Anonymous wrote:MIL turns 65 tomorrow and DH has failed to get her anything, even though I've been reminding him for months. (He said he was organizing a tour somewhere, but didn't.). MIL is lovely and cares about birthdays, so I'm going to the mall.
What brick and mortar store would have something nice? I'm prepared to spend guilty amounts of money. Not jewelry, though: she doesn't wear it. Clothes, cookware, skincare, and gadgets are possibilities.
If she actually cooks, go to Sur La Table. Their sales staff are really good; if you explain the situation, they should have some great suggestions. A couple of possibilities -- Le Creuset Dutch oven; Wusthof knives or kitchen scissors. Of course, it would help to know if she has these. Would your FIL know? Or, if she cooks, you could buy a gift certificate to a really good online cooking class. That would save a trip to the store.
I probably wouldn't get clothing -- unless you know a store where she shops often and where salespeople know her style. A 65-year-old woman knows what she likes and looks well in, and it doesn't sound like you know her well enough to figure out what that would be. And I definitely wouldn't get skincare.