Christmas Ideas please!!

[houseofcake]

As you lot have smashed it for me every year on previous threads what’s cool for a 16 almost 17 year old girl and a 12 year old boy. Throw in a MIL in her 80’s who is still moaning about a cashmere scarf she was gifted a few years ago she wants ‘something special she wouldn’t normally buy herself’ Thank you in advance!

Elderly relatives are (sometimes) very difficult. All I have to say is never give them vouchers! We gave my MIL some from really nice shops so she could choose. We were really skint but wanted to treat her to something she wanted. When she died we found all the vouchers in her stuff, unused 😭Sorry, not helpful !

For your MIL how about a china tea set for one with a tea selection and some “ posh” biscuits and treats. You could make up a goodies hamper of treats or pamper items like hand cream etc.

Not sure about “ cool” but look on Boots Star Gifts for beauty stuff.
Other sites to browse for ideas
Oddballs, TruffleShuffle, Books2door, Grindstore
Temptation Gifts.

Other than being 80 can you give us a little more information about her?
Is she someone who would appreciate nice earrings, fancy skin care stuff, purse, better than her usual brand of slippers?

Could you try to buy MIL some expensive versions of atuff she uses. Like hand creams etc?

For your MIL some Fortnum & Mason goodies in nice tins she can reuse.

FOr teen DD some urban outfitters vouchers

only drinks Nescafé or wine. I think i have brought her a range of things over the years and everything has been dismissed…coffee machine to perfume, hand made gifts from the children when younger…sure lots of us are in the same position 🤣

I have ordered afternoon tea things from the Daffodil foods they're genuine welsh bara brith and welsh cakes etc then you arent adding to the clutter for the elderly ? Ive not much ideas for the youngsters but i have got my grandkids fishing rods from go outdoors which were very reasonable if theyve any interest in that ? I think that age group would like vouchers wouldnt they to choose their own ? Good luck !

At that age my mother and in laws didn’t want any more ‘stuff’, and it seems like yours wouldn’t be happy with anything (and why are you buying it anyway - have your DH do it and he can take the heat of her displeasure).
Or, how about a nice framed photo of the grandchildren?

Have you seen the lovely Elizabeth Scarlett every day pouches on style and beauty? You can get wrist straps to make them more evening bags and little coin purses to go inside, etc. and would be less than cashmere but still lovely and special.

Flat lay bag might go down well with the teen girl.
North face beanie hat for the boy?

A m and s afternoon tea postbox style gift for the MIL.

For the 16 year old ‘Lets Franz’ joggers from Urban Outfitters. My 16 year old loves his, they were a huge hit last year with my 24 year old and his girlfriend as well.
MIL - what about a really good quality scented candle like St Eval? They do some beautiful winter ones, and maybe cashmere gloves and/or some Hotel Chocolat chocs?

Either a posh food hamper or an afternoon tea voucher for mil. I've got some nice food hamper from John Lewis in the past.

Would the 17yo like tickets to a gig or perhaps a musical?

Would the 12yo enjoy a slushie maker or popcorn maker?

How about leather gloves for MIL? Some very soft, lined ones in a fashionable colour.

Flower subscription for MIL?

I have similar ages. Recent birthday hits for DS have been Davy Jones Locker wooden puzzle, Lego subscription from BorrowBox, Crack Magnets. DD has sent me her list for Xmas: includes tennis bracelet or Italian charm bracelet (apparently other girls at school have these), Glitter Needoh, henna with stencils, power bank, Percy Pig hoodie.

Cashmere fingerless gloves for MIL? Cashmere socks?

My 12 year old loved his popcorn maker and ice crusher - he is always in charge of snacks for movie nights. He is a simple soul and hard to buy for though, so far I’m thinking Anime books, some Pokémon cards (packs and a couple of special ones from eBay), a good supply of the only shower gel he uses, a Nike hoodie maybe, maybe Nike socks, Pj’s and a special rubix cube (he’s just mastered the rubix). Oh, a real hit for him last year was a good black electric toothbrush (he has autism and LOVES the buzzing!) and second hand bike leathers so he could go on the back of his Dads bike.
struggling for stocking things for him though - he is the opposite of 14 year old DD for whom I could fill a billion stockings for….
although we’ve just discovered that he is partial to a fluffy sock - and heat holders have raised his sock game….

my 16 year old girl likes pandora, Monica Vinader, jelly cats, fleece bedding sets, and beauty products (like the kind of gift boxes you get in Boots or Superdrug this time of year). She has asked for a Greggs gift card or a Just Eat voucher, and will be additionally getting a cinema gift card.

My 13 year old boy will be getting a microscope, a couple of Nintendo games, a stunt kite, some cash for a shopping trip, a book token, the Narnia books on CD, and the inevitable Lynx Africa gift set that seems ubiquitous for his age group. The microscope narrowly beat out a musical instrument as the 'big' gift.

your MIL likes wine? How about a gift token for something like the Wine Society, along with a nice bottle that you chose yourself and one of those Christmas wine bottle jackets as a whimsical note?

I'd go for something small but beautifully made rather than a big set, since she sounds particular. I should say I run a small self-care brand, Wholyme, so I'm not neutral, but people often buy our Relief Balm for older relatives. It's a rich balm for hands, knees or shoulders that feels like a treat rather than a medicine. Paired with nice gloves or a good tea, it feels thoughtful without being fussy.

I still get my teens a beano annual, selection box, also Lego- last year I got the game Simon and cards against humanity and both went down very well!