Would really appreciate ideas for a couple please

[OMGitsnotgood]

Budget c. £30. ‘No present’ is not an option and I don’t want to give a voucher. They don’t drink alcohol. They don’t like coffee and just like ‘ordinary’ tea. They receive a photo calendar from family each year.

Past gifts have included candles; cookery books; plants & pots (indoor and outdoor); herb seeds and pots; vase; photo frames and albums; various food gifts; scarves and gloves. I’d rather avoid toiletries, as she has sensitive skin.

We usually get together between Christmas and New Year. Judging by the generous boxes of chocolates & biscuits they bring if they come to us / put out if we go to them, it would seem they receive a lot of those. They used to enjoy walking but one can’t walk too far now so anything related to that is out. Don’t really have hobbies other than reading and watching TV but would be a gamble buying books as I don’t know what they already have.

All suggestions appreciated. Thanks

Just remembered you can send in a photo of a pet and they will make a jigsaw of it's photo. I'm getting DH one of his 2 dogs.

Does it have to be a couples present? Can't they have a gift each?

I didn’t know these existed, I now want one.

Go to John Lewis and get them some foodie bits from there. They do nice gift boxes of bits that are great for my fussy ‘have everything’ in laws

Why so many snuggle blanket, throws etc, is their house cold? Personally I would hate this and just hide in a cupboard, £30 is not going to get anything nice enough to keep out.

Olive oil bottles - nice set here but once again, they may not want this in their kitchen. https://littlecraftslondon.com/products/set-of-2-round-glass-oil-bottle-500-ml-acacia-oval-tray-1

I think it's best to gift something that you don't have to hope is around next time you visit in case not to their taste. A lot will also depend on age, general budget for life stuff. No cinema voucher unless it's something they can't ordinarily afford.

These little cakes are a nice gift https://littlecake.co.uk/product-tag/all-boxes/?tw_source=google&tw_adid=&tw_campaign=21837891584&tw_kwdid=&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=21853202147&gbraid=0AAAAAqRfcZI3JnGnHzXbbm_DvOzH-KE4M&gclid=CjwKCAjwgeLHBhBuEiwAL5gNEQJ_R0urSoStP_tpMGgHzeXwW9h4jHUZwtYrGEn913xrx0RAPkZosxoCJX8QAvD_BwE

John Lewis do nice chutney/biscuit sets https://www.johnlewis.com/edinburgh-preserves-trio-of-pate-540g/p1555372 and https://www.johnlewis.com/edinburgh-preserves-farmhouse-pate-box-530g/p113979811

I would love this!

My most successful year with special friends gifts was the gin advent calendar but out of this budget (but similarly given early and enjoyed all month)

‘Giving early ‘ is something I’ve done before, with Christmas plant arrangements. Advent calendars are also a good idea for early presents.

The gift that goes down a treat every Xmas with my DF and step mother is scented narcissi from Scilly Flowers. You can get 60 for £29 including postage. The beauty of them is that they’re very springlike in those miserable dark midwinter days, and they’re only coming from the Scilly Isles, so not travelling 1000s of miles for those of us concerned about ‘flower miles’

My DM (95) always asks for winter-flowering bulbs (hyacinth etc) in a bowl or basket, or houseplants generally.

That was going to be my suggestion.

Truffle oil and REALLY fancy salt? Cashmere socks?

I’m really into presents that ‘elevate the everyday’

Tickets to a local show / event?