At a total loss - MIL's birthday

[Happymonster]

She's going to be 65, and is one of the most difficult people to buy for - I asked her - 'nothing really, maybe just a voucher' - but I know she'll go into a huff. She lives alone and is not into fancy things. No hats, scarfs, pyjamas, flowers, chocolates, booze, soaps etc....DH has not got a clue either (he never does - he once gave me a laptop case for Christmas, another time he bought me a canvas bag from French Connection men - he'd shown me it and I said its ok, thought he was getting it for himself...)

My mum loves her canvas wrap print of the grandchildren.

Silk pilllowcase

Something for kitchen? Blow torch, smoothie maker, cafetière, nice tea pot.

Amazon echo or echo show

Hmmmm...I read a set of cheesy historical type books once....they were quite good - murder/mystery with a bit of romance thrown in. The Gil Cunningham series by Pat McIntosh.

Or a metal-bird - we bought one of these last year and it went down very well.
metalbird
I might get the turtle dove hand warmers for my godmother though - thanks for the tip!

Something like this?www.etsy.com/uk/listing/857798183/personalised-slate-coaster-laser?ga_order=most_relevant&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_query=slate+coasters&ref=sr_gallery-6-39&organic_search_click=1&frs=1
There are loads of different designs available, we're getting my dad bird ones for Christmas.

Laughing at all the bird baths and tables when she’s into cats (would assume she has at least one).

How about an Alexa dot?

I was wondering why people were recommending bird gifts for a cat-lover!
I think you should get her the vouchers she asked for and a little thing to open like a book she would enjoy (try the books section on musmnet as people will give you great recommendations).

I was wondering why people were recommending bird gifts for a cat-lover!
I think you should get her the vouchers she asked for and a little thing to open like a book she would enjoy (try the books section on musmnet as people will give you great recommendations).

Book tokens. If she likes history she can find something interesting to buy

Book tokens. If she likes history she can find something interesting to buy

amaryllis bulb(s) in a pot. She can watch it grow, more interesting than a bunch of flowers

Year's subscription to a monthly magazine delivered by post

If you like the tea idea, we had a Betty's tearooms delivery it was wonderful, the ginger cake was amazing. www.bettys.co.uk/cakes/all-cakes?p=1
They do hampers but we had a selection of cakes and some Chocolate Langues de Chat!
Did she have a favourite place for holidays when she was young or that she took your husband? I bought my mum an old post card, from a place where she lived as a child, from about 1930 for a birthday card, attached with little photo corners to a plain card ( with a hilarious message on the back from the 30s).
Best if luck 🙂

If you like the tea idea, we had a Betty's tearooms delivery it was wonderful, the ginger cake was amazing. www.bettys.co.uk/cakes/all-cakes?p=1
They do hampers but we had a selection of cakes and some Chocolate Langues de Chat!
Did she have a favourite place for holidays when she was young or that she took your husband? I bought my mum an old post card, from a place where she lived as a child, from about 1930 for a birthday card, attached with little photo corners to a plain card ( with a hilarious message on the back from the 30s).
Best if luck 🙂

amaryllis bulb(s) in a pot. She can watch it grow, more interesting than a bunch of flowers

Year's subscription to a monthly magazine delivered by post

Sorry if it’s already been suggested but for cats and crafts how about a needle felting kit to make a cat?

Netflix subscription?

I sympathise with getting more "stuff"; when people get to a certain age, they've probably got enough "stuff" already - or the cash to get what they need themselves.
Having said that: if she's a cat-lover, how about a sponsoring a pen with CPL? I got this for a friend who can't have pets at the moment but loves moggies; he gets updates about the waifs and strays accommodated in "his" pen.
When lockdown is over, would she appreciate your paying for a day or two at a creative workshop, learning a new craft? I've seen them advertised in magazines.
I'm a History nerd, and was delighted to get a year's subscription to the BBC History Magazine; added benefit of being reminded of kindly wishes every month.

@Sexnotgender hahaha that took me a minute to get!! I love a day at the local spar’.

National trust membership - even if she doesn’t use it much, you’re supporting a struggling institution with the money spent!

National trust membership - even if she doesn’t use it much, you’re supporting a struggling institution with the money spent!

Ha ha Spar day! She can go wild in the aisles 😄😁😄🤭

Thanks everyone for some good ideas. Laughing at the Spar day tip - her idea of a nice day out is a trip to the local retail park!

She doesn’t drive, lives in a place with poor public transport and is diabetic so days out and food or drink too complicated ‘I can’t drink pink fizz it’ll send my sugars out of control, why did you waste your money’ was a response to the last time we got her something alcoholic.

She’s got a little yard and despite the moggie I think she has lots of bird things already, but she might like a garden themed present- she’s always got the best in street flower and pot display out front.

I hate vouchers myself - have a tendency to lose them or put them aside only to find them out of date later.

Maybe yes to cat embroidery or magazine sub. Anyone heard of People’s Friend?

I am a couple years younger than your MIL and would be mortified to receive a subscription to 'People's Friend' - does she actually read it?

A book subscription maybe?

www.independent.co.uk/extras/indybest/books/best-book-subscription-box-service-gift-uk-review-a8400351.html

I'd suggest a day out or fancy meal out but think that's a bit impossible this year!

My mum's 68 and would gladly throttle me if I bought her even a copy of People's Friend! What about The Lady instead? I used to love reading that when I was a teenager.

Do any of the museums local to her have a 'friends of' membership? They're usually quite cheap, but give free/reduced admission, as well as access to special events, talks etc.

I get the BBC History Magazine delivered and it’s a really great read! (A gift that I genuinely love but would never have got myself!)

60th for me
Just received Lancome advent gift box
24 gifts + another gift
105 worth about 450
From john Lewis its fabulous