Depending on how old she is - I would recommend flowers or food. Unless you know her favorite thimbles and size, or scissors, even a new pin cushion it is really hard to buy for someone's hobbies. Now that I am retired and have way too much stuff, I love a beautiful bouquet of flowers. And it is nice to be taken out for lunch or dinner. A friend of mine absolutely loves gladiolas, she is 85 and for the past 20 years she only gets them if someone brings them to her. My favorite flower is the peony - they don't grow here in San Diego, so a friend of mine always gives me a bouquet for my birthday. My grandmother loved chocolate covered ginger so I sent it to her every Christmas and for her birthday. It was what she wanted. And it was kind of funny, when it would first arrive she would offer anyone there a piece. The rest went into her freezer only for her. Her husband once told me she really looked forward to it and hated to share.