If she loves British series how about a subscription to ACORN TV?

FaceTime/Zoom tea party perhaps would be a nice change. You could deliver a basket of tea goodies and set up afternoon tea with you and some of her friends.

Does she have a Kindle? -

Another idea might be a subscription to SCRIBD. -it can run from your phone or laptop. It's about $10/month and for that you have unlimited rights to their selections. I primarily use it for audiobooks, (because it doesn't work with Kindle). If you think she might enjoy audio books, it might make a nice gift. A Bluetooth speaker (which again can work with phone or laptop), would be a nice accompanying gift so that she could listen comfortably.

She already has a subscription to Acorn and at least one other Brit-show providers. She doesn't have a Kindle, but has borrowed mine and didn't like it. She prefers actual books, and frequents the library and Half Price Books. Interesting idea for a Zoom tea party, although I think most of her friends are not at all tech inclined, so that might be a bit of a challenge.

She's not an easy one to find "just the right thing" for, but to her credit, she is always lovely and gracious about whatever she happens to receive.

Caimh McDonnell's Bunny McGarry series! Hard to get from the library, so double bonus!

If she enjoys satire, would she like Carl Hiassen? My older-lady fan friend always says, "Start with 'Tourist Season'"

One of my all-time favorite British series is monarch of the Glen and I don't think that's available for streaming but maybe purchasing some of the dvds?

Trust me, your mom will simply adore anything you give her, even if its a rock. She sounds like my kind of girl.

Does she cook or order takeout? What about a gift card to a nice restaurant for a few meals to be delivered? I would be thrilled to receive a gift card from my favorite Mexican restaurant. Good Mexican food to eat in front of the telly watching Upstairs Downstairs would be Heaven. :)

She just emailed me to say she'd spent an Amazon gift card that someone recently gave her on English tea bags, dental floss threaders, and vegetarian wieners. She said, "Very exciting!" LOL!

Thanks for all of these ideas. Keep 'em coming, if possible!

Forgot! If she loves to read, has she read This Book? If not I betcha she'd love it. I recently finished the book and it's fascinating the way the QM grew up, her lifestyle, the castles and country homes in Scotland. I had no idea. Other than the wars she really did lead a charmed life we can only dream of. Lots of pictures and lots of pages with words.

The end is sad of course.

She mentioned another obscure England-themed book in her recent email and said she was thinking of ordering it, so I emailed her back and said for the love of all things holy, don't order something so close to your birthday! Then I ordered it for her. But it will likely not arrive until after the date, so I will buy something to go along with it.

I don't know if she's read that book or not, Oakley. She's read a lot about England and the monarchy, so I can't be sure. Newer books are a better bet, since I don't know what she has and hasn't read. That said, she and I often joke that sometimes we'll be reading a book and think, "Have I read this before? It seems familiar", and in that way, we have a sort of "reading dementia" that seems to make books we may have read before surprisingly new to us. ;-)

My mother was fascinated with Queen Elizabeth (who is 13 years Mum's senior) when she was a teen, and thought she was the most beautiful and gracious young woman.

Can it be a future mother / daughter project?

I think this looks very cool!

https://www.amazon.com/Luna-Bean-KEEPSAKE-Plaster-Materials/dp/B01E4LWBLQ/ref=mp_s_a_1_32_sspa?adgrpid=56330865016&dchild=1&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIg4Trx8yT7AIVCk2GCh3jLAC3EAAYAiAAEgKY9vD_BwE&hvadid=274746865102&hvdev=m&hvlocphy=9012003&hvnetw=g&hvqmt=e&hvrand=3258853734436065562&hvtargid=kwd-328918318478&hydadcr=27313_10159449&keywords=make+your+own+picture+frame+kit&qid=1601562325&sr=8-32-spons&psc=1&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUEzVkpWNzZONUNJTjJUJmVuY3J5cHRlZElkPUEwMDI3NTY3MkNIS1dFRVNEMVlCOSZlbmNyeXB0ZWRBZElkPUEwMzg5MTA4MjBNRzU2SklGQ0Q1VCZ3aWRnZXROYW1lPXNwX3Bob25lX3NlYXJjaF9idGYmYWN0aW9uPWNsaWNrUmVkaXJlY3QmZG9Ob3RMb2dDbGljaz10cnVl

You could get two kits, you do one for mom and mom does one for you.

