If you were 47, single and had no children...............

[lilibet]

What would you want me to buy you for Christmas?

I am stuck as usual on my best mate, budget of about £30.

She has plenty of nice clothes/scarves/jewellry/bags.

Very young looking, money is not plentiful but she isn't broke, bit of a shy type, goes more for classic stuff than trendy things.

Hates baths, only ever showers, goes walking but has done for years so has all the stuff.

Anyone? anything??

aha! I have bought my sister a diptyque candle - fig-tree.

fingers crossed she likes it - I agree they're pricey for just one candle, but they smell so gorgeous, and last for ages...

that link i posted is useless...

The fig one. The tuberose one. The tea one. BRILL!

They're about £20

Cashmere? A lovely simple cashmere sweater or socks? Plus maybe Dr Hauschka skin products? (very good and smell divine)?
In my forties I would probably want something that said: I really think you are fab, you are still young and you are gorgeous. I think what you say about someone with a gift is important. Having said that, I'd like anything suggested here.

A beautiful flowering orchid?
An elegant wooden bowl for fruit/salad, etc?

how about a look at the white company? mail order if you're not near a shop - like aloha's cashmere suggestion, there's def some nice things in white co. catalogue (eg cashmere hot water bottle off top of head).

is she into jewellery? i have a friend who sends me gorgeous silver bits & pieces, usu beaded etc, not esp expensive but still lovely & wearable most any time/where.

Do you know what her taste in music or film is?

God I'm so I can't even think what I would like if I were this person (apart from a year's worth of sleep)

what about a lovely perfumed flowering plant - jasmine, or hyacinths?

My bf who is very similar I age just got her a magazine subscription. what about cinema vouchers for girlie nights out?

As she is a Roman Catholic, how about a contribution to an Indian Catholic charity in honour of the tsunami victims, many of whom in the South were Catholics?

Personalised stationery here and not too expensive (though you don't get very much). I had a look at Smythson, as I've seen them mentioned in magazines, but the minimum price seems to be about £135 .

Membership to a fab gallery that has a members only room
Swiss army knife (one with a corkscrrew, little scissors and a couple of good blades and gadgets)

Beautiful costume jewellery cross.
Cashmere socks - the white company sells yum ones
Annick Goutal fragrance - they are all amazing
A beautiful cup and saucer (my friend got one for me last year and I treasure it)
Have to agree with the Dr Hauska suggestion (Rose day cream is delish) as is the Eve Lom cleanser kind to drier skin.
An orchid (not a cut one)
Nice pair of soft leather gloves
Really pretty cushion - there are gorgeous ones around everywhere at the moment