What do I buy someone I’ve never met?

[T00ManyBooks]

I’ve just been informed that my brother is bringing his new girlfriend for Christmas. I’m woefully underprepared for this, have never met the woman (they’ve been together about eight months, but we live far away).

What do you buy someone you’ve never met? I feel like she may not have got gifts for us but I want to be prepared because she obviously KNOWS we were going to be there and I’ve only just found out. I have a feeling she’ll bring gifts because she sent my parents both amazing birthday presents and has met them literally once.

Ask your brother?

This or generic wine/chocolates.

Nice bath shit
A scented candle
Chocolates

Nice earrings?
perfume.
bottle of wine.
Cinema tickets.
LEGO

good idea, but also, he’ll probably tell me not to worry/ have no idea.

I'd either not bother or just get a nice bottle of wine and some chocolates.

Text him then saying I do want to get your girlfriend a gift but it will be chocs or smellies unless I hear otherwise, and get a box of chocs in.

No-one comes at very short notice expecting an extremely thoughtful gift, most people would be pleased with anything.

I'd find out what she drinks and buy a bottle of that.

White company fluffy socks/candle- fairly generic, but nice enough brand that it feels like a decent gift! That's assuming you're in a city with one.

Otherwise, a bottle of whatever she drinks. If teetotal a lovely plant?

I would get a good quality candle - if you can bear real shopping you can get good value at TK maxx. They often have the this works range which are boxed nicely.

So long as you know she drinks a good bottle of wine would be fine I think. Id steer clear of jewellery etc when you dont know someone's style

I would get a newish bestseller paperback book, a nice box of chocolates and a pair of cosy bed socks in a neutral colour

Perfume,..... She can regift if age doesn't like it.

DKNY Woman is inoffensive, floral, fresh.... Or Vera Wang.

Good quality umbrella

We have previously had a guest we've never met to stay for Christmas and have another one due this year. Failsafes seem to be socks and food.

Nice vase, some bath oil, fluffy socks. Not alcohol unless you know she drinks and if you get chocolate maybe dark chocolate just in case she's vegan

Chocolates and smellies are quite risky for someone you don't know. I'd be far more likely than go for something more generic like a moleskine notebook.

I got my SIL cashmere socks from the white company, a diary from w h smith and a box of chocolates from M&S for our first Christmas under similar circumstances ☺️

I'm a bit baffled by all the suggestions of socks. If you don't know her, how do you know her shoe size?!

I'd go for wine or chocolates or biscuits and a book.

They come in one size

https://www.thewhitecompany.com/uk/Cashmere-Bed-Socks/p/CSCBS?swatch=Camel

Small box of crystallised fruit that you can regift if necessary.

This is the worst suggestion.

I would love a nice notebook and unusual coloured pen.

Candle
Plant
Chocolate
Nice hand cream
Panettone

A box of chocolates.

I wouldn't worry if she loves it though, people can regift things if they don't use a notebook, those smellies or hate chocolates. It's not critical what it is, it's about including people. If you text your brother your plan and ask him if that's ok, he'll presumably tell you if she's allergic to chocolates or can't use typical soaps etc.

Molton brown handwash and cream everybody washes their hands. Don't get earrings as pp suggests, I don't have my ears pierced and the amount of times I've been given earrings is disappointing.