Need to get MIL gift... ugh!

[smkiya]

I need to get something for my mil for Christmas, and it's more difficult than I imagined. My budget is $25, and I hate getting junk that she won't use. For her birthday I got her an electric can opener, as she is getting arthritis in her hands and has to open 6-10 cans of dog/cat food per day. Everytime she opened a can she would complain. Well, she loved that gift, and sent dh text messages every night for a week right after she got it saying "I just used the can opener again, best gift ever!"

She lives alone with many dogs and cats, and isn't the type to go out much. She doesn't have friends and spends a lot of time with my sil and her kids, they go out to dinner once a week and she watches the kids on Saturdays. She's not into personal care products and is not into gift baskets. I know it's a longshot asking you guys, but sometimes one idea sparks another, and I've no other thoughts so....

 

[Grumpy's Gal]

a magazine sub. What kind of magazine would she like to read?

(Check amazon for the $5 subs -- I just ordered Real Simple for $5 this week.)

It's something she will look forward to each month.

 

[Crystal824]

A giftcard for one of the places she likes to eat when she goes out.

 

[EthansMom]

I need to get something for my mil for Christmas, and it's more difficult than I imagined. My budget is $25, and I hate getting junk that she won't use. For her birthday I got her an electric can opener, as she is getting arthritis in her hands and has to open 6-10 cans of dog/cat food per day. Everytime she opened a can she would complain. Well, she loved that gift, and sent dh text messages every night for a week right after she got it saying "I just used the can opener again, best gift ever!"

She lives alone with many dogs and cats, and isn't the type to go out much. She doesn't have friends and spends a lot of time with my sil and her kids, they go out to dinner once a week and she watches the kids on Saturdays. She's not into personal care products and is not into gift baskets. I know it's a longshot asking you guys, but sometimes one idea sparks another, and I've no other thoughts so....

Does she have any hobbies? I prefer to get items related to my hobbies.

 

[robinb]

What about a food gift basket? I bought my mom a cute Christmass-y container and filled it with chocolates from Fanny Mae.

 

[ardig123]

How about a 3 month subscription to Netflix? If she stays home a lot she might like some movies to keep her busy. If she is not computer savvy you could set up her account and add a bunch of movies to her pool for her...that way all she would have to do is get them in the mail, watch, and send back!!

 

[smkiya]

Does she have any hobbies? I prefer to get items related to my hobbies.

None.

But she does like soap operas. Young & the Restless, hmmm, maybe a soap mag subscription. Keep em coming.

 

[Happy vacationer]

How about a small gift basket with treats for her animals and a small gift basket filled with snack type foods she might enjoy.

 

[1stTimeDisneyer]

This might be a long shot, but I know dog food and cat for is expensive. What about a gift basket of dog and cat food? I know it is different, but with prices today, it all helps. Maybe a gift certificate to the grocery store?

 

[luvmy3]

What about a (flowering bulb) of the month club. I got one for my Grandmother and she loved having a little piece of Spring inside in Jan/Feb/Mar.
You could get her a nice cozy throw, a new mug with some flavored teas and newly released book.
A thing that you put in the microwave and warm up for achy muscles. Crabtree & Evelyn have some nice sized ones in pretty fabric (I can't remember what they are called).
A robe and slippers.

 

[smkiya]

Thanks everyone! I'm going to go with the subscrpition to Soap Opera Digest. She sent a note on Facebook that people could drop by, just not between 12-2p when her soaps were on... I think/hope she enjoys it! Would you?

 

[StephMK]

Ok, since she seems to like gifts that make her life easier - how about a small handheld vac for pet hair, lint brush, automatic watering dish or litter pan, steam mop, microwave bowl and some popcorn - easy, throw in the kernels & pop; toaster oven, electric blanket, emergency supply kit, cool leash or crock pot. Not exciting but maybe that'll lead to an idea of something.

 

[malibuconlee]

How about a photobook with pictures of the kids from snapfish.com? Or even a 2010 calendar with pictures of the kids?

 

[EthansMom]

Thanks everyone! I'm going to go with the subscrpition to Soap Opera Digest. She sent a note on Facebook that people could drop by, just not between 12-2p when her soaps were on... I think/hope she enjoys it! Would you?

I think that's a great idea!

 

[toledo13]

... I got my MIL a stick vacuum ...

Muah Hah Hah....

 

[maggiew]

What about one of those jar opening machine things? I'm not sure exactly how much they cost, but I imagine in the $25 ballpark??

Maggie

 

[kathyk2]

What about a grocery store gift card or Petsmart? She must spend money feeding her pets and you know she'll use it.

 

[Maddle]

What about one of those jar opening machine things? I'm not sure exactly how much they cost, but I imagine in the $25 ballpark??

Maggie

Maggie beat me to the punch - but that is what I would suggest. They are really cool, we bought one for my mom for the same reason (lack of strength in her hands.) It's kind of a counter-hog, but it is very useful.

Maddle

 

[smkiya]

What about one of those jar opening machine things? I'm not sure exactly how much they cost, but I imagine in the $25 ballpark??

Maggie

I got her this with the can opener. Just checked though and the subscription for Soap Opera Digest is only $24.95 for 52 weeks. Thank you everyone!

 

[mychicks]

Magazine subscription sounds like a great idea. Also like the gift basket of pet treats idea.

How about some flameless candles?