Ideas for Older Ladies

[GoneFishingAgain]

My DM is in her 80s, very active and independent, drives, computer literate and tech savvy and no money worries - usually buys what she needs/wants and has quite particular tastes.

I want to get her something special this Christmas as she lives alone so it will be a hard winter, but I'm stumped. I would normally treat her to a show, weekend away etc but that's all off the cards.

Would love some suggestions.

How about a subscription to Readly, that she can use on her tablet? Great for browsing magazines you wouldn’t necessarily buy, so lots of variety.

And yes to turtle doves wraps or similar. I’m 45 and love mine!

Cashmere wrap or jumper
Flower subscription - my MIL lives alone and really loved getting flowers each month - you could do just to brighten up first 1/4 of year with spring narcissi and or freesias.
Amazon credit do she could top up her kindle
Magazine subscription
Bird feeder for garden
If she likes hot chocolate the Velvetiser

For my dad one year as he lives on his own I bought a selection of 1/4 bottles of wine & champagne so he had a variety to open and have with his meals - he loved this as he never opens a full sized bottle just for himself to have with his dinner.
Perhaps book her in for a manicure at salon near to her if she likes pampering but wouldn't book it for herself

A beauty advent calendar

As an older (definitely) lady (jury’s out), I agree with the smart plug suggestion, especially if she has lots of lamps, and the flower or magazine subscription. Hearst have a good offer on Good Housekeeping at the moment, I have just bought myself one.
If you can run to it, a robot vacuum is lifechanging.
Here is the type much loved by MNetters, it would cost £180- 210.

Blondie sorry, a puppy is an insane suggestion.

My mum was given a Bichon Frisé as an 80th birthday present.
What started as ‘If I want to go on holiday you and your DH could look after him” quickly became “if you want to go on holiday, I would look after him” . Of course we quickly became permanent dog owners.

Don’t do it.

Blimey you’d need a big fridge for a years supply of cheese I think you pay for a years subscription, and it gets delivered monthly.

How about a coffee machine? Something simple like a dolce gusto or gassimo and then some nice coffees and biscuits?

I was going to get my grandma this as she loves going out for a latte but can't at the moment. Having spoken to my mum, my 91 year grandma actually got given one previously, but gave it away, but I think that's because she HATES all technology.

I'm going to be going old school and getting puzzle books and jigsaws for her. I may also frame a very old picture of her and her dad on her wedding day (my family have recently been collecting old photos?) so you could add something like this as a token gift?

*tassimo

A puppy? For an 85 year old? Without meaning to be gloom and doom, the dog is likely to outlive the owner.

Would she like a gin subscription? I love getting my gin box every month. You get a full bottle of gin plus lovely snacks and mixers and you can set delivery to monthly, bimonthly and quarterly. I can pm you a code for a discount for the first box if you need one.
My mum also loved a beauty advent calendar last year. There are some lovely ones for example Liberty, Elemis, Clarins etc. Or Jo Malone/Neom do candle ones. L'Occitane one is lovely too

Fortnam and masons hamper!!

It may just be all creatures great and small being back on tv but that’s what all my older ladies and gents are getting. Was the stuff of dreams when they were young. Now it’s still bonkers for some biscuits in a basket but is within my price range.

If you can broach the subject, this year of all years might be a good time to suggest a donation to a local food bank or shelter, either a one off or as a regular commitment. . My mother loved to hear what "she" had given each month.

Oh and we did the reverse advent calendar on her behalf too. I get the idea of wanting to give a present for people you love, but when people can buy whatever they want for themselves, it's a prefect time to help those less fortunate.

The OP has said she wants to buy her mum something special as it will be a hard winter. I really dont like charity giving on someones behalf as a gift, it's all so worthy. I give to food banks and donate to a charity of my choice but wouldnt foist that upon someone else and deny them of a bit of joy and something nice to open at Xmas.

@XiCi

The OP has said she wants to buy her mum something special as it will be a hard winter. I really dont like charity giving on someones behalf as a gift, it's all so worthy. I give to food banks and donate to a charity of my choice but wouldnt foist that upon someone else and deny them of a bit of joy and something nice to open at Xmas.

I agree I think charity should be from yourself. My DM gives generously to many good causes, including our local food bank.

Some lovely suggestions, thank you. She's so tricky to buy for as she doesn't want us to spend a lot of money on her when she can buy things for herself. So a treat or bit of luxury would be ideal.

I know what she would say to a puppy!

Handcream is boring but appreciated by my dm as she goes through a lot. She also likes plants for her garden.

Afternoon tea delivered to her

If she likes gardening, then some really good quality gardening gloves

@Catflapkitkat

Mya 85 year mum loves a huge box of gourmet marshmallows from The Marshmallowists

So glad I read this. There is a shop near me - just googled it. I adore marshmallows but those ones in the packet you pick up in the garage are not nice. Another good reason for being on this site :)

Thank you x

A Fortnum & Mason hamper?

Netflix? Sub to Audible? A lovely plant eg Forsythia which is beautiful in Spring. Tulips or other bulbs from a proper nursery. A gorgeous David Austin rose. Are any of these floating your boat?

Weighted blanket?

Bulbs for the garden, possibly in pots. Snowdrops, daffs and tulips to come up at different times.

I've made MIL a day at the home spa hamper....With individual face masks, foot treatments, nail varnishes, scented candles and little bottles of bubbly/cocktails. Going to do one over zoom with her.

Mushroom growing kit.

DVDs of older films from when she was young.

Newspaper archive subscription. I got these for dps and dpils who bored me to tears reading old news articles down the phone seemed to enjoy them. Fil renewed his the following year. My dps were scandalised when they discovered the cost and refused to let us renew it for them

Flower subscription

Skinny reading glasses that you carry on your phone so they’re always handy, and ones that magnetise you the fridge for checking the date on the milk.

Luxurious mulberry silk pillowcase or
pyjamas

Silk lined leather gloves that are super warm, hypoallergenic but still thin enough that you can use your hands with them on. Or, these cashmere lined touch screen gloves

Sorry, you stick the glasses to the fridge not the other way round

My mum is 80 and I get her a stocking filled with lots of different things. She loves it as I always add a satsuma, orange and some nuts for nostalgia - I always try and find something vintage that may reminds her of her childhood - last year I got a finger knitting set! Scarf, gloves, afternoon tea voucher, book ... she loves it and the thought that goes in to it