when crayon cards and unfired terra-cotta ashtrays don't suffice anymore

My sister and I have been playing email tag trying to come up with something to give my mother for xmas.  I already bought her a fancy-shmancy cellphone while I was in town, because her free-with-activation tinkertoy model sucks.  But she is always difficult to shop for because she tends not to use the things we get and the only other things are just boring (replacement kitchen doors, fixing the ceiling light, etc.).  I was trying to find a hiking trip on rei.com , but they are all pretty pricey.  An ipod shuffle?  eh, I don't think she would use it.  I was lucky to get a decent idea for her birthday;  it's like this every year.  What do you people get your mothers for xmas?