Would you want anything from from this article in the Guardian as a present? Looking for gift ideas for DM

[XmasgiftIdeas]

I'm looking for some inspo for Christmas present for my DM. I usually just stick to boxes of chocolates or gift cards, but I'm looking for something more personalized and something she would actually find useful. I found this article on the Guardian website which lists 64 gift ideas for mums. https://www.theguardian.com/thefilter/2025/dec/03/best-christmas-gifts-mum-uk

If you could pick one or two items from those mentioned, which do you think you would be happiest to receive? Or do you think everything on it is just overpriced tat?

We're Grauniad readers. I was literally just saying to DH to ignore it if he'd read it, there was absolutely nothing on it I'd like. But that's perhaps just me!

The prices! Jesus!

The only thing I like on that list is the rose! So much naff crap (pill boxes shaped like sweets no, just no!)

I'd take the champagne and the bare root rose/houseplant, but most of this stuff is expensive tat.

There is a lot of guff there but I do like the vase, the plant and the phone rope. The hair accessories are nice enough but are super overpriced.

I always like decent socks but I don't know if everyone feels the same or if it's just me. If I were going to spend silly money on socks I'd go to Nordic socks UK though.

The rose and the plant. Everything else was boring or dust gatherers.

My kids know better than to buy me a box of spices or olive oil. I fucking hate cooking.

Mum of three adult sons in my 60s, I'd like the rose, the vase and spices in tins
are nice but rather pricey as are most of the items listed!
Decent socks always acceptable, forever trying to get them but unfortunately on the occasions I've received them they've been dire (eg picked up at the airport, shiney glittery scratchy and size 3-5 when I'm a 7😳🤣).

I'd take the triangle cashmere scarf, the rose and the ginger drink. Some of the jewellery was OK, I liked the gold cuff, although I'd prefer silver.

I'm that age group and from that rather uninspired list I would like the bare root rose, hair claw, book subscription, luxury hand cream.

A £35 scrunchie?! Imagine being presented with that

I'd take the gloves, the wrist warmers, the Olia Hercules box, the olive oil.

Rose is nice but depends on her gardening approach, will she love it as you bought it or have nowhere to put it? Or will it clash with her carefully honed garden design she has worked on for decades?

Same for the plant - love it or accidentally kill it within a week?

I'm now of an age where I finally understand why my DM was obsessed with handcream, but I don't use fragranced products - which leads to a lot of quiet regifting after Christmas.

Champagne is always a good idea.

Agree with @Egglio only the David Austin rose (provided it’s a white one) and the Lanson Chanpagne is worth having. The rest is overpriced crap.
Why no suggestions such as opera, ballet, rock concert or theatre tickets. Or maybe a spa experience (depending on the Mum in question and her interests)? These are my favourite presents.

I think some of these are really nice.
I like
the fake flowers
the slippers
the gloves, socks
the phone rope
and the pill boxes!

I’d like an AirTag, the socks the scrunchie and the olive oil

I'd like the book subscription from the Indie bookshop. I like the idea of a surprise book based on my personal reading preferences. If I lived near an Everyman Cinema, then the gift membership would appeal.

There's nothing else that appeals. The problem with these lists, is that the only thing the suggested recipients have in common is their rough age and their sex. But in terms of interests, us middle aged and older women are as diverse as any other group of people.

They did have a cinema subscription on the list - which is the only thing I’d even vaguely want from it

My mum would like absolutely none of those things! She is a keen gardener but doesn't grow roses.

@LighthouseLED - sorry, I must have missed that. Still, who wants to go to the cinema on their own?!

Me!

It comes up regularly on Mumsnet: someone asks AIBU to go to the cinema on my own and loads of posters reply that they often go on their own and enjoy it.

What’s wrong with going to the cinema on your own?

Over priced tat

Im 61 and my ask of the kids are good socks

I love good socks. Ones that are as soft a year later as the first day, Ones where the heals or toes haven't gone within 6 months

If I know the kids have the money I will tell them what foundation, skin cleanser etc I use

I actually do ask for slippers from DH

See we are older. We have what we want from life and what we dont have we ( and the kids ) cant afford and are just dreams

I would rather get socks, which I will wear and enjoy , rather then a vase which will end up in a charity shop or jewellery I would never wear

I like the egg cup, the posh socks (genuinely you can never have too many pairs of posh socks) and the rose.

I always ask for interesting food gifts and luxurious bath stuff. None of this hangs around for years and even if you don't love it it's either useful or interesting.

Posh socks though. I'd go for that. I actually have posh socks on my wishlist.

I think I'd cry if I got most of these for Christmas. A tin of sardines FFS!!

I'd like the knit-your-own beanie and the shower/bath milk. I'd also like the ginger drink but I don't think that's special enough for a present - I'd buy it for myself.