Gift for over 50

[cloudydays2]

My mum turns 55 next week and has (in the nicest way possible) let herself go due to constant illnesses this year. I want to get her a gift to help her feel better about herself, predominantly skincare or a beauty item if people have any ideas !

Can I just add that she has said she has let herself go aswell and I know this would be something that could help her feel herself again!

What about the Boots set that someone mentioned on another thread. Great value in the offer & everything she’d need
https://www.boots.com/no7-the-ultimate-skincare-collection-10329879

Boots have a half price sale on, so you can probably find a great deal on a make-up or skincare set.
A nice new haircut might be a treat.

Something from here?

https://www.ft.com/content/7cf14d05-fcd9-48dd-859b-68a28b872498

(Found this article very useful for my Christmas shopping.)

Although, if your mother is very run down (I hate the phrase ‘let herself go’ and it’s hardly appropriate for someone who’s been ill) then the first thing she needs is the very best nutrition and plenty of rest. So perhaps a subscription to a weekly veg box, if she doesn’t have one? Or a few days away somewhere beautiful and relaxing if you could stretch to that.

Sounds corny but what about a spa day with you and a fab lunch? Or an overnight stay somewhere? Something relaxing where she can switch off from how rubbish life is in general. Or something mad like Go Ape or indoor skydiving to get her adrenaline rushing?

I'm 52 and am the first to say I look and feel shit but I wouldn't want that reinforced by getting a gift of skin products. I'd like to know I was valued and loved as a person instead.

What stage of recovery is your mother at, @cloudydays2?

What does she need?

(She has all my empathy. Virus knocked me out for several months. Couldn’t have cared less about beauty products - all I wanted was 24hr streaming and, once my brain became less scattered, endless books. I still have almost no interest in going out, so all my lovely clothes are hanging mournfully unattended to. I’m betting your mother still just needs rest.)

Over 60 here, the issue is not your Mum's age but that she is in need of some time devoted to her wellbeing after having been ill, which is where looking good starts. Is there a spa she could go to for some pampering to get her started. Hair and nails, for treatments or if money is tight what about going to the local college and using their salons for treatments / massage? Vitamins such as D3, Tumeric supplements and perhaps even buying in the meal boxes (as well as the veg boxes already suggested) to help her get back on track with her nutrition. Maybe do the spa day together too.

Has she specifically said skincare or beauty related? Fair enough if she has but personally, if I was in need of a pick-me-up after a series of draining illnesses, I'd much rather be taken out for lunch and a look round Liberties / Harvey Nichols or Selfridges.

I’m 52. I would love a clarins relax or tonic bubble bath. I also love their body lotion.
https://www.clarins.co.uk/moisturising-body-collection/80097045.html
https://www.clarins.co.uk/tonic-bath-shower-concentrate/80083882.html

When I'm run down, I don't really want skincare, but more something that makes me feel comfortable in my body again. So a massage, or a long walk on a cold wintry beach, or a workshop for a hobby she had to miss out on when ill, or something that makes her feel like a competent adult - a trip to the theatre or a concert, or watching a sports match. On a smaller scale, I had a pukka tea advent calendar and it was remarkably relaxing having to make time every day to savour my surprise herbal tea, so maybe a pukka tea selection box.

I think the first stage out of "letting yourself go" which is a concept I hate, is feeling confident and valuing yourself.

Actually, what would make me really happy would be going on an alpaca walk, and maybe an alpaca wool beanie or gloves.

I gave my mum 75 the Estée Lauder tinted spf daywear that makes you look glowing I buy it on repeat I'm 52. Best present ever

I'm 52 and not looking great due to a draining year. However I do know by now what suits me skincare wise (always buy from kiehls) and wouldn't thank DD for a random choice!

I wouldn't mind a laneige lip mask to try and this could be good as generally lips are one of the first things to suffer when you're under the weather.

DD got me a Jo Malone reed diffuser for Xmas. Sounds a bit naff but I use a lot of reed diffusers and I can't bring myself to buy anything super spendy - I tend to get them from random craft shops, Zara etc, with a mental limit of £20.