Help me last minute shop for my mom?

[Awkward]

It doesn't get much more last minute than this.

My mother is very hard to shop for. She doesn't wear perfume, hates all smelly candles/lotions/etc, doesn't have much of a sense of style (not that there's anything wrong with that).

I'm looking for something I can buy on Zappos so it can arrive for Christmas. Or brave the crowds at Target, etc first thing in the morning.

Other relevant facts:
Is a teacher but hates "teacher-y" knick-knacks
56 years old
Only jewelry she wears is either 14k gold or from Lia Sophia
Favorite store is Coldwater Creek
Size 18 usually
Doesn't really cook
Is on a crusade against gift cards for Christmas presents |-)

Trying to keep it under $75, but if it's something perfect I could go higher

I've been looking at stuff like gloves with tips for touchscreens, she just got a Motorola Razor. I'm open to any kind of suggestion at this point. My backup plan is tickets to a musical she mentioned, but last time I got her theater tickets she "lost" them and claimed she was too busy to take an evening to go.

Halp.

[Deleted]

Can you make it to a Coldwater Creek and buy her a sweater or something?

[Kore]

Coldwater Creek is my default when I can't think of anything for my mom. I get her a sweater or accessory & GC.

[Awkward]

Dec 22, 2012 15:53:20 GMT -5 @kcpokergal said:

Can you make it to a Coldwater Creek and buy her a sweater or something?

I reeeeeeeeeally wanted to avoid going to the mall. I understand it may be my only option if nothing materializes tonight.

[CloudBee]

I'm trying to think of larger items that can be purchased at places like CVS and Walgreens. Does she have a Swiffer Wet Jet?

Bookstores will be busy today/tomorrow, but if they're not connected to a mall or stand alone, they shouldn't be too bad. Anything there she might like? Stationary? Buy her favorite magazine and attach a note that you're getting her a subscription?

Don't get tickets if she lost them last time and claimed she was too busy to go.

Any restaurants she really likes? Maybe a gift card to one of them? Or a gift card from the GC rack at your local drugstore paired with a small gift?

If she likes 14k gold, maybe swing into a small local jewelry store (not attached to a mall) and see if they have some simple studs or hoops that are $75 or less?

Does she drink coffee? Spending $30 on items in that category would be easy if you got something else as well.

Honestly, I would avoid purchasing anything online at this point. I would rather go out at 8pm once the crowds die down tonight and hit the mall quickly. Or just hit up a local store now or tomorrow AM as they won't be too busy.

Good luck!

[CloudBee]

Dec 22, 2012 15:55:22 GMT -5 Awkward said:

Dec 22, 2012 15:53:20 GMT -5 @kcpokergal said:

Can you make it to a Coldwater Creek and buy her a sweater or something?

I reeeeeeeeeally wanted to avoid going to the mall. I understand it may be my only option if nothing materializes tonight.

Just go as soon as the mall opens tomorrow (ours opens at 7am!) or maybe 45 mins before they close tonight. There shouldn't be a long line at Coldwater Creek.

[Deleted]

Would she appreciate classroom supplies? A gift basket of office supplies like sharpies, nice pens, fancy post-its. A simple pair of gold earnings would be nice if you can stay in budget. My mom loves socks, if I buy her socks, especially higher end ones, she is beyond thrilled. A nice chenille throw or a set of wine glasses maybe?

[Deleted]

Could you go to TJ Maxx and browse around? You could get her a couple of things to add up to $75.

[Awkward]

Dec 22, 2012 15:55:49 GMT -5 CloudBee said:

I'm trying to think of larger items that can be purchased at places like CVS and Walgreens. Does she have a Swiffer Wet Jet?

Bookstores will be busy today/tomorrow, but if they're not connected to a mall or stand alone, they shouldn't be too bad. Anything there she might like? Stationary? Buy her favorite magazine and attach a note that you're getting her a subscription?

Don't get tickets if she lost them last time and claimed she was too busy to go.

Any restaurants she really likes? Maybe a gift card to one of them? Or a gift card from the GC rack at your local drugstore paired with a small gift?

If she likes 14k gold, maybe swing into a small local jewelry store (not attached to a mall) and see if they have some simple studs or hoops that are $75 or less?

Does she drink coffee? Spending $30 on items in that category would be easy if you got something else as well.

Honestly, I would avoid purchasing anything online at this point. I would rather go out at 8pm once the crowds die down tonight and hit the mall quickly. Or just hit up a local store now or tomorrow AM as they won't be too busy.

Good luck!

CloudBee, I think I love you. These are some amazing ideas, especially the magazine one! She's always stealing the Yankee Magazine from the dentist's office.

[jennistarr1]

Does she like tea? Maybe some kind of tea brewing thing and different teas to try out. Any tea stores you can stop at?

Books? Barnes and Nobles has nice gift section so it might be a good store just to go to?

Another idea I have is nice pen/pencil set, like refillable ones?

Does she drink liquor at all...like Baileys or Kahlua even...

[Myrrhine]

Does she like to read? I think the cheapest kindle is in your price range.

[hulley]

Macy's is open 24 hrs. You could go late tonight to the one that isn't in the mall. I might also try stand-alone Kohl's or target. I'm pretty sure they are open later/early so you could beat the rush either tonight or tomorrow AM.

What about a nice water bottle? Does she like coffee or tea? You could do a nice ceramic teapot with teas and an infuser for around your price point. I saw an awesome plug in ceramic teapot at Macy's yesterday, it was on sale and of course there's always a coupon out.

I went to the outlet mall this afternoon and it was surprisingly not busy. Is there a Coldwater Creek outlet? I have no idea, my mom isn't into clothes at all.

I also wouldn't do online, because I've heard of people missing shipping deadlines and then you'd be without a gift.
Good luck!

[Ashley&Scott]

The mall really wasn't that bad today. CloudBee had lots of great ideas.

[Awkward]

Thanks everyone! She will be receiving a subscription to Yankee Magazine, a Coldwater Creek gc, and a fancy coffee mug. Sometimes I miss the most obvious options and you all helped spell it out for me. Thank you! :heart:

[Deleted]

That sounds like a great gift!