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Christmas

From present ideas to party food, find all your Christmas inspiration here.

What I (45 yrs) want for Christmas...What's on your list?

370 replies

GenerateNewUsername · 09/10/2025 18:41

I don't know about anyone else but I find I struggle to think of gift ideas for myself (I have bday just after xmas so I get double trouble).

I've always found these threads quite helpful in sharing what others are getting for inspiration. I hope to maybe get a couple of these things if I'm lucky...

Kirstie Le Marque diamond and ruby fish necklace
https://www.kirstielemarque.com/products/diamond-ruby-fish-necklace

Earphones I can wear while sleeping that have noise cancelling to block out DH snoring!
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0FMF132MP?psc=1&ref_=cm_sw_r_cp_ud_ct_20YH5R32FDN84V74Q0FV

These lovely spotted gin glasses
https://www.oliverbonas.com/homeware/azul-spot-gin-glasses-set-of-two-378210

Black Forest Gateau Hot Chocolate Sachets
https://www.hotelchocolat.com/uk/black-forest-sachets.html

Canon pancake lens
https://www.canon.co.uk/store/canon-rf-28mm-f2-8-stm-lens/6128C005/

Jo Malone Peony and Blush Suede
https://www.jomalone.co.uk/product/25946/27028/colognes/peony-blush-suede-cologne

Please do add yours below as I'm sure I'll be inspired!

Black Forest Gateau Hot Chocolate Sachets

Real cherries coupled with dark and white chocolate. 10 hot chocolate sachets for the Velvetiser system.

https://www.hotelchocolat.com/uk/black-forest-sachets.html

OP posts:
Thread gallery
15
Belladog1 · 14/10/2025 10:44

Pretty soon my parents will be asking me what I want for Christmas (I'm 51). I mainly ask for Clinique moisturisers and face powder. I use them all year around. I also love Dove body lotion / creme.

I have just moved into a new house (well, 6 months ago) and I know they will want to get me something for the house, but I am kinda covered in that regard. I can't think of anything. I prefer beauty items for christmas to be honest - items for me.

MiddleAgedDread · 14/10/2025 10:49

I agree @Bjorkdidit and that's why the adults in our family hardly ever buy for each other! It drives me crazy that I have hobbies, I drink wine and gin, I never begrudge new socks or PJs, yet my nearest and dearest seemingly can't buy me a present unless I specify what I want......even a voucher for Decathlon would show they've put a minimal amount of thought into the fact I enjoy sport and outdoor activities!!

Vroomfondleswaistcoat · 14/10/2025 10:50

Bjorkdidit · 14/10/2025 09:19

Exactly. If you're sending links and lists of specific things, how is it a gift from the other person?

It's nonsense because you've done all the work and all they've done is click on a link and patted themselves on the back about the 'thoughtful' gift that they've given you when they've done nothing of the sort.

Unless they've chosen the gift themselves, it's not a gift IMHO. If I want something, I just buy it once I've decided which one I want and found the best price. And once I've done that, I might as well just buy it rather than go through the charade of pretending it's a gift from someone else because they clicked on the link I sent them.

If they want to buy me a gift for Christmas, they can choose and buy something small that they know I'll like and buy that. Far simpler all round.

But if you can easily buy everything you want how do they know what to buy you?

I also like 'surprises', I like people to use their initiative - after all, they know me, they should be able to work out what I'd like? But they can be paralysed by indecision - has she already got it? (particularly in the case of books, where doubling up is pointless), would she use it (if she would, she's probably already bought it) etc etc.

So a list as a guideline of things that I both want and need - they don't have to buy that EXACT thing; but if I say I need riding gear, or some scented candles, or something nice for the garden - it gives enough scope to ensure that I'll get something I want and will use, but not as prescriptive as 'THIS. THIS EXACT THING, HERE'S THE LINK AND DON'T BOTHER WITH ANYTHING ELSE'.

