Christmas Gift for MIL

[tonilea]

Over the past 22 years I can think of exactly three Christmas gifts my MIL hasn't tried to return to us sometime after Christmas... It might be a month or a couple years later, but she almost always does. So, I decided, whatever I get her, has to be something we could use as well.

MIL is 82 and not wealthy.

The three gifts she has kept:
Dishes
TV
Heated throw - this was actually a big hit last year. She loved it! I was so shocked. LOL

Any ideas? What are you getting your MIL? Price range $50-100.

 

[Wishing on a star]

Sounds like she only keeps utilitarian items that she finds she just can't live without!!!

Does she drink coffee?
How about a single cup, no fuss, no mess, coffeemaker?

 

[SaraJayne]

Does she still drive? What about a years subscription to AAA?

 

[golfgal]

Gift cards to the grocery store, Walmart or wherever she shops or if she likes to go out to eat, gift cards there. Most people that age don't want "stuff". I used to get my Grandpa a roll of stamps every year, he LOVED that.

 

[Hannathy]

A heated mattress pad! My MIL loved hers. It makes the bed nice and comfy and if she has arthritis is very soothing to sleep on the warmth.
Also helps if she is turning the heat down low at night.

 

[Hannathy]

Forgot to add you could get new flannel sheets to go with the mattress pad

 

[PrincessKsMom]

I have a co-worker who habitually returns items -- items that she purchases. I guess some people are just indecisive. I have no suggestions other than those already mentioned, but I just wanted to share this in hopes that you are not taking all these returns personally. I think some people are just "return" people.

 

[tonilea]

Sounds like she only keeps utilitarian items that she finds she just can't live without!!!

Does she drink coffee?
How about a single cup, no fuss, no mess, coffeemaker?

She actually prefers instant!

She doesn't drive! Thank Heavens! She was a terrible driver twenty years ago, I can't imagine what that would be like!

She is pretty much house bound right now, but she has been walking and doing much better, so she may not be house bound for much longer. If we got her a gift card to go out to eat, we would be the ones taking her and we pick up the tab then anyway.

Wal-mart GC sounds like a good idea... I am just afraid she would be offended over it. KWIM?

 

[tonilea]

A heated mattress pad! My MIL loved hers. It makes the bed nice and comfy and if she has arthritis is very soothing to sleep on the warmth.
Also helps if she is turning the heat down low at night.

I like this idea! She is a diabetic, does anyone know if this is a no-no for diabetics?

 

[Hannathy]

I would have to check more but I don't think so because they don't get that hot, not like a heating pad.


Did a quick look and while they still give the blanket diabetics shouldn't use heated blankets because of the burn risk some are saying if they are careful and don't set it to high or turn it off after pre warming the bed they are helpful.

Guess it will depend on if she has lost feeling in her feet or if she can be depended on to keep it set low.

Sorry, it really did go over great with my hard to buy for MIL.

 

[IDoDis]

Sounds like my mother. She doesn't return things, but she doesn't use them either, except for things like blankets, dishes, etc...

Some ideas of things she may use:

A new set of flat wear for the kitchen

A digital photo frame (you load the photos in it and plug it in -- all she needs to do is put it on the shelf)

A down comforter for her bed (good deals at overstock.com under $100)

 

[december]

My 90 yr old grandmother has turned her extra bedroom into a closet (so many clothes), has a dresser with drawers full of jewelry, eats most of her meals next door at my mother's house, doesn't drive much anymore.........so I've started giving her a snack basket full of nabs, Ensure drinks, and other favorite snacks. She loves it, she needs it (used to be a big woman but hasn't had much of an appetite in years), and she doesn't try to return it. She gets this for Mother's day, her birthday in July, and Christmas. It is the only thing I can ever think of!

Her 92 yr old sister is easy. She dips snuff, and it is expensive. We all decided that even though it is a nasty habit, she's done it for this long and we don't have the right to judge. So we all just get her a can, and she ends up with several months worth after Christmas. Then she gets more for her birthday in May..........

 

[golfgal]

Forgot to add you could get new flannel sheets to go with the mattress pad

If she has mobility issues this might not be a good idea. They are hard to move around on.

Does she do any crafting or have any hobbies?

 

[tonilea]

If she has mobility issues this might not be a good idea. They are hard to move around on.

Does she do any crafting or have any hobbies?

No hobbies or crafting. She has always liked crossword puzzles, but her vision problems have eliminated that.

Good point about the sheets.

Thanks so much for all the ideas. She is a tough one to buy for!

 

[SaraJayne]

Does she need a replacement blanket?

I just bought each of us one of these after sleeping under my Mom's. http://www.target.com/Home-Bed-Bath...5&searchRank=pmrank&searchSize=30&clear=false

They are sooooooo warm and cuddly. I love them!!

 

[zoemurr]

walmart.com does a great job and it's very well priced.

My kids had a blast designing it for their grandmas.

We mostly make gifts 'cause our grandma's don't need anything

You can make a planter or a birdfeeder for outside
stepping stones with handprints
scrapbook/photoalbum
mug with photo

Can you work together to sew a pillowcase or latch hook a pillow? (our home made pillowcases went over very well a few years ago and everyone still uses them. Quick/cheap/personal)

 

[SaraJayne]

walmart.com does a great job and it's very well priced.

My kids had a blast designing it for their grandmas.

We mostly make gifts 'cause our grandma's don't need anything

You can make a planter or a birdfeeder for outside
stepping stones with handprints
scrapbook/photoalbum
mug with photo

Can you work together to sew a pillowcase or latch hook a pillow? (our home made pillowcases went over very well a few years ago and everyone still uses them. Quick/cheap/personal)

Oooo, what about a photo calendar from snapfish or shutterfly?

Everyone needs a calendar! And you can even personalize them with birthdates/anniversaries, etc.

 

[zoemurr]

Oooo, what about a photo calendar from snapfish or shutterfly?

Everyone needs a calendar! And you can even personalize them with birthdates/anniversaries, etc.

This is the same thing.. but usually cheaper and you can pick it up at the store. We were amazed at how nice they were. My kids were 8/10 and did the whole thing themselves which made it extra special.

 

[golfgal]

Would she be able to do large print Crossword puzzles? I used to get those for my Grandpa. I got him the large print version of Reader's Digest too. If that won't work, how about books on CD and a CD player? You can get a lot of them at the library if that works too, buy her a few to get started then pick some up for her at the library if she likes those.

 

[shortbun]

pay for her cable; it looks like she sits with the blanket on her lap and watches TV.