Can anyone help me out and give me gift suggestions?

United States
November 9, 2008 1:39pm CST
My mother has never recieved a Christmas gift from me or my father. I have always wanted to buy her something but she is way too picky. I can't buy her clothing because she has to try everything on first, she hates perfume and makeup, she doesn't wear jewelry, and won't go to a spa. I am really stumped. I want to do something special for her but I have no idea what to buy. Does anyone know of any cool gift ideas or gadgets? Something unique? Any help is appreciated!
3 people like this
9 responses
@coffeebreak (17798)
• United States
11 Nov 08
Well, that's a hard one! Does she like a craft or hobby? You could buy her supplies or a gift card from the hobby store. Does she like to bake? Buy her things like cupcakes liners, food coloring, parchment paper, things for baking that are standard things always used when baking. Cooking - same thing - meat thermoter (my daughter asked for one this year!) new knives if hers are dull, things like that or even unique aprons and dish towels. Is there a gas station that she goes to or is near her that you could get her a gas gift card to fill her tank? Does she like stores like Starbucks, Wetzel Pretzel, Aunt Annies, or other specific item shop? or a fast food? Get her a gift card to a place like that that she can grab her cup of coffee or pretzel or even to See's Candies or soemthing like that. Does she sew? Load her up on "generic"threads -whites, blacks, reds etc. New pins, scissors etc Does she read? Gift card at Borders or Barnes and Nobel. Or is there a special store she likes like Payless Shoes or Target or other speciality store? Does she write letters the "snail mail" way? Get her a stash of stamps, stationery, envelopes etc. Does she like movies - get her tickets or to the play or theater. How about a check up for her car or oil changes or other service issues to keep her car running safely. How about a maid for the day? Gift cards to resturants. Maybe do that coupon book like the kids used to do -"this coupon is good for cutting the lawn" or "this coupon good for a _____ whatever she needs done around the house. Good luck, must be really hard - well my husband is that way too. Not a single thing anyone can buy him that he wants or is good enough for him. My daughter bought him a Sirus radio set up for christmas last year with 3 free months and the works... he refused to install it into his truck and it is in the box it came in... money down the drain. Now she says she will just get him a VISA card - use it as he wants to - hey, how about that for your mom - $50 to spend as she likes!
• United States
11 Nov 08
Since she is so picky, if i were you I would buy her a Visa gift card so she use it wherever she wants to use it, but if u limit urself to just a store gift card, she'll more likely be forced to buy things from the store she doesnt really want. So Visa Gift card is a way to go
@neededhope (1085)
• United States
9 Nov 08
Another Idea is Gift cards. I know they aren't really personable but it would help out with her buying herself some clothes and things she really wants. Or even a gift card to her favorite restaurant. Or if it's been a really long time since both you and your father givin a gift another idea would be a all paid vacation. I'm sure she'll love it and plus take her to somewhere she's always wanted to go. It'll defiantely be a present she'll never forget.
@phoenix25 (1541)
• United States
10 Nov 08
You could try something like this: http://finditgames.com/page10024.asp?itemid=616&pid=10441&tid=10441 I am giving this to a few different people this year for Xmas. You could also just make her a little gift basket with some holiday food items that you know she will like. You could give her a gift card for somewhere or a clothing retailer that she likes as a last resort.
@jackiew (915)
• Canada
10 Nov 08
I find a gift card is always a great gift for the "hard to buy for".It could be to her favorite store,restaurant.etc.With a gift card she can use it for what she wants.Good Luck
@gicolet (1702)
• United States
10 Nov 08
I would just get her a mall giftcard. That way she could pick which store she wants to go to. It may sound a bit thoughtless but you said it yourself - she's too picky! Get a giftcard along with a nice Christmas card and then take her to her favorite restaurant. Hope that helps. Goodluck! :)
@kykidd (6812)
• United States
9 Nov 08
If you know the bath products that she generally uses, you could make her a gift basket with those items in it. If you don't know, you could always snoop around next time you are in her bathroom. You could add to it a towel and washclothe, or whole towel set that matches the ones she already has. I also find towels make a great gift for just about every female, because we love new towels. And a lot of times we are the last person on our list that we would buy them for. Hope you find these ideas at least a little bit helpful. Thank you for starting this discussion, and have a great day!
@teka44 (3420)
• Brazil
9 Nov 08
Hi chorski. Well, it isn't easy give a suggestion without know the person but I will try. She have a photo that she likes very much? if so you can make an amplification of this and put it in a beautiful frame and give to her as a gift. Or you can make a mounting of photos since she was a child untill now. It is what I can suggest to you for now. Hope it can help. Have a nice day.
@SomeCowgirl (32191)
• United States
9 Nov 08
You could always buy her a scarf or gloves, something that she has worn out and needs another of. I know she's picky about clothes but there has to be something that she's worn out so much because she loves wearing it, try finding a duplicate of that...