Gift of Time

One of you(at least) go with her to the theatre to see something she would like to see or see again. In my mums case it was the Mousetrap.
Same goes for Cinema?
One of you take her to afternoon tea somewhere that she would feel comfortable.
A trip to somewhere that means a lot to her. Mums was the house she was born in.
Time to sit and let her tell you about her life when she was young.
Ask her where she would like to go(within reason) that she has never been. For my Mum it was Harrods in London. She always thought it was too posh for her to go in. We were all very impressed with the Ladies!
Maybe these are some help?

You have said that you can only do fleeting visits due to other commitments, will the activities have to be short ones?

Flaxseed. I am 75 and, at the moment, fairly fit and independent. Fortunately, my children and grandchildren live nearby, so we see each other regularly. However, I love to spend a couple of hours with each of them, so we can really enjoy a good chat, along with coffee, lunch or dinner. I also enjoy a garden centre visit, a dog walk, going to the cinema/theatre/seaside. Just spending quality time together is enough for me. 😊

When I say fleeting, that can be an afternoon all spent together. Walking, afternoon tea etc. I just mean we don’t often do 1:1 time for any length of time.

Patsy - Mum is the same, she loves seeing us all and we do spend time with her having coffee or a walk. She does love a garden centre and as she no longer drives, and her favourite one is further afield, I will add that to the list!

We want to make dates where we are committed to doing something a bit different.

kittycat - I did actually book for us to go to a show before reading your post. It’s a show with hits from the 50’s & 60’s which will be a trip down memory lane.

My sister loves crafts as did Mum years ago so she is going to book something new for them to both try.

Thanks for the suggestions already received.

If mum likes cooking or gardening take her to choose herbs and help her plant a herb box or section of the garden.
Buy her a sentimental rose bush - some are named after sentiments like “Happy Birthday” and plant one with her in her garden (if she has one).
If she likes cats - take her for afternoon tea somewhere that is cat-themed and cats and kittens live there, sleeping in all sorts of unusual beds and places.
I went last year and it meant such a lot to me.
All the things already mentioned by other posters.
It can be the little things that are treasured - not just lavish ones.

What a brilliant idea!

A brilliant idea- but it does not need any fancy outings and actitivities.

What about a photo album with photos of all the days out collected over the year. I’ve just received one from my daughter and it was such a lovely surprise and will be treasured. She used Photobox.

I wonder if she would like a spa weekend, or just a spa day? They seem lovely to me.
Or as she no longer drives maybe there is somewhere she would like to go

Sorry.... pressed send accidentally!
that she is no longer able to.
You sound like a lovely thoughtful family.

I think that’s what I am struggling with. Things that are not lavish - but just 1:1 time that we don’t already do anyway.

I have thought about an afternoon of going through her vast collection of photos and listening to her memories of them.

Keep the ideas coming please.

Perhaps not just give "time" but include suggestions as to what you could do with that time. Perhaps make a little book of vouchers with all the suggestions mentioned above.

Even though it's just "time", take a little posy of flowers or a small cake along each time.

Looking through photos is a great idea, there will be lots of conversation and facts passed down which may have been forgotten in future.

On Facebook there is a local history site of the town I lived in, I would assume most towns have one, photos on there of places that were visited and how places have changed make for interesting conversations.

Would she like her nails done in a salon? I have never ever been in a nail salon and would quite like to try it with my daughter.

You could put write all the ideas on a piece of paper and put them in a jar and when you have done one suggestion pick out the next - something to look forward to.