speeddiva Posted December 3, 2011 Posted December 3, 2011 I have absolutely no idea what to get MIL. The woman has no friends that I know of, no hobbies. I don't want to get her the usual lotions, gift cards or anything like that since that's what everyone else gets her. My budget is $50-75.
biomajor Posted December 3, 2011 Posted December 3, 2011 Maybe a nook or kindle? A camera? A spa day?
speeddiva Posted December 3, 2011 Author Posted December 3, 2011 Maybe a nook or kindle? A camera? A spa day?She doesn't read or have a computer so anything digital wouldn't be welcomed by her. The only spa would be in the "big city" (she lives on a farm 20 mile from the nearest small town) so she wouldn't use it.
jonboy_nellie Posted December 3, 2011 Posted December 3, 2011 If she lives on a farm in a cold climate and does farm work, maybe a Carhartt coat? They are really great for that and a sale could fit your budget.
Elmck Posted December 3, 2011 Posted December 3, 2011 Maybe a new robe and slippers. An apron and a cookbook, or crockpot. A piece of jewelry.
Rockfordmom Posted December 3, 2011 Posted December 3, 2011 The woman has no friends that I know of, no hobbies.Do we have the same mil? lol
pogiporkchop Posted December 3, 2011 Posted December 3, 2011 I think I would get her a $25 gift card (either for a restaurant or just to use in general) and donate the rest to a charity of choice. At DD's school the 3rd graders are raising money so they can give to others through World Vision; just what animals the kids will choose remains to be seen but it should be interesting. A gift like that (the one that keeps on giving) would certainly be different. :)
canfleece Posted December 3, 2011 Posted December 3, 2011 What about lunch/dinner and movie out together . What if you got take out from a restaurant they like and deliver it to them with a bottle of wine, diet coke (my choice :)) or whatever with dessert and all. I would love any night off of cooking and if I didn't even have to go get it that is even better.
speeddiva Posted December 3, 2011 Author Posted December 3, 2011 What about lunch/dinner and movie out together . What if you got take out from a restaurant they like and deliver it to them with a bottle of wine, diet coke (my choice :)) or whatever with dessert and all. I would love any night off of cooking and if I didn't even have to go get it that is even better.She's 80 years old & a widow so she doesn't like to dine out alone and there's not enough gold in Fort Knox to make me spend a minute more time with her than I have to. I like the robe/slippers idea & DH was thinking maybe a Keurig type machine but so far the best price I've found is $80 on the Mini & that's out of my price range.
jendeere Posted December 3, 2011 Posted December 3, 2011 I have absolutely no idea what to get MIL. The woman has no friends that I know of, no hobbies. I don't want to get her the usual lotions, gift cards or anything like that since that's what everyone else gets her. My budget is $50-75.Do we have the same mil? lolSounds just like my mil. This year she asked for a walmart gift card but the woman never leaves the house (seriously, she makes my fil a list and he gets what she needs when he runs errands) so I don't know when she will use it. Maybe like the laptop fil got her 3 years ago and she hasn't even taken it out of the package
hillbillyswife Posted December 3, 2011 Posted December 3, 2011 does she have a dvd player? Maybe movies, blanket & popcorn maker my mil hates everything so i know what you are going thru...lol
AndreaInNC Posted December 4, 2011 Posted December 4, 2011 Gift card to the grocery store she shops at or pay her utility bill for a month. Donation to her favorite charity maybe?
mom2monkiesx3 Posted December 4, 2011 Posted December 4, 2011 does she drink coffee? A keurig :) that is what I got my hard to buy for MIL...last year she got a KitchenAid mixer. Granted my MIL is just 60... What about a magazine subscription? A maid service for a few months?
pottsie66 Posted December 4, 2011 Posted December 4, 2011 I like the idea for the gc to the grocery store. I've done those many times for elderly people and they really appreciated it. Everyone has to buy groceries so you know it would get used. Also, you could do a subscription to her local newspaper if she likes receiving the paper. Gift card to the grocery store she shops at or pay her utility bill for a month. Donation to her favorite charity maybe?
