A nice cotton or silk pillowcase.

Jodi-

I meant satin, not silk.

Not a last min. gift actually...but when my aunt who raised me was in a nursing home...I made a large square lap quilt...(squares were large, not the quilt,it was normal lap size, and it was a tied quilt so it was very quick to make)

the middle squares I sewed the letters of her name.

Her things were always missing. With her name in large letters I figured it wouldn't disappear. (it didn't, I still have it)
And I made it in one afternoon.

Otherwise she loved Russel Stover chocolates...and when they are that old, choc. just isn't going to make much difference. IMO

patti

In that situation, I think I would like the chocolates, or maybe some bath powder to fluff on and smell good.

Sue

My Mother got Lotion from Bath and Body Works from one of her friends. She loves it. But, Wal-Mart has some nice lightly scented lotions.

Gayle

A pocket type container to hang over the bedrail of her bed to hold things like kleenex, tv remote etc.

Something nice to help decorate her room. Candies, or cookies that she wouldn't normally get at the nursing home.

Is she able to have dinner out? Perhaps an evening away from the Nursing Home would be nice.

Does she like/listen to music? A CD would be nice.Or if she has a TV in her room with a DVD player,a good movie,maybe an old one with actors she likes.I'd be leery of giving money,too easy for someone to walk off with.Chocolate is always good as others have mentioned but be sure she can eat it.Lotions,bath soaps and gels also good but sometimes can cause allergic reactions so be sure she isn't allergic to anything like that.Just something to think about.I like Patti's idea.someone made my mom a lap quilt when she was in the nursing home and she loved it.Her legs and feet were always cold so she used it all the time.What about some cute little fuzzy slipper socks? They have some really cute ones at Wal-Mart.

When my fil was in a nursing home, he always needed lighters for his cigarettes, spin brush tooth brushes, lotions, and socks.

I know you said clothes are a hard purchase. My Fil needed us to buy sweats because they were easier on and off. I'd go some place like Kohls and find something festive or pretty to wear. Fancy Socks would be fun, but practical too.

How about a fleece throw!

Mom always liked new photo albums filled with old family photos, or a collage of them framed to go on her wall.

Shirley

How about a CD player and some music you know she likes? Look to the classics. MY MIL loved Rod Stewart's American Songbooks, he re-did songs from the 30's and 40's. She knew all the words and sang along.

My MIL is in an Assisted Living apartment and one of the things she has enjoyed most is a bird feeder outside her window. Don't know if that would work for your MIL. Some of MIL's most requested items have been gift certificates for the beauty shoppe, nylon nightgowns, Chocolate (just a little), and family photos. We gave her lightweight sweaters and wraps this year because she is always cold. She really likes both.

My DSis always gets our DM a spa day, you know, massage, pedicure, manicure, something like that? Mom is 86 and there's not much she needs these days, but she does enjoy her spa days.

I was thinking of a nice fleece lap robe, like some of the others mentioned. Something warm, made with love.
Leslie

just make sure she has her name on it! what about paperback books? or a small light so she can read after lights out.

i sure wouldn't take money or other valuables to a nursing home, either. i even took my mom's pierced earrings home...they managed to "lose" her reading glasses, her tv clicker, and sadly her special candy she loved.

How about a big Pointseta (SP)

Donna (^_^)

Thanks for the great ideas. You all were very helpful.
The fleece throw is a good idea along with the body spray.
Thanks again,Marilyn...........Merry Christmas111

I like Jodi's idea of a special pillowcase. If you sew, you could make her a couple in fun fabrics, but I would machine embroider her name (and room 3, maybe) in large letters along the hem/edge, so no one will be tempted to take it home with them. It would be nice to be laying on a cheerful pillowcase with your name on it, wouldn't you feel special?

Here is a link that might be useful: