| A
female
age
30-35,
anonymous
writes: hey aunties, this isn't a relationship question but maybe some of you may help. my mum's birthday is coming up and I would like to give her something nice, but not so expensive. I got a job this year and it'll be the first time I'll be able to get her something I bought myself. the previous years I gave her handmade birthday cards, I baked her a cake but this year I'd like to buy something the problem is: she doesn't like reading so I can't buy her books, I can't buy her chocolate or anything I know she loves to eat because she's on a diet and I don't want to sabotage her, I can't buy her clothes because quite seriously I don't think I know her taste very well, jewellery I can't afford (that's the one thing I know she likes) and she also likes plants/gardening (but I don't want to just give her flowers, my dad either buys her vases/chocolate so I know she'll probably be already getting something like that)I thought a gift card was very impersonal so I don't know what to give her... If it may help with suggestions she's in her forties and she's a housewife...
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female
reader, oldbag  +, writes (20 September 2012):
 Hi
How thoughtful you are!
1) a magazine sunbscription - for 12 months (cheaper if done online)
2) a fitness DVD to help/go with her diet
3) a manicure/pedicure at the local salon or nail bar
4) take her out to lunch and give her a card & b'day cupcake you've made yourself
5) a flowering shrub for the garden
6) take her to the cinema
7) a bottle of wine or whatever she drinks, you can get personalised labels online to put on and make it a keepsake
Just a few ideas..
A
female
reader, anonymous, writes (20 September 2012): If she likes to garden give her a plant or tree to grow. She will be reminded of you everyday.
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A
male
reader, Fatherly Advice  +, writes (20 September 2012):
 I can tell you are putting a lot of thought into this. My Daughter when she was in your position bought me a chair. I guess she knows I spend too much time at the computer.
Instead of specific suggestions I'll give you some general gift giving advice.
Make it personal. If you know that your mother keeps your hand made cards, or displays them, make sure you include one with your gift this year. Whatever you give make it personal enough that she will think of you when she uses it.
A good gift is something someone likes or needs but can rarely afford. I have given my sister expensive shampoo because I knew she was using the cheap stuff to economize. This category could include tickets. (you may need to get dad on your side to pull that off) It could also include high quality tools for her hobby. It could be common household things at the top level of quality. I keep hinting that I want Turkish towels. A personal set of those would have cost my daughter what she paid for my chair.
About flowers and plants vases and candy. and to some extent jewelery. Those are gifts given by a guy who has forgotten until it is almost too late. Usually they are not personal enough. Now as your mom enjoys plants, a plant becomes personal. What would be better would be for you to take her to a good nursery and help her pot one for herself. Time and gift is much better. At your age you will have less and less time to spend with mom. She may want that most.
Gift cards are not as bad as you think, but if you think that mom would find it impersonal don't do it.
FA
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A
female
reader, anonymous, writes (20 September 2012): How about a "how to knit" book, two sets of needles and two skeins of yarn. I did this with my aunt and we had so much fun doing something together, learning something new (that we can keep doing), and we each ended up with a new scarf out of it! WooHoo!
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A
female
reader, Ciar  +, writes (20 September 2012):
 Candles
A bath set
A pot pouri pot
A couple of DVDs or CDs
A tea set (small pot, mugs and some herbal tea)
A digital picture frame (loaded with family photos)
Any combination of the above
Not sure what her interests are, but that's a start anyway.
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