Suggestions for gifts that cost nothing!

[Rushhomeroad]

A tough ask, but I'm hoping for suggestions for gifts that cost nothing!
My mum is insisting we spend nothing on her for Christmas and will be cross if we do. We can afford to buy her presents, but she is of a generation that doesn't waste money and she would rather we spent it on the kids. There are other family politics at play, but I've reluctantly agreed to respect her wishes. I'd like to make a little box (I already have a nice one) and fill it with things that don't cost money (or very little). I'm thinking baked goods, art work from the kids, home made vouchers etc. Does anyone have suggestions or other ideas? She is mid 70s, widowed, likes reading and knitting, relatively fit and active.
Any suggestions gratefully received!

Collage of kids’ photos, homemade game e.g top trumps

I used to do a small box of handmade things for my dad from my children and me - a large decorated biscuit that I'm sure he didn't eat but had his name and some shit edible glitter on, some art work on a couple of home-made cards with proper original messages in, and recent photos with funny handwritten captions from the DC.

He had a cracking sense of humour so we made the captions very 'á la Ian Hislop' iykwim.

He liked the wit that had gone into it, not the money.

Second hand knitting basket and re-line it?

Lots of photos of your kids arranged in a big (second hand) frame

Handmade vouchers from you all, with different people offering different things - handmade cake, trip to the beach etc

Hand made book mark

Framed photos of DC
Paintings by DC mounted on card
Home made biscuits or jam
A couple of books you have read that you think she'd enjoy
A packet of wildflower seeds
Some potted on baby spider plants if you have any (or if anyone locally does)

I know it probably sounds cheesy, but how about the gift of your time? I’m sure you’re mum would love some vouchers made up, with promises of time spent with her/doing things for her.

Google send your name to Mars, it’s free.
Get the kids to mock up an invitation to have a fancy afternoon tea at your house, no necessary outlay just tea and coffee you already have, sandwiches made out of fridge contents but cut into finger shapes, homemade cookies and scones. Get out your best China and napkins, the kids can help serve. Organise free experiences rather than gifts ( give her the gift of time it’s what I would like as a grandma) to invite her on so a walk around the local area to look at decorated houses then back to yours for cuddles and hot chocolate or a movie night at your home with popcorn. There are free local Carol concerts in our city I’m sure that there will be one near you invite her along.

Do you have trees or bushes in your garden, could you make her a Christmas wreath to hang on her front door or use greenery to make her a table centrepiece if she likes candles on the table. Are your kids old enough to make crafty things, loads of ideas online for things they could make and gift.

Homemade calendar, with photos or pictures the kids have drawn.
Christmas decorations for her tree.
Mulled wine or cider kit from spices you have in the kitchen.

Maybe I'm wrong but I think many older people don't want a box filled with things. My parents are always stressed out by stuff they get given no matter how well meaning it is.

My mum loves Christmas cards though.

I know it's hard not to give anything, but I think it's important to respect her wishes, which I think means no presents please. It's the most thoughtful thing you can do.

Get the children to decorate some old frames with shells, old beads, etc for photos of themselves for her.

Make her a herb garden in a large pot with cuttings from your garden or supermarket plants.

Look out for wool and knitting needles in charity shops.

Make a voucher for home made afternoon tea with her.

Make her a Yule Log cake.

Make some fat balls for the birds that she can hang up in her garden.

Make some lavender bags to keep the moths away!

Oh wow! There's so many great ideas here! I love the plant cuttings, herb garden, sewing basket and fat balls for the birds ideas. The giving of time is what I was thinking about with homemade vouchers. I'm really feeling inspired - thank you!

Shortbread is really easy to make. Maybe with a mug with a photo shoot of the grandkids on it.

Collage of kids photos is a nice idea, or could be a family history photo book with pictures of her grandparents and earlier ancestors. There are also photo restoration programs like PhotoGlory or Photoworks that allow to repair old pictures or colorize them. Could be done in Photoshop, too, and then you can add the info about each relative and build a family tree. The whole process will be interesting for the kids as well, I think.

DIY gifts like candles or soap are always nice and useful. Here is a good soap tutorial that may be helpful

Ooh making soap, great idea!

I agree that as we get older, 'stuff' loses its appeal. We don't need more of it. We need less of it.

We're downsizing in a couple of years and I want to cut the amount of stuff we have by about 70%. Then at Christmas and birthdays all I'll ever want is things that can be used up - bath stuff or fresh flowers or coffee and tea.

You could even offer vouchers for decluttering and spring cleaning days if you think she would appreciate those.

Handmade vouchers from the kids for

Massage
Kisses
Hugs
Etc

Totally agree with many people (not just older ones ) just don't want any more 'stuff' in their lives. The gift of time is what many like ... vouchers for a spring clean, an hours gardening, decluttering, going out for coffee/lunch etc - or my DM's favourite 'time spent sorting out the computer' . Make the vouchers appropriate for your own mum.

Or would she appreciate a charity gift? One year I gave my DM a voucher for Crisis (the amount is relevant to the Christmas meal and other costs) - my DM really appreciated that, she gave the same to her friends the following year.

I wish someone would give me similar vouchers - a car valet would be the best!

I notice your Mum is a reader, so if that’s actual books rather than an e-reader, two or three bookmarks would be an idea. Use stiff card, add a small design, punch a hole near the bottom for a tassel of ribbon, simple to make & useful to have.

Yes! Book marks are a good shout, she is definitely old school and reads actual books!

Voucher to do maintenance/decorating her house/flat
Voucher to do next springclean for her

There’s lots of free knitting patterns online. You could find one she might like - maybe even something for your DC - and print it out?

There’s lots of free knitting patterns online. You could find one she might like - maybe even something for your DC - and print it out?

I saw an activities thing to do with kids over winter and it was making ice lanterns/tea light holders. They were beautiful bit obviously wouldn't last very long so I've ordered some resin to try and make a permanent one.

Books from the charity shop
Make tablet/fudge/cake
Home made Christmas baubles from the kids. We did finger print ones that you turn into snowmen. If your interested ill send a pic, but I'm in bed ATM 🤣.

Is there anything around that house that she's been putting off that you could do to help her?