Thoughtful present ideas

[Alexa51]

I'm looking for some thoughtful present ideas for my aunties - very difficult to buy for as they have a good amount of disposable income. Determined to put some thought in early this year to get them something nice.

They're now in their 70s but have a young outlook/ quite cultured. I want to buy a poetry book for one - Donna Ashworth, but any other nice book ideas that you can dip in and out of would be great - one book idea was ' a happy poem to end each afternoon - I think something to dip in and out of by your bed is quite nice. Just wondered if anyone could share any nice gifts they'd received/ given which they felt were thoughtful. Things that have gone down well in the past are national trust gift shop type things, plants, marmalades/ jams, herbal tea etc, wildlife photography books ( one aunt was quite into wildlife/ photography.)

Gifts I've been given from people who don't know me so well, but which I've liked are:- umbrellas, place mats, perfume, water bottle etc.

Gave my great aunt a family photo made into a puzzle. She absolutely loved doing it and now has it framed and on the wall. She said it's the most thoughtful gift she's ever received

A photo puzzle or a photo book would be a very nice idea imo. If you have family photo archives of great-grandparents' pictures and even earlier ones, you can include them as well. The old and damaged photos can be repaired (here is a good article on making old pictures look new) and reprinted, you can add notes for every relative if there is any info, and continue the album to the most recent photos of your aunties, their families, etc. Leave empty pages as well so that they could continue filling their albums if they want to.

Some lovely gifts I have received include the following memberships/subscriptions :

Design Museum
MUBI
National Gallery
National Theatre
The Photographers' Gallery
V & A

And ... anything from SPACE NK!

x

My not sure what to get default that’s always been successful is French Soap. There is a company in North Yorkshire who are very knowledgeable and helpful when choosing gifts and sending direct.

Bird feeder that sticks on a window has been hours of fun - I’d love one of the ones that come with a camera!
Flower delivery or subscription from The Cornish Bloom Company - a family firm and all grown in UK
Cake delivery from Betty’s of Harrogate (their chocolates are also lovely)
Afternoon tea in a box from M&S was a hit
Necklaces that go over the head rather than fiddly fastenings