Gift Idea for Picky Mom

Hi L..
What I love to get my parents and my in-laws is a photo calendar from Walgreens. You can personalize it with different photos each month, plus add smaller photos to individual dates for birthdays, anniversaries, etc. The calendars are around $20, plus shipping. You could probably order it and have it sent directly to your mom. This gift has always been a big hit with my family and it's pretty affordable!

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Hi! I have the same problem, my mum lives in England, so mailing things costs a fortune. For years I would spend ages trying to think of the perfect gift, and finally I hit on it. Every year I make a scrapbook. I do it digitally, which means there is very little bulk, and page components won't rub together during shipping. I have a Memory Mixer program that I bought through QVC. I think it cost about $40, but you can use it over and over again. Anyway, I take photos all the time (!), then at the beginning of December I sit down and knock out the book. It takes me a day or two to lay out the pages, then it's just a matter of printing. The nice thing for me is that I can print as many copies as I like, so I also send them to my husband's family. These books have become the most anticipated gift for all of them, and for me it's a way of sending LOTS of pictures in a small package. I too have 3 kids, so I always do a page for each child, school pictures, Christmas, birthdays etc. I do 8 x 8 format, so it cuts down on printing costs too. Hope that helps!

S.

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Why don't you make her a scrapbook of you and your family (especially the grandchildren!) My mom would love something like that :)
Merry CHRISTmas!
K. M.

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Buy a digital key ring for her and load it with pictures of your family. Every time she comes to visit, change out the pictures for her. Merry Christmas!

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make her a scrapbook calendar. We did this a few years ago and it was a hit. I bought the 12X12 black and white cardstock pages for the other pages to be glued on, then bought sheets that went with the month for the picture backgrounds. I printed a calendar with all the important dates, b-days, annivs and holidays on 8.5X11 paper. Then it was scrapbooking time, I did picks and stickers on the "top" page. I drilled holes to tie it together, and a nail hole. I tied it with ribbon. I would do the holes forst so you don't drill through a picture. Another idea would be to make a picture frame, or let the kids (if they are old enough) and put a family photo in it.

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How about the delivery of a beautiful Christmas poinsettia, and then homemade cards with artwork from your kids, and a heartfelt note from you.

What about something with pictures. Like coffe mug made with pictures from Wal-Mart, etc. Or a photo book of your family. Either at shutterfly.com or walmart.com. Good luck!

Two ideas for you: One, have a photo/scrapbook made for her that you design with photos of your family throughout the year. Or, if you have old photos of your childhood growing up with her, you could make one with those as well. I know she'd love either, and with your scrapbooking skills, it would look great. Lots of places do these, from WalMart to CVS to camera stores, and most are very reasonable. Idea #2 is a digital photo frame, which you could preload with family pix. Most are very simple to operate, and some even let you email photos to the frame. Or you could periodically mail her a digital camera memory card with new pix for her to plug into the frame, and she could mail it back to you for more pix in the future. A lot of stores have these on sale and it would be small and easy to ship. Good luck, and Merry Christmas!

First, I do embroidery, so that comes to mind for gifts first for me. What about a coffee mug, scarf with her initial on it, or a grandmother t-shirt/throw/tote? If you want to see some of these, you can look at my website www.institches.biz. Other ideas that came to mind would be a framed picture of the kids, or put a collage together for them. I have 1 friend that is making a yatzee game out with her kids faces...I think there are directions on line, but if you are interested, contact me and I'll get with my friend to see where she got the directions. My craft club recently made blocks - I know it sounds weird, but we took 2x4's, cut them into 12" blocks and painted them black. Then used scrapbook paper to decorate the front and back. I did one that said Happy Halloween on one side and Give Thanks on the other for decorations. You can also put her name or Nana (or whatever she's called) and the kids names. We used a Cricut to cut out the names. What abuot a good book? It might cost a bit more to ship, but is there anything she likes to do or read? I have a MIL that's hard to buy for too, so I feel your pain. I hope one of these ideas helps, or maybe someone else will come up with something.

