Gift Ideas for my 65 yo Mom?

[sallysue66]

Please help. I have no idea what to give my Mom this year, plus I always have to buy her present from my Dad as well. She's 65, homebody, walks for exercise, low-tech, has too many clothes already. I can always do gift cards, but would really like to do something more special. Want to spend between $50-$100. TIA.

 

[bigmama67]

How about a spa day? (For her or for the both of you). A nice lunch? Girls' day out (if you are close)? Any books she's interested in? My mother is notoriously hard to buy for, but I usually can worm something out of her, and this year I will be able to get her a really interesting book on Amazon.

A nice piece of jewelry? A necklace with charms for her grandchildren, or their birthstones maybe?

Would your Dad have any ideas?

 

[ah1126]

Do you live close by? Is there something you can go do together? Mani/Pedi's, go see a show, take her to a restaurant she loves but won't spend the money on?

 

[BadgerGirl84]

Does she have a GPS? They are helpful even for low-tech people. What about tickets to a concert or show you could go to together? What about a photo book? Does she like coffee? How about a Keurig and some K-Cups?

 

[Danibelle]

A Kindle!

 

[HM]

Cooking or other class?

 

[cornflake]

Need more info on her likes, hobbies, etc.

Just because she's low tech doesn't mean she has to stay that way though. If she likes to walk for exercise, you could do like, a small ipod and load it for her with music she likes, podcasts she might like (does she listen to NPR, some specific program, some preacher?), books on tape you could load on there, etc. that she could listen to while walking.

Does she have good walking shoes? Could give her a gift certificate and take her shopping for a nice pair of dedicated walking like, New Balances or whatever.

Other than that... need more info.

 

[Kirby]

How about a digital photo frame? We got our mom one last year and she loves it. We put pictures on there from way back when she and our dad were dating, some of their wedding pictures and then current pictures of different members of the family. I just added some more a couple of months ago.

 

[MagicalMawMaw]

Digital picture frame with neat family photos added...I love mine & my Mom does too.

A calendar made with photos ...Shutterfly does good ones. You can also put a photo of a person on the dates though out the year of birthdays & special dates she likes to remember. I hang one on my refrig every year & love it.

This one might be odd..but I like to walk too & love my crocs as my walking shoe. They are the most comfortable walking shoe ever!

 

[4MCMICKEY]

How about a nice pair of walking shoes?

 

[kaytieeldr]

I don't know the 'official' name for these, but walking sticks? They're like blunt ski poles and provide even more aerobic workout - IF that's what she wants - than just walking alone. Target carries them, as would probably any sporting goods store.

 

[TnTWalter]

my moms grtting a gps. Garmin 40lm

 

[PrincessNoelle'sMom]

How about a Keurig? The mini's can run below $100.

 

[sallysue66]

Thanks for all the great suggestions! I'm thinking a good pair of Aasics or the gps from me and maybe a spa day from my dad. But the ipod is a contender too. Hmm...seriously, thanks. I was just at a loss this year.

 

[sk!mom]

If you live near her, how about an experience for the two of you. This year my mom and DD15 are both getting tickets to see Billy Elliott. Last year- Tickets to the Radio City Christmas Show.

You could give her and your dad tickets.

 

[Juliah]

I walk every day, and I don't know what I'd do without my iPod. If you get her an iPod, other things you might consider (since you need a gift from your dad, too) would be a nicer set of ear buds, iTunes gift cards, and the gloves that allow you to use the iPod without taking the gloves off. And I love what someone said about loading it up full of music and podcasts for her, since she isn't too into technology.

 

[CTdiznymom]

My mom is now a widow and can no longer physically put up a Christmas tree, so we get her a beautifully decorated boxwood tabletop tree from the florist. It's perfect for her, and it's enjoyed for weeks after the holiday. This may not fit the bill for your dilema, but maybe an idea for someone else.

 

[Suz D]

Another vote for the IPod. The Christmas after Mom died, my sister and I gave our 73 year old father an IPod. He looked at it in confusion (he was mid-stage Alzheimers) and set it aside. After the chaos of opening presents with two pre-schoolers and a todder had died down, I took him aside and showed him how to use it (I'd pre-loaded a lot of music for him).

He took that IPod EVERYWHERE! He mastered how to use it in about 5 minutes. He couldn't figure out how to put his own CD's on it but when I went to visit him that February he had a stack of about 50 CD's that he wanted me to put on his IPod. It had such a comforting and calming influence on him.

Yep, go for the IPod!