What do you put on you Christmas list, if you have what you need already .

I usually say smellies because I know DIL will spend more than I would on some up to date brand. I also try to not buy something I do need before Christmas so I can put it on the list, things like new hat /gloves/pyjamas. But I agree it gets harder every year. My mum is now 94 and it is so hard, rest of the family seem to think I have some sort of expertise and ask me what to get her!!!

Smelliest from Clarins as I don't like to buy them for myself. Book tokens. For your Mum trisher does she like audio books ? Otherwise I will be happy with a small token gift hand cream, chocs, then a donation to Salvation Army or Dogs Trust.

I remember trying to buy for elderly parents and an elderly aunt-in-law who lived to 99 and was in a home.
Warm cardigans, a shawl or wrap, warm nighties, bedsocks (all boring but what else).
One year I bought a nice hand towel with lily of the valley embroidered on it and soap and talc to match.
(talc wasn't a no-no then and she did like it).

I never know what I would like though.

Good hand cream with my signature perfume is a favourite that way I can smell the fragrance all day long and think of the person who bought it.
I am rather partial to a cashmere cardigan/scarf lovely and cosy but nice and light to wear if any of my family read this I need my pale blue one replacing.lol.

Sorry, don't know what happend to my post there. What I mean is, they want me to open something in front of the children, but I really don't know what to say. I have recently taken so much stuff to the charity shop an effort to declutter.

I always if asked say I would like nice toiletries, smelly candles, costume jewellery and no chocs please and I always get something lovely from my daughters, husband and sister.

I second the nice hand cream - maybe something more upmarket than I would normally buy.

Other than that I tend to go for the experience type pressie - last year the DC together bought us English Heritage membership for a year. This year I'm hoping for a posh pampering pedicure!

I have been seriously asking for no presents at all this yer, but I suppose I'd better go along with it. They know it's no use asking me what I want.

I meant "thinking of" asking. Sorry.

We are doing a secret Santa for all the adults with wish lists its cut out all the angst for everyone.

I'd go for something I don't need but would like to have, indulgent things I'd never dream of buying for myself. Frivolous, silly things that would put a smile on my face all year.

I know it is not my money, but it the waste of £150 that gets to me really. They are good kids and buying me presents gives them pleasure. They like it when I give them a list. I have had storage jars, tea cups, house plants In the past. Practical things but can be prettied up. I am alergic to anything scented so no candles or toiletries. I just cannot think of any thing. Don't eat sweets or drink alcohol. I think I must be that nightmare parent everyone complains about.

Flossie do you get out to the Theatre or cinema? If yes you could ask for theatre vouchers so you could go with a friend, or some cinemas do passes for a few months. Or rail vouchers if you like days out? Something along those lines ?

No to theatre or films, vouchers are a no. Because of all the little ones, there is a sort of unwritten rule about an actual gift. They love the handing it over and watching it opened. Because of my limited use of my hands I get help with the undoing too. I really hope this thread is not making me seem ungrateful. They all take it in turns to host and put such a lot of effort into Christmas. So far I think I am going for house plant and slippers.

vouchers for Afternoon tea at somewhere you really like ,they could wrap up a teacup and a cupcake to show you what you'll get

or a box set of DVD.s .I got my Mum in law a set of A Place to Call Home last christmas as she'd bnever seen it,she watched the whole set in January and loved it and she's watching out for the new series coming on.

Any books you would like to read?

How about two lovely China Mugs or tea cups, so that you have something special to give tea to friends in. Maybe a selection of different teas to go with them. If you're not a tea drinker, the same could be done with coffee or drinking chocolate.

How about a charity adoption? You can adopt a whole range of animals and get information pack/updates etc that the children would like , it'd keep them interested throughout the year. In a way it would be more a present for them but would give you all a shared interest, the money would be doing good on an ongoing basis and it won't clutter you up with things you don't want or need.

When I got to the point of not knowing what to say when my mum asked me what I wanted for my birthday, I asked her to donate to a charity that helped Indian farmers build storage for their rice so that they didn't have to sell it cheap straight after harvest.

Cineworld do a package of a night out at the cinema for two for £25. The tickets can be used independently. They also come with a voucher for two drinks and popcorn. Afternoon tea for two is something I will be asking for. Beauty treatments are a great idea too. Manicure or pedicure. Hope this helps.

Would you like a professional photo of your children? I have deliberately not read a few books that came out recently so I could ask for them. How about a magazine subscription or a piece of jewellery?

I love my personalised photo albums mine do them online and include fab but also funny pictures always a source of enjoyment when I look at them