# I have NO idea what to get my Mom for Christmas. **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [November 6, 2015, 4:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-no-idea-what-to-get-my-mom-for-christmas/736819 "2015-11-06T16:17:58Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 6\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Grrr](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/grrr/32/146_2.png) [@Grrr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grrr)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2015, 10:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-no-idea-what-to-get-my-mom-for-christmas/736819/21 "2015-11-09T22:21:38Z")
My mom already has a spinning bow tie that she’s quite fond of. ---
**Author:** ![Cub\_Mistress](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ea666f/32.png) [@Cub\_Mistress](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cub_Mistress)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2015, 4:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-no-idea-what-to-get-my-mom-for-christmas/736819/22 "2015-11-10T04:25:57Z")
I don’t know you and I don’t know your mom, but my guess is the best gift is the gift of your time and attention. Go do something together, look at old pictures, ask her questions that lead to stories you have not heard. ---
**Author:** ![Doctor\_Jackson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/doctor_jackson/32/32_2.png) [@Doctor\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doctor_Jackson)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2015, 2:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-no-idea-what-to-get-my-mom-for-christmas/736819/23 "2015-11-10T14:38:50Z")
Seriously, we have stopped giving my mom “things” and begun giving her “things to do” - tickets for 2 to a play, a gift card for a nice restaurant in an amount that would cover 2 meals so she can take a friend, a spa visit, stuff like that. She has way too much stuff already. ---
**Author:** ![Sam\_Lowry](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e95f7d/32.png) [@Sam\_Lowry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sam_Lowry)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2015, 2:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-no-idea-what-to-get-my-mom-for-christmas/736819/24 "2015-11-10T14:49:26Z")
> [@Dung\_Beetle](#): > > Other than that, you might try something consumable like wine and cheese, or nice body products. Your mom can go buy that stuff herself, but she’ll always need more, right? Also, since you two live in different states, you could buy some wine or cheese or coffee or something from one of your nice local shops. It’ll be something different from what she’s had before, which can be fun for presents. Bonus if it’s from some place you like to go to often and can talk about, or some place that was named Best _Whatever_ in your city. ---
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2015, 5:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-no-idea-what-to-get-my-mom-for-christmas/736819/25 "2015-11-10T17:12:24Z")
Make her a book of [“Chore” coupons…](https://www.google.com/search?q=i+love+you+coupons&safe=off&biw=1280&bih=913&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&sqi=2&ved=0CAYQ_AUoAWoVChMIwrP956yGyQIVAtZjCh3ubg0J#safe=off&tbm=isch&q=chore+coupons+for+parents) ---
**Author:** ![Lightray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lightray/32/391_2.png) [@Lightray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lightray)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2015, 6:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-no-idea-what-to-get-my-mom-for-christmas/736819/26 "2015-11-10T18:34:50Z")
My brother and I finally did away with the ridiculous gift exchange (“gee… another thoughtful gift card.”). _However_, before doing so I won the competition one year by finding a video documentary on the Nebraska farming county she grew up in. She loved it, shared it with all the relatives back home. So, check where your mother grew up, went to high school, or college. Search for a Historical Society for the town or country, or contact the school. They may have picturebooks, DVDs, or books on topics of interest. Nostalgia is a powerful thing. Be warned, you’ll have to hear lots of reminiscences throughout Christmas. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-no-idea-what-to-get-my-mom-for-christmas/736819.md?page=1)