Does a local utility company have gift cards that you could pay a month. Or maybe donate a months utility in her name to some one. If she is practical she might want want other people to have practical things done in her name

Everyone gave some great ideas.

You could also give her a box of little things like a candle, tissues, and/or candy with little notes attached such as . . .

A candle, so you always know how much you brighten up our lives; Tissues to wipe away your tears of sadness and joy; Red Hots so you will always be warm; etc.

You could also write a nice letter telling expressing your gratitude to her and what she means to you or write a poem or a heartfelt list of the qualities that make her the beautiful woman she is. Print it on pretty paper and then frame it for her. For me, it's the words and expressiveness that mean so much more than any material thing.

I like to give my older family members an assortment of greeting cards such as birthday cards, sympathy cards and get well cards. That way they have some to send if they need one but do not have to go to the store. Many of my older relatives do not drive anymore and have to rely on others to go somewhere. Postage stamps are also usually welcomed.

A friend of mine is in a similar situation with her parents. For years she has arranged and paid for the chimney in her parents home to be swept out, the furnace/AC to be serviced and for the air ducts to be cleaned. They sort of expect it now and really appreciate it.

For my Dad and step mom (who also don't 'need anything'), I send them a festive floral centerpiece through FTD for their table through the holidays.

I also send them gift certificates for massage therapy from the clinic in their town; so that they can have massage therapy thorughout the year.
That is something that they are reluctant to spend their own money on...but they go because they don't want the pre-paid certificates to expire and go to waste :D.

With love, Erika

After my parents made a sale of land and had money to burn, I bought them a sponsorship of an animal in a zoo. It was cool ~ an adoption-paper plaque for the wall and holiday cards came regularly from their animal.

Might not be "practical" for this woman but I bet she doesn't already have one! Plus it's a good service.

Have you decided on a gift yet, Ann? I'd love to know.:)

H Sal.:)

SO almost danced at the suggestion of Postage Stamps- very practical.

The Postum is another great idea.

The assortment of cards we have already done- she likes us to buy her cards when we go to a certain dollar store in PA.

I got her 2 grocery store gift certificates and am going to wrap them like my grandfather did: a box inside a box inside a box.:)

We are looking for a "Keep Calm and Carry On" coffee mug. She likes to tell us that (whatever) is nothing because she "lived thru the war."

She has lots of money because she reuses aluminum foil, bags and waxed paper, string etc. She has never bought a ziplock bag. Therefore, she laughs at things that are for convenience. And, she has the annoying habit of asking us what things cost!!

Thank you all- I knew I could count on you.
ANN

Well, if you get that Postum.....DON'T tell her what it cost! :yikes:

The Vermont Store has many many nostalgic things, foods, candies, even old fragrances. They have Tweed, which my mother used to wear!

Good luck! ;)

You are so right, Mrs. D.

She also will ask SO if something he gave her came "in any other color?"

If she were anyone else, I would give her what I wanted to and expect her to just say "thank you."

We had no luck finding the "Keep Calm and Carry On" mug locally.
ANN

Well, did she like her gift, Ann? We are all waiting to hear..:D