Mother's Day for someone who has everything??

[tiggerlover]

Mother's Day is right around the corner and I have no idea what to get for my mom. She is 83 years old and doesn't need or want anything. I do not live in the same town as her so I can't take her out anywhere or have her over. She is in the early stages of dementia and doesn't really have any hobbies and has a gazillon food allergies. I always get her flowers, but would really like to do something different. I am flying to see her the weekend after Mother's Day to spend a few days with her, so I could possibly do something with her belatedly, so I would love to hear if anyone has any suggestions for me.

 

[overlyspoiled4sure]

Is your mom in a nursing home? When my mom was in one, she had to pay for almost everything. She was fussy about her hair & nails so do you think your mom would enjoy getting her hair done at a beauty salon? Or, if she is in a nursing home, having a stylist come do her hair & maybe a manicure/pedicure? My mom enjoyed those things & that's all I can think of.

Hard to get us older folks gifts when we do have most of what we want. Another thought might be the personal items she needs--body wash, shampoo? Here again, only if she is in a nursing home.

Good luck. Oh another thought--for a nursing home. If her bed is by a window, maybe some suncatchers?

 

[Hidden_Mickey]

A digital photo frame with photos through the years loaded on it? I'm a mom and that's what I'd like.

 

[tiggerlover]

Great ideas, but my mom is not in a nursing home. She has a standing weekly appointment at the salon so even if I offered to pay for her, it just wouldn't be something special. Thank you for your thoughts though.

 

[rszdtrvl]

My MIL is not elderly - she is around 52 but acts like she is 90 with her multiple medical problems (and more popping up daily).

We got her and my mother a Slanket.

 

[CookieGVB]

How about a scrapbook of your favorite memories with her? (Past holidays, birthdays, etc.)

 

[DVC~OKW~96]

You say she doesn't need or want anything, but you don't seem to happy with the thought of paying for what she does use.

That is sometimes the best gift for someone who doesn't "need" anything. Of course they do. They need groceries, and electricity and water, and love.

If you don't want to pay a recurring bill that she is responsible for, then when you visit, spend every minute with her, and show her how much you love her.

If she has some level of cognitive impairment then the photo frame is a great idea. She can at least be amused by the photos if she can't remember who they are.

What are her favorite things? Does she/did she like to read? Books on CD. Does she like to listen to music? A wealth of possibilities. Does she like movies? Enroll her in a netflick sort of thing.

 

[luvmy3]

Gather a bunch of pictures from her life, upload them to shutterfly and create a memory book for her. You can have it shipped directly to her and you can go through it with her when you visit.

 

[lovesmurfs]

I made a lap quilt for my DGM for her 80th birthday -- it was from some squares her husband had embroidered freehand while he was ill as a young man. It was very special to her and kept her warm, too.

Time is short, but I think you can have photo quilts done -- or have everyone in the family design their own square and you can put it together?

Where was she raised? Dover Books has picture photo books of different cities. One year I bought my grandmother a book of Brooklyn from the 1930s when she was growing up there -- she had a great time pointing out the department store her mother took her to, the hotel her mother worked in, etc. I even bought my mom a book of paper dolls from when she was growing up in the 50s one year for a stocking stuffer.

You mentioned she has allergies, but is there something favorite you can bake and bring with you? I gave DGM some cakes from Old Country Bakery one year. She sliced and froze the individual pieces.

 

[quasar4legs]

My mum is 83 and these are the things on my 'maybe list' for Mother's Day that may give you an idea.

Craft supplies for her card making hobby
Bromeliads for the garden
African Violets
New joggers
Tennis raquet (my mum still plays)
make-up
perfume
Gardening books
Magazines to flick through
A gift basket of her favourite snacks or toiletries
A framed photo
A selection of jams or honey.
A fruit basket

Good Luck

 

[luvmy3]

If you are really struggling with an idea for a material gift, why don't you write her a letter or a poem explaining to her why you are thankful that she is your mother. I know my favorite gifts are the ones my kids make for me because they come from their heart, I bet that doesn't change when your kids get older.

 

[karibritt01]

My mom likes hard candy, especially the old-fashioned kinds that she had growing up. You could give her a nice candy dish with some different varieties in it. (Horehound, Root Beer Barrels, butterscotch, etc)