Very difficult gift to buy

smousie

I am in the difficult situation of having to buy an Xmas gift for a terminally ill person. The person is my aunt, she's a lady in her 50s and is dying of cancer, the doctor has said she'll make it to Xmas but she may only have a few more weeks or months after that.

There's absolutely no point in buying her clothes or jewellery that she'll never have a chance to wear, or books she'll never get round to reading, or ornaments that she'll only be looking at for a few weeks, she doesn't drink alcohol, and I don't think she has enough interest in herself to be bothered with smellies or makeup. I want to spend about £30 and I am really at a loss for what to buy. I suppose I could buy chocolates but I dunno if she'd feel like eating them, and a box of chocs is nowhere near £30, which is what I'd usually spend. Can anyone please advise?

sooz

I'd suggest a plant.

I don't like sending flowers, as they cost so much and rarely last long.

How about a nice indoor flowing plant (perhaps an orchid) in a nice pot to brighten her room.

C_J

This is taken from elsewhere on the web, but thought it worth passing on :

"Buy a crystal growing kit from a science/hobby store. Prepare the solutions then place them on a decorative dish with appropriate ribbons etc for sitting next to the bed or chair. As the days pass the beautiful coloured crystals will begin to form, grow and change providing a wonderful and meditative object. This is good for people forced to ponder their mortality daily and helps to illustrate a sense of passing time and natural cycle to them. A similar concept to giving potted, living, flowering plants except that once grown the crystals last forever. This a comforting thought for the dying and many people become quite attached to their crystals. My elderley neighbour requested that her beautiful violet crystal rocks be buried with her which they were. I hope this idea brings joy to someone else out there too"

My best wishes to you, and your aunt. Nothing makes the imminent loss of someone dear to us any easier to bear

tanith

I think a plant too maybe a nice Jasmine as they have a wonderful smell.... or maybe a small hamper of exotic foods (if she is able to eat them) just taster of things that might tempt her appetite... unusual items she may not of tried...

haylibo

Something cosy, warm and soft. Sheepskin, fleece or wool. Music? Pyjamas, I know you suggested she wouldn't want clothes but nightclothes or a robe me be useful as may slippers. Electric blanket.

so sorry to hear you are losing her smousie, how sad.

BW
Hayles

MRSMCAWBER

Hi there

Sorry for your sad news..especially at this time of year....

I was going to suggest similar to Sooz... you can get some beautifull minature roses for indoors and a lovely pot..and then after winter it can be transfered outside into the garden..and be a lovely memory too...

[Deleted User]

I bought my terminally ill neighbour a lovely bunch of spring flowers in a container, so her dh didn`t have to do anything. I wrote on the card that I wanted to bring spring to her. They absolutely LOVED it

smousie

Thanks for the suggestions, a flowering plant and a robe would make a nice gift. I've got my Dad a bird feeder and my OH suggested that my aunt might like one too, so she can watch the birds coming to feed outside her window.

We've known for ages that she had cancer so it's not a surprise, she kept having treatments without success, but now she's getting really bad and they've just delivered the verdict of no hope for recovery. I suppose at least she'll have Xmas anyway

Minimoneysaver_2

So sorry to hear your Aunt is so ill.

I think you should use the money to create a memory - obviously I don't know how ill she is, but if possible maybe you could spend the money on taking her somewhere nice - maybe the coast or some beauty spot near to you?

Yorkshire-Lady_3

Maybe a basket of Hyacinths - they have a wonderful fragrance and are a bright and cheerful flower.

Sally x

justmarried06

Sorry to hear about your aunt, lots of virtual hugs coming your way. I know you said she wasn't into smellies and make up but how about a relaxing facial or neck back and shoulder massage or something like that?

JM xxx