Please or to access all these features

Christmas

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

Help with present for 25 year old alternative DIL

47 replies

HappySonHappyMum · 29/10/2026 16:11

I should start by saying I absolutely love this young women and I want to get her a really nice present - I have about £50-75. I like to choose gifts that are useful and enjoyed - I hate buying random tat. My DIL is an engineer, loves cars and motorsport, heavy metal music and dogs. She's not going to appreciate toiletries, candles, jewellry or anything 'girly'. I am completely stumped. Last year I bought a joint gift for both my DS and DIL for their new house but I'd like to choose something specifically for her this time. Any ideas would be appreciated.

OP posts:
wildnwilde · 29/10/2026 17:06

Does she like piercings or tattoos ? Maybe offwr to pay for or towards one ? Tickets to a band ?

FannybygaslightinGovan · 29/10/2026 17:08

Do you know who her favourite band are?

What type of motorsports does she like? Is it F1?

HappySonHappyMum · 29/10/2026 17:09

Tickets to a band - maybe they go and watch a lot of shows so that could be a good idea. She has tattoos - but she's not planning on any more at the moment. She likes F1 but they go to LeMans every year and really it's just fast cars in general. She's pimped her own car!

OP posts:
Danikm151 · 29/10/2026 17:10

Lego technic set!

pilates · 29/10/2026 17:11

An experience?

Ramblingaway · 29/10/2026 17:14

Voucher for a break out room? She sounds like she might like solving puzzles.

nocoolnamesleft · 29/10/2026 17:18

Has she done a sports car driving experience?

Bananacrepewithnuts · 29/10/2026 17:20

A driving day experience.

24Dogcuddler · 29/10/2026 17:23

An Oodie?
Grindstore has lots of music/ band themed merchandise.

LibertyBustop · 29/10/2026 17:23

Why not ask her what she’d like? It’s lovely to hear how much you love her and want to get something she’d especially like. I’m sure she’d be touched.

Cherrycola4 · 29/10/2026 17:24

Vouchers for Disturbia or other alternative clothing shop.

stuffedanimalsandchocolate · 29/10/2026 17:25

why not ask your son what she would like

PearlsTeapot · 29/10/2026 17:25

Lego! Some of the botanicals sets are gorgeous.

ladymalfoy · 29/10/2026 17:29

Doc Martin merch?
Medieval Marginalia Merch?
Miss heard song lyrics game?

Hatty65 · 29/10/2026 17:32

I'd say ask her if there's anything she'd like and give a budget.

I'm someone who absolutely loathes people trying to buy me 'thoughtful' presents because they always get it slightly wrong and it's annoying. I'd much rather they asked and I gave them a specific thing I'd like.

ramonaquimby · 29/10/2026 17:34

just ask her. presents don't always have to be a surprise

WannabeMathematician · 29/10/2026 17:47

Geomag, Lego, tickets to a local gig or comedian, a book on how to make paper planes, a raspberry pi, a learning wood working session.

Pedant61 · 29/10/2026 17:49

Ask her, ir ask your son. But we'll done for not wanting to buy fabric, "girly" crap. If there's nothing she really wants, why not just wait until she chooses something? She's an adult - she knows it doesn't come from Santa!

OffTheMap · 29/10/2026 18:01

Your Dc got no suggestions?

PotteringAlonggotkickedoutandhadtoreregister · 29/10/2026 18:05

how about this?

or definitely Lego! They do great F1 Lego

TFImBackIn · 29/10/2026 18:23

I think she sounds great! Just ask your son what she'd like - there's no point in just guessing.

HappySonHappyMum · 29/10/2026 19:39

Thank you for your suggestions. So many good ideas that hit the mark because they are things that she already has or does - she has access to her DFs high performance car that she takes on track days, loves Lego (but I feel that might be a cop out), has a raspberry Pi and I bought an Oodie last year - so you guys are great. I am going to check out some of the shops and websites you've suggested - I've never heard of them and I will ask my DS as well - although he will be clueless!

OP posts:
lxn889121 · 30/10/2026 01:12

Can you combine two things?

E.g. a band she likes, but they are all dogs.. or products that mix racing with metal etc.

Would be a fun twist, but likely need a lot of hunting/searching.

Maybe something custom? I wonder if an artist can do something for you, that again combines a couple of things. E.g. a dog bread she likes, driving a car, with heavy metal inspired design.

MeltedSteve · 30/10/2026 01:22

A killstar voucher might be good, they’ve got offers on at the moment too

HonestPenguin · 30/10/2026 01:45

F1 clothing

trip silverstone
etsie does things like f1 tire keyrings track costers.

a fidget toy for engineering

marble run for fridge if playful
hamper with diferent bits slippers or slipper socks with zsomething f1 or biking, same for a mug, hot chocolate coffee trea, something like bpaoper planes or lego book and a note of bringing it together