Stocking fillers for an older lady

[lilolilmanchester]

We all still have stockings. I need to get my Mum's stocking ready asap as she isn't spending Christmas here and someone's "passing by" this way who can drop it off at my brother's in a couple of weeks Having filled her stocking for so many years, I am all out of ideas. We tend to go for mainly practical but sometimes funny things. Any thoughts?
Couldn't possibly list all the things I've put in in the past, but here are some off the top of my head:
Nail varnish/eyemakeup remover pads; tights; gloves; notelets; books of stamps; nail varnish; moisturiser; lottery ticket; puzzle books; novels; noteblocks; pens; handcream; candles; serviettes etc etc

My mum doesn't like being given things she has to keep (too much clutter already), but I do a stocking every year and aim for more luxurious versions of things I know she uses.

Bronley's lemon-shaped lemon scented soap, favourite talc, lavender oil, calendar for the year ahead, Fortnum's piccalilli, teabags and coffee, good biscuit selection, indoor fireworks, notelets, playing cards, olive oil, hand cream and a new bauble for her Christmas tree. She also likes a good comfort murder, if I can find one she's not had before.

thanks everyone. She can't have sweet stuff now, and really doesn't like toiletries other than her regular basics. I'm also trying to avoid things I've done before (which is hard, since I've been doing her stockings for about 20 years!)
Have picked up some good ideas on this thread and hopefully the ideas I can't use will be someone else looking for older lady stocking filler ideas!

amaryllis bulb

Hawkins bazzar sell the fortune telling fish..

Sorry cam to this thread late but:
What about a handbag hanger -www.mybaghanger.com/
a nice christmas decoration - we buy my mum a new one each year.
a mini jigsaw puzzle

lol at 'comfort murder' - anything particular in mind?

lol at comfort murder too! Not too late scrappy - jigsaw is a good idea. She spends Christmas away from home so doesn't decorate the house anymore. I don't think she'd use the handbag hanger - BUT you've just solved another present problem for a friend who has everything, including a million handbags! Thanks! Catinthehat - bulb a great idea too. Thanks.

I just bought some fab slipper sock footlet things from m&s. I got them as travel slippers, they are v comfy and warm and only £4. My family are all getting for Christmas!

www.marksandspencer.com/Marks-and-Spencer-Fluffy-Slipper/dp/B003LEFGJC?_encoding=UTF8&categoryNodeID=&node=42966030&mnSBrand=core&ref=sr_1_1&qid=1286386731&sr=1-1&rh=&page=

Oh - my MIL is away this year on a cruise I'm doing a little 'stocking' for her with all the usual stuff but also an inflatable xmas tree from poundland and I'm going to get some cheap decorations so she can decorate her cabin...

What about some seeds she could plant out in the spring?

like the sound of the inflatable tree - she can put it in her room at my brother's. She loves her garden so seeds a good idea too. Am slowly getting there! Fluteyboots - will think about those slipper socks, tho not sure she'd wear them, she likes a particular type of slipper. But might be a good idea for someone else looking for their Mum's stocking.

does she do cross words or sudoku or anything like that?? I LOVE getting a puzzle book in my stocking each year.

anythin on here??

I've just started doing my mum's too so am nicking some of these excellent suggestions!

Do you have a kitchen-wares type shop near you? I've had some great stuff from our local one before - posh mini tongs, mini spatulas (she loves cooking), a kiwi spoon (though not sure that was ever used), nice butter knife, that sort of thing.

Last year I put in one of those mad old lady see-through rain ponchos as a joke, but she does actually take it walking with her.

Neal's Yard and other places do great little aromatherapy roll-ons and little spritz bottles, or mini eye serum, etc.

• posh luggage tag
• mini hand-warmer (Oliver Bonas do a cute one shaped like a mini hot water bottle with knitted cover and heart on front)
• compass / map cover (if she does walking or any outdoorsy stuff)
• I saw some little bookmarks with reading lights attached, in WHS I think

I LOVE stockings. My favourite part of Christmas!

(apart from all the booze and chocolate)

And how could I forget this

In case link doesn't work it's a ceramic tea bag holder with 'old bag' printed on it

Dear lilolil,
I am really very - didn't mean to kill your thread!
(+ was hoping for some more ideas myself...) How are you getting on with yours?

love that tea bag holder - unfortunately brought her one back from hols recently.
I have "done" her stocking now, haven't got list to hand, will post later....