Gift ideas for elderly but active aunt

[Thisischocolate]

My aunt is 83 years old and still very active and busy, but I’m not sure what to get her this year. I also have to post so I don’t want anything that’s too heavy or big.

She loves gardening and reading in particular.

In the past I’ve already bought garden things like a robin nest box, an arch to grow roses up, a garden-themed covered mug for outdoors, and a RHS colouring/paint book (she loved that).

Due to Covid she isn’t really going into town so I’m not sure about a book voucher (and she won’t buy online- she only wants to support the High St), but I guess she could get my cousin to go and get a book if she looks online first and decided what she would like.

She loves coffee so in the last I’ve also included stocking filler things like a pretty mug with good coffee, fancy chocs and biscuits but I don’t really want to do that yet again.

Would she do a paint by numbers?

Depending how much you want to spend, what about a magazine subscription? Lots to choose from and it will be something to look forward to every month - maybe a gardening mag or a puzzle mag to keep her mind active ?

Surely if you actually send her books she won't know whether they came from your High St or Amazon? Either way, this year's Booker Prize shortlist is wonderfully unusual - get her as many of those as you can.

Does she have enough apple trees? If not, and if she has a garden with sufficient room, two bare-root trees to plant in early spring.

Instead of one bag of coffee, why not get her a coffee subscription? A bag of freshly roasted beans once a week. (And a grinder if she doesn't have one.)

(By the way, if anyone dares to send me a Paint by Numbers set, or a Puzzle Magazine when I'm in my eighties - I will seek them out and smite them.)

(By the way, if anyone dares to send me a Paint by Numbers set, or a Puzzle Magazine when I'm in my eighties - I will seek them out and smite them.)

This made me laugh - genuinely. But I buy for a lady who is only in her late 60s who asked for a puzzle mag subscription - she's on her own, does t go out much and it fills some of her day.
I know from our own elderly parents how important it is to keep their minds active, especially during lockdown when they are more isolated. Hence suggesting the puzzle mag.A friend of mine in her 50s has done several painting by numbers during lockdown, she's a 'life and soul of the party'type but has really enjoyed the relaxation this has brought her. Ditto all the people doing jigsaws this year.
But you still made me laugh!

A bird feeder to go in her garden and good for it. She might enjoy hearing and seeing birds come and go. Possibly a book on different bird species you might get in your garden.

Why not take her out somewhere nice for a cream tea. My elderly Aunt used to love seeing and being with me more than anything I could buy her. She had no children of her own but lived close to me growing up and was like a second Mum to me.

Offer to go to her home and help her cut shrubs and trees back. She might find that difficult on her own and would enjoy spending time with you.

Take her out to a lovely garden with a lovely tea
RHS subscription if she's not already a member
Is there a gardening magazine she'd like a subscription to?
Voucher for Sarah Raven or Crocus so she can buy something beautiful for her garden for herself
Monty Don's latest book.

(I need to send this list to my children).

If you're not a gardener please don't buy her any gardening kit unless she specifies it herself - no offence but we tend to be a very picky bunch and have exactly what we want already.

How about a lovely gardening calendar or diary?

NT sell them with photos of their beautiful gardens..

shop.nationaltrust.org.uk/books-stationery/stationery/calendars-diaries.html