I would make a calendar or scrapbook of your family for her. Since she probably doesn't see you often this would be a way for her to enjoy your family throughout the year.

Grand mothers always love photos of the children. Since you scrapbook make her one include children's art work and a letter from them if they are old enough. It will not take up much room and she can look at it often. A talking photo frame that you record a message is also great. about five years ago we bought one for my parents and now my niece who is two and lives a few miles from my parents has to go to see Ben (our youngest) each time she is at their house. She will not even say hello to Nana and Pop before she pushes the button on the frame and Ben talks to her. It is funny, I think I paid about 10$ and it is the most used gift I ever bought. Good luck.

You could go onto Shutterfly, Walgreens photo or any other photo shop site and make her a 2010 photo calendar with photos of her grandchildren. My parents and inlaws love these and now want them every year. I usually have my brothers and sister email me photos of their kids and include them. My mom also loves the photo purses and photo books. Since you love scrapbooking, this could be right up your alley.

Hi L.! My daughter Lisa scrapbooks, too! She gave me a small picture album she had done of my three grandkids. (Her kids) I cherish it. I think since you do pics that would be great.
D. P.
www.naturalgourmetcandles.com

You could get her a subscription to a magazine. This would also save you from having to wrap and ship a gift.

I have read the other responses. Most are great and since I am speaking from the mom/grandmother view to where my daughter and her husband are on a tight budget, I would say photos, scrapbooks, and photo calendar. I do mine digitally through Scrapblog.com and Walgreens. Both are very reasonably priced and you can have them shipped directly to her if you prefer. The digital photo frame is also a great idea although those can get a bit pricey. Most grandparents I know love pictures to show off of their grandkids!!!

This is an easy one! Just give her a picture of you and your family. You can either get a friend to take a picture of go have them done inexpensivey at JC Penney, Clix, Picture People etc. Have it enlarged and framed.

You could also do a variation of that idea with a pciture calendar or other gift items with pics of her grandkids and you.

What could be more special than na visual reminder of you and your family.

Other sources to consider using at Costco's photo dept in their stores or online (must be a member), Shutterfly, Ofoto or even CVS or Walgreens photo departments.

Good luck!

Perhaps a brag book with pictures of your family for her to carry? Picture of the grandkids are always a hit for us.

The first idea I have for you is a photo throw. Take a picture or pictures of your family - we did the entire family including brothers, sisters, and their offspring - and have a throw made. Her family will be there to keep her warm.

The second idea is to take all the pictures you took during the year and school pictures, etc., put them on an SD card. Buy a digital picture frame and load up the SD card for her so all she has to do is plug it in.

An 8 x 10 picture of your family or the kids, framed might be nice.

you already have so many great ideas! A few more i've used for a picky MIL (other than fresh flowers & pictures or personalized gifts w/grandchidren's pictures, which were all well received as others have recommended) - a gift certificate to a spa nearby for mani/pedi or massage and donations to charites in her name. Good Luck!

My mom is the same way she gets what she wants when she wants try ordering her a subsciption in the Fruit of the Month club. They send a certain fruit every month for a year or how ever long you want to pay for that way you wont mess up her diet either. Good luck

I agree with everyone else that the photo calendar idea is great. I use Vista Print though. I love their deals and I do the desk calendar and that seems to work great for everyone. I usually get quite a few family members asking if I am doing it again this year! In addition to pictures of my son I also include everyone's birthdays, that way no one has an excuse for forgetting! ;-)

Also, I don't know what her allergy is to jewelry, but most people are allergic to the nickel that is mixed with silver to make it stronger. Nearly all people can wear silver if it is mixed with copper instead. Have you ever heard of Silpada jewelry? It is only mixed with copper and is the highest quality of sterling silver you can get. (.925) The quality is on par with Tiffany and it is MUCH less expensive. I have a friend who has a severe nickel allergy and she thought she couldn't wear anything but pure gold too. It's so bad she can't put regular silver in for a minute with out her ears swelling up, but she can wear Silpada with no problems. Anyhow, it's great jewelry and she might thank you for finding something besides gold that she can wear! :-) www.silpada.com or you can contact me. I do sell it but this is NOT a pitch. Just trying to be helpful. :-) So contact who ever you want if you are interested.

