- Arrange with a local services company to send hired help two to three times every week and give your mum a break from the strain of household chores, specially at her age. Set a meeting between the company and your mother so she can work out a schedule that suits her and gives her free time to step out for a walk, visit friends, play bridge or do other activities that she did not have time for. Alternatively, consider something your mum really needs and surprise her with it. For instance, update a baker's kitchen with an electric mixer if she still whisks her eggs and mixes the batter manually, a cordless telephone handset gives the lady who likes to chat greater portability to move around the house while catching up on the latest gossip and a box containing cards for different occasions and stamps so the mother who likes to send greetings to distant family members and friends does not have to keep stepping out of the house when someone's birthday or anniversary is around the corner.
- Surprise your mum with gift vouchers to a fancy spa so she unwinds while getting a full body massage and other age-related treatments. Treat her best friend or friends as well so the girls can spend the day at the spa together. Alternatively, get her membership to an elderly club where she meets other people her age every week for tea, movie night, a game of bridge or yoga. Give you mum a handmade coupon book with coupons to do household chores for her, serve her breakfast in bed, go shopping for her and other items that help her relax while you complete them. Give her a calendar with pre-marked dates for every week or whenever possible where you go over to her house and complete her household chores to give her a break.
- Encourage your mum to do something new now that her kids are older and she has more time to herself. Give her vouchers to painting, golfing, pottery, cooking, scuba diving, dancing, swimming, yoga or gardening lessons so she can pursue her passion. Include your dad in the program so the couple spends time together or her closest friend if she prefers.
- Give your mum a gift that reflects her glorious past in the form of a scrapbook, picture album or framed photo so she can treasure it forever. Rummage through old storage boxes for memorabilia and photos from past events and compile them together in chronological order, along with a caption or your memory of the event under each. Alternatively, frame an old forgotten picture of your mother as a young girl or from her wedding or honeymoon and give it to her. Ask elder family members if they can send you old photos of your mum.
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