Gift help for my sister?

[lauralala]

My sister is seriously the hardest person to buy for. She tends to just buy whatever she wants, she doesn't have any hobbies, and I always end up feeling like my gifts for her are just blah. My budget is $50-$75.

Last year I gave her the Sephora fragrance sampler where you get a gift certificate to pick a full size perfume and some cute slippers - she never used the certificate, so I feel like that was a waste.  The year before I got her a wine "sippy cup," a bottle of the wine she drinks, and an infinity scarf. 

Any suggestions? She is 54, works a stressful full-time job and has 5 year old twins (yep).  She likes makeup and jewelry, leans to classic but current as far as style goes. They live in a small city without a lot of options for experience gifts, and she doesn't really do spa/mani/pedi types of things.

[mrsukyankee]

Gift voucher to Sephora.
Wine of the month club for 3 months
Date night box (you can always put one together that includes a gift voucher for online movie, food, etc).

[Deleted]

Huh, sounds like me. Wine is my first answer

What about a GC for a prepared food delivery service? Give her a break from cooking one night?

[Doggy Mommy]

Sounds a bit like my sister. Now I just ask her what she wants. When I guess, she doesn't like it. This year she wants cards against humanity and expansion packs. Last year it was a Kate spade bracelet.

[alexis]

Do you live close enough that you could take her kids off her hands for a day or even a weekend? I imagine in her shoes what would want most is some alone time.

[floridakat]

Dec 1, 2015 14:13:09 GMT -5 alexis said:

Do you live close enough that you could take her kids off her hands for a day or even a weekend? I imagine in her shoes what would want most is some alone time.

THIS. I have five-year-old twins, and the best thing ever is when I can leave my kids for an extended period of time with an adult I trust. 

[CloudBee]

I usually aim for a similar range with my sister. One year I bought her a small Tiffany & Co. crystal jewelry dish. I think it was just about $50. I think the blue box made her think I was far more generous than I actually was.

ETA: Here's their crystal sorted low to high by price. Their least expensive crystal dish is only $35. 
www.tiffany.com/search?&search=1&search_params=s+11-p+1-c+-r+101323345-x+-n+12-ri+-ni+1-lr+-hr+-t+&disabletracking=1#p+1-n+10000-c+-1-s+2-r+101323345-t+-ni+1-x+-pu+-f+-lr+-hr+-ri+-mi+-pp+ 

I've also sent one to my mom as a gift and she was blown away. Such a bargain consider the reactions I've received. LOL.

[shamrockshake]

GC for a massage

[lauralala]

Dec 1, 2015 14:06:07 GMT -5 @fkasmace said:

Money. I just give my sister money. I gave up years ago.

This is pretty much where I am. I'm trying to avoid it because she loves presents, but I am tempted.

[revolution]

good travel coffee mug

[lauralala]

Dec 1, 2015 14:13:09 GMT -5 alexis said:

Do you live close enough that you could take her kids off her hands for a day or even a weekend? I imagine in her shoes what would want most is some alone time.

No, unfortunately. We live about 4 hours apart. It is a great idea, though.

[lauralala]

Dec 1, 2015 14:54:32 GMT -5 CloudBee said:

I usually aim for a similar range with my sister. One year I bought her a small Tiffany & Co. crystal jewelry dish. I think it was just about $50. I think the blue box made her think I was far more generous than I actually was.

ETA: Here's their crystal sorted low to high by price. Their least expensive crystal dish is only $35. 
www.tiffany.com/search?&search=1&search_params=s+11-p+1-c+-r+101323345-x+-n+12-ri+-ni+1-lr+-hr+-t+&disabletracking=1#p+1-n+10000-c+-1-s+2-r+101323345-t+-ni+1-x+-pu+-f+-lr+-hr+-ri+-mi+-pp+ 

I've also sent one to my mom as a gift and she was blown away. Such a bargain consider the reactions I've received. LOL.

This is a great idea!

[dexteroni]

Does she like nail polish? Butter London has some really cute gift sets at Sephora. I might have a couple in my cart right now....

[lauralala]

Dec 1, 2015 15:01:56 GMT -5 dexteroni said:

Does she like nail polish? Butter London has some really cute gift sets at Sephora. I might have a couple in my cart right now....

I've seen those - I want them for myself, lol! She doesn't really do nail polish, though.

[Mashara]

Dec 1, 2015 15:10:37 GMT -5 lauralala said:

Dec 1, 2015 15:01:56 GMT -5 dexteroni said:

Does she like nail polish? Butter London has some really cute gift sets at Sephora. I might have a couple in my cart right now....

I've seen those - I want them for myself, lol! She doesn't really do nail polish, though.

She might not do nail polish, but you can always get her some nice filing a buffing pieces. They can make your nails look so nice with so little effort!

The crystal jewelry dish is a pretty idea. Or a pair of earrings she can wear to work. 

Otherwise I would think comfort things, like a really fluffy throw (I adore these for winter) and slippers, a heated throw (can you tell I get cold?), a cold coffee machine (just got one for H), something for her desk where she can record her kids voices? I just search for memory boxes, couldn't find much. I did find a recordable storybook, you could trying recording one with her daughters, I bet that would be lovely (if you had time).

[shopgirl07]

What about a nice coffee table type book? Design, fashion, art, photography, whatever she's into.

And then you can wrap up some fancy chocolate or other type treats.