88 year old Lady who needs nothing

[davisday]

Looking for suggestions please.

I have an elderly relative who I am very close to, she needs and wants nothing. Isn't a fan of clutter/ornaments/stuff. Hates flowers. Not perfume, smellies, coffee voucher or days out.

Please help, I don't mind getting a gift voucher if I can't find another idea but I would prefer not to as she has enough money to buy herself anything she wants so it would not be much of a treat.

We go out often. It's not really a gift.

I'm considering a midweek break somewhere, she would like that I think

I give my elderly friend M&S vouchers. She’s spent the last 10 years decluttering and organising “to save the family the job when the time comes” and does not appreciate things that will interfere with that process. She does also like a framed picture, or expensive face cream that she uses up.

Vouchers is on my list of possibles, I do just think it's a bit meh as she could buy anything she wanted. But, that's not to say she would so possibly a good gift after all.

Cashmere bed socks and a bottle of gin.

On the cosy theme - Another Mner linked these cashmere fingerless gloves www.turtle-doves.co.uk/collections/cashmere-fingerless-gloves which she said were really good, I have saved the link for dd2 present.

Don't get vouchers - too many never get used or the shop goes into administration (loads left with useless House of Fraser vouchers).

My nana is a similar age and loves the rington's Christmas hampers. Lots of lovely things in there that she wouldn't necessarily buy for herself. The mince pie shortcake biscuits are to die for!

Also embroidered handkerchiefs always go down well, posh gin and martini and nice wine.

I never thought about that swedish

It would be M&S or Debenhams I would give, but still no one is safe, we didn't expect house of Fraser to go

I second the suggestion of M&S vouchers. My grandmother in her late 80s never wanted anything for Xmas but M&S vouchers were always appreciated. She would buy some ready meals with them to pop in the freezer which meant hassle free meals some evenings with little cooking and washing up to be done.

Bake her a cake. I am actually sitting here with a brew whilst my Delia Smith Creole cake simmers for 15 mins.

Tena lady?! Wtf

How about getting your kids to make something? If she's close to them - a framed picture of her with them?

I know you go or with her a lot, but is there an extra special place you could go that's a bit further away that would make it seem like a gift?

She doesn't like flowers, but what about a nice pot plant?

Or a bird feeder to stick on window so she can watch the birds? That was popular with my grandparents.

Or a garden ornament?

A photograph album or a decent sized digital frame loaded with lots of her pictures. My DF loves his and they scroll through randomly so it's a different picture every few minutes).

My latest luxury present for women is a silk pillowcase, have bought them for my teenage DDs and my 50 something friends, I’m sure an 80 something would also like it. Good for your hair and skin, John Lewis sells them for £40.

For all the people surprised at the tena lady suggestion.

My nan asked for vagisil for her birthday this year. I kid you not. 

How about some really good quality well fitting shoes or boots? Every older person I know wants these.

If she has asked you not to get her anything I would respect that - and make it clear she shouldn't get you anything either. I have a no-presents agreement with many of my friends and family for clutter reasons, and would be well p* off if I received stuff from them. Toiletries are especially unwelcome as I like to pick my own!

My DGF is similar, he has everything. Thankfully I happen to be in London in November each year so get him fancy teabags and jam from Fortnum and Mason.

Does she wear lipstick? What about a really nice one like Chanel or Guerlain? If my DGM was still alive she wouldn’t be seen without her lipstick!

Kindle

She hasn't asked me not to get her anything, it's just she doesn't have a want for anything, as opposed to not wanting a gift.

Maybe I worded it badly before. I'm not going to piss her off by getting her a gift, I'm just looking for ideas on what gift.

My inlaws really enjoy art gallery memberships, there's usually a magazine or similar and because it lets them go to exhibitions cheap or free they can just go for short visits without exhausting themselves. They are still pretty fit though.

You mentioned shes a 'make do an mend' type of lady. Does she knit/sew/crochet?

If.so what about some luxury yarn, mohair, cashmere, hand dyed pure wool....

Does she write letters and send cards? You could buy her some nice writing paper and greetings cards and a load of stamps.

Sounds like my MiL , we used to giver her 1000 piece jigsaws but her arthritis in her fingers is getting bad so this year we're investigating getting her a jigsaw with photos of her great grandchildren on , hopefully on with bigger pieces so she can still do it

Create a photo book? I know my MIL loves those of her grandchildren.

What about a swivel/revolving cushion for her car seat to make entry and exit easier?