Every Year We Draw Names

I've had the same difficulty and tried magazine subscriptions -- big success. There are magazines for everything -- hobbies, interests, occupations, parenting, etc. A nice touch for be a Christmas ornament that ties in, e.g., for someone that likes cooking -- Bon Apetit magazine and a rolling pin ornament. You can buy a recent copy of the magazine so she has something to unwrap at Christmas, or if you can't locate a copy, do some clip art wonderoo about the magazine's theme and let her know issues are coming. Merry Christmas E..

How about a gift certificate to the spa, and volunteer to watch her kids while she goes? I know I would LOVE that gift! =)

magazine subscription, cook book, movie gift certificates and popcorn, netflix membership, bottle of wine and a good book, sentimental scrapbook of pics, homemade book of family recipes (call her mom and siblings, aunts, cousins).

People who say they are "hard to buy for" mean that they are very picky and they will very likely be returning your gift!
So make life easy on yourself and go gift card to a restaurant.
It will be one less night she'll have to cook.

Does she have kids?
Buy a disposable camera that takes black and white pictures or use your own digital and find a way to sneak some photos and put them in a frame for her.
I don't know anyone who wouldn't appreciate a gift like that.

Best wishes.

You may want to consult your brother.

I think a gift card is a bad idea. To me it says "you really don't care enough to take the time to find a gift I'd enjoy". However, a gift card/gift certificate to for a specific item or event may be appropriate, like to her favorite restaurant or tickets to an event.

Think about what type of person she is and what she enjoys. Does she enjoy plays and the theater? - you could get her tickets. Does she have children? - you could arrange to have their portraits taken and framed. Does she like having her nails done? - a certificate to the salon or spa. Does she enjoy wine? - you could make up a wine basket.

I suggest a manicure/pedicure gift certificate--and watch her kids while she's there.

As for the gift cards: make sure if you get one for a restaurant that it is one she likes and will use. There are people in my family that will not go to restaurants because food tastes better at home and you never know what is going on in the kitchen. Most people would like it, and might even like to try out a new place, but since you said she said she was hard to buy for, I thought I would mention it.

How about not buying anything? MAKE her something! A scrapbook, jewelery, baked goods, sewing project, or other personalized gift. Or DO something for her, like babysitting, wash her car, or give her a 'coupon book' for snow shoveling, lawn mowing, or planting some flowers in the spring.

Look at things around the house. Does she have plants? Maybe get her a low maintenance one. Does she enjoy cooking? How about one of those indoor herb gardens.

If you go the gift card route, the spa ones (mani/pedi/facial) ones sound great. Other ideas: if she likes to read, get one from Barnes & Noble or Boarders. If she likes coffee, get one from the local coffee shop. If she likes nice toiletries, get her one from Bath & Body Works or the Body Shop.

I don't think there's anything wrong with giving gift cards (especially to someone who seems to not want to make things easier on anyone shopping for them). However, I would certainly dress it up. For instance, if you go with the spa idea, put the card in a gift basket with lotions, a loofa, bath gel, etc.. We've gotten these types of "theme" baskets before (with and without gift cards) and have always enjoyed the creativity of the giver in putting them together.

I say ask her what she wants.. Extremely picky people get on my nerves lol

I do like several of the ideas you have received...spa certificate, movie tickets, netflix membership, wine, etc. something that she may not do but might like..... and is useful. Food mixes that she can make up a quick dinner or something similar is nice as well. You can make a basket and include the wine.....I like the pampering idea as women/moms tend not to focus on ourselves because we are so busy with taking care of everyone else. If you get the spa certificate, make sure it is at a place where she can chose from a menu of services such as manicure, massage, pedicure, facial, etc. that way she can pick the one SHE likes if she is that picky. Good luck...Let us know what you do and how she likes your gift!

IDK? I love gift cards!

I love getting gift cards...i dont think they are thoughtless. But I think the spa idea is great too. Merry Christmas!

You might want to give us a little more info like her age, is she a mom, etc
My father and stepmom are hard to buy for and I usually get something related to what they like. Like my dad drinks wine so I got him an electric wine opener and then he also likes to grill so I got grilling cedar planks. My stepmom likes to read so I got her a book, a gift card to a book store, some Bath and Body soap and lotion. Another good gift is a themed basket of goodies. if she likes to cook you can put together a nice basket of dips, breads, oils, or pasta and sauces, etc Or a coffee basket with mugs, whole coffee beans, and maybe a Starbucks gift card, etc Of if she likes tea, then mugs, tea bags, etc Or just a gift card to a neat home decor store in town, nice restaurant for lunch with her girlfriends, or to a nice bookstore or clothing store. Or you can get a monogrammed ornament with the year. Worst case, ask her husband what she likes! :o) Gift giving is fun!

She is hinting for a gift card- that is what people need who like to pick their own. You could get the amount that you would spend in quarters, get a treasure chest in a tin or cardboard shape, pour the quarters in, and send her on a hunt! This would be memorable and allow her to shop wherever she wants.

think of the kind of person she is and the things she does on a regular basis. maybe you can come up with something along those lines. good luck, R.