A non-crap old lady present please!

[Alicious]

Dalmostneighbour is 88 and has been very generous to our DCs this Christmas and over the past year. She is definitely lonely (never married, no children, one friend who she sees daily) and I try to see her at least once a week for a chat, and bring at least one DC with me as she loves to see them (crazy).

Before picking up the beautifully wrapped toys, plus outfits which she has bought for the DCs I had just got her a box of chocolates, but now I want to offer her something better-

So, she smokes, drinks beer (v moderately but still :) ), has a limited diet, and likes gardening and animals. What is better, bulbs/plant/ nice gardening equipment/something made by the DCs or a packet of fags and a 6 pack? (Blame DP for that idea)

What are you getting for grandparents/older people?

Could you do her a mini hamper of stuff made by you and DCs plus some alcohol?

Meant to ask - how old are DC?

Perhaps not fags but maybe a bottle Christmassy special beer. I'm not sure if it's a bit late for bulbs thought that was an Autumn activity. Some seeds for the spring?

DC are 4 and 1 so homemade is do-able with assistance for DS1!
I'm no gardener by any means, but could ask at the garden centre for advice or just cop out and get a voucher...garden is north facing and has little sun, but she often potters about in there.
Agree on the no fags thing-I don't think they make the best present!

You could do a mini hamper with some christmas beer, mini christmas puds, few other christmas bits, plus some handcream for post gardening hands, maybe some seeds for the spring (packs usually say on back when to sow, and usu last 18 months or so), maybe a small christmassy houseplant. If she has a microwave, sainsburys have microwave animals reduced to five pounds - the puppy is v cute. Fil got a hamper the other day and keeps going on about it (and the nice young teacher who droped it off!).

Whenever I'm stuck I get a nice large mug and fill it with little things: gourmet hot chocolate packets, little lotions, tiny delicious smelling candles, a Christmas ornament, bookmark, whatever...and then wrap it up with cellophane and ribbon. With people who know and like DS I've gotten ceramic paint before and had him paint the mug.

Good luck, she sounds lovely and I bet she loves seeing your DC!

I've gone for a plant this year for my elderly neighbour. I got her an autumn flowering Camellia. There's one called Yuletide that the lady in the nursery assures me will flower at Christmas and a few others that are still flowering at the moment as has been mild.

Also saw a gorgeous White Hellebore in garden centre, think it was called Ice Queen and there are some lovely pinkish ones around.

My mum's getting on a bit and has hinted she'd like a nice scarf and gloves set if that helps :)

Oh yes, just remembered, it might seem a bit strange but she got an "adopt an animal" pack last year for her favourite animal and was very pleased with that.

Cheerful yank - I want one of your gift mugs, they sound delish.

There are some lovely bulb baskets for 4.99 delivered at thomson & morgan. They say there's still time for delivery.
www.giftstm.com/gifts1/ilist/xmas-offers-delivered

PM me your address Agnes...I'll send you one in the name of international goodwill.

OP, you've been given some lovely ideas but you know, the best present you can give her is to carry on visiting her with your DC

This year I bought my grandad a bird feeder and a bird box for his (December) birthday and for Christmas he is having little wrap ups such as festive jam (marmalade with Brady, strawberry and champagne jam) from aldi but have also spotted at farmers market and home made mince pies, hankies. It's hard as he doesn't need anything and birthday and Christmas in the same month! My gran (also has December birthday!) got a magazine subscription (complete cop-out by me,I got this about 3 years ago and just renew it every year for her!) to woman's own or something like that.

True true Grimma-I will, she is hard as nails and worryingly independent but she loves to see the DSs, and I'm not visiting her out of pity, I genuinely enjoy seeing her!

I love the bird feeder idea-will have a look at the garden centre-thank you all

Look in florists, they may have some bulb planted gift baskets ready to buy.