Present for 70 year old mum

[vvviola]

My Dad passed away this summer so Christmas is going to be tricky enough as it is. But I'm really stumped what to get DM.

For the last few years we always got them a voucher to go away or out to dinner or concert tickets. I just doesn't seem right to do that this year.

So I have no idea what to get her. She likes her garden but doesn't actually do much gardening any more, and otherwise doesn't have many hobbies (or at least nothing that she didn't used to do with Dad)

Any thoughts?

A nice bracelet/earrings/necklace or a really nice jumper or coat?

I bought a very old friend a bottle of her favourite perfume . She used to have it bought her from her husband when he was alive. I think smells are important reminders of our memories espesh as we get older. She was so delighted with it and used it every day.

How about something you will do with her.

Time is always the most precious thing to give. She may feel that there are things she cannot do any more without her husband.

Theatre tickets. A weekend away.

Afternoon tea for you and her somewhere posh.

All the above - and isn't there a website that does a regular delivery of flowers in a box that fits through the postbox?

A magazine subscription. It's something she can use and pass on once she has read it. It will arrive throughout the year and be a "surprise" in the mail each time a new issue arrives.

Loving the afternoon tea idea; there was a place near to us that used to do it; it was a little bistro style pub and it was lovely. The glasses of prosecco were £5 each too. Really good value.

Try love theatre for tickets, I always have good luck with ticket prices on there.

Could you take her back to where she grew up? We did that for my Nan and Grandad and they loved showing us where they lived, you could still see the different colour tiles where the council had patched the roof when a bomb fell through in WW2, they showed us their schools, where they met, where they played, the old dance hall where they went on Friday nights, we took them out for pie and mash at a traditional shop... it doesn't sound like much but they lost years in minutes, reliving the memories and telling us stories. We all enjoyed it SO much and it wasn't particularly expensive.

How about tickets for you and her to go and see the strictly tour?

My mum loves scarves, either winter woolen ones or silk ones to go with a top, she gets a new one on a regular basis. Also these small bags you can put in your handbag for emergency shopping.

A gardening magazine subscription? Something ornamental for the garden? RHS membership, tickets to Chelsea Flower show (if you are in the right area)

A trip with you or your family, afternoon tea, show or exhibition?

I don't know what your budget is but my siblings and I got our mammy an iPad last year for her 70th. She loves it!

I bought my late mum a garden bench for her 70th.

Thanks for the ideas! The magazine one might be a good option.

I'm a bit reluctant to do the "trip away/afternoon tea with us" option as it's very close to what I used to give her and Dad and I think it would draw attention to the change. We do a lot with her anyway so it isn't like she won't be doing things with us.

Jewellery is unfortunately a no-go. DDad bought her so much beautiful stuff over the years that nothing I could afford could match it.

A nice warm hat and scarf might go down well though, she walks a lot.

Thanks again!

I'm in same situation this Christmas.

Last Christmas when DF was terminally ill I got their (rescue mutt) Dog DNA profiled, they loved it (obviously would only work as an idea if your DM has a dog!!).

Since DF died it has become obvious from a few things my DM has said, that she is getting a bit down with cooking meals for one, so I got her a "Cook" voucher as a gift, so she could order a big home delivery of really nice ready meals.

What about a spa day with her, possibly something she can do with you that she would never have done with your DF.