More Inspired ideas needed

[LunarSea]

So I've got ds and dh sorted, but need ideas for:

mother, 62, likes gardening, growing own food, etc

father, 62, likes old machinery, trains, airplanes, etc (and chocolate!)

bachelor brother, 38, likes mechanical things, not really into clothes or home stuff

grandmother, 88, lives in sheltered accom so no room for lots of posessions, only mobile by virtue of public transport/lifts - medically advised to not have too much alcohol or chocolate, says she doesn't want toiletries.

MIL, early 70's, quite active, likes walking, line dancing, flower gardening

FIL, 75, not quite sure what he spends his days doing tbh!

Tescos sell "grow you own herb" pots with nice terracotta tub & seeds for kitchen herbs for your mum?

Oh - and get your brother some meccano or Technix lego
(DH would love that!)

Magazine subscriptions are one of my main ideas for this year

Boots have some nice gardening inspired gifts, and National Turst ones too, which could do your MIL and your mum

You can name a rose after your mother - I think I have seen this gift in the "dogalogue - RSPCA" for £19.99 - she has to grow it herself and it is named after her. I think it is the RSPCA, could be the Guide Dogs for the Blind...

Depending on your budget and where you live, you could always get your dad some tickets for a day out on a steam train...would get on the web to look at places that do this. Obviously chocolate never fails, and a chocolate train would just be great!!!!!!!!!

Bachelor brother - I have one of those, I bought him golf stuff last Christmas and when I asked for some things for a carboot, he returned them to me! Charming...if he works in an office, get him a desk gadget of some sort.

I can't really suggest anything for your Grandmother - maybe a magazine subscription or a photo album full of family favourites.

I always end up buying whiskey, slippers and hankies for my grandparents! - Not very inspiring really but you have me thinking now!

Oh, did buy my dad a yearly membership to the National Trust for about £30 last year (obviously this year, I have no money because of maternity leave!) He has really enjoyed it, it came with a guide book to all the places he can visit etc...you can get family passes too.

For your father - how about using www.hotelchocolat.co.uk (chocolates by post, ordered off internet) - very good quality chocs, and a good range. You can buy a package which is a bit like a magazine subscription - the recipient gets several deliveries spaced throughout the year (so not just a bit stack at Christmas). Did this for an elderly family member last year and she loved it.

Magazine subscriptions are good. If you don't know what they like/already get, WH Smith sell a thing which allows them to select for themselves the magazine they want

Vouchers for theatre/cinema etc are good for couples I think.

My mum's book for your elderlies! Also available on audio for those with reading problems.

Also how about making a hamper? You can just add bits to your weekly shopping and stick it all in a hatbox or wastepaper basket. They all seem very fond of tinned steak (eeugh!) but you can put in some fancier things like condensed milk (comes in a tube these days). Lakeland are quite inspiring for old folk too actually.

See 'Blokey' thread for bachelor brother.