MIL warned me about buying present for partners GM?

[tw1698]

Hi all,

Just looking for some inspiration! I have been with my partner for 2 years and thankfully his family treat me like one of their own, when buying gifts, myself and my partner put together and buy from both of us.

Last Xmas we bought my partners GM a super soft blanket and she absolutely loved it! Following this, MIL said she wish she had thought of that because in the 25 years her and FIL have been together, all her gifts to her have fallen flat. (e.g. she told me that after buying GM expensive perfume - GM asked MIL if she though she stunk and threw a little strop)

It has really thrown me off - she is super hard to buy for. She is retired and alone, doesn't leave the house unless to go to church dinners and at home, watches NCIS/CSI on DVD on repeat and does crosswords.

On interrogation of DP, he has said his GM has been like this since he remembers - never really held any interests or hobbies.

On her birthday this year, we bought her a lovely pen to do crosswords with but it really took my last brain cell to come up with that idea.

What do you buy a hard to buy for GM?? Any inspiration would be greatly appreciated!

My grandmother was notoriously difficult to buy for and in the end cash and scratch cards were the most appreciated gifts 😀😀😀.

I was going to suggest a heated throw so she can sit on the sofa or on the bed with it and it has a remote control. My husband got me one from Lakeland last year that cost about £100.

Crossword book subscription? I get one for my mum every year.

Cashmere socks?
Sheepskin slippers?

How many are there if you in the family? Lots of grandkids etc m, all spread out?
Last year I signed the family up to this
neveo.io/
All the family then uploaded pictures through the month and added comments after which it’s printed and sent in the post to DH Nan. She LOVED it. Showed it to all her friends/anyone that came to the house like carers etc. It’s a bit like Instagram in paper form. The rest of us see each other’s photos/goings on on social media but old people don’t and often you don’t think to ring them and tell them about the amazing meal you had or the kids being silly.
I had thought about it the year before but never got round to doing it. Unfortunately DH Nan died earlier in the year so I wished we’d sorted it earlier.
When clearing her house she’s had so much stuff, trinkets, bottles of baileys, unopened food from previous hamoersni had made for her etc. So something that’s the gift of just being part of what we are all doing I think was really nice for her.

Ooh just thought of another idea, my next door neighbour seems to live in her house coat at the moment, it’s a beautiful velvet one and only goes up to her waist, I commented on it when she was pegging her washing out.

When my mum was under the weather I bought her a washing and ironing service. All her washing came back beautifully ironed - she still talks about it!

A footstool.

Posh version of a food she likes.

I got a person who as everything a collection of different marmalades from Fortnum and Mason - if she likes that sort of thing. They have a selection of several and don't mind delivering just that!

Also wondering about the cover less duvet. Does it ever get washed?

An Alexa (Echo Dot) is great for anyone who finds fiddling with buttons on remote controls too fiddly, as it is voice activated. Also great for anyone with poor sight, as they can ask it the time, the weather forecast, the news, or to play music etc etc.

My DH's late grandmother was a demon, I thought sod it I'm not playing this game and gave her a supermarket poinsettia which was raved about, she apparently adored it. Her actual grandchildren bought her beautiful presents including a holiday and got "well what would I want with that". I don't think she actually liked the poinsettia but she loved being difficult!

Subscription to a magazine - puzzler, BBC good food, good housekeeping or even people's friend if she is really ancient of soul!