Gift for widowed mum

[funtimefrank]

Dad died last year and she's found the last year awful as most have. She was just starting to form her own interests when lockdown happened and she was back to square one and has been very lonely.

She is super active - Pilates, gardening, archeology and history but she used to do everything except the Pilates with my dad.

I would like to get her a gift which may encourage her interests and may help her get a bit more social but obviously at the moment that's pointless as she can't go anywhere really. She is a member of rhs and Nat trust already.

I was wondering about some kind of subscription gift but can't think what.

If she likes gardening then maybe a nice garden subscription box? There are some nice ideas here www.gardenersworld.com/product-guides/growing/gardening-subscription-boxes/

Or a flower subscription so that she’ll receive some lovely fresh flowers every month. If she’s on her own it might be nice for her to receive a regular gift?

If she likes history, are there any good museums nearby that you could get her a membership for?

It must be so difficult for her, it’s tough to suggest things where she may be able to meet other people, as who knows what Covid will throw at us next year! Fingers crossed she can get back out and start meeting people again soon.

This might be a bit left field...... The Landmark Trust have a cottage really close to the Roman Vindolanda site at Bardon Mill. Might she enjoy a break away there with you or a friend? The Roman site is wonderful for anyone with an interest in archaeology.

If you think she might like a break, the Landmark Trust also has many other fascinating properties which are full of history. You can also become a 'friend' and have access to events, become a volunteer etc. It's a bit different to the. NT as often the buildings are much less grand, but still so interesting. BTW I don't work for them, but have stayed in some of their properties

I don't have much knowledge on this myself, but what about an online course series? I know a few people who have been doing online courses or things with the OU over lockdown and raving about them, I don't know if there is a social aspect but I'm sure there must be loads and might keep her busy over what looks to be a rather bleak winter?

Does she have alexia or google home and Spotify

A bird box with a camera in it! Watch the birds close up building their nests and hatching chicks and feeding.

Hours of endless fun

Some lovely suggestions upthread - I bought a relative a magazine subscription do she had sonething nice dropping through the door each month

Thanks for these. I like the idea of a subscription box as my dad used to get her off the cuff treats all the time. So now what kind of box.

I have seen some great ones which are a book and a tea but her house is full of books (dad massive reader) and she's trying to clear out. Maybe plants/flowers or just posh chocolate.

I know you said she was active but does she like reading at all?

I got my mum ( similar situation) a book subscription for her birthday this year - it was one that was personalised to her interests and she gets sent a lovely new book each month for a year ( you can get them for different lengths of time depending how much you want to spend).

Sorry missed that bit in your last post!

Again my mum was similar but still likes getting the new book ( also as they area books she wouldn’t necessarily have picked herself!)

I’m widowed too - although not sure if the same age as your mum, but also love history and gardening.

Are there any floristry type courses run locally (we have some lovely ones near by). They are often small groups of women of all ages (some mothers, daughters and even grand daughters occasionally) and turn out to be quite social, you could perhaps even do one together - it may be a way for your mum to meet some new friends too as quite often the same people attend the different courses. Our local ones are still managing to run Covid securely and still running the annual Christmas wreath workshop. Sometimes even good garden centres will run various workshops related to gardening that she might enjoy.

Alternatively my daughter gave me a bouquet subscription one year which was fabulous - every month I got flowers delivered and it really brightened my mood.

Perhaps you could arrange a Pilates retreat weekend for her - again these things are often social and a good way to meet people with similar interests.

It will have been an awful year for your mum and she undoubtedly will find her first Christmas widowed difficult - something to do and look forward to will take the focus off the difficult day itself and be something to look forward to in the New Year.