Need gift advice for my wonderful Mom...

[blondeatlast]

She's 82, a widow, living with my two sisters; in reasonably good health, gets out a lot.

Hates jewelry, scent, and stuff for the home.

She has everything she may ever want or need, really, and I am stumped.

I'm serious about this--love her, but for the first time, I'm completely unable to come up with an idea for a Christmas gift.

Anyone?

[cornermouse]

1. How about a family photo session?

[demnan]

2. Hobbies? Interest in the arts?

If she gets out a lot what does she do when she goes out and can you buy tickets, etc. for an event for her.

If my Mom could still see (she's also 82) I would take her to a musical show or play. A day out and a nice dinner is expensive on a fixed budget, but you could give her this (as well as your time) and it would make an excellent gift.

[sbj405]

3. What about tickets to an event - concert, dance, etc?

Got tickets to the symphony for my parents.

If all else fails, a donation to a cause in her name.

[melv]

4. Here's a few

1. Gift Cards to Restaraunts

2. Book - I'm getting mine "Will they ever trust us again?" by Michael Moore- a collection of letters written to Moore by soldiers in Afghanistan and Iraq

3. Donation in her name to a cause she supports - ex. Nature Conservancy, with possibly a t-shirt that goes with it.

4. Cell Phone

[shirlden]

5. I'm a 70 yr old Mom

who is in good health, lives alone, has all that I need or want.
The best Christmas gift would be a day with my grown child. Just a movie or show and dinner, or a day at the park. Anything where I had his undivided attention for at least a few wonderful hours.

:hug:

[blondeatlast]

7. I like that idea very much.

We live nearby, and I see her often, but I have rarely had the chance to have her to myself (she lives with both of my sisters).

Think I'll combine the ideas and take her to a very nice lunch and a movie or museum and maybe get her a manicure/pedicure.

Nice work, DUers, thanks!

God bless, you shirlden; nice to know there are wise ones on DU, too!

:hug: :hug: :hug:

[Gryffindor_Bookworm]

6. You may not have time to pull this off before Christmas, but....

....the best gift I ever gave anyone was a personal box.

Buy or paint a really nice box and fill it with small trinkets that represent the person in some way. Get creative. (A small plaque of a scarecrow for someone born in the fall, a little animal trinket of an animal that has qualities you see in the person, a pair of socks with the logo of their favorite team, a DVD of their favorite movie, a tea light of their favorite scent, several things that remind you of your best memories of them (this shell reminds me of our trip to the beach when I was 10....these boxing-glove earrings remind me of the time you stood up to a bully for me....etc.). Write a little note explaining the significance of each item.

My most stoic and un-emotional brother wept like a child when I gave him his "Mikey box." I mean, he was sobbing. It was a really special thing that made us much closer.

[blondeatlast]

8. Oh, that's another great idea.

I'll give it a try, thanks.

[seaglass]

9. What an absolutely beautiful idea. You just saved my mom

from getting a humidifier!:D