Older mom here: She is not being mean about the clutter, but I have seen shelves just bursting with mugs, cute cheap gifts and so on. Disposable is more appreciated.

Anonymous wrote:Maybe a donation in her name to a children's charity? Either DC Diaper Bank or Rescue Gifts (where you can sponsor a year of a girls education or pay for a safe childbirth).
Write a VERY thoughtful card about how you are so privileged and lucky because you had a mother that provided everything for you and your life would be meaningless without all of her sacrifices and you never had to want for clean diapers/a good education/proper healthcare and the best way you can think to honor her is to give another girl WITHOUT such an amazing mother just a taste of the benefits she provided.

It's no clutter, a nice thing to do, and might make it harder for her to be negative.

Since I am probably your mom's age -- please no donations in my name so the charity can chase me down and ask for more. I will donate for myself, thanks.

Anonymous wrote:She's 66, and a grandma too (my mom). Five grand kids w 6th (mine) on the way.

She's a very negative person and hard to please but doesn't think she is. I used to have my kids (now 8 and 5) make her something but she informed me last year "don't have them make anything, I'm running out of room in my house and you know I don't like clutter."

She loves orchids. Last time I got her one she told me she already had 20 at home.

Doesn't work, no hobbies, nothing really a GC for (parents are pretty well off).

Suggestions?

Send her a flock of flamingos for every year she has been a mother.

Anonymous wrote:Take her out to dinner with w(h)ine. You'll get both at the same time. Then, you'll be happy to miss her for a while.

Here's a question: what are you getting yourself for putting up with her guilt trips?

Therapy?

Anonymous wrote:A snapfish card of all her grandkids? And if she complains about it, tell her how negative she is. People like that need to hear how difficult they are.

+1000

Anonymous wrote:Ass Soap.

And Gin- its classy.

Take her out to dinner with w(h)ine. You'll get both at the same time. Then, you'll be happy to miss her for a while.

Here's a question: what are you getting yourself for putting up with her guilt trips?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Ass Soap.

I laughed out loud. First time today. Thank you.

Ass soap. I'm going to be chuckling about that for hours.

Made me damn near spit out my water. Cant stop laughing. Nothing says high maintenance like ass soap.

Anyone who complains about a gift you've given them doesn't deserve one. If this were my mother, I would get her nothing.

A gift certificate for a massage, pedi, facial, etc? Or a "coupon" to redeem for tickets to an upcoming show, concert, event, etc. These could be just for her, or it could be for the two of you.

OP, you could send a bouquet made up of her birth-month flowers, or the month flowers from all her kids, or something along those lines. (Might depend in part on what's actually available now.) Disposable, thoughtful, easy.

http://www.whatsmybirthflower.com

Anonymous wrote:A nice CARD. The end.

Yep. If she's a complainer who wants or needs nothing, just give her a card and a phone call. If you're feeling extravagant, order some flowers.

Anonymous wrote:Ass Soap.

I laughed out loud. First time today. Thank you.

Ass soap. I'm going to be chuckling about that for hours.

Card. Flowers. Candy. Maybe a small photo/or photo book. Mothers Day makes some moms mad. Not about you exactly. Just try not to take it so personally.

Maybe a donation in her name to a children's charity? Either DC Diaper Bank or Rescue Gifts (where you can sponsor a year of a girls education or pay for a safe childbirth).

Write a VERY thoughtful card about how you are so privileged and lucky because you had a mother that provided everything for you and your life would be meaningless without all of her sacrifices and you never had to want for clean diapers/a good education/proper healthcare and the best way you can think to honor her is to give another girl WITHOUT such an amazing mother just a taste of the benefits she provided.

It's no clutter, a nice thing to do, and might make it harder for her to be negative.