|
|
Post by melanell on Nov 13, 2024 13:24:36 GMT
Every year we fill a stocking for my mother-in-law. But I'm running low on new ideas. That's where I hope some of you will come in and offer your thoughts/opinions!  So far we have: * an orange (throwback to when that was a thing) * ornament from the 1950s (she was born in the 40s, so we figured this would be nostalgic for her) * a book (holiday novel about cats) * postage stamps * a gift card to a local grocery store * purse size hand lotion * purse size hand sanitizer She lives in a small apartment with 2 cats. She does still drive. She does not have an outdoor area of her own. |
|
|
|
Post by KiwiJo on Nov 13, 2024 13:32:19 GMT
How about:
Edibles - snacks etc
Sweet-smelling sachets such as lavender to put in drawers
Shower bombs
Small folding mirror for purse
Nail polish (if she uses it, of course)
|
|
wellway
Prolific Pea
Posts: 9,073
Jun 25, 2014 20:50:09 GMT
|
Post by wellway on Nov 13, 2024 13:36:16 GMT
Some nice chocolate, Belgium or can you get Terry's Chocolate Orange? We do that instead of an actual orange. I see they have added mint, and milk chocolate to the range.
Lip balm
Small bottle of scent
Does she drink? Small individual bottle of something nice. Or an interesting non alcoholic drink.
Favourite teas or coffee
Depending where she lives, hand warmers, socks, gloves etc
|
|
lindas
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,304 
|
Post by lindas on Nov 13, 2024 13:39:51 GMT
Are there any community theaters in her area that you could get 2 tickets to so she could take a friend?
|
|
|
|
Post by gar on Nov 13, 2024 13:57:20 GMT
House plant, nice notebook, water bottle, picture frame, book mark, mug with her name, little decorative dish for keeping earrings in, puzzle book, bedside holder for glasses if she wears them.
|
|
|
|
Post by mikklynn on Nov 13, 2024 14:05:37 GMT
I give my mom certificates I make for an outing - lunch for example. Then I pick her up and pay. This way she isn't tied down to a particular restaurant. When my dad was living I'd give them handmade certificates for takeout. Then mom could call me and ask me to pick up whatever they wanted and I'd deliver it to them.
|
|
|
|
Post by crazy4scraps on Nov 13, 2024 14:11:33 GMT
Bath pouf
Gas station gift card
Flavored coffee or hot chocolate mix
Peppermint bark
Travel sized pill container for purse
Small jars of fancy jelly or preserves
Cookie butter
Cute pocket sized packs of Kleenex
Dated frame ornament with a photo of her grandkids/family/pet in it
Gift cards to her favorite restaurants or stores. One year one of my BFFs got a whole collection of gift cards to all of the stores she loved to shop at and her favorite restaurants from her DH. She loved it and said it was her favorite gift.
|
|
|
|
Post by melanell on Nov 13, 2024 14:17:16 GMT
Wow--so many great ideas already! I'm excited!  |
|
|
|
Post by malibou on Nov 13, 2024 15:18:06 GMT
A set of postcards or notecards
Old timey candies
A pretty festive pin for her winter coat
|
|
|
|
Post by stampnscrap1128 on Nov 13, 2024 15:30:12 GMT
A new hairbrush
A couple of little cat toys for her pets
|
|
|
|
Post by revirdsuba99 on Nov 13, 2024 16:05:29 GMT
Her cats might love a lazor pointer....
|
|
FurryP
Drama Llama
To pea or not to pea...
Posts: 7,276
Site Supporter
Jun 26, 2014 19:58:26 GMT
|
Post by FurryP on Nov 13, 2024 17:42:29 GMT
A small flashlight she can put in her nightstand in case there is ever a problem in the middle of the night.
|
|
|
|
Post by cadoodlebug on Nov 13, 2024 19:05:43 GMT
I love Merci chocolates and put a box in DH and DS's stocking.
|
|
|
|
Post by calgaryscrapper on Nov 13, 2024 21:06:32 GMT
Do you make cards? Some home made cards for her to give out
|
|
|
|
Post by aj2hall on Nov 13, 2024 21:37:41 GMT
I really like the idea of experiences - dinner & a movie, the theater etc. and cat toys, especially a laser pointer would be fun
I tend to give my mom practical things, anything new that I discovered and think she might like
Reading glasses that fit in a wallet, they snap together
Swedish dish cloths
|
|
|
|
Post by melanell on Nov 14, 2024 0:52:14 GMT
Thanks, everyone. These are all great ideas. I'm making a list.  |
|
|
|
Post by mollycoddle on Nov 14, 2024 1:39:36 GMT
If she lives somewhere chilly- a soft fleece throw, warm slippers, a fleece cardigan. A small, bright flashlight and extra batteries. If she has a smartphone, a purse sized recharger with built in cords. Some nice body lotion-Curel and Eucerin make good ones.
