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Christmas

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

Original poster

Anyone fancy a challenge (gift for 77yo mum)?

27 replies

PandoraMole · 15/12/2016 22:01

So, I have got her a couple of bits but not really a 'proper' gift.

She can't use bath products, isn't into face products and likes to choose her own make up
Diabetic
Doesn't read (apart from the odd autobiography and is still ploughing through the one I got her for her birthday in July) watch films or listen to music
Doesn't wear jewellery or a watch
Doesn't drink
Doesn't have any hobbies as such apart from mooching on the PC.

She is uber practical. Atm the top contenders are a tin opener or a toilet brush! Although typing this out I wonder about getting her a new tablet, so if anyone can recommend an android one (not Kindle) around £50 that might work.

Any ideas?

OP posts:
Mrsmadevans · 15/12/2016 22:20

what about a lovely box of diabetic chocs? They can be quite expensive so not something you would necessarily buy every day

CatsRule · 15/12/2016 22:29

My Mum is a year younger and I've got her a tablet. It's a fusion 10.6", she has a kindle fire but finds the screen too small. It was £110 but there are cheaper ones. I got it from amazon and a keyboard case from ebay...can't wait to give her it.

PhilODox · 15/12/2016 22:30

Dare I ask how she spends each day? What about 'naice' food, such as nice tea/coffee, nice biscuits, pate, cheeses etc? Brands that she wouldn't usually splash out on for herself?

elephantoverthehill · 15/12/2016 22:31

I've bought my Dm, 73 an ice cream maker. She loves icecream.

Leanin15yearsmaybe · 15/12/2016 22:33

No to diabetic chocs, never met a patient who said 'mmmm they're lush' 😂 How about a monthly flower subscription? A bunch a month delivered to wherever she is?

Kenworthington · 15/12/2016 22:33

My dm is 77 and I have bought her a lovely soft wool blanket and some nice slippers for Xmas, plus a photo calendar of us all. And for her birthday in jan I have bought her an electric powered oil burner with some essential oils.

Footle · 15/12/2016 22:39

Don't buy anyone 'diabetic' anything edible. It tastes grim and gives you diahorrea. Give her something real and nice. She can eat a little at a time.
Or buy her a massage ?

Serin · 15/12/2016 22:41

Things I have recently bought my DM (83yrs)

Herbs growing in nice pots for her windowsill.

A bird table and bird seed.

The Countryfile calendar.

Yoga DVD

Suduko books

And this year, we have got her a Tassimo coffee machine.

SingaporeSlinky · 15/12/2016 22:47

Jumper, slippers, nice gloves, magazine subscription, jigsaw puzzle and puzzle mat, something ornamental for the garden, tickets to something in the new year, voucher for afternoon tea somewhere nice.

Fruitboxjury · 15/12/2016 22:51

Does she watch much TV or sit for long? How about a lap tray (one of the Ines with cushions underneath) with a fun family photo on it?

Otherwise I would consider a gift that's not a thing, perhaps vouchers for a manicure / pedicure or similar?

blueskyinmarch · 15/12/2016 22:57

My mum is 76. I have bought her a lovely soft cream scarf and warm gloves, warm socks and a little make up bag for carrying her medication. She has been very cold since having a heart arrack two years ago so I think these gifts will go down well.

bookbook · 15/12/2016 22:57

A bit practical, pretty but expensive, maybe something she would not buy herself

here

blueskyinmarch · 15/12/2016 22:57

Arrack? Attack obviously.

hellsbells99 · 15/12/2016 23:07

I've bought my mum a handbag and some cosy pyjamas Xmas Smile

SugarPlumWinterFluff · 15/12/2016 23:10

My nan is 76 and also diabetic.. please don't get diabetic chocs they are awful! Ive got her a knitted scarf, a new bathroom mirror in shabby chic style, some foot scrub/lotion and pumice stone thingy, a watch, some lovely flannel pajamas and some makeup.

Original poster
PandoraMole · 16/12/2016 00:37

Some lovely ideas here...I'd like most of them however...

...she's anally tidy so anything that would be 'left out' is a no-no

...she doesn't like cooking and has a somewhat delicate tum so foodie gifts are a bit pointless - she's quite happy with a microwave lasagne!

...she does like jigsaws, but does them online (nothing to leave out/tidy away!)

She doesn't dress like a 77 year old, so anything woolly or floaty would probably earn me a Hmm look! Wouldn't wear gloves or slippers if her life depended on it.

Likes her gardening, but tbh I'm hoping they will move somewhere smaller and maybe garden free when DD and I move out next year (we're living with them atm while my divorce goes through).

She is a funny old bean, bless her. I will keep the Tassimo up my sleeve for when we move out as I'll be taking mine with me and she does love her coffee.

We have a lovely vintage tearoom near us so think I will do her a homemade voucher for that plus some kind of photo gift and/or flowers.

Thank you so much Smile!

OP posts:
KC225 · 16/12/2016 13:00

Mine is 83 in January. I have bought her a silk pillowcase (supposed to cooler on the skin as she sleeps badly because she gets too hot) and gourmet marshmallows. (Got her some for her birthday and she loved them) and she admired some pyjama/leisure cuffed trousers I was wearing from Primark. She said they were what she had been looking for warm, comfy and with pockets. Got her a red and blue pair and a bed jacket from M&S

Agree, attempts at presents like planters for the outside, clothes, gadgets, expensive lotions and potions go unused or are foisted back later on on the year.

Mrsmadevans · 17/12/2016 20:48

Was in Wilkos today they had lovely gardening gifts ,gloves kneelers twine in a tin a garden journal all half price and very pretty. Also a weather station and a weather vane which was just lovely!

Original poster
PandoraMole · 18/12/2016 00:27

Thanks Mrs. I might well pop to Wilkos for the twine & journal for a friend of mine as I've been looking for both but not found anything affordable (am making a hamper with lots of bits in so can't spend too much on any one item).

On the mum front, I've remembered a Bayliss & Harding I know set she pointed out a few weeks ago. She won't be able to use the products but they come in a make up case that she liked the look of.

OP posts:
Mrsmadevans · 18/12/2016 18:05

Glad o be of help and I thought then you could put the lefy over bayliss and harding from your mums make up case in your friends hamper?

Original poster
PandoraMole · 18/12/2016 19:17

No, it's a very specific Hmm gold, glittery one.

The chemist down the road sells them so I'll pop and have a look tomorrow. I'm sure DD will be more than happy to take the contents off Mum's hands!

OP posts:
LovelyWeatherForDucks · 18/12/2016 19:26

If she loves her coffee, there are coffee subscription packages, or perhaps a bean grinder/milk frother gadget? Possibly a bit too 'foody'! For something practical, sites like www.theecostore.co.uk have some interesting but useful things.

Good luck, am also still on the hunt for something for my mum!

goose1964 · 18/12/2016 20:21

For chocolate for a diabetic good quality dark at least70% cocoa, hotel Chocolat do some that have no added sugar fillings.