Need inspiration for a wonderful person

That is tricky! If she is more of a "homey" person, what about getting a garden makeover for her - get a landscaping company to blitz it? Would she appreciate vouchers for a hotel/holiday so she can choose the location/timing etc? She might be more willing to travel if arrnaging herself and not having it sprung on her? A shopping spree for new wardrobe or vouchers for same?

Hmm, difficult one. Whats her garden like? would it benefit from a landscape gardender to come in and do a nice makeover on it, plant some lovely flowers, plants etc.

Thanks for trying.

Can't do anything for the garden as it is fairly basic and she likes doing the little bits that need doing.

She doesn't go on holidays.

A new top might be possible but she doesn't enjoy clothes shopping because she's a 'larger' lady but it's not really comparable to the OE is it? ?

Bah. Awkward woman.

Great minds think a like Mrs Bunny.

If she doesn't enjoy clothes shopping, what about a personal shopper, so they can do the leg work for her?

Is there nothing for the house she needs, or something updating.. for example, we dragged my grandma kicking and screaming into teh 21st century and bought her a "New fangled" flat telly and a digibox.

Maybe go a bit changing rooms and decorate her living room/bedroom?

Uhm.. last present we bought for an awkward family member who's had to buy for was a bread maker.

B x

Well my mum wanted a tea tray for her 60th ?

She wanted a nice tray, kettle, bone china mugs and jug for milk to go on the table next to her bed so that she can have tea in bed in the morning. I think it must be a candidate for the most dull present ever, but she is a practical woman, she uses it every day and we bought expensive mugs and jug that she wouldn't have bought for herself. Sometimes those presents that get used all the time and are a trade-up on what you'd buy yourself can be special.

We wanted to take her for tea at the Ritz, but my step father has Alzheimers and getting someone to mind him for a day is proving difficult. We're going to take her out for a meal instead.

Thanks again but she wouldn't like that. She's not very sociable and having someone other than me shop with her would be her worst nightmare.

Pah. She's getting a bunch of flowers!

My step-mum is similar to your mum, no hobbies, doesn't really like shopping or travelling etc so we bought her a lovely watch for her 80th. She was really pleased with it and wears it loads. Not my sort of present at all, I don't even wear a watch but she loves it - what about something like that? It's practical, useful but probably something she wouldn't buy for herself and she can keep it forever.

Would she enjoy a cookery school. Simpsons in Birmingham run a lovely one http://www.simpsonsrestaurant.co.uk/servepage.asp?page=2 , very informal and friendly.

Hot air balloon flight?

Not great with heights.

Lives on pre-packaged food.

Already got a nice watch and necklace that she always wears.

Seriously, it's going to be chocolates isn't it?

I'll go and browse the experience web-sites again....

A family photograph session and set of pictures?

/our-coins/

I got my SIL the 19.99 set (from ebay as it came the next day, I can look up and post a link later if you are interested as with postage it was cheaper that royal mint with 100% excellent customer service)

she phoned me today and is delighted!

i am now getting one for my Mum and sister for their birthdays!! (4oth and 60th)

Does she like music? It's my Mum's 60th today and as part of her present I've bought her tickets to the opera La Boheme being performed outside in Holland Park. Perhaps you could look to see if there's anything similar? Or perhaps a Jools Holland show or similar?

Wine tasting day? i got my parents this as a xmas present. it was a day at the Bank restaurant in Birmingham, a 4 course meal and a day of wine tasting. they said they were only couple there, most were people on their own so she wouldnt feel out of place if she went alone

Thank you all for the lovely suggestions but none of them are hitting the spot. She's so blinkin awkward!

Classical music concert at Symphony Hall?

A luxury hamper filled wityh all her fave gooides (you could make up your own or go for shop-bought)

Hamper of posh towels, dressing gown, shower gels, skin creams etc - a kind of pamper hamper?

Digi photo frame filled with pix of her fave family, places, memories

Piece of artwork to hang on the lounge wall?

Case of wine?

Tickets to an art exhibition somewhere not too far awy?

What does she like seems like she has no interest in anything! ?

What about an ipod/stereo, she could using it for music and audiobooks. A camera?

Would you believe me if I said that none of those would go down well?

She really isn't 'in' to much at all, partly because she spends most of her life looking after people so doesn't have time. The rest of the time she's too shattered to do anything

Hmmm....I could maybe get her a year's pass to somewhere (zoo, farm park, etc.) as she likes going to those places. I'd apopt her an animal but I did that a few years ago. So stupid.

How about something decidedly practical, but that would make her day-to-day life more convenient? If she spends her time looking after your family, perhaps hire a cleaner for a year to free up her tim? A year's subscription to a nice restaurant or even something more home-orientated such as a year of Dominoes or Pizza Hut, that everyone could enjoy? Any household gadgets that could do with replacing or upgrading - new washer, cooker, vacuum, lawnmower? Paying for a tv, broadband and talk bundle for a year? A laptop? A nice fireplace or stove in the lounge?

I know these sound boring, but she may like the fact that it's something that will get well-used rather than something more frivilous.

Thanks flissy, I think you may have hit the nail on the head. Their computer is dire so that's a possibility. There are a few other bits too that are options.

I was so intent on getting her something to do that I didn't think about things like that.

Thank you!

A pleasure! I hope you find something that gives your mum her kind of enjoyment ?

Lifetime national trust membership? I got that for my mum's birthday and she loved it.