Present idea for 78 yr old lady

[allmytimeonmumsnet]

Help! Its mums birthday next weekend and I am stumped. Flowers are a waste of time as she is pretty immobile so can't water them. Same with things like music CDs or toiletries. I've dedicated an oak tree in the town she used to live as a present from the children but I just can't think what to get from me this year. She has got everything - I am constantly clearing clutter so am reluctant to get her something she doesn't need but she doesn't NEED anything. We've done the pictures of the kids, posh wrap for over her legs when we go out. She doesn't cook anymore so nothing for the kitchen. Help! The only thing I could come up with was a magazine subscription but can't think which one as she already seems to have piles about the place. Any amazing suggestions that I've not thought of? The only other thing I could think of was a cactus as she can't kill that off from not watering but haven't been able to find a good one. Help I've only got a few days left and I've been in denial. She does like reading, opera and theatre but she always gets us theatre tickets so wouldn't feel like much of a gift. Is there anything more clever I can give associated with the theatre or books or something?

How about a multiplay cd player with a remote control so that you can load all her favourite music on there and she can control it easily from her chair.

Would she enjoy a pampering day? Maybe you could go together.

or some books on CD?

Bloom do really realistic silk flower arrangements, not cheap the bigger ones, but my grans delighted with her roses in a vase.

they are on the internet - bloom.co.uk i think.

Or you could do an interflora subscription - send her fresh flowers every month.

I bought my disabled 81 year old MIL a cashmere sweater in pale pink and she absolutely loves it. Old people get cold a lot and often have dry sensitive skin. A cashmere sweater feels incredibly luxurious, she will actually use it so it isn't just clutter and she can wear it to the opera!

Got mine from Lands End sale and it's great. www.landsend.co.uk.

My mum is 71. She loves to receive luxury skincare items like estee lauder moisturiser or handcream as she won't spend that money on it for herself.

I have just sent a friend a gift from these www.ediblearrangements.co.uk

They are a bit different and she could enjoy them with you and the kids while you are there.

my mum is 76 and she adores parfume and creams. boots often has taster sessions and good specialists in advising and also body shop is a good place to choose from.

Thanks all. She does like cosmetics, perfumes etc but they tend to just go in the cupboard.

I had thought about an ipod last year after we showed her photos on ours. I just like the picture of this old lady scrolling through photos on something so modern but perhaps it would encourage her to listen to music more although I can't see her with headphones. The problem would be setting it up and keeping it charged as she has no laptop and of course mine is full of my music - not to her taste I think! Can you charge an ipod from the mains? I suppose I could use the kids laptop to set it all up but wouldn't want to keep bringing it away to charge it.

Also like the idea of the edible arrangements or it interflora subscritpion. Will look them up(the other ideas are good too but I think these will appeal most, don't want to offend anyone )

Can't you get ipod speakers which can be plugged into the mains and the ipod charges from them too? I may well be talking a load of old tosh since I don't have an ipod But my sis and I bought our bro some speakers for his bday so I know you can get them.HTH

Aghhhhh www.ediblearrangements.co.uk don't deliver outside manchester! Had just chosen which one I would send. Bummer.

Take her for Tea at the Ritz (i assume everyone lives near london!!), i always think experience presents are the best!

If her sight is OK, a digital photo frame might be nice.

i got my mum a nicely boxed set of cds of classic novels like jane eyre from the book people.

Like the digital photo frame idea. Would have to be pretty simple to use though. Any recommendations?

This is the one I've been looking at for my Mum and is relatively simple, according to the reviews -
www.ebuyer.com/customer/products/index.html?rb=0& action=c2hvd19wcm9kdWN0X3Jldmlld3M=&product_uid=125779 . Would assume that you would sort out updating the memory card from time to time if your Mum isn't computer-savvy? HTH

cnat you do a planter or hangin basket outsie

RHS subscription

hotel du chocolta