Maybe a winter wreath for her door?
|
|
|
|
Post by beaglemom on Nov 14, 2024 2:13:09 GMT
I am seriously struggling with this. We do a "secret" stocking for a name we draw from dh's family. I got his mother. She is a crabby, rude, grouch who "needs" nothing. She complains about everything and is just all-around ungrateful. I told dh he needs to rig the drawing (he runs the elfster for his family) next time do that I don't end up with her.
Mil is 80, likes sweets - but complains when she gets them that she shouldn't eat them (serious disordered eating), doesn't need things (they have multiple storage units full of crap and are in the middle of a remodel and only have access to 3 rooms in their house.
Help!
|
|
|
|
Post by mikklynn on Nov 14, 2024 13:31:47 GMT
I am seriously struggling with this. We do a "secret" stocking for a name we draw from dh's family. I got his mother. She is a crabby, rude, grouch who "needs" nothing. She complains about everything and is just all-around ungrateful. I told dh he needs to rig the drawing (he runs the elfster for his family) next time do that I don't end up with her. Mil is 80, likes sweets - but complains when she gets them that she shouldn't eat them (serious disordered eating), doesn't need things (they have multiple storage units full of crap and are in the middle of a remodel and only have access to 3 rooms in their house. Help! She sounds like my late FIL. Get her a gift card and understand she'll hate it. Just smile. I got to the point I told DH I would never buy his rude and ungrateful father another gift. I told DH he would have to do it, if he wanted to give his dad a gift. Guess what? He didn't. |
|
|
|
Post by melanell on Nov 14, 2024 13:32:59 GMT
I am seriously struggling with this. We do a "secret" stocking for a name we draw from dh's family. I got his mother. She is a crabby, rude, grouch who "needs" nothing. She complains about everything and is just all-around ungrateful. I told dh he needs to rig the drawing (he runs the elfster for his family) next time do that I don't end up with her. Mil is 80, likes sweets - but complains when she gets them that she shouldn't eat them (serious disordered eating), doesn't need things (they have multiple storage units full of crap and are in the middle of a remodel and only have access to 3 rooms in their house. Help! Oh my gosh--yikes. Consumables sound best, and yet if she complains about the sweets---that makes it more difficult.  Does she enjoy any local businesses? Shops, restaurants, grocery stores? Or perhaps locally sourced goods like syrup, honey, soaps, etc. ? It really makes gift giving less enjoyable when someone isn't appreciative of at least the thought & effort. Hugs! |
|
|
|
Post by gillyp on Nov 14, 2024 13:48:23 GMT
Handbag/purse holder This is a set of 3 but I've linked to give you an idea, you can get them singly Sachets of hot chocolate cologne tissues nice scent and a bit like modern day smelling salts if you feel a bit nauseous or faint keychain flashlight RFID blocking card holder rechargeable clip on book or Kindle light
|
|
|
|
Post by Susie_Homemaker on Nov 14, 2024 14:33:37 GMT
How about a box of chocolates and a gym membership?!  If she's going to complain no matter what you give her, then just give her whatever you feel like. There's no winning with someone like that! |
|
wellway
Prolific Pea
Posts: 9,073
Jun 25, 2014 20:50:09 GMT
|
Post by wellway on Nov 14, 2024 15:01:43 GMT
I am seriously struggling with this. We do a "secret" stocking for a name we draw from dh's family. I got his mother. She is a crabby, rude, grouch who "needs" nothing. She complains about everything and is just all-around ungrateful. I told dh he needs to rig the drawing (he runs the elfster for his family) next time do that I don't end up with her. Mil is 80, likes sweets - but complains when she gets them that she shouldn't eat them (serious disordered eating), doesn't need things (they have multiple storage units full of crap and are in the middle of a remodel and only have access to 3 rooms in their house. Help! Is she religious? A new bible and bible tabs. Bible tabs
Or if she needs nothing, a donation to a charity in her name. No doubt she will complain but she will look even more grouchy if she does. |
|
