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Welcome to Mumsnet's shopping board. Whether you are after a new family car or a great new coffee machine this is the board for you. Share product recommendations and reviews here. Related: Discuss clothes and fashion on our Style and beauty forum. Check out Swears By to find the products Mumsnetters love and our reviews section to see the best baby and child products put through their paces.
Shopping
Xmas present suggestions for dp's secretary please (getting desperate)
turquey · 13/12/2004 14:35
I'd had in mind a Jo Malone candle/gift set type thing but what's in my budget doesn't look "enough" IYSWIM. She's in her early 50's, childless, widowed, very fun forthright New Yorker. I have no ideea of her taste or colour scheme so dp's helpful suggestion of "a cushion" (wtF???) is out - I think she probably likes nicknacks. My limit is about $120 (she babysits for us too and spends fortunes on the kids) and something namey or designer would probably go down well.
Any ideas?
FestiveFrex · 13/12/2004 14:40
I found some lovely cashmere scarves for dh's secretaries. If you know her, you could pick out one which matches what she usually wears.
MariNativityPlay · 13/12/2004 14:43
Can you get to Liberty? Groaning with gorgeous presents for someone who is not immediately going to have chocolate/snot/ketchup smeared over them...
catgirl · 13/12/2004 14:44
how about theatre vouchers (don't know where you live, so may not work), or eurostar vouchers (don't even know if they do them...?). Personally I always think Jo Malone looks "enough" as it is Jo Malone and I know how much it is! And they package it up so wonderfully too.
Davrosthesnowwoman · 13/12/2004 14:45
Second Liberty as vair English too so she might like that aspect.... or Halcyon Days, don't know how much $120 is though.
Kaysleighbells · 13/12/2004 14:47
I second the cashmere scarf idea. I was bought one last year by my boss and I have to say it is the softest thing i have even owned. And it really does keep you warmer than other fabrics. It's something I never would have bought for myself. And I love it.
turquey · 13/12/2004 14:50
Unfortunately Liberty/eurostar etc is out as I'm in the States. I'd thought Jo Malone as I slightly wanted to get her something english (since we're english and she's american) but still fancy packing and designerish. The scarf is a good idea though.
TumbleflumpDancingBum · 13/12/2004 14:52
try \link{http://www.shopforladies.com/holiday/Christmas/christmas_presents.htm\on here}
paolosgirl · 13/12/2004 14:53
A cashmere scarf sounds a wonderful idea. It's the kind of thing that's lovely to get, but not the sort of thing you often splash out on for yourself IYKWIM. If you manage to get a 'buy one get one free' offer, I'll happily take the spare 
MariNativityPlay · 13/12/2004 14:53
I'm sure Emily Howard has that site bookmarked Tumbleflump!
turquey · 13/12/2004 14:59
Good site - thanks tumbleflump! I don't think I'll ever see anything referring to "ladies" now without thinking of Emily Howard 
Might get one of the crystal candleholders and a Jo Malone candle.
I've spent more time umming and ahhing over this present than all the others put together! It needs to be personal, but since I don't know her very well that's hard, and she's a bit "the woman who has everything".
Lots of great ideas here, thanks.
turquey · 13/12/2004 15:00
Emily Howard is the rubbish transvestite on Little Britain "I'm a lady"
Kaysleighbells · 13/12/2004 15:01
but when Emily Howard says "I'm a lady" the lady is definitely spelt "Laydeee" !
MariNativityPlay · 13/12/2004 15:02
Tumbleflump, she is the hugely convincing transvestite on \link{http://www.littlebritain.tv/characters_emily.htm\Little Britain}
vict17 · 13/12/2004 15:05
am I the only one wondering why you have to buy her a present? Why doesn't your dp?!! just curious
moondog · 13/12/2004 15:10
Yes,my thoughts vict17!
If my dh buys stuff for work people he does it himself (ditto for his side of the family. Not my department!)
turquey · 13/12/2004 15:14
Dp doesn't "do" christmas shopping. I do his family, godchildren etc - and guess who goes out and gets mine (from him) - his secretary.
I know the amount sounds ott (although I don't think it's excessive by his firm's standards 
) but it's because she's devoted to him and drove miles to come and babysit when he was away recently so I could finish the evening course I was doing, and wouldn't take a penny for it. So it's a big thank you too.
vict17 · 13/12/2004 15:16
that's nice (of her to come and babysit not poor you doing all your dp's shopping!!) perhaps you and his secretary could go shopping together and pick something you both like with his money!!!!
Kaysleighbells · 13/12/2004 15:22
turquey, you're lucky your dh gets his secretary to buy your present. I have to buy my own, then hand it over for dh to wrap. Same with my birthday presents. Humph.
turquey · 13/12/2004 15:26
Lol. His secretary even wrapped my birthday present for him!
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