Anonymous wrote:Birthday for a good friend. I love her dearly but she is truly the most difficult person to shop for. She is extremely picky - and if she needs something she just buys it for herself. I want to get her something unique or something she will actually use or appreciate looking at and having in her home.

She's early-50's. I don't want to get her clothing or jewelry because of how specific and difficult her tastes are. She's into fitness, especially yoga and barre. She loves textiles. Her home is mostly MCM. She loves to read, she has a Kindle. She herself hates giving gift cards because she feels it shows little effort, she's not entirely wrong but with someone so picky I feel like that's my only safe option.

Any ideas? Budget is up to $100. I don't mind spending in the upper range of my budget, what's more important to me is that she loves her gift.

Thanks!

if you know something that she buys for herself- like the Chanel hand lotion, le labs shampoo.. whatever it is- even if she buys it for herself, that stuff is still expensive and indulgent so just get her another one of a consumable thing that she buys herself that is pricy and expensive. I am liek this woman albeit in my 40s- I am picky an di indulge myself but if someone gifted me something that I love and buy myself as an indulgence, I'd love it- id feel so seen!

A Cameo message from her favorite author or celebrity crush.

Gourmet food item from local shop with a bouquet of beautiful flowers. Plus a lovely handwritten card.

Handmade MCM item off Etsy : vase, kitchen towels, blanket, throw pillow, card holder/SLG for her purse, kindle stand, flower pot, etc.

Op, what did she give you? I find people tend to give gifts they would enjoy themselves and it informs my thoughts on what they’d like.

Flowers, chocolate or wine.

Experience gift. Tickets to an event, take her to dinner, something like that.

I love these scented wax tablets for people who have everything. They’re pretty, multi use and smell amazing!

https://us.smnovella.com/products/3466400

Does she celebrate holidays? My mother only ever gave people home items that were holiday themed. Her working theory was that if they didn’t particularly like it, it would only be applicable for a brief period. The recipient wouldn’t have to decide whether to make something they might not like part of their decor or feel awkward if they didn’t.

Museums often have great gift shops with interesting items. Maybe something from the National Gallery of Art, National Geographic, American History Museum, Folger Library, etc. There is a textile museum, but I haven’t been yet, so I don’t know what sort of gift shop (if any) they might have.

Artscape in Baltimore is currently taking place. I haven’t been this year, but they generally have lots of art pieces and craft items of every format imaginable. I think they canceled today for weather and I don’t have any idea how that might affect tomorrow’s displays.

https://www.artscape.org/

Would she appreciate a charity donation in her name to a cause she supports?

Anonymous wrote:Personalized blanket

okay I like that idea! is there a particular brand that's really popular right now?

Personalized blanket

Anonymous wrote:Massage

I bought her a facial package one year, I don't think she ever used it - so nothing related to spa services. Like I said, pickiest woman in the world.

Anonymous wrote:Nothing? What could she possibly want?

Well no I can't and won't do that. We exchange gifts every year. I just had my birthday and she gave me a really thoughtful and generous gift. Plus I really do want to get her something.

Massage

Nothing? What could she possibly want?

Gift card and don’t give it a second thought.

Birthday for a good friend. I love her dearly but she is truly the most difficult person to shop for. She is extremely picky - and if she needs something she just buys it for herself. I want to get her something unique or something she will actually use or appreciate looking at and having in her home.

She's early-50's. I don't want to get her clothing or jewelry because of how specific and difficult her tastes are. She's into fitness, especially yoga and barre. She loves textiles. Her home is mostly MCM. She loves to read, she has a Kindle. She herself hates giving gift cards because she feels it shows little effort, she's not entirely wrong but with someone so picky I feel like that's my only safe option.

Any ideas? Budget is up to $100. I don't mind spending in the upper range of my budget, what's more important to me is that she loves her gift.

Thanks!