Gift idea help

[Liberty Belle]

I really need ideas for my mother in law. We try to buy her 5 gifts each year. So far, I've got:

1. Sharing Plate (it's a platter that has a poem on it like here you go, enjoy this food and pass it forward, etc) because she likes to make food for people.
2. New night gown because she spends a lot of her time in pajamas or night gowns.
3. A bunch of greeting cards because this is a tradition we do every year - she has a card organizer she keeps them in.
4. A salt mill/grinder because when we were there yesterday, she said she accidentally bought coarse sea salt and is having to use her roller pin to try and grind it up.

I'd like to get her one more thing.

Here's the deal:

She does not want: clothing, jewelry, food, blankets, sheets, slippers, dishes, sit around things, books, dvds, magazines, appliances, towels.

She spends most of her time watching tv, sometimes cooking, sometimes cleaning, talking with her sisters on the phone.

Any ideas?

 

[powellrj]

I am going to guess she is in her 70's or 80's. Does she like to go out any where like the movies or out to dinner? Could you get her gift cards to an event or a restaurant?

 

[pryncess527]

Since she likes to cook, is there anything on the Alton Brown Holiday Gift Guide you think she might like?

http://people.com/food/holiday-gift...or-foodies/bonavita-gooseneck-electric-kettle

I'm asking for the torch I also have a laser thermometer similar to the one he recommends that is one of my favorite gadgets, it is so helpful to get an accurate read of the temp of a pan before adding food.

 

[aejammers]

Since you mentioned the greeting card organizer, does she mail the cards? Maybe a new address book and stamps? And if you have nice penmanship, you could offer to transfer the addresses to the new one for her.

 

[Liberty Belle]

Since you mentioned the greeting card organizer, does she mail the cards? Maybe a new address book and stamps? And if you have nice penmanship, you could offer to transfer the addresses to the new one for her.

She does, yes. That's a good idea!

I am going to guess she is in her 70's or 80's. Does she like to go out any where like the movies or out to dinner? Could you get her gift cards to an event or a restaurant?

She's 75. No, she is a germaphobe, so won't go to the movies and she says eating out is a waste of money. We've tried to take her out to dinner before, but she won't go. She has pretty severe untreated anxiety and I think she's a bit agoraphobic.

Since she likes to cook, is there anything on the Alton Brown Holiday Gift Guide you think she might like?

http://people.com/food/holiday-gift...or-foodies/bonavita-gooseneck-electric-kettle

I'm asking for the torch I also have a laser thermometer similar to the one he recommends that is one of my favorite gadgets, it is so helpful to get an accurate read of the temp of a pan before adding food.

I will look at that, thank you!

 

[Mizzoufan]

What about stamps for the cards when she mails them?

 

[NAB]

Tv table? We use our set of 4 all the time. To eat, I wrote my Christmas cards out on one while watching tv.

 

[Hikergirl]

Her list of things not to get her are pretty much what I would have suggested. The stamps are a good idea. I once gave dh's grandmother a set of all occasion greeting card and stamps and you would have thought I gave her a winning lottery ticket. As a great-grandmother she had a lot of cards to send out, and I saved her multiple trips to the store and post office LOL.
Does she get her hair done? A gift certificate to the salon she uses.

 

[Liberty Belle]

Her list of things not to get her are pretty much what I would have suggested. The stamps are a good idea. I once gave dh's grandmother a set of all occasion greeting card and stamps and you would have thought I gave her a winning lottery ticket. As a great-grandmother she had a lot of cards to send out, and I saved her multiple trips to the store and post office LOL.
Does she get her hair done? A gift certificate to the salon she uses.

I think I will do the stamps. And that's a great idea about the hair salon!

What about stamps for the cards when she mails them?

I think I will do stamps, thank you!

Tv table? We use our set of 4 all the time. To eat, I wrote my Christmas cards out on one while watching tv.

She has a set. That's a good idea, though. We use ours a lot, too, for a lot of different things.

 

[AppleDumpling]

How about making a Shutterfly or Snapfish photo book with pictures of grandkids and extended family? Or a photo calendar.

Scented candles. Some bath oil, shower gel, body lotion or powder, pouf bath sponges, etc. Other consumable or food items. Maybe a basket of flavored coffee, teas or hot chocolate.

 

[teacherlisa1978]

Some pretty return address labels might also be nice.

 

[usnuzuloose]

Does she have a dvd player? You could get GC for Turner Classic Movies so she can buy some movies she likes. If she watches that channel they have a tv guide that is like 13 dollars.
Or if she likes reading a GC for her favorite thing she reads on.

 

[Liberty Belle]

How about making a Shutterfly or Snapfish photo book with pictures of grandkids and extended family? Or a photo calendar.

Scented candles. Some bath oil, shower gel, body lotion or powder, pouf bath sponges, etc. Other consumable or food items. Maybe a basket of flavored coffee, teas or hot chocolate.

We've done that the past few years (photo book).

She doesn't want candles (won't burn them due to fears, and doesn't want clutter). Bath oils, etc - I don't think she would because if she gets them as gifts, she usually gives them to me. I thought about the coffee, she does drink it, but I'm afraid she is picky.

 

[Liberty Belle]

Does she have a dvd player? You could get GC for Turner Classic Movies so she can buy some movies she likes. If she watches that channel they have a tv guide that is like 13 dollars.
Or if she likes reading a GC for her favorite thing she reads on.

Unfortunately she doesn't read at all (I mean, she can read, but chooses not to). We bought her a dvd player one year, but she never uses it or watch any movies we get her. Not sure why.

 

[Bren's Mom]

How about a headset of some kind, so she doesn't have to hold the phone? There are some 'not too techy' type ones that just have a boom mike, and plug right into the phone.

 

[BadgerGirl84]

My go-to gift for women when I don't know what to get are nice foaming hand soaps for the kitchen and bathroom. Unless she's particular to a certain brand, they will get used eventually.

 

[Hikergirl]

I am thinking of ordering this for my grandmother. I just don't want her to think that I am telling her that I think her time with us is coming to an end so I haven't pulled the trigger.

http://www.uncommongoods.com/produc...Q_qWci_XZKdf_xiwgDdOHXPRgzm7OzQIXkaAmxf8P8HAQ

 

[Liberty Belle]

Ok, so we're going to go with the stamps and possibly a gift card to her hair salon. Thank you all for the suggestions!

 

[Liberty Belle]

I am thinking of ordering this for my grandmother. I just don't want her to think that I am telling her that I think her time with us is coming to an end so I haven't pulled the trigger.

http://www.uncommongoods.com/produc...Q_qWci_XZKdf_xiwgDdOHXPRgzm7OzQIXkaAmxf8P8HAQ

I really like that. I'd love to fill it out if I'm ever lucky enough to become a grandmother (I think it would work for aunts, etc, too, but I know I'll never be one of those).

 

[anniemae]

Like a pp stated, I usually do fancy foaming hand soap.

I would also maybe get her some nice ingredients for cooking/eating since she likes to cook, different flavored olive oil, and a nice aged balsamic vinegar. Home Goods has great gourmet food selections.