80 yr old woman - inspiration needed!

[ExperiencedContractor]

I really need some inspiration for gift ideas for my 80 year old mum.

Pre-empting that yes, the best gift for someone this age is my time, but she already has plenty of my time, I help her through life and we do loads of things together so we already have theatre and trips booked in. She does get pleasure from receiving small gifts so I want to get a few little things.

She is mentally fully there, but physically slowing down. No hobbies, she spends her time volunteering.

No interest in food-based gifts or drinks (so no hampers or afternoon tea), no need of extra clothing or blankets or jewellery. Already has digital photo frame.

I was thinking maybe a subscription, not flowers, but not sure.

Any ideas? What have other people got for their mums?

I am the same age, I love Arran sense of Scotland diffusers. My favourite is ‘After the Rain’. Also heated gloves, a heated lap blanket and Jones the Bones massage oils.

Volunteering is a hobby (unless she really altruistic and hates it!). Can you give her something that relates to her volunteering?

If there’s really nothing she needs or is likely to want, why not do some shopping for a food bank, and give her a list of what ‘she’ has donated?

I got my mum a candle warmer and candles. Had never heard on one before the Xmas threads this year. She loves candles but worries about falling asleep with them burning

Mine is same age. She goes to a book club snd slwsys forgets to get the book, so I’ve got her all the books for next 12 months and a book club journal to right down her thoughts as she reads them. She also likes to get facials so I’ve got her salon vouchers. Other idea could be theatre tickets for a show she’d like and you could tske her? Or maybe national trust membership (if budget allows and she’s up to a day out every month say?)

Not sure of your budget, but mine loves expensive perfume ( or scent as she calls it)
I think she thinks it costs half of what it actually does though 🤣

A subscription for a wash and blow dry every week? Mine finds raising her arms above her head tiring so washing her hair is difficult.
I found a lovely salon with a slightly older clientele and she really enjoys the weekly experience!

I got my mum some useful bits that i know she wont buy herself. Slippers and socks. PJ's.

A fine china cup and saucer. Some cute bits as she love knick knacks.

My mum asks for 'something that makes her feel good, that she doesn't need to dust'. This year, it's her favourite fenjal smellies, a crossword puzzle book, a notebook, fluffy socks I knitted etc. A warm throw for the sofa went down well last year plus a nice doorstep planter to add some colour to the front step.

Bed jacket if she likes a cup of tea in bed

https://www.carrandwestley.co.uk/collections/womens-bed-jackets

I love the idea of a lounge cardigan

https://www.marksandspencer.com/teddy-borg-wrap-lounge-cardigan/p/clp60748957?color=DARKRASPBERRY

My mums 89 ….Ive got her a nice bottle of wine ….2 jig saws ( she does them in winter when it’s too icy to go out) ….a Kipling cross body bag….. a Rowan tree for her garden ( will pick it up Xmas eve then plant it) and a cath kitson print vinyl cloth peg bag from Etsy ( her old one is falling to bits)

I was eyeing up these weighted cuddle animals for someone of similar age who lives alone. Althought that maybe because I want one myself. It's the kind of thing that people wouldn't get themselves but things to cuddle are always nice.

https://pulseofpotential.com/collections/weighted-animals

Some nice fingerless gloves

My mum is a shopaholic so has all the makeup , perfume and candles a person could want. This year I’ve bought her a heated throw - this sounds like a hideous present but I bought myself one a couple of months ago and it’s been my favourite buy this year. Great for reading or watching a film with variable heat settings and an automatic shut off. It’s cheaper than running the heating all the time.

Subscription to a genealogy site such as Find My Past or Ancestry. This can become addictive and has lots of spin offs.

My mum is 80 in January. She’s in the family secret Santa but my DC have bought her a cream teddy fleece from H&M. She also loves perfume & jewellery. She’s getting gold/silver hoops from Pandora from my dad.

Bought my similar-aged mum some Skechers Slip-ins recently and she loved them

National theatre at home subscription since she likes the theatre?

I literally forgot I started this thread until just now!
Thanks for all of the suggestions, at first glance my favourite suggestions are the sketchers slip ins which she’s had before and I know she will wear, and the weighted animals, as she’s commented how she would have liked another pet but won’t get one now due to age - that might fill the need.
Thanks everyone!

Plant pot with bulbs in for the windowsill.

I’ve just bought a memory gift book for my mum from Storybox.life. They receive a weekly email and after they answer all the questions they receive a beautifully bound full colour hardback book of their life with pictures. Something really special for the family to share.