Awesome gift for my sister
December 11, 2009 3:58 AM Subscribe
Need an awesome gift for an older sister going through a rough time.
My sister just broke up with her boyfriend (of approx 3 years) and I want to get her an awesome christmas gift to make her feel better and also because they own a house together (he's moving out in January) so she'll have a rough time of it in the new year (and its also her birthday in mid-january) sorting out all the legal stuff.
But I know nothing about the sort of things she likes, I'm just not a girly girl.
She likes perfume, jewellery, makeup and pampering stuff (like face masks and body scrubs etc)
I've got her some stuff that turns your bath water into gel, some floating spa lights to go in the bath , some bath rose petal things and a create your own fragrance kit. I'm also going to make her some jewellery but, maybe its just because I'm not into this sort of stuff but it all seems so naff. I want to get her something really special.
If it helps, she's 28 (29 in January) and a vet (the animal kind) and we're in the UK.
My sister just broke up with her boyfriend (of approx 3 years) and I want to get her an awesome christmas gift to make her feel better and also because they own a house together (he's moving out in January) so she'll have a rough time of it in the new year (and its also her birthday in mid-january) sorting out all the legal stuff.
But I know nothing about the sort of things she likes, I'm just not a girly girl.
She likes perfume, jewellery, makeup and pampering stuff (like face masks and body scrubs etc)
I've got her some stuff that turns your bath water into gel, some floating spa lights to go in the bath , some bath rose petal things and a create your own fragrance kit. I'm also going to make her some jewellery but, maybe its just because I'm not into this sort of stuff but it all seems so naff. I want to get her something really special.
If it helps, she's 28 (29 in January) and a vet (the animal kind) and we're in the UK.
get her a new quilt for her bed (or duvet cover, or whatever) with coordinating pillow shams. there's nothing more depressing than sleeping in the same bed alone after a breakup.
posted by thinkingwoman at 4:29 AM on December 11, 2009 [6 favorites]
posted by thinkingwoman at 4:29 AM on December 11, 2009 [6 favorites]
Jo Malone perfume.
If there is a woman out there that doesn't like their perfumes, I've not yet met her.
Also, at the risk of being critical, isn't that stuff that turns your bathwater into a gel mainly for kids? I've only ever bought it for nieces/nephews.
posted by MuffinMan at 4:29 AM on December 11, 2009
If there is a woman out there that doesn't like their perfumes, I've not yet met her.
Also, at the risk of being critical, isn't that stuff that turns your bathwater into a gel mainly for kids? I've only ever bought it for nieces/nephews.
posted by MuffinMan at 4:29 AM on December 11, 2009
I would recommend a bold red lipstick, because when I'm feeling rubbish, I always get a little perk from wearing one - Space NK has an excellent "Sinner and Saint" set of red lipsticks that I really like - the wine colour is supposedly one that suits everyone (and suits me, pale skin and brown hair), so might be a good option.
posted by ukdanae at 4:47 AM on December 11, 2009
posted by ukdanae at 4:47 AM on December 11, 2009
Response by poster: Also, at the risk of being critical, isn't that stuff that turns your bathwater into a gel mainly for kids? I've only ever bought it for nieces/nephews.
Personally, I haven't got a clue but their marketing department doesn't seem to think so. You Tube Video of the Ad
What does the Jo Malone smell like? She doesn't like flowery or vanilla scents.
posted by missmagenta at 4:52 AM on December 11, 2009
Personally, I haven't got a clue but their marketing department doesn't seem to think so. You Tube Video of the Ad
What does the Jo Malone smell like? She doesn't like flowery or vanilla scents.
posted by missmagenta at 4:52 AM on December 11, 2009
I suggest getting her out of the house by taking her to a pampering spa treatment or give her a voucher for something similar for January so that she can take time off to relax when she'll need it.
posted by slimepuppy at 5:03 AM on December 11, 2009
posted by slimepuppy at 5:03 AM on December 11, 2009
I came in to say spa, manicure, pedicure etc; so seconding slimepuppy. Give her the gift of an experience instead of the gift of some thing.
posted by brokeaspoke at 5:19 AM on December 11, 2009
posted by brokeaspoke at 5:19 AM on December 11, 2009
Jo Malone's schtick is that *you* choose the fragrance that suits you. The big idea is also that you combine scents to create a new one (and obviously buy twice as much perfume).
From my various trips into one of their shops to buy perfume for people ranging in age from twentysomething to sixtysomething I'd say they cater for a broad church of ages and preferences. They've all loved what they got, hence the recommendation.
Have a look here.
posted by MuffinMan at 5:29 AM on December 11, 2009
From my various trips into one of their shops to buy perfume for people ranging in age from twentysomething to sixtysomething I'd say they cater for a broad church of ages and preferences. They've all loved what they got, hence the recommendation.
Have a look here.
posted by MuffinMan at 5:29 AM on December 11, 2009
I would think that anyone who works in a health profession (animal or human) has trouble keeping their hands and fingernails nice, what with all the handwashing they have to do. So I totally second (third) the idea of a manicure. And go with her - make it a Girls' Day Out - have lunch and do fun sister stuff together. The memories will make it extra-special.
posted by SuperSquirrel at 6:12 AM on December 11, 2009
posted by SuperSquirrel at 6:12 AM on December 11, 2009
Response by poster: And go with her - make it a Girls' Day Out - have lunch and do fun sister stuff together.
