I feel your pain. I use to go through the same agony with my mil. Not as bad a problem as yours because she would at least use tissues but loved hankies. Is it possible to tell her they don't make them anymore? short of making them yourself, you could try antique stores.

Dottie

What about just cutting up old sheets into 12" squares? Heck, even new cheap sheets would cost less, I bet.

I just saw some for sale in a Carol Wright catalog. They were white with a flower on the corner. You probably can go online and look for them.

Sue

Here's a place where you can get vintage ones.

Here is a link that might be useful: Vintage hankies

This site has a 'sample pack' of 8 for $19

Here is a link that might be useful: hankies

My sis and I thought of antique stores, but the idea of buying and using someone else's hanky (even a well-washed one).... well, it's not high on my list of solutions.

It does look like they have some new ones for sale on Amazon--not quite the kind I'm looking for, and definitely not that cheap. But an option, if needed. Thought about making some, but not sure I've seen any fabric that's as tissue thin as the kind used for hankies. Another possibilty, though. I was just hoping someone might have seen them just last week in Sears, or WM, or Boscov's or someplace.... LOL

I think the cloth hankies would be a source of comfort for her in the nursing home, esp. if she has always used them. Once you move to a nursing home or an assisted living facility one can lose one's identity pretty quickly, from what I've observed with family members and friends. There are so many other places germs can thrive,too. I understand though that tissues would be a better choice when a person has a terrible cold with copious nasal drainage. (sounds better than saying lost of s-ot! ha)

I keep a drawer full of them, vintage ones and new ones I have bought years ago; and always put one in my bag when going out for an evening. A habit.

I just went to carolwright.com and they have two kinds for women. This is what one says. Pretty and practical, these exquisite white cotton handkerchiefs are delicately embroidered in three floral patterns. Perfect for gifts, bridal parties, and more. Imported. Machine wash and dry. 11" square. Set of 12 - 4 each with pink, purple and blue flowers. They are on sale now for $6.99.

Sue

Here are more, link below.

Here is a link that might be useful: Vermont Country Store

I've purchased pretty dinner napkin sets in lightweight material that I suppose could be used as hankies if one were so inclined to re-purpose them as such. Just shop around.

Probably since they seem to get lost, I would just buy some very soft pretty, inexpensive cotton fabric, wash it and make some handkerchiefs for your Aunt.

Sue

You might try your local corner drug store. Ours always has odd things you don't see elsewhere.

I don't understand the aversion to cloth hankies. DH has used them his whole life. Pop 'em in the wash. Bada bing Bada boom ...

I always have a cloth hankie in my purse. My dad always used them, and it is a nice reminder of him when I carry one. I can't tell you how many times they have saved me!
I would love to get a gift of hankies, and wish more people enjoyed them the way I do.

Trin

Try the men's section of Walmart. My brother and my son both use hankies- I get the plain ole white ones.

Trish in SC

Check out this link!

Here is a link that might be useful: cloth handkerchiefs

I always carry two in my purse...one to clean my eyeglasses and one for tears/face perspiraton ONLY...I use Kleenex or other tissues for anything else.

You can usually find them at Xmas time and you could always buy men's hankies.

nola anne

azzalea, you probably already do this, but just in case: Do you put her name or initials on each one so they know who they belong to?

Shirley

Farm supply store, if you don't mind the red bandana with white polka dots kind, but your aunt might not find them very attractive.

Better than nothing, maybe ... but not much.

ole joyful

I have one of my dad's momogrammed hankies! He always used cloth ones.

He's been gone, now , 23 years.

I've seen some in the 99 cent store.
Kathi

If the staff at her home has an aversion to them, would you be willing to wash them for her and return them to her on a regular basis, Azzalea? If so, I would make her a special bag to put them into, maybe make it out of hankies, with a drawstring, and whenever you visit, take it home and wash them for her, bag and all (separately, though, not still tied up in the bag) and then return them to her. Would you do that and could she remember to put them in the bag?

I think that would be a lovely gift to her- to let her hang onto her little bit of nostalgia.

While I've never been a fan of hankies, I can certainly see where some ladies would. Those little dainties are so sweet and ladylike, even if they are all icky. lol

I collect old handmade tatted hankies. I have a drawer full of them. I don't use them, they are just too pretty. I have some made by my late cousin, who was a nun. Tatting was her hobby, she gave everyone hankies for birthdays and Christmas. So what do I use-plain Kleenex, Scotties, whatever is cheap.

I too don't understand the aversion to hankies, and keep one in my purse for my glasses or to wipe my brow if I get quite overheated, or for tears if I get emotional (weddings/funerals).

I've certainly seen enough folks pull a used tissue out of their pocket or purse, and use it again. I've also seen them put the used tissue back in their pocket or purse if no wastebasket is handy....so what is the difference? I often wonder just how many times they plan to use it.

I too love and collect old or just plain pretty hankies.

chemocurl, remember when a person used to be able to find baskets of vintage hankies in antique shops or thrift shops and pay 2 for $3 or even bundles of 5 for $2? Not so much anymore. Crafters buy them to use, even cutting them up, same as some time ago it was the trend to buy up old chenille bedspreads and cut them up to make stuffed animals, ect. Not that there's anything wrong with crafting! Please don't take it the wrong way all crafters out there.

I use my old hankies and sad to admit some are beyond washing or mending anymore. Tatting is my absolute favorite trim on ANYTHING.

Yes, I've bought many a hankie in an antique store or mall. Ebay is also a good place to get them, though they are often a bit more pricey to buy individually and then pay shipping.

Here is a link that might be useful: Ebay lot of 19 pretty hankies going out soon

Azzalea - you're so resourceful and crafty I wonder if you could purchase a box of men's handerchiefs and embellish them with an embroidered initial or flower. I haven't seen any print ladies ones in a long time. You could go all out and add lace edging but you probably don't want to invest too much time or money if they keep disappearing.

I didn't read through all the replies...so I don't know if I'm repeating old news...

But I've seen the white ones with a small flower in the corner and a tiny band of lace around the edge at Walmart.
Of course with all their new remodeling they've dropped tons of items they used to carry.