Does this gift exist?

[Deleted]

I am trying to think of a gift for my mom. She is not in a good place right now. Depressed, eats bad, has low self-esteem, gained 10 pounds since Oct., drinks too much, no exercise and has heart issues. I wish I could help her, but she won't do what the drs tell her. Always has excuses.

I want to get her something that would help boost her spirits for Christmas. There's not much I can get without being rude. I love to cook and would love to give her some of my favorite healthy food stuff, but that is not my place. What can I get for her that could in some way boost her spirits? I don't live by her, but I was thinking maybe a personal shopper at Nordstrom and a GC, but I'm worried she will be embarrassed about her weight. My dad already got her a massage. I would like something to help her stress and help her take care of herself or just motivate her.

Any ideas? I usually get her nice wines and glasses, but not this year.

[raangoli]

I don't know how far you live from her, but maybe an offer to have a mother/daughter date. Maybe just being out with you for lunch or mani/pedis etc would lift her spirits a bit?

[Deleted]

Dec 7, 2012 12:40:06 GMT -5 raangoli said:

I don't know how far you live from her, but maybe an offer to have a mother/daughter date. Maybe just being out with you for lunch or mani/pedis etc would lift her spirits a bit?

I live 4 states away. I go home about 6 times a year. If I was there she wouldn't be like this, according to her, but that's a whole other story.

[raangoli]

Dec 7, 2012 12:43:06 GMT -5 @micheleb18 said:

Dec 7, 2012 12:40:06 GMT -5 raangoli said:

I don't know how far you live from her, but maybe an offer to have a mother/daughter date. Maybe just being out with you for lunch or mani/pedis etc would lift her spirits a bit?

I live 4 states away. I go home about 6 times a year. If I was there she wouldn't be like this, according to her, but that's a whole other story.

Ohhh...you're right, that is a whole other story, sorry. I think the Nordstrom idea is a good one, but maybe it will make her feel worse if she has to find a bigger size?

Or what if you set up a girls lunch with her and a close friend of her's? Is that something she'd enjoy?

[kellbell191]

Mani/pedi/spa day?

[Deleted]

What about something like a flower (or something else) of the month club. It isn't healthy or anything but I think fresh flowers can really improve someone's environment and lift spirits. You can write her a nice card and explain that she will get flowers (or something else) every month and that you hope when she receives each shipment she will remember how much you care about her and hope that it will inspire her to care for herself.

[dr.girlfriend]

I like the Nordstrom's idea. If she doesn't want to commit to clothes, she can always buy jewelry and shoes and stuff.

[cookies]

Dec 7, 2012 13:10:41 GMT -5 @forcuatro said:

What about something like a flower (or something else) of the month club. It isn't healthy or anything but I think fresh flowers can really improve someone's environment and lift spirits. You can write her a nice card and explain that she will get flowers (or something else) every month and that you hope when she receives each shipment she will remember how much you care about her and hope that it will inspire her to care for herself.

I really like this idea. Nothing cheers my mom up more than fresh flowers.

[moolarkey]

As a mom of daughter who is probably your age, and the fact that we've just come through 4.5 years that have been hell (financially for my H and I) - a day with my daughter. I will take that hands down any day and I don't care what we do. If we just sit together and watch a fire, read books, watch tv.

Lunch together - fabulous. Get our nails done or a pedi? Super. Stroll the mall, that's good too - we don't have to spend money.

I want the time with her. You NEVER get time back.

My grandma died 1 week short of my grandparents anniversary - and yesterday I realized it's been 23 years and it seems like yesterday. A few days after the funeral my grandpa and I were rocking under the trees in the back yard and he said something I've never forgotten.

"You never have enough time with the ones that you love." The man spent 60 years w/my grandma and it wasn't enough time.

Spend time with your mom, it's the best present you'll ever give her. DD and I are baking cookies tomorrow and doing lunch. I can't tell you how excited I am just to be around her.

I know you live 4 states away but can you possibly spend the money to go home and surprise her. Go with her to Nordstrom?

[Deleted]

Would a gym membership be out of line? What about some yoga classes? I find that my stress level and mood has improved so much after joining a super nice ($$$) gym and taking yoga there. There is also a social aspect of going to the gym and seeing other people there.

[Doggy Mommy]

I am sure you know not to give her a gym membership. That would make her feel horrible.

I like the Nordstrom idea. You could also think about experience gifts for things she likes to do. If she likes gardening, maybe a trip to a nearby botanic gardens would be nice. If she likes theater or the symphony, you could get her tickets to see something on a week when you'll be in town or tickets to go with a friend (or even season tickets).