Still panicking - adult stocking

[Zaphodsotherhead]

Yes, yes, I know adults don't need stockings, blah blah.

But this is for my lovely lovely friend. She's a widow in her 60's, one adult son who's ASD and thinks a Poundshop box of chocolates is a suitable present for his mum. Her family just send her money. She always does me a Christmas stocking, full of the usual stocking gifts, tissues, chocolate coins etc.

This year I want to give her a stocking. But I want to put in things that you'd not usually think of. So, small adult gifts, not too pricey, bit special. She really has a tough time over Christmas (she LOVES Christmas and hers are always a bit thin since her DH died).

Thinking caps on, lovely MNers. How can I surprise, spoil, and entertain her without breaking my own bank? She's a keen walker, crocheter and reader by the way, but spends a lot of time on her own or with her 25 year old son.

[DartmoorDoughnut]

Crochet hooks and stitch markers? Maybe some nice wool?

[Zaphodsotherhead]

Stitch markers are a good idea, Dartmoor. I don't crochet so I don't know much about the accessories. I'm buying her some wool anyway as she's crocheting me a GIGANTIC throw for my sofa (she likes to have 'projects').

Have also just ordered her a tub of luxury hot chocolate. She normally just buys the basics of things.

[livingthegoodlife]

Tea pigs? Mini tube of loccitane hand cream. Chocolate coins, maybe some festive hotel Chocolat penguins or similar.

Walking socks? Quality wool ones.

Lip balm? (Cold walks?)

Maybe a nail varnish if she likes that sort of thing.

[Zaphodsotherhead]

Fancy hand cream is a good call, goodlife. She already has more walking socks and lip balm than any sane woman should. She never wears nail varnish.

Just had a thought - miniature Christmas cake...

[Ellapaella]

You sound like a lovely friend OP, what a lovely thing to do.
I do a stocking every year for my Mum who is a bit older than your friend (71).
The sorts of things I usually buy for her stocking:
Lovely soap (the decent Italian scented soap)
A small notebook or diary
A park Minster fragranced candle
Merino wool socks (so good for walking)
Chocolate marzipan
A nice scarf
My Mum likes gin so this year I've got some miniature bottles of different Pickering's gin
Christmas themed tissues
L'occitane hand cream
Body butter or oil (usually choose a nice one from John Lewis)
Earrings
A small box of luxury chocolates from a local
chocolatier
A book

[Zaphodsotherhead]

Ooh, yes, EllaPaella - she LOVES chocolate marzipan, I'd forgotten! Hooray, good catch!

And yy to John Lewis, she'd never spoil herself with expensive anything, so I might take a bob over to their website! I've got a Christmassy book on order already too.

She's been a very good friend to me over the years and she deserves far more spoiling than she gets.

[Leeds2]

I have just bought a packet of Beebombs, which basically are seeds that you scatter (without having to do any digging!) and hopefully, flowers that attract bees will eventually grow.
A word search/suduku/crossword book, or a magazine.
A Lush bath bomb, or some of their lovely soap.
A comb.
A handbag sized mirror.
Book of first class stamps.
Traditional English sweets, such as rhubarb and custards, or cola cubes.
Those chocolate spoons that dissolve into a hot chocolate when you stir.
Handbag sized bottle of perfume.
Packet of tissues with a Christmas design - Boots always have these!
Novelty Christmas earrings - I have just seen some sprout ones in Paperchase, but they are everywhere!

[wildhairdontcare]

Hand warmers
Hand cream
Christmas decoration
Posh chocolate
Book of walks

[SDTGisAnEvilWolefGenius]

Nice stationary - notebooks or pens.
Mini marshmallows and squirty cream, to go with the hot chocolate.
One of those aerolatte milk frothers - also for the hot chocolate.
A nice mug.
Ergonomic crochet hooks.

[brassbrass]

Appreciate you need to keep an eye on budget:
Pompom maker
Second hand books in good condition
Soap from tkmaxx
Thermals from primark

I'll come back if I think of more!

[nameymcnamechangeagain]

Nice biscuits, crochet patterns? I don’t know if you need patterns to crochet!!! Nice hip flask if she has a favourite “warming tipple” for her long walks!! Nice warm bobble hat? I saw a little old lady the other day with a bobble hat that’s had a multi coloured sequin bobble on it and I assumed it had been bought as a gift and probably made her smile and would never have been something she bought herself!

Appreciate you don’t want to break the bank but what about one of those necklaces where you have a photo etched on them, of her dh so it’s something she can always keep close?

[katseyes7]

Leeds2 l've been thinking Bee Bombs for small presents too. Three of my friends are keen gardeners, so l thought they'd be nice to put in with something else.

[katseyes7]

A few years ago when l was shopping with my friend we saw some lovely thick warm socks were really bright colours and had a soft fabric lining. My friend loved them, so l got them for her for Christmas.
A while ago l was in York and saw some fingerless gloves which were similar - bright colours with a fabric lining, so l've got her those for Christmas this year.
Maybe as someone suggested earlier with the stitch markers, something for her crocheting? l do a lot of knitting/crocheting, and last year l bought a pair of 'snips' which l find much better than scissors. Or perhaps something like a set of pompom makers? Cheap and cheerful but they save a lot of time!

[brassbrass]

You can print off free crochet patterns. Lots online. You'll have a better idea of the types of things she'd be interested in crocheting.

[Leeds2]

katseyes7, I am putting my Bee Bombs in the stocking of a keen environmentalist! I thought they were quite expensive (£7.99, I think) but packaged nicely and came the next day!

[DreamingofSunshine]

I'm a keen crocheted. I'd be thrilled to get any of the following:

Personalised crochet project notebook
Yarn cutter
Clover amour crochet hooks in 3,3.5,4,4.5,5m
Voucher for wool warehouse
Stitch markers- thin ones
Pom pom makers

Pretty much all available on amazon, etsy or a local craft shop.

[Woofsaidtheladybird]

I do my mum a stocking too! I put nice stuff in, but also useful stuff like lemsip capsules, packs of tissues, emery boards, the hairspray she uses, the lemon tea she likes, a jar of pickled walnuts (it's a yearly annual joke thing), a nice jam, marmite, the Christmas Hello magazine always goes down well too!
You sound lovely x

[kieronsmum]

if your buying stitch markers for crochet makesure they are the ones with an opening clasp. etsey have nice ones

[mummmy2017]

Whitaker's hot chocolate and teas.
They are yummy.
A cup.
Some nice biscuits.
Socks.
A chocolate advent calendar for Dec £2.
Nice jam.

[Zaphodsotherhead]

Oh you lot are geniuses! Thank you so much! All the crochet things are especially welcome as I have all the crafting ability of a walrus and no idea therefore about the accessories and bits and bobs.

Bee bombs sound great, off to google those.And off to Etsy for stitch markers.

[HalloweenCandyLeBonBon]

What a lovely thread. I do this for my mum and there are some great suggestions on here!

[recklessgran]

My go to would be a tin of coffee bags from the Real Coffee Bag Company, bamboo socks and the Scotland Yard Puzzle book - some really absorbing puzzles in there!

[Zaphodsotherhead]

Just ordered the Scotland Yard Puzzle book - just her sort of thing and I would never have known it existed without recklessgran!

[ritzbiscuits]

This thread cutter is a really handy tool:
www.amazon.co.uk/Clover-Cutter-Pendant-Antique-Silver/dp/B000WV1YC0/ref=sr_1_1?tag=mumsnet&ascsubtag=mnforum-21

Put it on a nice ribbon or string.

[Kitkatfordinner]

Hand warmers
Pretty thread cutting scissors