Gifts for the tricky to buy for - Mums and Grandmas

I think this might be the MOST difficult blog task I've ever undertaken. I really did think it would be so much easier, I mean I AM a Mum, I have bought for my Mum (and others) and Mums are our customers - we know what they like... To say that I sat here for 15 minutes with a blank look on my face is no exaggeration. 

I plundered the normally rich resource of my friendship groups, but worryingly, a lot of Mums just don't receive thoughtful gifts from their kiddos - young or old. Is this because we are secretly the hardest people to buy for? Or is it because we don't ask for what we want? 

One of my Mum friends said " I spend so much time making the magic happen for everyone else. I sometimes wonder if they really do think an elf does it all as it just happens around them!" The magic never gets created around her.

If any of this is sounding familiar then you need to send this blog post to the person who buys for you - PRONTO. 

However, I think we've got some gold (stars) in here!

As I sat down to write this post, I remembered a conversation I overheard many years ago in M&S between two grandmas. They were discussing what to buy their children and grandchildren, and then mused on what they might be receiving as gifts. One woman said "if my daughter buys me another bloody scarf..." and I have to admit I was shook! I actually had a scarf in my shopping basket that I'd picked up for my Mum, that rapidly made its way back to the shelf. 

Now, though, I think it's like anything. If you think your Mum would really LOVE a scarf, especially a handknitted merino number from her favourite ethical brand, in her favourite colour, then go for it! You know your Mum better than I do - and you don't need this blog post. Head over to the Dads and Grandads or teenagers blog posts. 

Anyway, I digress. TO THE IDEAS.....

Stocking Fillers (or little tree presents)

You can go useful or whimsical with the little gifts for Mum or Grandma. We've listed some of each.

• Gourmet popcorn - perfect for festive film watching.
• Chocolate coins, - these ones from Fortnum and Mason please.
• Don't hate on me, but there's something ridiculously cute about these artist style coasters featuring cats from Totally Turkish. Made in Istanbul, but shipped from the UK. If your Mum doesn't have cats, maybe get the equally gorgeous and stylish turkish design ones.
• Crochet Hanging Plant - something she doesn't need to tend and still can't kill! Just me with the trail of dead plants behind me? Seriously though, these plants are adorable.
• Leather Hand-Painted Bookmark from Parkin and Lewis. Gorgeous colours for your avid reader.
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• Personalised notebook - from, well, us! We have so many to choose from you're sure to find at least one that your Mumma will love. Like this one that will encourage your favourite woman to misbehave a little.
• Leather Cable Organiser - oh, we hate the mess of cables - why are all the tech gifts targeted at men. We love tech too ya know!
• Heart Shaped Tea Bags in a tin from The Box Party. Yes, I know it's a bit ridiculous, but if you can't have fun in your Christmas stocking, when can you?
• The most beautiful Felt Flowers from The Tsubaki. Choose her favourite flowers for a single stem, or get the mistletoe sprig.
• Socks. Not just any socks. Bamboo Pilates grip socks from BAM. In fact, any socks from BAM. Particularly useful for reformer pilates.
• Family Christmas decoration. We have two beautiful Christmas decorations that can be personalised with family names and they are always so popular and beloved. The gold star decoration has a fancy golden tassel and is all about the shimmer. The wooden family Christmas tree is softer and more rustic. Go with her vibe. 
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Experiences

If Mum doesn't want "a thing" maybe an experience is more up her street. We've seen some epic ones on our search. We're not going to put any links in here as it really depends on where you are, but thought starters are:

• A ski lesson at a real snow slope
• Whiskey or wine and food pairing tasting.
• Tour of a brewery
• Roast your own coffee
• Axe/sword making or throwing
• Floating in a hot tub down a local river (have seen it in both Bristol and London!)
• Kayaking/Canoeing/Paddleboarding
• Aston Martin Driving 
• Meet the Meerkats - or be Zoo Keeper for an afternoon
• Football stadium tour by helicopter
• Tour of chocolatiers
• Pottery class
• Life drawing class
• Introduction to Wild Swimming
• Beekeeping experience
• Spa day
• Guide to foraging
• Stained glass making
• Afternoon tea- even better if it's on a sightseeing bus around a town.
• Tickets to the theatre or a comedy show
• Massage - now if you do happen to be based in Gloucester/Cheltenham then the best massages by far are given by a certain Carrie-Ann Rossi. You'll need to contact me for her details.
• Reflexology - and when that Carrie-Ann Rossi wants a treat, she goes to Rachel Dickinson Reflexology

