. Or do you just not like any vases full stop? Or anything second hand.

I guess it comes down to knowing your group though. I can choose a vase/jug/dish that most people in my group would like. We have quite similar tastes. Other groups wouldn't.

And I'll have you know that my little jug was quite fought over!

and so insulting to get it from a charity shop too. I have bought books for myself from charity shops however it's a terrible idea to give as a gift to someone.

I love toiletries and perfume and hate consumables because I have allergies. Love a candle.

If I got consumables my kids would eat them - I’d say thank you and be gracious. I am surprised at quite how many people appear to be offended by what’s intended to be a kind gesture on this thread.

😂 That's a fair point.

Conclusion from reading this thread....
"middle aged women" hate everything 😂