WarrenTofficier · 14/10/2025 11:15

PrettyPretenderNegligentVendor · 14/10/2025 08:57

First night with those earbuds- they are loud, first impression. Much louder than my sleep band. I had to get the screen thing on the case working to get them quiet enough to sleep. The initial charge didn't last all night, so charge them before you use them. Sound was clear, they stayed in all night. I could sleep comfortably on my side.

However- I found others on Amazon using the same photos and with the same colour combo, all for around £30 with a claim they were reduced from £129.99. And with reviews saying they were a bargain at that price, so I don't think they are on for £130 that often.

I've now done 2 nights and a chunk of yesterday day time (several hours) and have not needed to recharge (both are at 100% in the case currently) and the case is at 60 odd % so I've not had a problem with charge at all.

Vroomfondleswaistcoat · 14/10/2025 14:01

MiddleAgedDread · 14/10/2025 10:49

I agree @Bjorkdidit and that's why the adults in our family hardly ever buy for each other! It drives me crazy that I have hobbies, I drink wine and gin, I never begrudge new socks or PJs, yet my nearest and dearest seemingly can't buy me a present unless I specify what I want......even a voucher for Decathlon would show they've put a minimal amount of thought into the fact I enjoy sport and outdoor activities!!

I had an XP. We'd be out and I'd be pointing at things and saying 'I like that' or 'that's nice' or 'I wish I had one of those' and yet Christmas and birthdays would come around and I'd get a box of chocolates or something totally random that wasn't at all to my taste and he'd say 'I had no idea what to get you.' I used to think that it just showed that he never listened to anything I said and I might as well have asked for a flamethrower and four gallons of petrol and he would still have nodded and agreed - and given me two plastic owls and a headscarf.

Strokethefurrywall · 14/10/2025 19:16

mum2jakie · 10/10/2025 07:30

The latest flavoured Baileys - Terry's Chocolate Orange flavour Baileys! 😍

Also an Agatha Christie puzzle book.

OH plans to buy more some headphones so I stop disturbing him in bed.

Stop it!!! There’s a Terrys Chocolate Orange Baileys???
I live overseas and we’ve only just gotten the Salted Caramel one which we’re obsessed with! I’m going to call a few of the booze merchants and see if they’ll be bringing any in!

Iris2020 · 14/10/2025 22:21

Nkrhung that takes up space. A nice pen or two, money towards theatre tickets, a nice bottle of red wine, a hair spa voucher.

But these days in practice I mainly ask for family gifts - a voucher for a family outing to a zoo or show or national trust memberships .

ILoveLukeAlderton · 15/10/2025 09:27

Placematking as so far I want everything I’ve read!

MotherWol · 15/10/2025 10:41

To be honest, I find receiving gifts makes me a bit uncomfortable, but I know that saying that wouldn't be kind to my family, so I try to have a list of suggestions for them. That way they can be happy that they've got me something I'll like, and it's not too much of a surprise. On my list this year:

  • A perfume sampler set (I like the look of the Commodity and Aesop ones)
  • Aveda or Liz Earle hand cream
  • Nice soap
  • Socks
  • Books
  • Chocolate
  • Cocktail sticks for my home bar
zacsGranny · 15/10/2025 14:03

For me, Christmas presents are not about monetary value, but are measured by the amount of thought given. Something made with love is a wonderful present, but some people think that a hand made gift is just the giver being a cheapskate.

Every year I do a charity present for family members and make them something that ties in.
One year it was warm clothing for the homeless, so I made miniature Christmas jumpers.
This year it's Paying for a Christmas dinner for someone who needs it, and I've made sprouts.

