| Daughter | Posted: 05 August 2011 - 10:07 PM |
My mother who is indenial about her hoarding gets really upset if she doesn't get a tangible birthday/christmas/etc present. She is a mid- level hoarder who "collects" everything--well not trash. She mainly hoards books, dvds, clothes (99% are clean although she had about 500 t-shirts a few years ago), health/beauty products, along with other stuff. I have tried giftcard usually to restaurants but she gets offended because I live hours away and can't use them with her. My sister and I bought her a gift cards to a cleaning company & for repairmen--which were never used. Her 60th bday is rapidly approaching and I am stuck! If anyone has any ideas please let me know 🙂 | |
Replies (2)
| Hoard_no_more | Posted: 16 September 2011 - 01:32 PM |
While my mother is the extreme opposite of a hoarder (she owns no more than a person in an extended stay hotel), I had the same problem until I came up with the idea to buy her favorite coffees, nuts, cheese and crackers... I also buy her new release USPS stamps that are usable (Bob Hope, Kathryn Hepburn...) My sisters usually go all out and buy her a day at a spa. My mom does actually use and enjoy those. Maybe your mom would as well... My mom's favorite gift was when we all chipped in and got her tickets to Andrea Bocelli. I lived closests so I went with her. She was dressed up beautifully, so I knew it was a very special day for her. Even if you don't live close, perhaps you could pick an event for her to which you could commit the time to see her and share the event with her. To expand on Cory's ideas...: my mom LOVED when I scanned in the photos I had of her, her mom, etc. and created a power point to music...all her favorite songs. We did something similar for my dad but put it into an electronic frame (he does not even own a computer). Last, but certainly not least, your mom probably has things because she misses her family. The best gift you could give her is a gift of time... either go see her or send her a ticket to come see you (but make sure she has safe travel to and from the airport as well as assistance with luggage, if necessary). Hope these ideas help!! | |
| Cory Chalmers | Posted: 13 August 2011 - 09:33 AM |
I would recommend buying things that will allow her to still appreciate her items, while secretly being able to help her de-clutter. How about a Kindle or Ebook reader? How about a digital camera to take photos of item she likes to look at for sentimental reasons but doesn't necessarily need to keep? And then an exteranal hard drive to store the photos on. She can still view those items whenever she wants through a photo instead of taking up space in her home. For magazines, newpspapers and other non books, a scanner os great to scan and organize data on a computer as well. It is much easier to have a digital library of articles and clippings than the entire magaine or newspaper. Hope that helps! | |