Ideas to Make Mom's 75Th Birthday Special

We are just planning my father-in-law's 90th birthday and many family members are unable to travel.
I just found an idea for an audio gift where everyone can call in and leave their message. Look at www.voicequilt.com
This looks like a gift that will be long lasting.

Take a family vacation - it doesn't have to be now, wait until the weather is nicer and go somewhere like the hill country where you can rent a cabin and take long walks in the beautiful outdoors (that always helps me when I'm feeling blue). Or take a trip somewhere that she would enjoy. Give the card saying "this is where we're going" and pick the best time for you to go . . .

Hi A.,
If she would like the trip, Branson is not crowded this time of year. I took my mom for her 70th birthday and she enjoyed it. We also went over to Laura Ingalls Wilder's home just east of there. We thought that was the best part of the trip.
Natchitoches, just south of Shreveport is also a lovely place.
Is there any chance she would start exercising? I do personal training for seniors at the McKinney Senior Center. I have people older than her come in exercising for the first time.
I also have a class there at 9:45 am on Tuesdays and Thursdays. The senior center is a great place to make friends. They have lots of activities.
Hope this is helpful.

Victoria

In our family we give "events" instead of wrapped gifts. Sometimes it's an evening out to hear an orchestra or to watch a play or see a game, other times it's a day trip to someplace old (where we grew up) or new (see the scenery in Oklahoma). I am grown w/4 children and have 2 siblings and both parents and we all do this. It takes some planning, but the time together is absolutely precious and worth all the time spent "getting there". Hope that stirs the creative juices!

For my grandmother's 80th birthday, my uncle went all over town until he had gathered up 80 longstem roses for her, then put them in a really (large) beautiful stoneware vase (more like an urn type that you would have on your patio.) She was FLOORED when she saw them! They were so beautiful and looked sooo extravagant. A good gift for someone who has everything. If you (or anyone else) decides to do this, be sure and take a picture. My grandmother had the picture framed and placed it next to her favorite chair. She smiled whenever she saw it. She's gone now, but we still have the picture and we smile whenever we see it!

maybe a recent photo of all the family together in one big picture, maybe a gift of something to do " ie, how to cook, knit, sew, crochet, scrapbook , book club etc.... " maybe a vacation- or if all else fails a collection on dvd of her favorite tv series

Would she enjoy a manicure and pedicure? How about a spa day where you both go together and get pampered. Good luck!

Would she be willing to go on a short trip for just the girls? I know that you say she is depressed, but what about asking her (do you have a sister?) and a friend to go along? Y'all could go to a resort with a spa, Shreveport, or even Branson for a long weekend.

This is what both my in-laws did and they loved it b/c it was a memory and not just stuff.

Dear A.:

Is there some place your mother has liked to go to or do? My mother doesn't really need anything, so all of us girls (my sister and our daughters) took her out to high tea. If your mom likes coffee, maybe a Starbucks outing? My mother-in-law loves gardening and really enjoys visiting an arboretum.

My sister works with the elderly in a rehab hospital and says they really enjoy a manicure or mini spa day, special luxuries that we don't usually do for ourselves.

Hope this gives you some ideas.

L. F., 47, married for 23 years, mom to a 14-year-old daughter

I wonder what your mother's response would be to a conference call with her old friends. Would this lead to more depression or a great surprise?

Hi A., have you thought about taking her somewhere? It's a little late to book a flight but there are nice resorts in Texas you could go to. Maybe just the two of you? I'd recommend Hyatt Regency Lost Pines Resort and Spa in Austin or if she can't travel how about the Gaylord in grapevine? There are other nice ones in the hill country area too.

I second
<<Dorlisa T. answers from Bedford on January 17, 2010
In our family we give "events" instead of wrapped gifts.>>

Events don't have to be super expensive either. If she likes theater, consider taking her to high school productions. Richardson High School is putting on "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat" in a few weeks (they have an excellent theater department). Other excellent theater departments: J.J. Pearce High School (Richardson ISD)and Plano West Sr. High. You can get on their websites or call the schools for productions.

Best wishes!

For my mom's 70th birthday, my sisters and I (and our kids) made a giant card with 70 reasons we love our mom (& grandma). We put silly things as well as touching ones. It was fun and she really liked it.

What about High Tea with a few ladies for fun and wear vintage clothing and big hats and jewelry and have fun. Or an art museum, they have wheel chairs if she needs one. Or go to the Dallas Arboritum in March for all the spring flowers and eat at their delightful restaurant.
Or have a Glamor Shot picture with the 3-4 generations or a photo shoot while she is still alive with everyone.
Just some ideas-good luck.