Consumable Christmas gifts (but not food or "smellies")

squeaky

Hi all,

The background here is that I have two friends in their mid fifties who got together a few years back. After combining their two households they have pretty much got two of everything and certainly don't lack any gizmos or gadgets and have no room for anything in the way of a gift that would add clutter IFSWIM?

But, being nice folks with a huge range of friends and acquaintances, they tend to get loaded with consumable gifts such as chocolates or sweets, or "smellies" such as perfumes and soaps and so on. I'm sure you get the idea.

I've run out of ideas for "consumable" gifts that aren't the usual edible or "smelly" for these two.

They are both avid bowlers, year round (outdoors in summer and indoors through winter) and pretty much fill any spare time (usually booked well in advance) buzzing round with relatives and friends - so days out or evening events of any kind are virtually impossible to set up.

So any ideas, please, for friends who already have everything and a full and busy schedule...? Plus my own self imposed ban on "doing the usual".

she_grinch

supermarket vouchers are good as they could put them toward the weekly shop for a few treats or buy clothes, dvd's, music, housewears etc.
cinema vouchers
vouchers for cleaning tasks, cleaning car or lifts

squeaky

Yes, thanks; but I've always personally thought of vouchers as being one of those things you buy because you can't think of anything else.

BUT... Hmmmm... perhaps I could find vouchers for a visit to a place (day out, evening meal, something ) that can be redeemed at almost any time so they could take it up when their schedule permits.

It's a thought, innit? :-)

Thinks...

Savvybunny2009

Perhaps you could name a star for them, something personal, doesn't have to be their names?

elsien

I know what you mean about vouchers, but sometimes if all else fails........
Have you seen the leisure vouchers - they can be used for meals, towards some hotels, days out, spas, bowling, swapped for theatre vouchers, the list is quite long.
Have a look at this.
http://www.leisurevouchers.co.uk/howtoenjoy/

squeaky

Savvybunny2009 wrote: »

Perhaps you could name a star for them, something personal, doesn't have to be their names?

Added to my things to think about list, thanks.

squeaky

elsien wrote: »

I know what you mean about vouchers, but sometimes if all else fails........
Have you seen the leisure vouchers - they can be used for meals, towards some hotels, days out, spas, bowling, swapped for theatre vouchers, the list is quite long.
Have a look at this.
http://www.leisurevouchers.co.uk/howtoenjoy/

Ye gods - research!

There's a lot to look at there, thank you.

mr_knight

squeaky wrote: »

BUT... Hmmmm... perhaps I could find vouchers for a visit to a place (day out, evening meal, something ) that can be redeemed at almost any time so they could take it up when their schedule permits.

Some of the activity type stores have days out that can be redeemed for upto 12 months. Or you could buy them a Laird and Lady if they such nice people, quite a nice idea http://www.buyagift.co.uk/Product/Id/6282/Name/2_for_1_Lord_or_Lady_Title

natmummy

If they have a particular interest what about a yearly subscription to a magazine about their interest. It might not be consumable but it is recycleable.

shimmigirl

a really nice bouquet or christmas plant display?

like these pg 117 / 118 http://edition.pagesuite-professional.co.uk/launch.aspx?referral=other&pnum=&refresh=Fk31j0K59Qc0&EID=716bbe4d-7ad3-4dc6-afbc-bd465cbac77c&skip=

karamunroe

What about personalised pencils for filling in their bowling cards? http://www.personalisedchildrensgifts.co.uk/personalised-pencils/cat_26.html or something for around the house, like Mr and Mrs Personalised Placemats and Coasters - they would actually be used!? http://www.personalisedgiftideas.co.uk/mr-and-mrs-placemats-and-coasters/cat_337.html. It's really hard finding NON CLUTTER gifts. I'm the same.. this year I've decided to do a secret santa with my family because we're all fed up spending a lot of money on rubbish! :-)