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i am completely at a loss...
I really enjoy buying gifts for people and picking just the right thing but every year around christmas I DREAD buying a gift for my mom...she is the quintessential impossible person to buy gifts for...over the years her attitude towards christmas has gotten more and more negative viewing it as a time of year that she just gets more "crap she has to find somewhere to store in her already full house" no matter what gift I give her (or anyone gives her) she will be very passive agressive and say "oh you got me a _____" and make some remark about how it is somehow going to end up being more work for her (even things that couldnt remotely be about work for her)...
Last year I got us tickets to the nutcracker (she used to take me and my sisters every year when we were little and we would dress up in our christmas dresses) and took her out to dinner...I thought it would be cute and sentimental...she complained about being out late (she is only 52!) and having to park in the bad part of downtown to go to the play and she asked to leave half way through...so this year I am at a complete loss at what to get her--this is more a vent but also a genuine...give me your best suggestions....she doesnt like traditional "mom" gifts like charm bracelets, spa gift certificates, clothes, candles, or candy...as I said..impossible...Any suggestions?
Re: i am completely at a loss...
My first reaction was to just not get her anything. If she doesn't appreicate it, then why go through all the trouble of thinking about it, tracking it down, ordering or going out to buy it, ect ect. But I see how that would cause lots of drama so I agree with the pp about the gift cards. Also does she have any little appliances going out like a coffee maker or toaster? Could she use a new set of towels? It does sound like something practical would be more for her like the pp mentioned. Good Luck I know how you feel. My MIL said to us this year when we asked what she wanted "Oh I'm easy, I don't have a list just get me whatever you want!" Newsflash! That's the opposite of being easy! haha.
I'd just make her cookies or a gift basket of coffee/tea - something you know she drinks. Stop by her house and take notes - what's in her fridge and what's in her shower. Then do a basket out of the brands of shampoo/cond/lotion she is currently using or the things in her fridge.
You could also make a favorite dinner that she won't make for herself and freeze it. Put a bow on it and take it to her house, stick it in her freezer. She can thaw it out and heat it up on a night she doesn't feel like cooking. Or maybe do smaller containers of a few different soups.
How about a grinch hat?!?!
I honestly wouldn't get her anything and just explain to her exactly why you didn't get her something and tell her that she can give you something specific to purchase, or else she will get nothing. Maybe she doesn't really realize how grumpy she is being about it and a big slap in the face is all she really needs?
And my mom is almost this bad too.... so I feel your pain! I just don't get her anything unless she tells me something she wants and she now knows this so she gives me a list of 4 or 5 things to choose from.