Christmas presents for Empty Nesters

HOW TO BUY THE PERFECT EMPTY NEST PRESENT

Empty nesters have spent years thinking about other people - now it's time to focus on themselves and what they really like.  Go for something for them - not for the kitchen or garden.  And the more self-indulgent the better! 

FOR EMPTY NEST MUMS: 

• Anything luxurious and totally indulgent is perfect - a big bunch of beautiful flowers,  a bottle of champagne.
• Her favourite perfume.
• A gift voucher for a massage or manicure. 
•  Nail polish.
•  Silk underwear. 
•  Music to dance to
•  A great empty nester novel like Olive Kitteridge by Elizabeth Strout (also on DVD) or Joanna Trollope's Second Honeymoon.

FOR EMPTY NEST DADS AND MUMS:

• A gift voucher to try something new - a riding lesson?  a writing course?  Dancing lessons?  Empty nesters are keen to try new activities  - but they often  appreciate a nudge in the right direction. So a book or voucher are great ideas. http://www.creativebreaks.co.uk has Christmas vouchers for a variety of courses.
•  An inspiring travel guide, like 'Make the Most of Your Time on Earth - 1000 Ultimate Travel Experiences'  (Rough Guides)
• A classic empty nester novel like David Nicholl's brilliant 'Us' or Jonathan Franzen's Freedom
•  'Mamma Mia' on DVD - OK it's a cheesy old chestnut but it's very cathartic.  Grown men weep when Meryl sings 'Slipping through my fingers' to her departing daughter.  
•  Two photograph albums - one for nostalgic family pics, the other for the adventures ahead. 

DON'T BUY

•  Anything too worthy or too useful 
•  Shapeless fleecy PJs or slippers shaped like bunnies. 
•  Oven gloves.   A cookery book is acceptable - just about.  
•  Socks,  soap or hand cream. Unless they are seriously posh.