What Can I Put In A Hamper for My Mum?

[bugaboo218]

Thinking of doing my mum, who is aged 70 a hamper of some kind for Christmas.

Mum is really difficult to buy for. She is not into gardening (as in a, wheelchair), make up, perfume, jewellery, stately homes, does not drink and is really fussy about food.

Can anyone suggest anything for her hamper? Budget is £150_£200
TIA

What is it that makes you want to do a hamper as such? It sounds like she is quite difficult to buy for and to find a number of things to go in a hamper would be a tall ask. I also think hampers sometimes run the risk of just being a collection of things the recipient isn't really going to use but that coordinate well. I know mine is an unpopular view on these boards though!

When you say she's fussy about food could you turn that to your advantage and buy the things she likes? Could you splash out on a really good quality wool/cashmere blanket or scarf (that might well be a significant part of your budget)? Does she read, either books or magazines? Could a kindle be an option?

I do a hamper for my dad every year. He isn't fussy but I tend to buy food I know he likes, but a more upscale version (so he likes a cheese board - I go to a farmers market and buy local, handmade chutney, he likes choc so I put in some Thornton's / Green & Blacks).
I add miniature drinks so he can try new ones (my budget is less than yours or I'd include a good bottle of whiskey).

Once all the food is in I also add in a few odds and sods (a plectrum as he plays guitar, a book, pair of socks).

Think of what she likes and buy a slightly nicer version of it

I’d skip the hamper idea. She sounds tricky to buy for. Maybe get a nice warm cashmere scarf, a magazine subscription, her favourite chocolate and some new slippers.

What is she in to, how does she spend her day?

Fancy tea/coffee
Puzzles
Books
Doesn't she drink at all? Fancy crement (bubbly)
Photo album with pics of you and your family
A calendar with pics of family
Flower subscription
Hair products

Nice moisturiser? Candles like jo malone? A fire stick and Netflix subscription?

Got my parents Netflix (70s) last Christmas was a god send during lockdown!

A nice blanket for over her knees. I was given a Foxford blanket by a friend and it is lovely and cosy. They have a website. www.foxfordwoollenmills.com/?gclid=CjwKCAjwkdL6BRAREiwA-kiczDtEeNx5SE5sPlYRDaTop8Aak4cSVK_FMF22ck_visyF2AzY8zsfCBoCZK4QAvD_BwE
Does she like magazine or crossword puzzles? A subscription to a magazine or some puzzle books.
Nice cosy slippers and pjs/night dress.
A duvet set. When I have someone who is hard to buy for I try to pick something everyone tends to use every day if that makes sense.

Magazine subscription,
Scarfe,
Afternoon tea things like macaroons,
Lavender bags,
Cake and cake forks

I would do a smaller hamper and a nice thing to go with

I did my mother a relaxing bath hamper last year:
Bath salts
Non-slip padded bath cushion
Scented candle
Bath robe
Luxury soaps
Bubble bath

What about window sill flower boxes- so at her height and accessible? Then you could buy her all the bits to go with it?

I would also skip the hamper idea though, and just buy the best most amazing thing she would like within budget.

Cashmere is my go to for this type of present/person.

I’m doing one for step Mil and I’m putting in a face mask, bath salts, foot mask, pillow spray, a book and a couple of wee tins of her fave booze :)

Thank you for the ideas. I like the ideas of a cashmere blanket and window boxes at Mum' height.

Does she have circulation problems being in a wheelchair? Maybe something like heated slippers or a heated throw? Sometimes wheelchair users can suffer from really cold feet (apologies if she's in a wheelchair because of lower limb amputation, obviously!)

Does she read? A fancy Kindle and a Readly subscription. Or an Audible subscription for audio books.

Would she manage Spotify? I’ve set up subscriptions for older family members which have been hugely appreciated as I’ve been able to show them how to find songs they haven’t heard in decades.

My mum is younger but in a nursing home due to MS. I try and do a hamper for her on special occasions like Christmas and birthday but like your mum not much she is into.
So I just fill it with stuff she uses on a daily basis, her face cream, tub of e45, chocolates I know she likes, maybe a bit of jewellery I have seen she might like, her hand cream she uses, maybe some shampoo etc. A couple of bits and pieces I might see out and about. Chocolate biscuits always go down well. Bed socks is another one, and those floppy ballet style slippers she wears
Because it is stuff she likes she is always really pleased with it!

Agree with those who say skip the hamper. audreykate.co.uk is great for cashmere. The biggest wrap would be lovely as a knee blanket.

Cozy slippers, blanket, hand warmers and hot wattle bottle go,down well with my mum. Perhaps gloves or fingerless ones when she is out in the wheelchair? Reed diffuser or nice cosy candles

Fingerless gloves from Turtle Doves. Made from recycled cashmere and great if you suffer from the cold.