My Mom is retiring in May and my 2 brothers and I need some ideas for a gift! We are having her party in the church basement and will probably go to Red Lobster (her fave) for dinner, but we would like to chip in and get her something nice. The problem is, she doesn't have many hobbies.....no golf, no gardening, no normal retired lady stuff! She has her book group, volunteers at an Art Council but thats about it. She has a Mothers ring we bought her years ago for her birthday. We thought about a trip somewhere (maybe Mexico) but are worried about cost and if she would even go. We want to spend up to $200 each so about 5-600 dollars. My step dad retired last year but didn't make such a big deal of it, so maybe a joint present would work. Please help with ideas!!!

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"It's not about how much baggage you have, it's about whether or not you can carry your own baggage with grace and dignity."

What about a trip somewhere or letting her redecorate something? Maybe a new wardrobe?

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The political system is broke and it's a joke.

Barnes and Noble gift card (you said that she's in a book club)- $200. books can be expensive and it might be appreciated

Is there a painting/artwork that she likes at the place where she volunteers (maybe speak to one of the fellow volunteers?)?

My mom is also very difficult to buy for because she has everything that she wants/needs and *things* have become burdensome to her in her older age.

We have recently started giving to charities in her name and she seems to really like that so we keep on doing that for now. A good one is Kiva - Loans that change lives... the money goes 'round and 'round. Such a terrific concept!

Best of luck with figuing this out!

If it were me retiring, I would LOVE LOVE LOVE to have someone give me the gift of a cleaning service come in and clean my house from top to bottom. As we get older, there are so many things I would love to 'get to' but I just can't.

Maybe send mom and her husband away for a day or two and let the cleaning people come in and do everything. Maybe you or one of your siblings could sort of 'supervise'.

The idea of giving a room to redecorate is a good one, too. I would love to redo my master bedroom and master bath.

Maybe hint around and maybe you can pick up on something she'd really appreciate.

P.S. I love books, too, and love reading them, but I would be upset if someone gave me $200 in a gift card to Barnes & Noble because with books you can buy them so cheap at yard sales or book exchanges, etc. That's just the way I would feel about it.

If you are thinking about $200 each, so a total of about $600, I would think a cruise might be a good deal for both of them. Depending on where you live, these can be affordable for the 3-5 day cruises.

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"Well-Behaved Women SELDOM make history."Laurel Thatcher Ulrich


"Yesterday is but a vision, and tomorrow is only a dream. But today well lived makes every yesterday a dream of happiness, and every tomorrow a dream of hope." Anonymous

"Your candle does not lose it's light by lighting another candle" Generosity

Have the courage to be yourself.

I know that some people will not read 'used' books. I have a sister-in-law who only buys new, won't go to the library, etc. and it's not about money for her, it's about cleanliness. She says she doesn't like that people sneeze on, smoke, etc. while they read. I'm NOT like this, personally! I won't spend a dime on books that I can get at the library...

Also, if in a book club, generally the club members read a specific book that might not be easily picked up at a yard sale, library, etc. I said Barnes and Noble but maybe her mother has a preferred place that she buys her book club books? Amazon??

As with any gift, it helps to really know the recipient. I hope that the OP is getting some good ideas on this thread! I'd love to receive everything that has been mentioned so far, if it was me (and I WISH it was!)!!!

Money tree, gift card tree

Stocks, or something that will grow or draw interest. With inflation as it is, a few years down the line, it might be a lifesaver.