What's a great present for someone you don't know very well?

[SunnilyEnough]

ie a friend's girlfriend. Have no idea what she has already, sort of need a generic but stylish/desirable present. She lives in NYC, early 30s.

i always revert to Body shop body butter. everyone loves it is is a generic pressie but expensive enough if you buy 2 to show you want to make an effort.

Really nice hand cream
8 hour cream
Nail varnish if she's that sort
Nice candle
Nice bath oil

I'd be inclined to go for one luxury thing. How much do you want to spend?

I agree - one luxury thing. Don't want to spend too much!

Jo Malone candle. They are lovely, and I usually hate pointless smelly things

Nice candle or bottle of wine.

I would avoid skincare and beauty - it's so personal. I have a stack of really pretty china bowls which I give as gifts. Small, and perfect for keys, earrings etc.

REN rose otto bath oil

Every woman needs hand cream, and that isn't too personal, in my opinion.

A scarf is a good idea - in the winter. I don't think any woman can have too many scarfs. Figure out what colour would suit her (have you seen her?) and choose a plain one (no patterns).

pretty

i love pretty note books - the kind you get in nice stationary stores but probably wuldnt get yourself... they re always handy and a nice gift great if they re handbag size too.

love the handcream idea too - molton brown do especially lovely ones - actually love the molton brown travel kit s you get too they re lovely.

nice picture frame ?

Thanks for all the ideas. Particularly like the china bowls, Pepe - and BeeBread, Anthropologie's a great idea, they have some pretty bowls.

Stationery also good - like Lotta Jansdotter stuff. Hmmm.

I second the scarf idea. How about earrings or a nice bracelet?