Does she have an iPad? If so, how about a subscription to NYT Crossword Puzzles (its an app).

Does she like British cozy mysteries? M.C. Beaton writes 2 good series, Agatha Raisin and Hamish MacBeth.

@Bumblebeez SC Zone 7, I’m so sorry that I’ve watched all the episodes of Monarch of the Glen. It was one of my favs.

For Father's Day, I gave my dad a book that he keeps raving about. It's called Eighysomethings: A Practical Guide to Letting Go, Aging Well, and Finding Unexpected Happiness.

Also, if your mom is into nature at all, I have given The Hidden Life of Trees as a gift and people have loved it.

Maybe a pretty basket with a couple of books, some tea and fresh baked treats?

How about a lovely set of pjs, a beautiful robe or something along that line? I love pretty lingerie and nighties. A gorgeous bouquet? Many women love flowers but will not spend the money on fresh flowers. Trying to think of things that say "spoil me". LOL Maybe flowers and then a box of some yummy chocolates? Is there a bakery in your area or somewhere you could order scones from? That would be great for her "tea time". Regarding getting together with her, I absolutely know where you are coming from as we are dealing with that with my dad. Starting today though, our state is allowing in person visits at nursing homes, AL facilities, etc. Well, the facility has the option to do this or not. Dad's facility has an area where they will be allowing two visitors, distanced, masked, etc. Hubby and I are going Sunday. But, I've had two outside visits with him and that was just lovely. Is there somewhere you could meet her where you could set up an afternoon tea? Any parks or botanical sites in your area? Outdoor dining? You could do a picnic type setting somewhere - even in your lovely back yard area! Set up an outside tea. I bet she would love it.

I had a birthday mid-September. I sound like your mum 😊 not near 80 yet but it’s creeping up. For my bday, my daughter picked me up pretty early that morning and we ate fresh muffins and fruit in the car on the way to Orlando. There we visited Harry P Leu Gardens near Ivanhoe Village. It was quite a rainy start but we put up our umbrellas and explored the gardens. The rain stopped after about an hour and we practically had the place to ourselves. What a beautiful place.

On the way home we stopped at a great Mexican place and had dinner outdoors. Wonderful birthday! I recommend a visit to a botanical garden if she would enjoy that.

This is just a thought, but with covid and all, have you considered putting a photo book together via Shutterfly or something? You could put some pics from all your travels and other members of the family and have captions that tell a story.

Such wonderful ideas! I am ordering the book that Sue recommends, "Eightysomethings." I've just read through some of the Amazon preview, and it absolutely looks like something my mother will soak right up. Actually, I'd like to read it too!

What about a hamper of British foods she could enjoy while watching her British shows?

If you need anything else, this is something I might buy for my mom (who sounds very much like yours.)

Umbrella

Another thing I'm getting for my parents (avid readers who live in NYC, also in their 80's)) is this:

I was going to suggest a cool umbrella or a fun fair trade basket like these... my sister loves them: https://www.basketsfromafrica.com/items/ghana-bolga-baskets/list.htm

I put together a Shutterfly book for her last year for Mother's Day, comprised of many photos from our UK trips taken together throughout the years. She loved it and regularly picks it up to look at, but I think I was the one who got the biggest kick out of that gift. It was SO much fun to create!

I seriously thank each of you for all of the wonderful suggestions. There is much here that if I'm unable to do this year, I'll tuck away for Christmas or another occasion in 2021.

The hand sculpture is so very cool. Mum has arthritic hands and does not like the way they look, so I'm afraid that might make her self-conscious, but I would (selfishly?) love to have a sculpture of her holding my Dad's hand. What a wonderful piece that would be!

