Present ideas

[Green Aura]

Anyone got any suggestions for a Christmas present for my Mother. She's very nearly 90 (next Feb), physically frail and her cognitive skills have diminished quite markedly in the last few months, so books and suchlike are out. And as our gal is similarly stumped and has resorted to chocolate, that's out too!

I'm knitting her a new hat and scarf, to keep her warm on her lunch group outings, but it seems a bit meagre.

Smelly stuff is also a problem as she has very sensitive skin so keeps to the same old products that don't irritate her.

Have I mentioned I hate Christmas.

[ojay54]

If I make 90 (I won't) I'll only accept alcohol for Christmas or birthdays.

Have you seen the Whitby Hand warmer? Excellent bit of kit.

[diggernotdreamer]

I wonder if she would like some of those audio books. I know that my dad could remember a lot of things from when he was younger but not present day, so maybe some music from the old days would cheer her or find some old photo's and put them into a book for her to dip into.

Did I mention I hate Christmas too................

[Flo]

Audio books of old stories do go down well along with older music. It takes time to do a scrap book but a year book with stuff printed from the internet would be of interest for her. It's boring to say that a box of fripperies like her favorite teabags, biscuits and other store cupboard stuff would be useful for her.

[ina]

I'm knitting her a new hat and scarf, to keep her warm on her lunch group outings, but it seems a bit meagre.

I don't know what kinds of presents you are used to, but this doesn't seem meagre to me at all! If you count up all the hours invested (which, of course, one wouldn't if it is a present) this is worth a fortune. It used to be that a present isn't worth anything unless it's handmade. These days, a present doesn't seem to be worth anything unless it's cost a lot of money.

We sell a lot of stuff in the shop where I work that is popular with older people. Flannelette nighties or sheets are a hit for winter...

[Green Aura]

All brilliant ideas, thanks, although I'm not sure she'd be safe with lighter fuel heated handwarmers (there are other types though and I think she'd love them, she's often really cold when she comes back from lunch club).

I'm definitely going to have a look at some warm nighties. I agree about the hand made presents, ina, but I know she's spent a small fortune on us. A scarf and hat, compared to the microwave (which I didn't want) and a slow cooker (which I did want), seem paltry. We have got her a few bits of biscuits and crackers (she lives with us so tea is on demand ) as she likes a nibble with her cup of tea.

I'd love to get her a simple cd system, but I think that would be a brilliant 90th birthday present - she loves music, particularly opera. I had thought about contacting the remaining members of her family to get stuff to make a photo album for her birthday but then I'd completely forgotten about it. I'll get on to that straight away.