Bigger Gifts

• Fingerless Feminist Mittens by Black and Beech. I have them in pink - they are perfection.
• Summon the Christmas Spirit Sweater by Spark Company. I want to see all the mums and grandmas in this witchy Christmas jumper.
• Or this Support The Claus Christmas T-shirt from Batch 1.
• Ethical jungle print Yoga Bag by Conscious Yoga Collective
• Mirror Balls in general are the best. Throw some shapes while these balls throw their reflections all over your kitchen. These ones on Etsy are also plant hangers. a DOUBLE win.
• This stunning dark red JOYFUL tote bag from Aphabet Bags. 

• Personalised Map Cushion. Home is where your Mum is - celebrate the part of the world that you call home.
• Veuve Cliquot Champagne in a personalised tin from Selfridges.
• This beautiful Amazonite necklace  from Vido on Etsy. Amazonite is a stone of hope, balance, and peace; soothing emotional turmoil, enhancing communication, and promoting self-expression. 
• Noise-cancelling headphones. The world is loud. Tinnitus is annoying. Sometimes just wearing the headphones with nothing through them but silence is a gift! And the new Florence and the Machine album sounds amazing, gently piped into your ears. John Lewis has a fine selection in a variety of colours.
• Magnetic Key Holder. Keys for all the doors, spare keys, bike keys, locker keys - gah - why do we need so many keys! This stylish key holder keeps your keys in place with powerful magnets. We have dog or cat versions in this design, as well as others. 
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The - "Oh, I don't want anything" Suggestions

Okay. I get it. I've said this myself, though I'm not sure I meant it. There are several ways to interpret this statement.

1.  I have spent years gathering "things" and I genuinely don't need another "thing" and I'm also on some kind of Swedish death cleanse because I don't want to leave you all a house full of "things" to go through.
2. I don't know how to ask for what I want because I'm so used to providing what everybody else wants.
3. Um, your past gifts have been, er, delightful, but I don't need another scarf (see the opening inspo!)

I have some strategies for this.

First and foremost, if you want her to have something to unwrap, upgrade something. If she has a favourite fragrance, maybe buy her the matching shower gel or body lotion. Or if she buys the copycat version to spray with abandon, treat her to a handbag size of the real deal. Tech is always a fast-moving thing, and so are the accessories. Maybe upgrade her phone case or phone if you're feeling super generous. DO NOT upgrade the sewing box that once was her grandmother's biscuit tin or anything else that has sentimental value. 

This second one takes a bit of investigative work, but build her a hamper and replenish her most loved consumables. Chuck out the fancy gin-infused cheese and weird flavour teas. Build a box full of love with the things she already actually uses. Her favourite tea or coffee, the fancy biscuits she treats herself to once a month, the jam she loves, the wine she savours, her favourite hand cream, the blinkin tinned soup that she warms up on a rainy Sunday afternoon! You can add some luxury and festive touches too but you know she will actually use this hamper and she will feel seen and loved.

Or, create a gift for her that comes back to you. Judge your own matriarch here, but we have two gorgeous notebook ideas that start as a gift for your Mum and then become a gift for you and your children.

The first is this handwritten recipe notebook. Ask Mum or Grandma to write out the recipe for that cake, or cottage pie, or oxtail stew that you adore. We will engrave it into the front of a beautiful lined notebook - her handwriting and her recipe, captured forever. Give her that book for Christmas and ask her to fill it with all her favourite recipes for posterity. When that book eventually comes back to you it will be the greatest of family mealtime treasures.

The second is a heartfelt plea for their wisdom. These Letters To journals are a beautiful place for Mum to write letters to her son, daughter, or grandchildren. Moments of insight and experience that will stand us in good stead for decades.