I suggest a warm memory. One of my favorite gifts from my son was a large rock. Yes, a rock my father shined up, which sat in the front of our previous house, which we left behind when we moved. Two years ago, he contacted the current owner and retrieved the rock for my birthday. My favorite gift from my daughter was a small silver tray, engraved with the words I used every night when I tucked them in. i can buy anything I want, but I can’t buy my children’s fond memories of me.

What about a set of masks made in the US of quality fabric? I love mine from Lesley Evers (flowers, polka dots, etc., made in Oakland, CA) and Diop (African mud cloth designs, made in Detroit).

The mention of masks got me to thinking (and looking around), and I found this. Somehow, I just think she'd really enjoy something along these lines. Not likely to be something she would ever buy for herself, but ... I just think she'd approve.

Also super cute mask fabric:

Dee, my son did a similar thing for me many years ago. My dad had planted purple sedum along his driveway a couple years before he died. Mom eventually sold the house, and I was sorry I hadn't dug a sedum or two before she did. A few years later, son contacted the owners about it. They dug a gorgeous specimen, son picked it up and planted it in my garden. It's still thriving and gorgeous and pleases me no end.

Moms (and daughters) are funny that way, Ida. You'll find something great and indulgent.

Someone, I forget who, is selling Liberty of London print masks. I have always loved their prints.

Does your mother enjoy birding? I have asked for a new bluebird nest box for Christmas. It will replace one which is about to fall apart. Wild Birds unlimited makes a wonderful system with poles, baffles, etc, which will run you more than $50 though. Or maybe a birdbath or hummingbird feeder.

I think I've about settled on this little cutie. OMG, a person could completely go down the proverbial rabbit hole searching for cute masks! Makes me realize I need to spice up my own mask wardrobe, in addition to the rather staid solid colors I already own.

Anyway, Mum has a bit of a childhood soft spot for vintage-looking fairies, so she should like this.

I'm happy to see you settled on a gift she can have the pleasure of opening and use often. Like tannatonk, I'm over the hump towards 80. Although there's nothing I really need or couldn't purchase for myself, I still enjoy being "remembered"---Mom's word---and knowing that someone cared enough to put some thought into making a birthday special.

Your Mom sounds just like mine! I would get my Mom books sometimes. One of the last gifts I got her was a nice lacy silk undershirt. Mom and I shared having low blood pressure hence often being cold, even when most others were not. High end socks nice too, IMHO. Hubs got me groovy colored Bombass for Christmas, I have been enjoying them. Right before she died, my Mom ordered a foot warming electric pad. Like a little throw blanket only electric, for feet. Dad and I now making use of it. Not exactly "hip" but nice . . . very British, they take hot water bottles to bed to warm them up.

IdaClaire- Here is a link to My Modern Met Store . They sell unusual gifts and art supplies. You may find something wonderful here.

Are you familiar with Bas Bleu? I receive their catalogue and find a lot of inspiration for my own reading and gifts for my mother from them.

https://www.basbleu.com

If she likes British series, get her a region free DVD player and the original British DVDs. They're not the same as the ones you can get from Acorn.

Ida, for the past couple of years when I can't find a new book to read, I've been rereading books I haven't read in years that I still have. That's the good thing of aging, it saves money. :)

@IdaClaire, yesterday I was thinking of some sort of coffee table book with a British theme for your mom’s gift. I couldn’t find anything to post. Today, @Oakley posts a link to an article featuring just the sort of book I was thinking about. I know you’ve already bought a birthday gift for your mom, but Christmas is coming!

I am going to tack onto this thread although I see it's been solved. I know there have been numerous threads of this type over the years and I know they have been helpful.

I stumbled upon a great gift which is appropriate for almost anyone. ...

It is DD2 's birthday and like many, she needs and wants very little. Now especially so hard to think of anything tempting.

So, we "adopted" a koala in her honor (koala rescue).

It can all be done online, and you get a really sweet adoption certificate as well as a bio of the koala adopted. Some are released back to the wild, but the one we adopted has been there a few years and would not survive back in the wild. The Port Macquarie Koala Hospital Website is now accepting e-adoptions and donations.

For the record, we adopted Zenani.

The adoption when we did 2 days ago, was $28.

My daughter was beyond delighted with this ( and the grandkids loved the story and photo).