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Help with presents for people who have everything?

Hello, I have 3 grandmothers and some friends who I need to buy Christmas gifts for but they all already have everything and I have no ideas - please can anyone help me as I am running out of time :o(

Im sure many people are in a similar predicament..

I was thinking soaps and pretty things but it is very unoriginal. It would be nice to show we cared. (I cant make a photo calendar/gift as someone else has taken that idea!) both me and my OH work full time so any ideas for making things would have to be quick - Also we cant sew.

Grandmother 1, is a WI member and makes her own amazing homemade products, so I cant complete with that.

Grandmother 2, gets me amazing things and I always feel inadequate - but I just dont know what she likes (OH's grandmother)

Grandmother 3, is pretty difficult and often ungrateful but I need to give a token gift. I wont see her till after xmas though, so less panic on this one!

The friends are a couple who just moved in to a new place but have EVERYTHING already (I asked them what they needed they said nothing). We always give shirts/cufflinks etc to him, and purses/earings to her and just want something different... (Budget £30-40)

I dont like the idea of vouchers as it can be impersonal.

Am I being difficult? Please help I am going crazy and OH is too busy at work to help.

Steph :j
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Comments

  • THE-WIFE_3
    THE-WIFE_3 Posts: 2,063 Forumite
    Not sure how much you wish to spend but I always send a M & S Christmas plant to someone who has 'everything'. They are always very well packaged and delivery can be arranged to suit the receiver.
    :whistle: Be the kind of woman that when your feet hit the ground each morning the devil says, "OH CARP, SHE'S UP"! :whistle:

  • kippers
    kippers Posts: 2,063 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    We have a MIL & FIL who never seems grateful for presents either and they don't eat chocs, and turn their noses up at smellies, so we always end up giving them a M&S voucher. But this year we have given them a voucher for a free meal at a locle garden centre that they sometimes goes to for lunch (we had to ask the garden centre specially for this).

    Not sure what reaction we will get
  • pelirocco
    pelirocco Posts: 8,275 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper
    i think they might appreciate your time more , take them out for the day , or have them over
    Vuja De - the feeling you'll be here later
  • jcr16
    jcr16 Posts: 4,185 Forumite
    i always give a nice photo frame with a recent picture of our children in.
  • Fang_3
    Fang_3 Posts: 7,602 Forumite
    jcr16 wrote: »
    i always give a nice photo frame with a recent picture of our children in.
    And that goes down well?
  • Fang_3
    Fang_3 Posts: 7,602 Forumite
    Do either of the nice grandmothers like any particular sweets? Last year I bought mine a huge glass jar and filled it with layers of her favourite sweets - she was thrilled.
  • katy54
    katy54 Posts: 55 Forumite
    fresh flowers
  • maman
    maman Posts: 29,978 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper
    kippers wrote: »
    But this year we have given them a voucher for a free meal at a locle garden centre that they sometimes goes to for lunch (we had to ask the garden centre specially for this).

    Not sure what reaction we will get
    pelirocco wrote: »
    i think they might appreciate your time more , take them out for the day , or have them over

    For the grandmothers, I think the idea of a meal out is a good one (and if you can go with them even better). You could make it really special and have a day out somewhere they might enjoy with lunch included.

    Otherwise, what about vouchers for something specific (not just M&S or books etc) like having a manicure or a hair-do somewhere local?

    As a general guide, people who can buy anything they want for themselves would rather have an experience or good company.
  • jcr16
    jcr16 Posts: 4,185 Forumite
    Fang wrote: »
    And that goes down well?


    yes of course it does.

    why would grandparents not enjoy a nice picture of their grandchildren or great grandchildren.
  • Saucepot
    Saucepot Posts: 12,322 Forumite
    Grandmothers present? Rampant Rabbit. The old girls will love it.
    I wonder why it is, that young men are always cautioned against bad girls. Anyone can handle a bad girl. It's the good girls men should be warned against.-David Niven
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