Dear L.:

Some people won't like this, but gift cards are your friend! They are easy to mail and your mother can get what she wants. The best ones are for places or things that your mother likes and enjoys and will be a special treat.

Even if your mother can afford to buy something for herself, she will think of you while she's buying something with the card or treating herself to something from Starbucks.

L. F., married to my best friend for 23 years on the 27th! and mom to a 14-year-old daughter

High thread count sheets are great gifts.
http://www.smartbargains.com sells 800 thread count for around $60. I sent these to my parents a few years ago and they loved them.

You might check spas in her area and buy a package for her.

Does she like scents? Purchase soy candles online and have them sent directly to her.

You might also check the previous mentioned site for scarves or purses she might like. I purchased an Italian leather purse from there a few years ago that I love.

Maybe a good book on something that interests her. Wine books, diet books (The Fat Falacy is one of my favs right now), etc... Or maybe a personal journal. Barnes & Noble coupon 30% off: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/email/nonav.asp?r=1&PID...

GL!

Shutterfly photo calenders are a hit with all my family members. You can personalize it with bdays, anniversaries, ect. It's something they have and can use all year round! Include some pics of your mother with your kids if you have any. My family and in-laws look forward to this gift every year! Or the photo books are great also~ Just upload some photos, select the calender format and click and drag..you can add captions (sometimes I use cute quotes) Shutterfly often runs specials and has free shipping if you spend so much~ you can have it shipped directly to her!
Scentsy is also a great option. It's a wickless/fireless candle~ They last a long time and smell great (my favorite scent is mochadoodle!!) Good luck and don't stress too much!

How about a digital frame downloaded with pictures of all of you?You can set it all up for her, all she'll have to do is turn it on. That's what we are doing this year. We have one and my mom LOVES watching all the pics. They have them at so many price pints. I am sure u could find one to fit ur budget. Good luck! :-)

Being a scrapbooker myself, I like making the scrapbook frames of pictures. You can buy them at Michaels or Hobby Lobby and they are 12X12 frames that you can put a scrapbook page in with pics of your kiddos. Another idea that I've done a few of is a cookie sheet calendar. So fun to make especially if you have a Cricut. Message me if you need instructions or direction of any kind. I can also send you a picture of one I have done.

If not a framed picture, a small photo album of the kids from the things they did this past year. And, if they are old enough, have them draw some pictures.

-L.

make her an apron with the kids hand prints on front. Michaels sales the blank aprons and you can decorate any way you want, was a big success when I did for the grandma's in our family

Hello L.,

I liked all the great responses you received. I just want to add, fresh flowers are always a hit with me. A simple telephone call or web order does the trick and she recieves a delivery of beautiful fresh flowers from her family so far away. Good luck!

I did not read the other requests so I might be saying something someone already has. We went to visit my mother in law for Thanksgiving so we celebrated Christmas together also and exchanged gifts. We put two pictures in picture frames, made her a scrapbook of our family and started a photo album for her to add pictures to. She loved them all!!

Funny, thought it was my mom til the boyfriend part..."I only want pictures of my grandbabies...I do not want, need or desire anything else"

So, every year I try to come up with great photos of my kiddos and every year she reacts as if she has received gold...

Find and awesome frame and put a group shot in it, or find a favorite photo of all of you...the posabilities are endless with kids pics...even ones they draw for Grandma!!

Hope this helps...Merry christmas!!

how about a photo book of your kids through the last year? the ones at snapfish and shutterfly are really cute and not too expensive (just keep an eye on how many page you add)

L.,
So get your problem - here are a few suggestions that have worked for me.
1. Candles/Bath items in yummy scents. You can go with the Bed and Bath sales or the Dollar Store has great stuff.
2. Electronic Frame with all the pictures for grandma that she can put on her coffee table and think of you everyday.
3. Pretty colored wrap- that she can layer with stuff. These are running 10-15$ and you can get some expensive earrings to go with them.
4. Frank Sinatra, Robert Goulet or BigBand CDs.
5. Make her a bag with pictures of the kids on it. As crafty as you are this would be a big hit that she could show off everytime she goes to the market.