Rockfordmom Posted December 4, 2011 Posted December 4, 2011 I did a Walmart giftcard for her last year. I just went to the store and got my mil the $79 Kindle from Target, I got a gift receipt so she can return it if she wants. My husband said she told him that she's been wanting one but I bet she never uses it, she couldn't figure out a cell phone or a computer no matter how many times we helped her and got rid of both. I used the Facebook coupon and got a $10 giftcard because I spent over $50. Now I've got to figure out what to get for my fil.
redraccoon Posted December 4, 2011 Posted December 4, 2011 A basket of fancy coffee samples and personalized picture coffee mug.. An Edible Arrangements fruit bouquet... Soft fuzzy socks A "you name it" of the month membership.... beer, coffee, fruit, FLOWERS... Microfleece sheets
speeddiva Posted December 4, 2011 Author Posted December 4, 2011 I thought of the Keurig bit BIL said she wouldn't like it. I absolutely will NOT give gift cards. I looked into the ______ if the month things but couldn't find Any under $400 Im going to call her newspaper in the AM to see how much 6 mos. or a year of that is.
mgmckny Posted December 4, 2011 Posted December 4, 2011 What about a basket with her favorite staple items, if she likes Folgers, a big can of it, etc... favorite cereals, etc.. You know she will use it because it's what she likes and she doesn't have to buy it for a while which might help her budget if she's on a fixed income.... My mom is a creature of habit....getting her to try new things is hard now, when she was younger it was a little easier...
smorebore Posted December 4, 2011 Posted December 4, 2011 We always give items for the birds outside her door. Feeders, seeds, etc. They are like her pets.
AndreaInNC Posted December 4, 2011 Posted December 4, 2011 A subscription to Readers digest - LARGE PRINT edition. That's my go to gift for anyone over 70 .. lol
Rockfordmom Posted December 5, 2011 Posted December 5, 2011 My son just came over and I asked him if he thought she would be able to figure out the Kindle and he said no but that he wants one, so I think that I am back to square one... but now I can cross him off my list.
Kim3498 Posted December 5, 2011 Posted December 5, 2011 I bought my MIL the Kindle Keyboard with 3g, but now I'm starting to worry she won't be able to figure it out. She doesn't do very well with technology at all......
shoppinmama Posted December 8, 2011 Posted December 8, 2011 How about a digital picture frame preloaded with family photos. My inlaws loved this gift. In fact they sent us one this year in the mail. I know because I peeked...don't tell.
speeddiva Posted December 8, 2011 Author Posted December 8, 2011 How about a digital picture frame preloaded with family photos. My inlaws loved this gift. In fact they sent us one this year in the mail. I know because I peeked...don't tell.I did that last year, she never turns it on. She doesn't want to run up her electric bill
shoppinmama Posted December 8, 2011 Posted December 8, 2011 I did that last year, she never turns it on. She doesn't want to run up her electric bill Oh no! I feel for you. I am trying to figure out what to send my inlaws too. Hoping to find something on Amazon for the free shipping since they are out of state. We sent my fil an ice bucket last year because they have a fridge with a bottom drawer in a very narrow kitchen and no ice maker. Would love to send them a toaster this year because they are always burning the toast in their toaster oven, but they love their oven. Think I'm going to have the kids make some ornaments and send some pics of the kids along with whatever we decide to send them. Good luck!
ISU ME Posted December 8, 2011 Posted December 8, 2011 I ususally do photogifts for my MIL with photos of the grandkids. We get them taken professionally and then I frame the really nice, make a scrapbook, etc. She loves it, its very easy, and it solves the problem of getting her something when she doesn't really need anything. You all make me very greatful that I enjoy my MIL's company! :)
hopps Posted December 8, 2011 Posted December 8, 2011 what does her typical day consist of? Does she muddle around in the kitchen,spend time outdoors or maybe read a lot or a tv junkie? Just think about her day and try to find what could be useful to her during her everyday meanderings.
Promom Posted December 8, 2011 Posted December 8, 2011 Personalization mall has some nice things. I was able to get mil a mug with all children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren names on it. I was also looking at the electronic bible thing I saw on QVC where the bible talks.
Rockfordmom Posted December 8, 2011 Posted December 8, 2011 I went with a $50 Red Lobster/Olive Garden (Darden) and a $50 IHOP gift cards which I bought off www.plasticjungle.com
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