Buying gifts for my mother is no easy task. She is a smart, practical, active woman who spends much of her time doing things for people in need and traveling. She loves pretty things, but does not like to spend a lot of time caring for pretty things. In other words, dusting around a bunch of knick-knacks is not her idea of a great time!
I have often given her gifts that support her hobbies which include reading, writing, and traveling. I try to read book reviews to see if I can find a new book that would interest her. (She was an English Literature teacher, so “frivolous” books simply will not do!) I have had some success in giving her books that she has not already read. However, she loves to share her books once she is done reading them, so giving her a book feels a little like buying her a gift that is ultimately for me.
Another hobby of hers is writing. She is a fantastic writer, and really should have written a book (maybe she still will!). She writes in her journal nearly every day. So, I have given her some lovely journals. But she probably now has enough journals in reserve to last for a couple of years! She is constantly writing letters. Some of her correspondence is now done via e-mail, but she still likes to write a good old-fashioned letter by hand on pretty stationery, which makes a nice gift. Mom enjoys visiting elderly people, and most of them live in retirement and care homes. These folks don’t have e-mail, and are thrilled to get hand-written letters.
As for the traveling, my parents go everywhere. They are both retired and really enjoy seeing the country. In addition to their travel for pleasure, my mother is always finding herself on some national committee, or being asked to attend a conference that requires her to attend meetings all over the country. Often she is asked to make presentations, which requires her to take stacks of paraphernalia with her. So, she tries to “travel light” when it comes to her own personal items. My dad has had success in getting her some lovely clothes as gifts, so she always looks great when making her presentations.
As I said before, my mom is practical, but there are a couple of indulgences that she enjoys. She enjoys sharing a cocktail with my dad, and she loves scented bath soaps and lotions. So, when all other gift ideas fail, a fun martini mix or some lavender scented hand cream will always do the trick.