DP's Mum is staying for Christmas. She is a very active 60-something (gym at least twice a week, cycles everywhere) and doesn't speak English (so DVDs, books are out as DP has lived here long enough that he has no idea what she watches/likes any more).
We have scraped together a stocking, a computer course CD, some posh tea and some cashmere bedsocks (my idea). Now we're stumped. DP wants to get her something else, money for him not really an object (everything he's bought her in the last few years she has outright told him she doesn't like so he's desperate). She is very technologically illiterate (so no iPad etc.) and is flying with hold baggage so nothing too heavy.
Does anyone have any ideas please? I was thinking maybe slipper socks (but can see her complaining about too many socks) and DP was thinking massage wooden things for her feet.
She doesn't have any hobbies and we got her a mug and tea set (she likes tea) when we visited in the summer. It's very difficult to say what she does like, apart from things that are obviously good quality. No gardening stuff (another suggestion I had).
She doesn't really have good taste any more and doesn't like chocolate, shortbread, or any of the various English foods DP has taken home over the years. I suggested 'nice jam' but she'd see that as a waste of money because she makes her own.
Can anyone help please? It may just be a long line of MN suggestions and me saying no :( I am trying very hard to give DP a good Christmas with her (she invited herself to our new home after we had made plans to spend time separately at our family homes, long backstory that I can't/won't go into means he is dreading it).