Consumables such as great vinegars or oils maybe some good caramel sauce would be what I would go with.

Or flowers particularly something potted like Amaryllis or paperwhites about to bloom or hyacinth

I agree with consumables. A selection of winter-themed herbal teas. Flowers or a houseplant. Or, simply a card with a handwritten message inside expressing your appreciation for her friendship, and that you'd love it if she joined you for lunch in the coming weeks.

Another vote for consumables. A nice bottle of champagne and something to nibble with it. Or, my favorite, a potted phalenopsis orchid. They last forever and require benign neglect.

2 years ago I bought my mum those socks that are impregnated with lotion, she didn’t know they existed and loved them so much. She also loves a pedicure but will not go by herself.

A beautiful bouquet of flowers is always cheerful and a nice treat.

Since she's a painter, perhaps a gift to the nearest art museum in her honor, or a card inviting her to a lunch date at the museum with you?

Maybe a charitable contribution to an organization she Is involved in.

Thank you all! I have been considering consumables. My friend is a patron of the arts in our community and now I think that a gift in her name either to the local museum or symphony would touch her heart the most.

I just figured it out. She loves animals. I'm going to make a contribution in her name to our local Humane Society.

ETA: Done! They're sending her a notification card.

A puppy!

Oly, hahaha. She already has two Standard Poodles, down from four. Four dogs in her small house were quite a handful.

Bunny, I think you have a fine idea already and would not vote to change it, but I was reading through and thinking of 2 consumables I recently discovered. In case you would like to take something small in hand. One may not be new to many of you who live up north -- boiled cider. Literally, boiled cider. You take a gallon of apple cider (the freshest and least processed you can find), bring it to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer in a 5 qt stock pot until the desired consistency. At 3 cups, it will be a light syrup, similar to maple. At 2 cups, it become more like honey. It stores in the fridge for several months. You can drizzle it on pancakes or waffles, oatmeal or other cereal, pork or chicken, use it to make a salad dressing, add to baked goods (esp apple pie), mix in cocktails or dissolve in hot water for an instant hot cider. I even found a recipe cooked with cinnamon and spices so you could have instant spiced cider. We made a generic version and one with honeycrisp cider and everyone is enjoying them. Takes a few hours, but your house will smell great, you can put it in a cute bottle (even a repurposed one), tie a ribbon on it and have something in hand that can be enjoyed for a while to come.

The other is toasted oatmeal. After eating instant oatmeal in college, I couldn't eat the regular kind -- it seemed tasteless. I assumed it was sugar that was lacking, but even if adding some kind of sweetener, it seemed watery or thin in flavor. I read an article about toasting oats before cooking to bring out their nutty flavor and that seemed promising. We have tried it both with plain old fashioned oats and Trader Joe's multigrain hot cereal (oats, wheat and a couple other grains). We both really like the results -- cooked with water or with 1/2 water and 1/2 unsweetened almond milk. You can toast the oats in the pan on stovetop before you add the cooking liquid or you can toast a larger batch in the oven like you do nuts for baking and such. Stir often on the stovetop and when they start to remind you of popcorn, they are ready to add liquid or remove from heat and cool for later use.

We've also been making marmalades with fresh citrus, so that would be an option for us. Anyway, just thought I would mention the ideas. I think your donation is a good choice and she will appreciate the kindness.

Lascatx, whoa, both of those sound so good and new to me. Thanks for taking the time to describe them in such delicious detail.

I think that's a great idea, Bunny. I have an out of town friend who always feels she has to send me something because I send holiday gifts to her kids. While I appreciate the thought (even though her sending me something to reciprocate on behalf of her kids is totally unnecessary), I really need nothing. This year she made a donation in my honor to the local humane society that I volunteer at. I was so touched and pleased by this, and I imagine your friend will be as well.

I think you made a great choice.

I have suggested this before-- but since I had the opportunity to actually DO it yesterday, I think it's a wonderful idea for so many events. Flying Wish Papers come in many designs and cost somewhere between $9-12. Note- there are big and mini sets. I prefer the bigger ones for gifts. Again-- only if you want to go with something small in hand.

I also have great things to say about these caramels from Good Karmal-- each with a quote or words of wisdom.

Sounds crazy but my niece gave some postage stamps to my elderly mother. She was delighted and they all were used. Maybe along with some pretty note paper?

Great choice Bunny. It is so hard to figure these things out, and everyone here always has such wonderful suggestions. Consumables, taking her out to lunch, buying a few art supplies or a gift card for some, or the donations. And I love the idea of homemade toasted oats.

I find I am not even eating much oatmeal anymore for exactly the reason they seem so bland. I will try this.