A day out with me wouldn't be a gift for her, it'd be a punishment ;) We are complete opposites and she's never been interested in doing sister stuff with me. Plus, we don't live near each other and I can't drive so its not really practical.
posted by missmagenta at 6:50 AM on December 11, 2009
A day out with me wouldn't be a gift for her, it'd be a punishment ;) We are complete opposites and she's never been interested in doing sister stuff with me. Plus, we don't live near each other and I can't drive so its not really practical.
posted by missmagenta at 6:50 AM on December 11, 2009
If your sister is transitioning from a house shared with her boyfriend to a house on her own (or a new house/apartment), maybe you could go on Etsy and pick out some cute print or other home decor item to make her new space feel cheerier. This photographer's Photos always cheer me up--I can't tell if she'll ship outside the US, but I'm sure there are other similar artists if she can't accommodate.
posted by Meg_Murry at 6:54 AM on December 11, 2009
posted by Meg_Murry at 6:54 AM on December 11, 2009
Um... and by "can't tell" I mean "can't read"--she does ship outside the US, in case you're interested.
posted by Meg_Murry at 6:55 AM on December 11, 2009
posted by Meg_Murry at 6:55 AM on December 11, 2009
Response by poster: She's staying in the house they bought together (at least that's the plan)
posted by missmagenta at 6:59 AM on December 11, 2009
posted by missmagenta at 6:59 AM on December 11, 2009
Response by poster: Oh and its way too late to order anything from the US.
posted by missmagenta at 7:22 AM on December 11, 2009
posted by missmagenta at 7:22 AM on December 11, 2009
Sorry, I can't type this morning :( What I meant was, if she's going from living at 123 Main St. with her boyfriend and all his stuff, to living at 123 Main St. alone, it might feel pretty empty and sad. So, some you could give her some new art, or a few framed family photographs, or a lovely vase, or a decorative--I don't know, I love handmade wooden bowls and boxes, but maybe that's just me.
posted by Meg_Murry at 7:25 AM on December 11, 2009
posted by Meg_Murry at 7:25 AM on December 11, 2009
I think it's not so much the volume of stuff, but the thoughtfulness of the gift. Bath gel and candles sound like fun, add a few nice-smelling candles, a cd of mellow she'd like, and a good, cheesy, chick-lit novel, or something a bit more literary.
posted by theora55 at 7:34 AM on December 11, 2009
posted by theora55 at 7:34 AM on December 11, 2009
If I were here, I would really really like the nicest box of chocolates you can get. Living with my boyfriend, I rarely get to savor slowly any sweets that come into the house before he scarfs them.
posted by WeekendJen at 7:36 AM on December 11, 2009
posted by WeekendJen at 7:36 AM on December 11, 2009
*If I were her
posted by WeekendJen at 7:37 AM on December 11, 2009
posted by WeekendJen at 7:37 AM on December 11, 2009
Blogger Megan McArdle has a great "girly stuff" gift guide. Links are to US Amazon, but many of the name brand products should be available in the UK.
posted by decathecting at 8:40 AM on December 11, 2009
posted by decathecting at 8:40 AM on December 11, 2009
Seconding LUSH products; they have a whole range of bath bombs, bubble bars, shower jellies, shampoo/conditioner, etc. It can be overwhelming, so MeMail me if you want, and I can make some suggestions for specific items/scents.
posted by runningwithscissors at 8:42 AM on December 11, 2009 [1 favorite]
posted by runningwithscissors at 8:42 AM on December 11, 2009 [1 favorite]
Thirding LUSH products/gift sets. They are spectacular mood elevators, and since LUSH is a UK-based company, you have plenty of time to order/shop.
posted by bakerina at 9:27 AM on December 11, 2009
posted by bakerina at 9:27 AM on December 11, 2009
OK, so no spending the day together. ;-)
I'm having a brainstorm here, and it may [probably does, on preview] sound silly, but here goes:
She likes animals (obviously, since that's her career) + She may be lonely once the ex moves + The bed might feel big and empty, so:
How about a big stuffed animal?
Or a luxurious body pillow?
Or some fabulously soft flannel-ly and comforting pajamas, that she wouldn't wear in front of someone she wanted to turn on, but are great for cold winter nights?
posted by SuperSquirrel at 10:26 AM on December 11, 2009
I'm having a brainstorm here, and it may [probably does, on preview] sound silly, but here goes:
She likes animals (obviously, since that's her career) + She may be lonely once the ex moves + The bed might feel big and empty, so:
How about a big stuffed animal?
Or a luxurious body pillow?
Or some fabulously soft flannel-ly and comforting pajamas, that she wouldn't wear in front of someone she wanted to turn on, but are great for cold winter nights?
posted by SuperSquirrel at 10:26 AM on December 11, 2009
get her a new quilt for her bed (or duvet cover, or whatever) with coordinating pillow shams. there's nothing more depressing than sleeping in the same bed alone after a breakup.
This. And/or new high quality sheets. And/or one of those long pillows for hugging. The most and best you can afford. Buy online and have them sent.
After my breakup my mum sent me a new set of sheets and it was sooo gooood to put something on the bed my ex had never seen or touched.
posted by Kerasia at 12:38 PM on December 11, 2009 [1 favorite]
This. And/or new high quality sheets. And/or one of those long pillows for hugging. The most and best you can afford. Buy online and have them sent.
After my breakup my mum sent me a new set of sheets and it was sooo gooood to put something on the bed my ex had never seen or touched.
posted by Kerasia at 12:38 PM on December 11, 2009 [1 favorite]
What about a good tv series on DVD? I find it a good distraction if I am feeling a bit down.
posted by AnnaRat at 1:25 PM on December 11, 2009
posted by AnnaRat at 1:25 PM on December 11, 2009
CHOCOLATE -- maybe a 2 pound Hershey bar, or, a bit more elegant, Truffles from Harry & David, which are to die for.
posted by KRS at 1:52 PM on December 11, 2009
posted by KRS at 1:52 PM on December 11, 2009
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posted by fire&wings at 4:18 AM on December 11, 2009 [1 favorite]