Have a wonderful holidays. .and hope you get to go to Canada when it is warmer. .Blessings, L.

Is there a paint your own pottery store nearby? Maybe she would love a cute platter with your children's handprints. The pottery stores always have so many creative ideas on display and she surely misses her grandbabies living so far away! Merry Christmas!

If she is that picky and peculiar, I'd just send a card with a pic of the family.

You'd think she'd be appreciative of whatever you do since you are doing it from your heart.

Hi There..My mom is the same way. We love buying Scentsy Candles (warmers) for people. They are so unique and fun. You can go to scentsy.com and look around! Very affordable too!

8X10 Digital Picture frame. Scan in pictures of your family, but leave some room on the memory to send new ones. Buy her a flash drive and teach her how to transfer to the frame. Then, she can mail you back the flash/pen drive to load new pics every month or so. The frame is easy to transport and will sit on a shelf or end table. She can share "her" kids/grandkids with visitors.

T.

I bought some shadow box picture frames from big lots, some for $5 and bigger ones for $15 each. I had some left over drapery samples from the 40's that looks antique and cut and glued it to the matte which was plain white(boring) and kind of material would work, I have even used wall paper samples use your imagination! then i put the pictures in place and you can trim them in Lace or string of pearls, once this is done I had tubs of costume jewelry, chandeler earings, broches, silver spoons buttons any thing shiny, Rhinestones and hot glued them all over the matte. These are absolutely beautiful and one of a kind. I have made many and everyone that see's them says they want one. I put more bling in mine becasue thats what i like. these are truely beautiful and she will love it!

Good morning, L.,
I think the photo calendar is a great idea! I know I would love to have one of my kids or grandkids! A photo of the grandchildren or your family is always a great gift for the "person who has everything" and much more personal than a gift card or something generic.
Are your children old enough to write? Let each one make her a special card or picture. No self-respecting grandma can resist that! :)
The idea is to tell your Mom you love her.
Good luck and don't worry about it too much.
B. G. (mother of 8, grandmother of 4)

Make her magnets from pictures. Take a few current pictures and make color copies of them, glue the pictures onto a piece of colorful paper, add some cute stickers, laminate, add a magnet, put finished product under a heavy book for a few days to ensure the magnet will stick and wa-la: a thoughtful, homemade gift that she can see daily. If you don't have a color copier or laminator at home, go to Kinkos. It's basically scrap booking but, with a magnet.

How about creating a photo book from Shutterfly.com or somewhere similar of your children?

You could try making her a scrapbook with pictures of the family through out the years. It doesn't take up a lot of space to store it (with her living situation). You can never replace memories that are shared and what better a way than pictures that are shared.This is something that she couldn't buy since she seems to have all the things that she needs as well as is a picky type to try and buy for.
Once people are no longer with us these things will become even more precious to you.
S.

Hi L.,

I have a hard time buying gifts for my parent too. Especially when they can buy whatever they want/need. One thing they cannot buy though is your praise. You know as a Mom how you can feel overwhelmed and under appreciated. Write your Mom a letter. If she knows your budget is tight she would not want you to spend money on her anyway. Tell her how much you admire her as your Mother and all she did for you. Tell her how much you appreciate her always being there. Tell her no matter how old you are you will always need your Mom. Just a few starter thoughts. When your budget changes send her to a day spa for pampering.

The gift is not about the expense. Anyone can buy an expensive gift, the gifts from the heart are the most precious.

Hope you find the answer you are looking for.

Hi L. - I see you like scrapbooking - since she lives in Canada, I'm guessing she misses seeing important moments for your 3 kids - would she appreciate a story-telling type scrapbook of her grandkids? Maybe something more along that line? Good luck!