Gifts for DS’s partner

[Gritstsy]

Hello all,
I know this will seem excessive to some but we generally spend around £200-£250 on our children’s partners. For DS1 I find it very easy to buy from his partner but I really struggle for DS2’s girlfriend. Shes 25, I’d never buy her clothes or make up as she’s quite picky. They just moved together and their home is gorgeous, very put together and lots a lovely bright colours. She loves reading (native language is French so we’d probably have to find the book in French), she goes snowboarding, does Pilates, likes cooking, plays tennis pretty often.

So far DS has sent us the link to a ceramic matchbox his gf would like, it’s £65 but I have no idea what else to get her. I don’t want to get anything like hand cream etc. as I’m sure she will have her own preferences. Have looked at a candle and may add one but just curious as to if anyone has any more creative ideas?

We don’t do days out/vouchers as gifts so actual physical items she can open.

This is the matchbox we’ve ordered.
https://jolaing.com/products/the-fool-ceramic-matchbox?srsltid=AfmBOoqNuZP_Y4NDPdjnrmbGRUkZsuGstz4xoF9hWJlCM_9FoQ1IOgtC

Le Creuset?

A pretty set of tarot cards? Usually dangerous territory, but she clearly has no objection in principle given the matchbox design.

Maybe a gift card would work well? You could do SpaceNK for skincare/make up or Lululemon for workout clothes.

I'd ask DS to investigate further and let you know. I think there is too much scope for getting it wrong with this budget.

Lush gift set! there's one called 'wow!" which is £205 which has a bit of everything, or if you want a christmassy one there's 'the art of christmas bathing' which is £95, or if she doesnt have a bathtub and only a shower, there's 'shower all the way' which is £99!

Anthropologie can be good for colourful homeware. A set of these glasses could work well? They also do great mugs, cushions and throws.

https://www.anthropologie.com/en-gb/shop/the-icon-juice-glass?color=084&type=REGULAR&size=One+Size&quantity=1

I know you said you don't do vouchers, but based on the things you say she likes, it sounds like vouchers could actually be the most thoughtful option for at least part of the gift, e.g. for a clothes shop you know she likes (or one that is in her style but more expensive, if she's on a budget).
You could also get her nice cookbooks. Or possibly a set from Sous Chef - they do gift sets with a recipe book and a box of the specialist ingredients you need to go with it for £50ish.

could you get something for the home- cocktail glasses, champagne flutes or similar? Keep the receipt and then she can exchange if necessary x

f&m hamper? Or a little hamper of her favourite French food if she’s away from her home country
an led mask?
Does she drink coffee cold you get really nice beans or a machine if they don’t have one
neompod

Do they have glassware for their new house? Perhaps 4 or 6 champagne glasses - in France champagne is usually served in tulip glasses e.g. https://thechampagnecompany.com/riedel-performance-champagne-flutes-set-of-2-gift-boxed. Add a bottle of champange and you'll have reached your budget.

I think Lush is quite divisive; lots of people won’t shop there because of their views, their sales tactics or because the scent of their stuff gets up your nose and gives you a pounding headache.

I definitely think I’d go back to your DS and ask for more suggestions, OP. Otherwise, it sounds like she’d definitely rather have one nice thing than dozens of smaller things, so maybe an Yves Delorme beach towel? Or a Tom Ford candle? (Sounds impersonal but it’s not exactly a Yankee Candle) Or A Smythson diary https://www.selfridges.com/GB/en/cat/home-tech/home/?gclsrc=aw.ds&gclsrc=aw.ds&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=18723866112&gbraid=0AAAAADr4D5i7IsdsWhmediv8Wj6wg6E0q&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIqqCV-bK6kAMVTZNQBh0pgxYKEAAYASAAEgL1ivD_BwE&fh_sort_by=price_asc&fh_ce_price_gbp=100&pn=9

Or some cashmere? Accessories are in your budget and this is a very nice shop indeed https://www.npeal.com/collections/womens-cashmere-clothing-womens-accessories?page=4&sort_by=price-ascending&_gl=119qfive_upMQ.._gs*MQ..&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI6cfq9be6kAMVjI5QBh19eiCcEAAYASAAEgIwW_D_BwE&gbraid=0AAAAADPUhTX3nmn77djmuwJ6j14IsXTjT

It is still a voucher. But what about a cooking class?

Hello OP. Did you post about this person before? I remember a post where the OP ended up having some sort of 'confrontation' with her DS' GF and her DS taking his GF's side saying she's cultured, and independent, etc. Is this the same GF? Asking in case this gift needs to be somewhat 'reconciliatory'.

A fancy candle to use the match box with?

I'd be disappointed to receive anything from Lush, their stuff is so smelly

Last year I bought:

Ds and his gf - a voucher for a restaurant I know Ds likes
DD and her bf - tickets for a show I knew they wanted to see

I have also bought them cinema membership (Everyman and Picturehouse).

Other ideas:
Triangle scarf - https://tbco.com/collections/triangle-scarves
Stumpy candles and holder - https://landtales.co.uk/products/beeswax-stumpie-candles?variant=46606106853649&country=GB&currency=GBP&utm_medium=product_sync&utm_source=google&utm_content=sag_organic&utm_campaign=sag_organic&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=22642759831&gbraid=0AAAAA-MEPafNaCVSXFSXPN-z5rlk4Jw_A&gclid=CjwKCAjwpOfHBhAxEiwAm1SwEqhIysLP8-AsQ3yTUohSRpoRgtovNu32yL4kTDCfHDUJ8gA9aN3QixoCqlIQAvD_BwE

Small jewellery box (these are hand made and so beautiful) https://kevinstamperfurniture.com/small-wooden-jewellery-boxes

My in-laws would never have that kind of budget but they have bought me some lovely things, usually jewellery. Pandora charms, a beautiful blue pendant from Australia, they got me a beautiful pearl bracelet for my 21st. I had a big box of lush bath bombs, a mug and posh hot chocolate set, a parasol from Singapore.

I'd be giving a voucher for a shop she likes

I would message her and ask her for some ideas - just say you want to get her something nice and you know she has lovely taste and would probably prefer to choose her own things, so if she could give you a choice of gifts you could buy something for her.

Diptique candle to go with the matches

What about something useful like a hotel chocolat hot chocolate maker and a sampler of the hot chocolate sachets?

Does she drink? A nice bottle wine or something else she drinks?

a picnic basket? I dunno why I just assume somebody who likes £65 match boxes likes a fancy picnic basket 🤣

I don't know why but I thought beautiful houseplant?

Try Oliver Bonas for glasses?
I don't think anyone over the age of 12 would thank you for lush gift sets!
Have they got a garden?

Yes, a fancy candle.

Maybe a gift set of them?

www.selfridges.com/GB/en/product/diptyque-holiday-edition-miniature-scented-candle-set-of-five_R04533606/

Those are lovely @Ophy83 !