A treat for a young woman

[familyissues12345]

Hi!

I'm starting to think ahead to Christmas, and am wondering what to buy DS's 20 year old girlfriend.

I'm thinking something like some nice skincare, but I don't know where to start really? Is there a brand that's popular with young women (I only have boys!) or would something that I'd use like Elemis be seen as good?

I'd particularly appreciate actual product ideas if anyone has any? Gift sets that may be good?

Thanks!

How long have they been together, how well do you know her, and what's your budget?

Does she like skincare stuff? I would ask your son what she’s into. I think getting something more personal would be great. My ex-boyfriend’s mother (who had four boys) used to get me and the other girlfriends beauty sets and it just felt quite impersonal - you’re a girl, have something to make you look prettier. I know her heart was in the right place, but we would all have preferred something we used which she could have asked her sons!

I think skin care is very particular to an individual, so I would probably steer clear of that.

Knowing my 20 year old DD and her mates, a posh candle is always appreciated. (I know a scented candle can be a bit naff but they seem to love the luxury). I would choose Neom or Libertys or something really pretty.

Or a Jellycats Amuseable!

I wouldn’t buy skincare unless I knew what she used, it’s a very personal choice.

(But yes, Elemis is quite grown up. Charlotte Tilbury is more the demographic Depends how much you want to spend.)

It's still far too personal unless the buyer knows it's a brand the recipient uses or wants to try.

Definitely don’t buy skincare unless she has specifically said she wants a particular thing from a particular brand. People like to choose their own! If they use it …

Either get to know her better or ask your son what she’s interested in.

I've got a similar situation... last year I bought them a Jo Malone sample set of perfumes, a bobble hat and book each.

I'll be watching the replies with interest as I have the same dilemma again.

Byoma is big on TiKTok and genuinely really great- packaging is very appealing to that age group. This would be a nice gift https://www.sephora.co.uk/p/byoma-barrier-boosting-heroes-kit?curr=GBPcurr=GBP&gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjw4Oe4BhCcARIsADQ0csk-cSDnwcuI9FOgIBinREZas3MLjVOHFFW-aqN5pY1RrCb2Vss9JAgaAi4lEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds

My sons girlfriend is similar age and she's regimented in
Skincare so I couldn't risk it. I went and bought her gorgeous lux pyjamas from Fatface and some fluffy socks with a mug and hot water bottle. She loved it and daughter asked for the same thing later on the year for her birthday!

I don't think my dd uses any form of 'skincare' apart perhaps hand cream and sunblock. Or perfume or makeup or jewellery for that matter. Or candles.

Fluffy socks and special mugs (eg favourite dog breed) are good generic gifts IME. Mine likes flowering/interesting house plants.

I bought ds’s girlfriend a Stanley cup and she was delighted with it. Uses it all the time. I’m not sure I’d buy her skincare but ds bought her a big Charlotte tilbury chest thing full of stuff and she loved it. Anyone would have loved it though, it was really nice.

Hate to say it, but generic gifts like fluffy socks, pyjamas, and mugs are not good IMO. I shove them in a cupboard, never use them, but feel too guilty to throw them out, and they just become clutter.

A nice box of chocolates/bottle of wine + a voucher for Space NK or Sephora will almost certainly go down a treat.

Agree @owlexpress , I don’t know anybody who likes a themed mug. Consumable things like their favourite food and drink are less wasteful. Your son will know her favourite drink/food, much better to ask him. I would also steer away from clothes, some might be happy with PJs, but could lead to embarrassment/insult if you don’t get the right size!!

Thanks everyone! I get a glossybox every month and always give her the bits that I wouldn't use (or don't have a clue what they are ) and she loves it, hence why I thought I'd treat her to something nice.

They've been together coming up 2 years, lovely lovely girl who also likes treating me. I'll work my way through the ideas on here though, they're fab!

For her birthday I bought her 2 gin glasses and some nice gin, so will avoid alcohol. Love the candle and amusable jellycat idea though!

Generic gifts are not good. So I buy chocolates avd wine. Is this an ironic post?

What makes you think it's ironic?

Space NK voucher or Summer Fridays lip balms / Costa or Blank St coffee gift card

Chocolates or wine (cost approx. £7 and consumables, so not clutter) plus a voucher for whatever the rest of the OP's budget is. A wee minding, plus a voucher, as I think it's nice to have something to unwrap but absolutely hate waste, which most fluffy socks etc are. I did say generic gifts like fluffy socks, pyjamas, mugs etc. Basically if you can get it in the Boots 3 for 2, do not buy.

Voucher for a massage/facial?

I've just suggested this to DS for his SM's birthday, and now hoping he remembers this conversation when he comes to buy my Xmas present

A make up lesson? The value is redeemable against product at most counters eg Charlotte tilbury so she can walk away with something lovely too.

Depending on budget could you get her a Glossy Box subscription for a year / six months ?

Vieve is very popular (their candle is bloody gorgeous) and they have some makeup sets that are just in for Christmas

www.vievebeauty.com/collections/sets

Summer Fridays lip balm
Naturium
Phlur body mists

TBH if you went on space nk and bought anything from the gift section you wouldn't go wrong!

I'd ask DS what her favourite perfume is, and buy her that.

Best suggestion.