What to buy my mum when she doesn’t want anything?

[EachandEveryone]

We have an up and down relationship so I will get her something and a nice card. She always says nobody bothers because it’s so soon after Xmas.

she has everything I got her a scarf at Christmas but she said it wasn’t her colours and she needs brighter things now that she is older, she will be 78. Sugar doesn’t pass her lips, she likes to garden but has really painful Polymyalgia in her shoulders and won’t beable to do as much lifting she thinks. She got boots for Xmas. She does like to read in bed. She does still love the Beatles and anything 60’s related. It’s on Monday so need quick delivery.

thanks!

I bought my dad a National Trust membership which I just now renew every year. He loves it and it's literally the gift that keeps on giving (for me and him :)

Flowers

My DF of the same age likes a bag of food. Posh crisps, cake, coffee, wine etc. the sort of stuff he doesn’t get himself, or from shops he can’t get to

A monthly bouquet? Some companies deliver one bunch a month for 3 months?

I take my parents out for a fancy lunch or similar for every birthday. Or sometimes a show or musical but I go with them as spending time with me is the important part (for them not being arrogant!)

Nice plant in a pot?
Bird feeder and seeds?
Heated wrap or long water bottle for her shoulders?

I got my DM a pineapple plant delivered last month. She enjoyed having something different, I think it was from Plants4Presents.

Does she enjoy the cinema or theatre? Take her to see a show or a film.

Just go round to see her with a pretty card and a basket with some fruit and flowers or things you know she will eat and enjoy.

I would always much rather just see my DCs as a birthday gift or go out somewhere with them.

What @Titsywoo said.
Or a promise note to take her to a garden centre (or a garden centre a month ?) if she likes gardening, but is struggling now.

Or - I don't know what sort of money you are talking, but what about finding and employing someone to do some of the heavier work in the garden once a month for an hour or two ?

I recently received a monthly flower subscription from my husband. Lovely surprise!

A Kindle? If she likes to read and she is 78, she might appreciate being able to make the print size bigger. Alternatively, a voucher for a local gardener, who can help her with the jobs she cannot manage in the spring.

I second the kindle shouts

If a flower subscription appeals, I really recommend the Cornish Bloom Company. Lovely flowers, family firm, no air miles!

Sorry I meant to say we don’t live in the same town do I won’t be seeing her, took her to the west end in November.

We gave a friend a flower subscription for her birthday last year with Bloom & Wild. I did the same for my mum last week.

There are some lovely suggestions here. MN can be so brilliant 😊

Go and see her. Make the time. You dont get it back. Time is the best thing you'll ever get her.

Magazine subscription
Heated throw
Fancy showel gel
Cinema / theatre / concert venue voucher
Voucher for a nice local restaurant or cafe.

A bed cape to keep her shoulders warm when reading in bed.
A thermal travel mug for keeping hot drinks hot whilst reading.
(Sorry, theme going here 😁)
Heated throw (loads around at the moment)

A plant.

RHS subscription? Entry to RHS and other gardens, if she's near any, but also you get a great magazine.

https://www.rhs.org.uk/join

Microwaveable lavender sack for her shoulders.

Lambswool slippers

Cashmere bed socks

Fancy shower gel

I got one of these for my dad and he loved it! He used to move it round the house during the day to where it would get the most sun.

My mum (82) likes beauty products (Clarins Beauty Flash Balm is a favorite), Chanel No. 5, luxury food products (farmers market type preserves, cheese, meat, etc.) clogs and shawls bonkbuster or Bridgerton type books, flower/plants in fancy pots, or posh vodka.

I said in my opening post we don’t always get along. Small doses is best for us. She’s fit and healthy it’s me that has cancer, which she can’t bare to acknowledge. So I see her plenty enough.