Xmas Gift for 86Yo Mother

Weird one but does she have a yard/garden? The new hoses that shrink to nothing are so great. They're light easy to use and store. My parents are around that age and I just sent one so they don't have to lug the big heavy hose anymore. My neighbors and I love them. Like I said - weird one but an idea.

Does she like movies? You could get her movie passes and set up a date for the two of you to go see a movie (assuming she lives nearby). Otherwise, you could send a redbox gift card, popcorn, something to drink, etc.

If she likes to read, find a few good books and send those.

Another option would be a _____ of the month club. Think of something she likes (again books or movies, wine, cheese, anything) and give her a year of that.

For my grandma who is the same age I am getting her an umbrella (she asked for that), a gift card to olive garden and i usually do a framed family photo or a pic of the kids.

Take her to a concert, an art show, a museum, a play. Buy tickets, reserve a nice restaurant for lunch or dinner and then spend time with her. This is what I do with my mom and I never regret it. SHe loves getting out and spending time with her kids.

Write down her lifestory....so it will be a good thing for you to do with her and be a good thing for the grand children to read. When it is done, get it bound for her. She is 86....the stories she could tell you. About your childhood, her childhood, the time she grew up, her first kiss, her first heart break, her first loss, the worst thing she ever cooked. a big mistake she made..... the funniest thing she did. did she go trick or treating? christmas presents she remembers or however you all celebrate (hanukkah, quanza, christmas etc etc) think out side of the box, be creative...

My mom is a similar age. She really enjoys tickets to events, restaurant gift cards and such. Things to do (& someone else to do the driving) bring her more joy now than things.

Merry Christmas!

a couple years ago we started giving my mom gift cards for things she needed. jiffy lube for the car, a window washer, someone to do her lawn, snow removal etc. she seems to like it a lot better than more stuff which she does nto need.

One of the things I do is help people clean out a home when they move into a smaller home.

It is amazing the amount of stuff that older people have that they have NEVER used or only used once.

Honestly they do not need or what anythings..

I agree that you spending time with her is the best gift. Take her to meals at the newest restaurants.. maybe only go for dessert.

Movie tickets to the independent movie theater in her area.. and give her enough cards she can take a friend.

A play that is coming to town a concert..
If you can afford it send her to visit a dear friend or relative or fly in a friend or relative she would love to see.

I promise the last thing anyone over the age of 50 needs is a candle, a frame, a scrap book, a mug, a vase, decorative stuff. ... If you saw the last estate sale I did you would fall over by the amount of decorative stuff, still boxed up, still in the packages. We see it all of the time..

I tend to fall into the nightgown/slippers routine with my own mom too so I understand wanting to be less predictable and not buy "stuff". Would your mom maybe enjoy a spa day? She could get a relaxing massage or have a beauty treatment to make her feel extra special. If you have a close relationship, it could even be a mother/daughter date that will also create a nice memory too. :)

A cleaning lady, a lawn guy, a snow removal person, a weekend away with your family, a window washing service for inside and out.

My mother just broke her shoulder in 3 places and honestly, I think she is pretty happy by all the attention she is getting. I am beginning to wonder if she will ever drive again.

With that note, take her out to lunch or gift her with some gift cards to her favorite restaurant so she can invite a friend.

We have three octogenarians we have to shop for. Like your mother they are all healthy and active.

Some things we have done....weather station. That one was a hit with all three. They liked being able to easily check the weather and time.

A digital photo frame. I filled SD cards with pics from all the family thanks to facebook.

The year before last year we did new pillows and sheets. Yes they all had plenty, but none of the ladies had updated those in quite a few years. I haven't heard a thing about the sheets, but the new pillows seemed to be appreciated.

I stole the idea from my SIL, but one year we did garden tours. We were able to find one in each city. They got to go with friends or family and have a nice breakfast. Then they spent the day touring fancy gardens around town.

For two of the three ladies, I think we are doing gardening classes this year (my grandmother has poor vision and can't do this). We are also toying with a gym membership, so my husband's grandmother can swim laps. She really enjoys swimming. For my grandmother I am making her a calendar. But I am using pictures of all of her children instead of current family pics. She keeps the pictures stored in boxes, so I thought it would be a nice way for her to enjoy them.

For mother's day last year, we got fancy self inking address stamps. And for my grandmother with poor vision I made her labels to address things to her family and friends. The stickers are printed in large print so she can easily read them.

HTH!

My mom will be 80 in a couple of months. I just ask her what she wants at this point and get her that. Then I get her a little something sentimental- nothing expensive. This year I thought about making her a pretty calendar with poems or sayings about mothers and their children, with pictures of she, my brothers, and I over the years. (I better get on it soon!) At their age, it doesn't have to be about the money- it's about the memories.
My mom also likes going to theater or shows. I buy tickets for two and take her. She always loves that and we get some QT.
Hope this helps.

