Chosen Answer
roza:  If you're into crafty things, how about some kind of cross-stitched picture, maybe a favourite saying or poem, surrounded by pictures of things she likes? Or a rag rug in Christmas colours to put the presents on under the tree next year? That could be made from scrap fabric and doesn't have to cost a lot. As you're a close family, how about making a "family tree"? You could make the structure of the tree from garden wire, anchored in a pretty pot with sand or modelling clay, then wrap the trunk and branches in satiny brown ribbon. Glue or stitch on some green fabric leaves, and hang photographs in small round frames on it (you can get these online or from a craft shop) with your parents at the top and you and your siblings below. Sounds corny, but a book of vouchers from you all might be a good present. Stuff like a week's worth of ironing, a fantastic four-course meal, babysitting, weeding the garden, cleaning the bathroom, that kind of thing. Basically pieces of paper saying you'll do jobs she doesn't like, or giving her treats like making her favourite dinner, even silly things like "complete control of the TV remote for a night"! Add to that a home-made pampering kit including her favourite chocs or sweets, an eye mask, bubble bath, that kind of thing - you could spread the cost by getting a bit at a time - and I think she'd be quite pleased. Along the same lines, maybe you could look into splitting the cost of a pampering day at a spa, slippers, a new handbag, or something else she needs/would use but wouldn't buy for herself if money's tight.
2007-10-03 08:25:11