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Housekeeping

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Don't know if this is the right place but need help buying a gift!

9 replies

navyeyelasH · 06/09/2008 17:40

Not to depress anyone but Christmas is nearly here and I also have 4 birthdays during December so need to start my planning and budgeting now .

I work as a nanny and I wanted to get my boss something for her birthday and something else for x-mas. Without going into too much detaill she has a bit of a 1950s house wife mindset (also works so is very very busy). She buys that good housekeeping mag every week (or month?), and also subscribes to lakeland, Boden etc and I know her favourite shops are places like John Lewis and she gets her food from Waitroise. So she likes good quality things.

It seems that everyone buys her cookbooks which I'm sure she loves but I want to get her something more in line with my navyeyelasH'ness, something that I would normally buy as a gift. I am thinking something like a perfume decantery thingymajig like this.

I randomly found the set on ebay (whilst buying a sewing machine for myself) and thought it would appeal to her "old school" ladylike nature. It's a CAITHNESS set and I googles them and they seem to be well known glass makes specialising in paperweights? I just thought the spray thing was really pretty.

I'm a 24 year old commoner cheapskate that furnishes my home with second hand tat so any help / guidance would be brilliant. Also have no experience of buying gifts for older women (my mother did a bunk years ago) so not got a clue really!

So given my mini description what would you get? I need two ideas really; and is buying second hand a big no no? Or should I just go with, "it's the thought that counts!". Thanks in advance x

OP posts:
AvenaLife · 06/09/2008 17:42

It's not second hand. It's vintage!

navyeyelasH · 06/09/2008 18:20

that's exactly how I'd see it but I don't shop in John Lewis et al hehe!

OP posts:
RubyRioja · 06/09/2008 18:22

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

lucysmam · 06/09/2008 19:55

I think that's really pretty & would make a nice gift! I wouldn't complain if someone put that much thought into buying something for me & I agree, it's not second hand, it's vintage and would look fab on a dresser or something similar

EachPeachPearMum · 06/09/2008 20:58

Caithness is really collectable, so might be quite pricey.

The paperweights are gorgeous.

If she's quite into the bunting cupcake thing, perhaps a nice tea set? or teapot would be affordable. Pretty cups and saucers in pastel colours.

Don't see why second hand would be an issue- say it was from a boutique or antique shop!

(unless of course, you know she has a thing about 2nd hand things, because some people do!)

How old is she?

navyeyelasH · 06/09/2008 21:08

She is 53 ish I think but am terrible at remembering ages! Tea set could be good although I know she has one she uses regularly for guests. The Caithness set is only on 99p at the minute so I will keep my eye on it as I do really like it.

As far as I know she doesn't have a thing about 2nd hand stuff and the children ans I are always in the local charity shops!

OP posts:
twoluvlykids · 06/09/2008 21:12

it' lovely - I'd be thrilled to get a gift like that. Might print out the picture & stick it on the fridge with a note saying "I LIKE things like THIS - please buy for me" as a subtle hint to the family.

navyeyelasH · 07/09/2008 18:28

Just a mini bump.

Have also been thinking about some glass / pottery type things from the year my boss met her husband. But I don't know which brands are best? I keep seeing Edinburgh crystal stuff but something tells me that this is the equivalent of Elizabeth Duke jewellery in glass land? Also found a lovely BELLEEK HEART vase!

Any tips/hints would be awesome.

OP posts:
lucysmam · 07/09/2008 18:45

navyeyelasH, I think you should just go for it tbh! From the looks of that first link you've no trouble at all choosing an attractive and well thought out gift! I'd be absolutely 'bowled over' if someone thought so much about what they were buying for me like you're doing for your boss

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