Your time. Visit her & spend some time with her.

Put together a book of her life. Use a journal book & write what you know
of her life from birth to now. Where & when she was born, any memory
she told you of her childhood, the schools she went to (include photos
you get from online or go there & take a photo of it yourself), her friends, her first car, her favorite movies, favorite sayings, clippings of anything you have from her past, events in her life etc.

Make a donation in her name to a charity she supports.

Where does she go when she drives? Favorite restaurant? Food? Drink? Gift card to her favorite stuff.

Also, you can get a photo calendar done at Target for very little $ and it's a great memory gift. :)

Hi, Sally:

Why not donate money in honor of your mother to some charitable
organization. You can put the acknowledgement in a Christmas card.

Merry Christmas:

Christ is the reason for the season.

D.

Have you set her up on Skype or something similar so she can SEE the people she wants to keep in touch with? A little computer tutorial on that type of thing might be nice. As for an actual gift she can unwrap, a gift card to her favorite store or restaurant or maybe just the mall - she can pick what she wants. A gift I am giving my 89 year old grandfather this year is a custom made puzzle (he and my grandmother LOVE doing puzzles). I took a family photo and had it made (online). Also, you can "adopt" an animal at the Washington Zoo and get a password to see them on camera - I did that for them one year. A donation to a charity that she supports. Kind of late in the game for this but some geneaology reports - this site references some really great, beautiful ones you can frame - http://nieniedialogues.com/. Does she like to read? Good books or, better if she doesn't have one yet, a Kindle. I think they are wonderful for older people b/c you can set the font size to anything you want and the print is so clear! I don't know how close you live to her but a girl's day out or day at the spa would be fun. A site called Bebe Bella Designs has minky chenille blankets, throws, etc. that are SO unbelievably soft (look for a promo code for a discount). I have several "hard to shop for" folks on my list and every year is a challenge so I can sympathize! Good luck.

A basket of home baked treats. Back in the day the holidays just weren't the holidays without home made cookies, fruitcake, candies etc. Or just plan a Saturday of baking and cany making with Mom either at your house or hers.

She may like a book. I bought my Mom several biographies of movie stars of the golden days of Hollywood. Stars such as Doris Day, Liz Taylor, Lauren Bacall, and her favorite Laurence Welk. She enjoyed reading them and then talking about the things she had never known about these people.

Maybe some new holiday decorations. If she has had hers for years the may be looking a bit tattered and worn. If they have sentimental value you won't be able to pry them from her but she may like some new decorations.

My grandmother at that age, loved a day out at the racetrack. My husband's grandparents love live lecture series, I have an aunt who likes male strip shows (chippendales esque). Don't know if Mom is in DC, but if she is, there is everything and more at your fingertips. If you are going to give experience gifts, match her likes etc, esp as she is so active.

Best,
F. B.

Gift card to fab restaurant!

I have to go along with the life story book. My MIL has been writing her book at the urging of a friend and a resident. She is 93 and lives by herself and gets around quite well. While we were in Kansas for the memorial service of my BIL she handed me her life story she had been writing.

The story included how she grew up in they years before and during the Great Depression living with her grandmother and how she was reared. The reading shed much light on how the country in the 20s felt about how the people felt. The book is written in a notebook and hopefully she will get is published.

Spending time with older people is a gift they relish. Take her to her favorite spot for a bite to eat and a movie.

Happy Birthday to your mom.

the other S.

You say she has a computer - so why not some software that would help her, some gift cards to online photo printing places, family photos, etc. Until my 88 yr old grandmother had surgery recently, I was at a loss, too. I was going to get her a favorite scent of lotion that is hard to find. Or maybe treat her to an outing with you.

I want to be your mother when I grow up. :)

Gift certificates for any pampering - a lot of older ladies like something for their skin (facial, pedicure/food massage, etc.).

Coupon book with one coupon from each family member (including kids) for things like a day trip, a lunch out, a few hours spent over a photo album, a game night, etc. Or if she won't "redeem" these things to ask for contact, how about a calendar on which everyone has written the date they are going to call or come see her? You can also make your own calendars with a different photo or a small photo collage for each month. There could be a page for each grandchild or for each of her children and their spouse/partner. Then she can enjoy the family all year long.

How about something to encourage her to write up a family history. There are probably templates out there that have prompts to encourage/stimulate the memory. It's good for keeping her own memory active, and it preserves those stories for the generations to come.

5 $25 gift cards to 5 different restaurants. Tell her that she can treat her girlfriends, take the grand kids, or you-- but they are for her to do with as she pleases.

You are so blessed!

Good question!