hi all - i'm struggling again to choose a gift for a friend that is functionally blind and was wondering if any of you have good ideas!?
she's 30 and became blind through an accident about 7 years ago. she lives with her mom and dad. i usually buy her music or perfume, but would like to 'change the theme'!
any suggestions would be great - i thought about earrings or a swarovski figurine - but my other half thought that would be cruel as she cannot see it...
thanks for thinking with me!
ps. the gift will go back to southafrica with us in october...

What about a pashmina, a not so warm one of course, with a very nice texture...silk maybe? I think she will appreciate the texture

How about a meal where you are on an equal footing?
It's an experience and an education.

http://www.blindekuh.ch/en/blindekuh_zuerich/

She will take the gift to South Africa in October!
Good idea though

Instead of a tangible present, would you consider something that's active and deliberately "sensorily stimulating" - like pony-trekking or sailing - i.e. where her other senses will be treated to something out of the ordinary?

Hiii...
You can gift her lots of flowers...
and you can also choose some plant too....
Gardening offers people with a visual impairment a wide range of sensory stimulation bringing significant benefits to their quality of life. The smell of scented flowers, the warmth of sunshine, a cool breeze touching the skin, the myriad of sounds around them and the vast array of textures of plants are all deeply rewarding to people with a visual impairment. In addition gardening itself can develop into a rewarding hobby which in turn builds confidence and sense of well-being.......
Pls think about it..i think it will be a good choice...but you know more about your friend...so all upto you...

My aunt has been functionally blind for the past 10 years, and she always suggests we get her accessories for her b-day & christmas: scarves, jewelry, etc. Things she doesn't feel comfortable buying for herself anymore, but that she still appreciates.

Otherwise, any gourmet food items / chocolates / teas/ wine are safe bets - but that really depends on the person.

Maybe some of my examples will help you?

My grandfather lost his eye sight about 15 years ago. He loved to read and the feel of a book in his hand. He also always a fan of cinema and good quality television programming. He's learned to enjoy television again, but whenever I go shopping for a gift for him, I always look for things that will appeal to his other 4 senses:

flavors
sounds
textures
aromas

One of the first gifts I got him was a book on CD. He enjoyed it, but it was really a "ho hum" kind of gift for him. Later, I sent him a fruit basket. It was better, but also kinda "so what?" So, one year for his birthday, I bought him dinner for 4 at his favorite restaurant and tickets for 4 to the symphony. He absolutely LOVED it. He got to enjoy good food, good company and good music all in one night.

__________________
I would sooner have you hate me for telling you the truth than adore me for telling you lies. - Pietro Aretino

Do this:
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/de...th-Africa.html

Wine tasting in South Africa on horseback. I'd do it with my eyes closed anyway and smell the air and feel the sun on my back (and drink loads of wine) and listen to the guide talk about the history and geography of the region.

How about a spa/tantric spa treatment..I'm sure they'll offer that in SA.

thanks for all the suggestions!!! i'll let you know what we get - i neglected to add that her mom is a keen gardener, so she enjoys that most of the time - i like the idea of scarfs and jewelry...nice and personal, but will find some shapes etc that she can experience as well!
you guys are a wonderful sounding board - don't know what i ever did without you!

How about music? I think I would love more personal stuff, a set of music CDs somebody would personally make for me, with choice of music that person likes. It's not exactly fancy, but still have the mixed tapes my friends all over the world exchanged with me. So, hours of listening and kilos of plain chocolate covered almonds from Mercur, for suuuure.