What I (45 yrs) want for Christmas...What's on your list?
What I (45 yrs) want for Christmas...What's on your list?
FurForksSake · 15/10/2025 14:24

I love those @zacsGranny

Barton10 · 18/10/2025 21:18

I would love a Dyson Airwrap and the Dior limited edition sequin Lipstick and maybe a new book to read.

suki1964 · 18/10/2025 23:02

Me? Happy with socks

Seriously I do love socks and they are something I need and wear daily so I always ask for socks

Every other year I ask for slippers

I always say to those who question, Christmas is not my birthday , why do I want or need gifts? Those that do want to buy are directed to socks

Sorry, maybe not the answer to the spirit of the thread

somethingbeginningwithb · 19/10/2025 01:23

OP, that Kirstie Le Marque necklace is gorgeous. I own something similar for 5% of the price!

Bjorkdidit · 19/10/2025 05:49

Vroomfondleswaistcoat · 14/10/2025 10:50

But if you can easily buy everything you want how do they know what to buy you?

I also like 'surprises', I like people to use their initiative - after all, they know me, they should be able to work out what I'd like? But they can be paralysed by indecision - has she already got it? (particularly in the case of books, where doubling up is pointless), would she use it (if she would, she's probably already bought it) etc etc.

So a list as a guideline of things that I both want and need - they don't have to buy that EXACT thing; but if I say I need riding gear, or some scented candles, or something nice for the garden - it gives enough scope to ensure that I'll get something I want and will use, but not as prescriptive as 'THIS. THIS EXACT THING, HERE'S THE LINK AND DON'T BOTHER WITH ANYTHING ELSE'.

Well what I want them to buy me is not much and nothing expensive or something that I'm going to use, look at or wear because I want to choose those things myself and don't want to put up with the 'wrong' thing potentially for years 'because it was a gift'.

DP has been working away recently and when he came back he'd bought me a bag of my favourite crisps that you can't buy in the UK and that was the perfect present for me because he'd thought of me and what I'd like.

I wouldn't have been happy if he'd have bought me expensive perfume in the airport because I don't wear perfume so it would have been a waste of money and like not getting gift at all because its something I don't want.

ilovelamp82 · 19/10/2025 07:33

Silverpaws · 09/10/2025 22:30

Dh announced today he won't be getting me any gifts because apparently I don't need anything.
I'm sure Father Christmas won't forget me though 😊

That's awful

reluctantbrit · 19/10/2025 09:17

Bjorkdidit · 14/10/2025 09:19

Exactly. If you're sending links and lists of specific things, how is it a gift from the other person?

It's nonsense because you've done all the work and all they've done is click on a link and patted themselves on the back about the 'thoughtful' gift that they've given you when they've done nothing of the sort.

Unless they've chosen the gift themselves, it's not a gift IMHO. If I want something, I just buy it once I've decided which one I want and found the best price. And once I've done that, I might as well just buy it rather than go through the charade of pretending it's a gift from someone else because they clicked on the link I sent them.

If they want to buy me a gift for Christmas, they can choose and buy something small that they know I'll like and buy that. Far simpler all round.

Because I would hate ending with stuff people deem nice and thoughtful but are pointless for me.

DH and I do wishlists, I give DD a couple of links to get her an idea (she is ND, hates choosing unless she really knows what kind of things I like).

Noone would think of getting me a little dragon figurine because they think it's not what you give a grown woman. But I love fantasy books so dragons are right for me.
But no, I get skin care I don't want, clothes which are the wrong size or a book I won't read.

Vroomfondleswaistcoat · 19/10/2025 09:23

reluctantbrit · 19/10/2025 09:17

Because I would hate ending with stuff people deem nice and thoughtful but are pointless for me.

DH and I do wishlists, I give DD a couple of links to get her an idea (she is ND, hates choosing unless she really knows what kind of things I like).

Noone would think of getting me a little dragon figurine because they think it's not what you give a grown woman. But I love fantasy books so dragons are right for me.
But no, I get skin care I don't want, clothes which are the wrong size or a book I won't read.

But if your nearest and dearest know you love fantasy books and dragons, then surely it would cross their minds to buy you something like this? Without you having to explicitly say that's what you want? They wouldn't dismiss it, because they know you so well so they know you'd love a dragon figurine.

