Still panicking - adult stocking

[Zaphodsotherhead]

Yes, yes, I know adults don't need stockings, blah blah.

But this is for my lovely lovely friend. She's a widow in her 60's, one adult son who's ASD and thinks a Poundshop box of chocolates is a suitable present for his mum. Her family just send her money. She always does me a Christmas stocking, full of the usual stocking gifts, tissues, chocolate coins etc.

This year I want to give her a stocking. But I want to put in things that you'd not usually think of. So, small adult gifts, not too pricey, bit special. She really has a tough time over Christmas (she LOVES Christmas and hers are always a bit thin since her DH died).

Thinking caps on, lovely MNers. How can I surprise, spoil, and entertain her without breaking my own bank? She's a keen walker, crocheter and reader by the way, but spends a lot of time on her own or with her 25 year old son.

You are such a lovely friend. I have a young DS with ASD who most likely will never live or work independently and it is a scary prospect. It can be a hard and lonely road and I am sure the real thought and appreciation you are showing your friend will mean the world to her.

I’m also a knitter /crocheter so had a few other ideas, just in case they are useful for another time (sounds as though you have enough ideas for now?)

• John Lewis haberdashery sell lovely little scissors in a case and retractable tape measures covered in beautiful Liberty fabric. I have a set and they give me huge pleasure - or did until my ASD son made off with the tape measure - he loves it now and has probably broken it

• beautiful project bags for crochet projects - zipped or drawstring. Also smaller notions bags to put scissors, tape measure, needles in. NOTHS and Etsy have lots, you can find something that suits her style. I also love ones made by The Little Grey Girl, who has her own website. Not super cheap but Maybe for another year or a birthday present? (The larger sizes are most versatile)

• Turtle Doves fingerless gloves - much mentioned on the bargain threads but I wear mine a lot in the evenings as I can still craft in them!

• a bamboo or similar lidded cup - use mine lots.

• ETSY and NOTHS have lots of badges for crafters - search for crochet badge or similar and you might find something fun for her to wear or just put on a project bag if she wouldn’t wear it directly. I have a wooden one with a ball of yarn that says ‘balls to brexit’, ha ha.

These are also lush:

www.sainsburys.co.uk/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIrrCGrqPf5QIVTcreCh30ngPAEAQYBSABEgLtgfD_BwE&productId=1228326&langId=44&storeId=10151&krypto=An103TJWkJd5ndeW2c%2BlDZQB4Gq%2BBh6Vw8MDz2JwUJIskqRbYz23%2F%2FPT%2FSBEPS%2B1boRgJsF5GXKBrBR5DPV%2BVWEHggevUArwu8QwGTN967XAhWJnANoUzjdQetkcB%2FdwIWKtP8C7LiHcV4cAv3RrQwv6PIO7bCtqe1te2XF61stUNHe2w%2FvUTHa1Tg8iOf67NsTqgI02U2sG%2BlBdbkIpDvOTQgODc%2FQ2O8QUgpMhTprAHWTVDosIo6ls2U7g8iS41Ww%2BTkxHk4y2MrQcfHwMoxU5aOQYEigM%2FHEKflmujnYWORQbFwPx5E4CRYvXHfX%2FG1NxE9MVIRki%2FmgtWWwIlqR7Q%2Bi67IHfjPQuHTYZw8c%3D

Sorry for ugly link! I’m asking for these for my stocking

Oh brilliant Seacow!

She's not a fingerless gloves or badges sort of lady (she's quite 'traditional' really) but all the tips for crochets stuff is wonderful (and I can also store up for her birthday!) I might get her a nice workbag and also pop over and have a look at the John Lewis site!

She tends to buy the cheapest of things and not spoil herself, so it's nice to be able to buy her things that are a bit more luxurious. I'm going to add in some Occitane hand cream too.

And thank you Catlady. She's been a good friend to me and we've known each other for 25 years, so it's nice to be able to push the boat out for her a bit, when she's got no one else to do it!

I'm sure your friend will be thrilled with all of the love and care you have put into her stocking It sounds like she deserves to be pampered. I know you have enough 'bits' now but for anyone else reading who is looking for inspiration I have always found a lottery scratchcard goes down well.

Water stone vouchers - they have a cafe
New cup or mug
Tickets to something you could share

I'm going to look out for a cute nice cup for her. She likes pretty thin china, so I may find a really nice mug for her morning coffee!

She doesn't really get to Waterstones much, we live quite rurally and she has to take her son when she goes into town most of the time and he won't go into cafes. Most of her shopping is done online, therefore. We do go out together sometimes to things, but there's a limited supply of stuff to do out here!

Could tuck in a small Amazon voucher, I suppose, but her dad and sister always just send her money and I know she finds that impersonal, so vouchers might be out.