Need your help again please!

[Nina A]

<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by Deb
Just a thought. We bought my MIL (92) a digital camera frame for Xmas. All the family uploaded photos and she just thinks its the best present ever - its hardly switched off! Might be difficult for you as your family are all over, but maybe they could email some pics for you to upload.
[/quote]
<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by Thornton
Before getting a digital photo frame just check she would appreciate one. We have one which took to MIL and it got a very lukewarm reception. Just as well we had checked as we had been intending to buy her one.[/quote]
We bought my Mum (she was 84 yesterday) a digital photo frame for Christmas. She too gave it a very lukewarm reception to start with but only we discovered later because she didn't really understand what it did. She now has it on all the time and absolutely loves it. She won't be parted from it so we got an extra disc for it and loaded it up with different photos. We swap them over for her every so often putting new pics on the disc each time. Mum has a mobile phone but wouldn't have a clue about texting!

Other than that what about a magazine subscription or something she would keep getting throughout the year?

[CarolAnn]

<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by andrewmckay5
A laptop and teach her to become a silver surfer and stay in touch with the family world-wide. If typing is a problem then a video cam?
[/quote]

I thought the same..take everything off the laptop that might confuse her, set her up and she will be away!!!

[louisbourg]

what about an i pod or mp3 player
we got one for an older family member , and asked to borrow her favourite cds [msnwink] and we put all the tunes on for her before giving the gift

she absolutely loves it

there is some great music out there from a few years ago , that your mil maybe didn't hear for a while
good luck in choosing a gift and have a lovely safe trip
sharon

[heathercobbett]

How about making a hamper of luxury foods? This could include some home made goodies from the WI market. My MIL used to love this gift and we used to alternate it with a basket of Yardley Lavender toiletries.

Another gift that went down well was every womans magazine published in her birthday month.

Since you have to find 3 gifts for mums every year, this can be a challenge once they announce that they need no more stuff.

[steph_goodrum]

I thought I had solved the problem of what to get for my inlaws a few years ago, with him being diabetic but a chocolate lover that was out for her, as mil had TB after the birth of her first child, the treament destroyed her sense of flowers so she doesnt appreciate flowers and wont wear perfume in case she overdoes it, so took over paying their TV license and said they could then spend the money on what they wanted and just bought a token for their birthday. 2 years later they announced free TV licenses so that then became redundant, she suggested we take over their gas bills and see if the government started paying them as well.

Next year will be tricky as in Feb they will have been married 60 years, mil will be 85 in Aug and Fil 90 in Oct.

[wrightbuxton]

We bought my mum and my MIL digital photo frames for Christmas. All the family gave photos even old black and white ones from years ago. We scanned all the pictures in and they both love them....everyone who visits comments on what a good idea they are. They are cheaper to buy in Florida than here though.

Julie

[Cruella DeVilla]

Thanks guys, some great ideas but the diabetic and half deaf rules out some of them. She hates computers too. Might think about the digital photo frame though. I was thinking about a hamper (non food) of some sort as I sent a nice one at Easter and she was overwhelemed. I brought it all back form the US so it was a bit unusual from what they have got round Devon. I am off to Birmingham and Manchester next week so I will find something. Mind you it's the 24th so need to get a move on as I need to post it!

[MarkJan]

When she was 80, we took my auntie on a helicopter trip from the local airport. She loved it.

[mizzy]

i saw a very nice ad for afternoon tea of the orient express just recently, it was a full days excursion with high tea for £275 each

i was thinking it would make a nice pressie for my mum as she's got a big birthday coming up whilst we are in florida

i have the details if you want me to pm you [msnwink]

[Cruella DeVilla]

Sounds fab Marie, but as I mentioned in original post she is diabetic and can't travel far so it's turning into a bit of a mare as foodie or travel related gifts are out