I think when people who are supposed to know you best buy random stuff as gifts, it really shows that they don't actually have much understanding of who you are as a separate person from them (hence all the men who buy their wives things that they really like or want. No empathy and no ability to see them as a separate person with their own likes and dislikes. It's an 'I like this, so SHE must love it too' scenario. I've had enough of those...

reluctantbrit · 19/10/2025 09:46

Vroomfondleswaistcoat · 19/10/2025 09:23

But if your nearest and dearest know you love fantasy books and dragons, then surely it would cross their minds to buy you something like this? Without you having to explicitly say that's what you want? They wouldn't dismiss it, because they know you so well so they know you'd love a dragon figurine.

I think when people who are supposed to know you best buy random stuff as gifts, it really shows that they don't actually have much understanding of who you are as a separate person from them (hence all the men who buy their wives things that they really like or want. No empathy and no ability to see them as a separate person with their own likes and dislikes. It's an 'I like this, so SHE must love it too' scenario. I've had enough of those...

But it also depends what people think are "proper gifts". Me loving dragons is something others snicker about as I should be reading the Top 10 books, not gay fantasy romances at the tender age of 53.
They may think they know me like "she loves reading" but don't understand it acutally.
There was last year a thread about books for a 50+ lady and so many suggested titles who I would happily donate on the 27th December unread. Suggested because these people enjoyed the book and hence, everyone has to love it.

I am far too old for crap and we actually stopped presents with my PIL because of this.

I trained my husband wisely over the 30 years I know him. I also need to ask him what exactly he wants as his hobby is so specific, I actually can't just go and buy him something, he has a model train set-up and needs very exact items.

A wish list is exactly that, wishes. I put plenty on it to allow people to choose and me not knowing what I will get. And I still hope that seeing dragons on it will make them understand what I actually want and it may not be what people think I need.

DarthSaver · 19/10/2025 12:16

I've thoroughly enjoyed reading other people's lists!

Here's mine (I'm also 45)

  • Seeds for the garden- thank you PP who suggested Stocks & Green that will help non gardening family members to easily find something! - I also want to create a clover lawn next spring so seeds for that would be very welcome
  • big terracotta pots for the patio and big slate rocks to finish edging the paths
  • books! Any novel but specifically the new Rivers of London or a preorder for the new Dungeon Crawler Carl in 2026
  • Any crochet set by lalylala, or vouchers to choose my own yarn to make myself some clothes
  • a big soft drapey cardigan that feels like I'm under a blanket
  • a set of weight adjustable dumbbells so I can protect my bone health in perimenopause
  • Small things- nice chocolate, shortbread, Lush bubble bars, non scented big candles, bamboo socks
  • Out of anyone in my family's price range, but a girl can dream ... A long weekend at Gladstone library, Lego book nooks, these incredible garden sculptures that are also bug hotels: https://dsculpted.co.uk/collections/all and that lighthouse Lego set someone else linked!

(Edited to add, some of the smaller sculptures are cheaper, but I've fallen in love with the big expensive ones!)

Products

Handmade garden sculpture art, wildlife inspired, eco-friendly and reclaimed metal, upcycled resources, custom sculpture and creative art classes, sustainable home decor

https://dsculpted.co.uk/collections/all

FurForksSake · 19/10/2025 12:37

@DarthSaver that’s a lovely list.

MarmaladeSandwich7 · 19/10/2025 19:30

Re the chocolates - would love some Fortnum & Mason Enchanted Forest. So attractive.

MarmaladeSandwich7 · 19/10/2025 19:32

DidILeaveTheGasOn · 09/10/2025 22:28

Elemis bath milk
L'occitane almond shower gel
ACL reconstructive surgery
Jewellery - I like anything, although probably more understated nowadays
A Boden voucher
Anti-wine hypnotherapy
Wine
A new blanket

I love that you have asked for both anti wine hypnotherapy & wine! 😂

DidILeaveTheGasOn · 19/10/2025 20:18

@Marmaladesandwich7 I'm a realist 😅