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Christmas

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

Another stocking filler thread - 85 year old mother

15 replies

RockingMyFiftiesNot · 14/11/2019 21:23

We all love our stockings at Christmas , even the adults! But struggle every year to think of some new things for my Mum. Stocking fillers for us are low cost - c. 10 @ £1- £5 each. Perhaps one or two items a bit more but she wouldn't be happy with too many expensive things. I also buy her a big present or several bigger presents.

I can't remember everything I've ever put in the stocking but will list some as may help others, and will probably end up repeating some bit would ideally like some new ideas.

Already got calendar and diary - do that every year as she asks for them and obviously needed new each year.

Past stocking fillers:
Soap (she doesn't like shower gel or body lotion)
Hand wash
Hand sanitizer
Hand cream
Scarf
Scarf ring
Brooch
Emery boards
Cotton wool pads
Nail varnish
Nail varnish remover
Moisturiser
Hair spray
Tea towels
Toast tongs
Notelets
Stamps
Seeds
Bulbs
Gardening gloves
Gloves
Scarf
Scarf ring
Puzzle book
Novel
Magazine
Trolley token
Key ring
Note book
Pen
Peanuts
Dates/other dried fruits
food item (tin of red salmon/tins of e.g. chicken in white wine sauce)
Sweets/chocolate
Tights
Socks
Toaster bags
Microwave steamer bags
Hankies
Mug
CD
DVD
Hairspray
Naice shampoo/conditioner
Hairbrush
Lipstick (only Make-up she'll wear)
Hand wipes
Cleansing wipes (although she prefers soap so no cleanser/toner)
Cinema tickets
Coffee shop voucher

And I'm sure there are lots of other things I can't remember.

She doesn't need things which will gather dust - best things she will use up or use regularly , so am happy to repeat a few things but would love some new ideas. Thank you

She doesn't drink so no miniatures.

OP posts:
RockingMyFiftiesNot · 14/11/2019 21:27

Also photo albums, frames, and a selection of photos of the family from throughout the year

OP posts:
isspacethefinalfrontier · 14/11/2019 21:34

Is she very financially strapped?
Maybe along the previous themes loo roll, washing up liquid, washing powder?

RockingMyFiftiesNot · 14/11/2019 21:52

She's financially comfortable so don't need to buy her day-to-day essentials but thanks for suggesting as would be a good idea for someone struggling. I know a lot of the things I listed are also day-to-day things too but more for her than the house. Often pop things in when I've noticed she's running low

OP posts:
teaorwine · 14/11/2019 22:21

my mum likes pop socks, disposable gloves for dirty jobs, voucher for hair dresser, thermal underwear, a bottle of non alcoholic mulled wine.

RockingMyFiftiesNot · 14/11/2019 22:28

Pop socks and non-alcoholic mulled wine now on the list! She has a massive box of disposable gloves and has her hair done at home. But all great ideas for other people as well as me

OP posts:
recklessgran · 15/11/2019 01:08

My DM same age likes a perfumed candle and some nice bars of soap.[ I normally get both of those from TKMaxx.]
Scotland Yard puzzle book if she likes to keep her mind active.
Coffee bags.
One of those drums of perfumed talc with a little powder puff for application.
Some lovely hand cream.
Small notebook with elastic closure as she likes to make lists.[BusyB do a really lovely one but a bit ££]
Adult colouring book
New hair brush
Hairspray
Nail varnish

Thehagonthehill · 15/11/2019 01:48

Those little heated handwarmers,edibles,Oxfam do nice things,mini shopping bag.Fluffy bed socks.

RockingMyFiftiesNot · 15/11/2019 16:13

Thank you. List of never given before is growing but would still welcome more suggestions

OP posts:
Ambydex · 15/11/2019 16:24

That's a great list already, thanks OP.

Scented candles or an oil burner and some wax melts or essential oils.
Lavender oil or "sleep mist" for pillow etc
Miniature of Bailey's or whatever she's into
Glasses case or cloth
Christmassy hot drinks - hot choc sachet, chai latte bags, christmassy herbal tea

Frenchw1fe · 15/11/2019 16:38

My mum always wants bed socks. I put pretty packs of tissues in and mint chocs.
If she writes letters stationery and stamps or a roller ball pen.

wibdib · 15/11/2019 21:31

Photo glasses cleaning cloth with recent picture of the grandkids (search for it on ebay - they're about £3-4)

Bag of marbles (in case she feels she's losing hers - long running joke at home so fine for me but be aware it could also go horribly wrong! ) - but also to teach the gc to play marbles

Small soft fleece blanket from Asda for about £5-6 - first year I got one that was very festive and added a nice festive touch to her lounge. She then realised that she used it more and more so have got her an every day one that matches her lounge too. It's small and light - just cosy enough to go over your lap to stop draughts. Also got her one for her bed - when it's hot it's not too big and cumbersome.

Golf stuff - balls, glove, tees etc

Bridge stuff - fancy biscuits, new cards, scoring pad, set of nice pencils/pens etc

Penny from the year she was born (that might have been for her 80th actually - costs about a pound on ebay)

packet of 100 thin plastic wallets to put a4 paper into - she doesn't have a computer or printer so whereas we tend to have a big box that we work through when we want to keep paper nice, she doesn't and she's found them really useful.

Plant food = especially the ones that you can put into plants that last for a long time, also other plant stuff like water retention gel

small bottle of hand sanitiser for her handbag

clip on ear-rings - she has never had her ears pierced and has some nice costume ones but has also found that it's hand to have some supermarket ones that she doesn't have to worry about losing quite so much.

my aunt is arty - I've given her a black paged sketch book along with a few white / very pale colouring pencils or watercolour pencils and a decent white biro - gives a whole different spin to sketching when they're usually used to using black pencil on white paper! (Hobbycraft amongst others sell them)

This year I've got a wrap around wrist thing that has a strong magnet in so if she is doing sewing or similar she can hold the pins on the magnet.

Also getting her a snow duck maker - less than a pound but think it will tickle her - she doesn't really bend down for snowballs any more but having a gadget to make a snowball that looks like a duck that she can use on snow on the car or a table or a wall - silly sort of thing that she could have fun with and it will be a talking point at least.

Oxfam (and probably other places) sell memo blocks of paper made from assorted zoo animal dung. Doesn't pong! But as she has a favourite animal, couldn't resist the chance to give her the dung from her favourite animal...

PersisFord · 15/11/2019 22:38

Crossword book? Little bottle of perfume? Burts bees cuticle balm (smells like heaven).

Leeds2 · 16/11/2019 00:46

Chocolate.
Pack of handbag tissues. Can usually get Christmas themed ones in Boots.
Computer mouse, if she has a computer.
New pen.
Notelets.
Comb.
Handbag mirror.
Bamboo toothbrush.
Fluffy socks.
Shower sponge.

Leflic · 16/11/2019 00:51

Glasses case? More of whatever she likes? Promise of a trip out?

Dorsetcamping · 16/11/2019 01:58

This is such a lovely idea. Am thinking of putting a stocking together for my DM

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