Birthday present for Maria--please help!

Adelfa

Suddenly I've been invited to a birthday breakfast tomorrow morning for the lovely, gracious, and elegant Maria. She is the best dressed woman I know, and she does it on pennies, living as a single mother on the salary of an admin assistant for our nonprofit. I'm on my way to the mall to buy her a present. It is not a good mall. Plus I'm intimidated because I'm not a good shopper and my taste is considerably inferior to Maria's! I would like to get her something pretty. With a gift receipt! She loves clothes and jewelry. Her taste is elegant, updated classic. Any ideas? THANK YOU!!!!

This post has 1 photo. Photos uploaded by this member are only visible to other logged in members.

If you aren't a member, but would like to participate, please consider signing up. It only takes a minute and we'd love to have you.

11 years ago

Urgent

7 replies

Latest reply was from Adelfa

Isabel

Veteran

Does she wear scarves ? Something in silk would be lovely. That is always a great way to go. A pretty Vera Bradley lunch box with a small gift card for coffee....

Or what about anything Alex and Ani? Many mall jewelry store carry the brand...they are mostly known for their bangle bracelets which are just lovely with meaning behind each particular design...and they have some great earrings now too, their Moroccan collection. Some of their bracelets' proceeds go to charities.

11 years ago

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Oh...that is difficult!! What a challenge. Isabel has offered some great ideas. If in doubt, and the mall has nothing, perhaps a gift card for a manicure or something like that? Or would that be too personal (or even insulting?) I honestly don't know. I am always thrilled to get just about anything! Flowers??

11 years ago

Adelfa

Veteran

Thank you so much for the ideas and support! The mall was as uninspiring as I feared. I got her a BCBG necklace and taped a gift receipt to the bottom of the box, under the tissue paper. I wish I could have found the Alex and Ani things! But thank you, with your posts I felt less alone. Buying gifts is usually hard for me!

11 years ago

Isabel

Veteran

haha, I am glad that we could keep you a little bit accompanied. I HATE gift buying. With so much out there it is just so hard to choose. It sounds as if you handled it well and I hope that you had fun at the party.

11 years ago

Adelfa

Veteran

Isabel, I did have fun. She didn't open her present! I'm glad I tried

11 years ago

Suz

(website)

Veteran

You did great!! She will be delighted with your thoughtfulness. I always find it difficult to buy gifts for people who know their own taste very well -- when I don't necessarily know it as well as they do! And especially when shopping options are limited.

11 years ago

Adelfa

Veteran

Suz, exactly, and I've found that oddly it's the people who know their own taste the best who often crave gifts from others.

11 years ago

Category