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Christmas

From present ideas to party food, find all your Christmas inspiration here.

Original poster

What to buy for someone's last Christmas?

38 replies

eltsihT · 21/11/2015 18:14

Mil is very well at the moment but has been told she has less than 6 months to live.

She doesn't want anything for Christmas but me and dh would like to make her up a hamper of goodies.

She is also currently not eating sugar or drinking alcohol as she believes these feed the cancer. She is also very trendy and doesn't appreciate "old lady" gifts.

So far On the list I have
sented candle
hand cream
a picture of the grandkids

any other suggestions or inspiration welcome

OP posts:
Tapirs · 21/11/2015 18:16

Photo book/collage for the wall of photos of her with the people she loves and in the places she loves?

AuntieStella · 21/11/2015 18:17

Upmarket non-sweet food: a really good cheese, olives, pate, gentlemen's relish.

Warm socks (try Uniqlo heat tech)

Silk PJs

Proper rubber hot water bottle (surprisingly difficult to find in these days if silicone, but a very evocative smell)

Voucher for a pedicure

Tapirs · 21/11/2015 18:18

If appropriate, tickets for days out to places that she loves/has wanted to visit - again, with people she loves

iPaid · 21/11/2015 18:18

I wouldn't go for a hamper of goodies. Does she like clothes? Let her choose a beautiful outfit. A lovely piece of jewellery. A new bottle of her favourite perfume. A fab handbag.

Tapirs · 21/11/2015 18:20

For me, I'd love a tree planted in a public place while I'm alive so I can go and see it and put my mark in the bark. The mark would grow with the tree and be there for as long as the tree lived.

Mintyy · 21/11/2015 18:21

If she doesn't want anything for Christmas why are you ignoring her wishes?

Tapirs · 21/11/2015 18:22

Good point Mintyy

FadedRed · 21/11/2015 18:25

Even into her nineties my late DM loved good perfume and good costume jewellery, especially brooches. She also liked watching the birds on the outside feeders, so I got her a pair of lightweight but good quality binoculars.
Difficult situation, Op Flowers

Original poster
eltsihT · 21/11/2015 18:25

We asked her what she would like and she doesn't know. It's not that she doesn't want a present. I phrased my op poorly.

OP posts:
Original poster
eltsihT · 21/11/2015 18:26

And thank you these ideas are lovely, I will run them past dh tomorrow.

OP posts:
Ragwort · 21/11/2015 18:27

What about tickets to a show/event/exhibition that she would enjoy - and you and or DH/grandchildren going with her - I think a lot of people enjoy an 'experience' rather than physical gifts.

Fannycraddock79 · 21/11/2015 18:29

A lovely silk scarf in a colour that will make her skin look lovely when she starts to look unwell? Some nice notelets if she fancies writing to people?

longingforfun · 21/11/2015 18:29

A photo book of memories

janaus · 21/11/2015 18:57

For my sister in law, I got made a Keepsake Blanket.

It was printed with a collage of photos. Beautiful. It gave her comfort and warmth in her final days. Then was a memory and comfort to her husband when she left us.

Thinking of your family.

PingPongBat · 21/11/2015 21:26

eltsihT what a difficult time, and what a lovely thought. Last year we knew my mum had less than a year to live (turned out to be 2 months in the end) and we bought her a digital photo frame & loaded it up with photos of all the family. She loved it, and it gave her such joy.

Flowers to you & your family

pud1 · 21/11/2015 21:30

I lost my mum this year and one of the gifts I fit her for Christmas was a cup that was delicate but not with a fiddly handle for her tea. She really loved it as she enjoyed a cup of tea but found her usual mugs too big and heavy and tea cups to dainty and difficult to grip.

Maplessglobe · 21/11/2015 21:32

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Oldieandgoldie · 21/11/2015 21:36

As above, a photo printed fleece blanket, a photo printed glasses cleansing cloth, a see-through bird feeder that sticks on to a window, an Oxfam goat/toilet/immunisation etc

RJnomore1 · 21/11/2015 23:18

A lovely scarf or a soft pashmina came to my mind.

Alligatorpie · 22/11/2015 09:31

When me grandma was dying my mom bought her yoga pants and a cosy hoodie for Christmas. She got a lot of wear out of it.

Helgathehairy · 22/11/2015 11:14

Last Christmas we knew that my dad had,at best, a week or two left. I bought him a soft throw and got some family photos blown up.

shutupandshop · 22/11/2015 11:22

I think a lovely piece of jewerly

allinall · 22/11/2015 13:03

A pretty cushion / pillow. A necklace or bracelet. Maybe a CD of nice music?

ChristmasZombie · 22/11/2015 14:20

The photo printed blanket is a lovely idea, and will be useful too.

I'm sorry your family is going through this difficult time. :flowers: I hope you are able to make some wonderful memories.

IsItMeOr · 22/11/2015 15:36

So sorry you're all going through this.

We had similar last Christmas with DSIL. Although it may sound a bit morbid, unfortunately DSIL was never well enough to do the one thing that she would have liked to - have a quiet tea party with her family and friends. At her funeral, it was very poignant that we were having her party, but without her there.

Do you think your MIL would like a party (defined in whatever way she defines a party) with the special people in her life, rather than a thing?

Otherwise, visiting places that are special to her would be my recommendation.