o.k. - this is *STAT* - need b'day suggestions for elderly-spinster-sister - STAT

[UTUSN]

Did you get the STAT part?!1 (Saturday)

Something to be delivered. 300 miles. She's difficult. Not really flowers. Not even chocolate. Are you getting the message as to how difficult this is?!1

[irisblue]

1. drive over there and take her to dinner at noon, spend the day with a tape recorder

asking her to tell what she can recall about the family (I know taping is a 1975 term....use the 21st century equipment) 2-if she is a church member, call the pastor and ask if s/he knows if they need any thing done to their house. 3- what do her offspring say she wants/needs taken care of her home. Hope this helps

[UTUSN]

10. Thanks, so sweet. No. I'd do that for you, however. n/t

[UTUSN]

2. O.K. so the "stat" thing doesnt work. (The patient is dead.) n/t Fine.

[Skittles]

3. SPINSTER?

WTF

[femmocrat]

5. LOL

I know!

[UTUSN]

11. I'm glad the two of you *know*!1 n/t

[KatyaR]

29. I'll second the "WTF" and raise you a "The Hell?"

Coming from a loud and proud Spinster....

[undeterred]

35. What century is it?

[Scuba]

4. Another cat!

[UTUSN]

12. She luerves nothing animated/living. n/t

[UTUSN]

19. Hey - actually - tonight I was thinking about going WARREN for myself in GD!1 n/t

[femmocrat]

6. Edible Arrangements.

They will deliver to her house. I'm an "elderly" sister (but not a spinster!) and I would love that!

www.ediblearrangements.com

[UTUSN]

13. Actually, I'd thought of that & this will probably be the thing. n/t

[Rhiannon12866]

21. That was my first thought, too, excellent idea! :)

[azurnoir]

22. oh yes yes yesss

those are great

[Rhiannon12866]

25. I thought of sending that to my mother

But it turned out that they don't deliver to my neck-of-the woods. However, that was a few years back and I've seen them advertised on TV...

[Arugula Latte]

28. I thought you were going to say "Edible Underwear."

[riderinthestorm]

7. Older single women are not hugged and pampered enough in my opinion

My Nana loved to have her hair done. The brushing, shampoo, fussing. .. loved it. Manicure and pedicure? Loved the foot massage and just the simple human touch. Is there a spa near her? Maybe a gift certificate? My Nana was always too frail for a massage but she loved a good spa day

[UTUSN]

14. I love *you* but hugging/pampering ain't gonna do it for either of us. nt

[2theleft]

8. Books? My 75 year old pseudo mother-in-law loves to get

books, books on tape (well whatever medium works), and she really enjoys bunches of gift cards to various different places...like Starbuck's, bakeries, the movie theater, and for some strange reason, is addicted to Chipotle. And stamps. She always wants stamps so she can send real letters to people.

I don't know if any of that will help you, but she is WAY difficult to buy for and those things seem to make her happiest.

[UTUSN]

15. Actually, she's transitioned beyond me into e-tablet thing, does her missal on her phone

Really, you're really really close.

[LadyHawkAZ]

9. A price range and list of some of her interests would help us help you n/t

[UTUSN]

16. Let's start with "cheap" and go from there. As for interests

this is so difficult. This is a retired schoolteacher who took tours to Europe (not the ugly parts of the world) every summer. She has been to *Stonehenge* and the *gypsy caves of Spain* and the *Louerve* and *MOZART's bedroom* for gudness' sake!1

Yet, if you talk to her, you wouldn't know any of the above. Getting the picture now?!1

[Glorfindel]

17. I just got my sister (age 77) a peacock night light - she loves it

Keeps it lit in her hallway so she won't stumble in the dark if she has to get up during the night. I ordered it from Bas Bleu, but Amazon also has them, and they'll ship to third parties and even gift wrap.

[UTUSN]

18. Bwah-ha-HAH!!!!!!!!1 n/t

[BainsBane]

20. Perhaps you coud pay for some handyman or gardening services?

If she lives alone, she likely needs help getting some things done around the house.

[noamnety]

32. I love this idea.

(Having just been to the doctor today to deal with back pain from trying to do home repairs ourselves)

A subscription to netflix if she doesn't have one might be nice, if she has a tv that will work with it.

[LiberalAndProud]

23. Pizza or a sub sandwich.

Tip extra for a happy birthday wish with the delivery. What's not to love?

[No Vested Interest]

24. A beautiful orchid plant, which will last much longer than cut flowers.

I've given and received them, to older single women.
They really are elegant.

[Sherman A1]

26. Gift Card to whatever

restaurant or shopping she might like.

[LeftofObama]

27. Why do I get the feeling

there's a joke, or something I'm missing here?

[UTUSN]

31. You're not missing it: Check posts 3, 5, 29, 4 n/t

[grilled onions]

30. Practical...but

Caregivers found out what many asked was simple. They wanted hand cloths,hand towels etc. Big towels were out,many were not able to use such heavy but useful items. However soft velour hand towels/wash cloths were appreciated even if silently. Lap warmers,tea biscuits,a tin of tea, delicate hankies were also found useful.

[marzipanni]

33. How old is elderly? '-) That's okay, I don't expect an answer.

I like perusing the Vermont Country Store Catalog. They have so many different things, many from the past that people like and can't find easily elsewhere. They have gift cards they'll send, and e-gift cards, from $25.00 to $500.00.

[UTUSN]

36. Why wouldn't you expect an answer? "Elderly" legally is 62/65 varies. I'm elderly. She's older than

me.

Anyway, since this/my thread has kicked up, I'll take the opportunity to update: I have settled on a gift/observance. I won't spell it out on the internet, will only say its a long-term thing, for her security/future, not a kinky short-term thing.

[mopinko]

34. give her a llama

http://heifer.org

eta- bunnies or chickens are cheep. cheep.

[Liberal_in_LA]

37. stop referring to women as spinster

Your gift to us