Impossible to buy for MIL.....

[MmmmWhiteWine]

My MIL is impossible to buy for. She has no hobbies and has arthritis so is pretty limited in terms of what she can do so no national trust memberships etc as she can't walk round places. She's not keen on vouchers or clothes and I'm at my wit's end. Am thinking of doing a hamper of lots of wee things as opposed to something big as I just can't think of anything she'll appreciate. So far have thought of including a book, a nice candle, some hand cream, an aromatherapy hand warmer for her sore hands, some nice chocs....and then I'm a bit stuck. Any other ideas?? Or is the whole idea a bit of a cop out?? And if so does anyone have any ideas for what to buy someone who doesn't like anything??

Bubble bath, a new nightie, some gin or whatever if she likes a wee tipple, biscuits, theatre tickets for a local show, a dvd of something she may like, new naice tea towels, pictures of the family in naice frames, a small plant that's hard to kill - any of that? I like the hamper idea.

If it helps my granny wanted a really nice new blanket for her birthday, I got her a gorgeous one from John Lewis.

I think the hampers a lovely thoughtful gift, lots of special treats and bulk it up with a nice warm dressing gown and slippers?. Does she have a favourite tipple? Cd? Dvd? Cliff Richard calender?

A magazine subscription for the year?

Drinking is another of the things she doesn't do...so no tipple! But the idea of a photograph of our DDs is a good idea. Will add that to the list, thanks x

What about a box set or an audio book?

I do this for my mum, usually include a book, handcream, cd, gloves, scarf, sweets, shower gel, moisturiser, pink lipstick and any other little treats she has mentioned she might like.

We also give her an iou for a night out of her choice so, when a show is on she might like, we picj=k her up, take her for a meal then to the theatre

We do magazine subscription for MIL, that is another good idea

hot chocolate, sweets, a nice pen, a book mark, bath salts,

Jewelry of some sort?

Afternoon tea for two at a local naice hotel? We get a voucher for MIL for one at the hotel where she recently remarried. Goes down a storm.

Waitrose do some lovely posh cordials and my non drinking friends love them. Think the brand is Belvoir.

Last year I gave MIL (she has everything) a designer scarf. Found a Valentino one in TK Maxx. This year it will be posh gloves I think. Again from TK Maxx!

Light wheelchair - seriously has really transformed visits to both sides of family as we can take them out when we visit and get them and us out of the house. Might be too much alone but maybe shared with siblings.

Where do you get the actual hampers from, that you fill? What lovely ideas, I'm on a budget but would like to do similar for several rellies.

Lap tray, some lovely home made jam for the hamper, good framed pictures of the grand children. Try large garden centres for hamper fillers, some have some lovely things.

The wheelchair is an inspired suggestion.

Surely this should be your DP's problem? I leave my DH to buy his own family's presents.

I wouldn't buy a wheelchair as a present. It could be incredibly upsetting if she doesn't see herself as a potential wheelchair user.

MIL has had from us

Handbag
Hairdryer and tongs
Dressing gown
Lovely face powder
Dongle for laptop to replace dial up.( we pay the contract on it )
Kindle
Cashmere cardigan ( Pure )
Daylight easy reader lamp.
Digital photo frame
Leather gloves.
Digital radio.

This year we might replace her mobile phone.

She is 90 and very bright but has arthritis and can't walk far ( unless it's round M&S when she can go for hours )

This is a list from over the last 8 years or so ,by the way, not just last year !

Love the hamper idea, we are also on a budget and this thread is fab for tricky rellies

We always make a calendar for the next year with lots of photos of the children and grand children on for both sets of parents. We use Apple but quite a few companies make them.

I second magazine subscriptions, which I find good for all sorts of ages.

What about a kindle (or other reader things). Can load it up with loads of free books and update it for her every so often if she doesn't have wi-fi or doesn't want to do it herself ?

Urv I buy wicker baskets from boot sales, eBay and charity shops then wrap using plastic wrapping paper and ribbon, or string and luggage tags for a more rustic look. Oh and shredded tissue paper to nestle everything in.

We did a hamper one year for my difficult MIL. We included some naice teabags - in my MIL's case it was herbal teas but could just as easily be Earl Grey or whatever would suit her.

I also included some mini jars of good marmalade and jam. When you're living on your own a big pot of marmalade is likely to be too much.

Some naice crackers went in as well along with a couple of cheeses (only put these in at the last min!).

Just some ideas.

As she doesnt drink what about Bottle Green.'s sparkling elderflower - its really lovely.

Cashmere throw/wrap, cashmere or angora bed socks' what about Gardens Ilustrated subscription ?

Planted narcissus or orchids ?

I Think a kindle sounds like a fab idea.

Thanks all, a kindle would be good but way out of our price range, I'm afraid. The budget for adults in our family is only £25-£30. I'll pick a nice selection of things and hope for the best. Although whatever we get her she never looks that impressed so its not worth stressing over!