Give mom gifts that mean a lot without causing techie stress.
Choosing gifts for technology-illiterate moms is challenging in our age of technology, where gift-giving and life in general is often techie, high speed and largely electronic. Think back to life before computers and smart phones to determine what mom is missing in her interactions with others, and what can be done to keep her more connected.
Photos and Videos
With social networking sites, photo-sharing sites, message boards and email, many people share photos online instead of with traditionally printed photographs. Without understanding how computers and cell phones work, mom misses the frequent photo updates throughout the year. Each time you share a photo she would like to see, have it printed and sent to you. Compile the photos in an album or scrapbook to give to her on a special occasion. For more gift-giving mileage, choose the best photos to create photo mugs, T-shirts, tote bags, calendars and other everyday items that your mom would use and enjoy on a regular basis.
Upload videos to your computer and compile them onto a DVD. Let mom watch her grandson taking his first steps, her granddaughter graduating from preschool or you experiencing your first trip abroad. When your mom gets lonesome for your company or needs a smile, she will pop it into her DVD player. Write down clear directions for playing a DVD, if she has trouble operating her machine without help. Alternately, load the videos onto a digital picture frame so that they will play automatically when she turns the frame on with the simple flick of a switch.
Music and Audio
MP3 players and online music downloads have taken the place of compact disks and CD players in much of our culture. Compile a host of MP3s that fit your mom's listening taste and burn them onto a compact disk. Ensure that her CD player will play MP3s, buy her an easy-to-use player that will or change the format into regular audio tracks that are playable by most CD players. Keep the techie compatibility work on your end so that all your mom has to do is pop the CD into her player and enjoy.
Record an audio letter for your mom or allow her grandchildren to record special messages for her on an audio recorder. Burn the audio files onto a compact disk and send them to her as a special surprise gift.
Experiences
Mothers who are not technologically savvy may feel lonesome without the company of relatives who are far away. Arrange for airfare so that your mom can come visit you or another family member. Book any hotel or car rentals for her so that she does not have to figure it all out on her own and can simply relax and enjoy visiting.
If family is mostly close by, consider other bonding experiences to share with mom that do not involve constant texting or emailing. Purchase tickets to the theater, head to the spa, take mom to a ball game or give her coupons for weekly lunch dates throughout the year. Start a tradition of baking together once a month, having a family potluck or heading to a nearby park. These clutter-free gifts will keep mom connected without pressuring her to delve into technology.
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