a cat... (Just kidding, should never give a pet as a gift.)

Add set of pencils, gel pens, or markers.

How technical is she/ Giving her the gift of learning how to better connect with other people might be a wonderful gesture. I recently taught both my sisters, who are my age, but not quite as technical, how to Zoom, and it has expanded both their worlds.

I agree with MT, it would be good to encourage her to expand her horizons. Which can be tough without sounding judgey or sanctimonious. We have a few rescue ranches nearby and they are always looking for volunteers. It's outdoor work and barn work so it's easy to social distance and there is plenty of fresh air.

Simple printed crossstitch

Aerogarden

I second a cat, but they shouldn't be mailed--perhaps a self-cleaning litter box and list of local fosters instead

MMO video game

I should have said she’s not interested in any zoom-type or online classes because she spends all day working online. She’s very techy, I’d say. She’s a CFO and has been working remotely since March.

I suggested a pet! LOL. She’s allergic.

Maybe I can put together a little collection of things: coloring book (good idea — she gave me the same thing when I had surgery a few years ago), easy x-stitch kit, paint by number. All solitary but at least something to do that isn’t work.

Aerogarden! I need to check that out.

Is there a book that has local walks or hikes for her area? If so, that book plus walking poles would be a nice gift.

Yes, what Fun2BHere suggests. Getting outside even in a colder climate is going to be so important this winter. So, depending on her climate, maybe snowshoes or those gripper things you put on the bottom of shoes so you can safely walk on ice.

if pets are off the table, I second the idea of an aero garden or other garden kit. Watching something grow and produce is life-affirming and heartening (at least for me).

Bookmarks to color like these: Amazon.com: Re-marks Colormarks 4 Pack - Spring Garden, Under the Sea, Cities of the World, Cats at Play: Arts, Crafts & Sewing

There are pets (dogs at least) that are hypo-allergenic - have her look that up.

Your idea sounds good. Some type of garden kit would be nice. Maybe a bird feeder, book on birds, etc. She might enjoy watching the birds.

Bird feeder is an excellent idea. We got one in the “early Covid days” — it’s on a post right outside our kitchen window and it’s so fun to see the birds. And I’m ordinarily NOT a bird lover.

Check out the art project subscription boxes from Let’s Make Art - I just tried got my first box and they are very accessible, low stress and fun little projects.

Bird feeder is a great idea but find out which birds are common in her area before you buy a feeder.

A chia pet for giggles? I got one years ago and had a ball watching it grow.

Send her this link, Virtual museum tours from around the world.

I agree about a printed cross stitch kit. If the kit doesn't have a frame order a hoop to frame it in.

However, none of the above will take the loneliness away, it's a state of being, even in long lasting marriages. It's real and she probably misses the heck out of her children like I do.

She's not alone in her feelings though, thousands and thousands of people are going through it right now.

Lots of cute embroidery kits for beginners.

Oakley has a good point about loneliness. Perhaps, plan regular facetime "coffee-tea-cocktail get togethers." Having it planned on a certain day (e.g. every week, every other week, every month) gives her something specific to look forward to. Do you have other mutual friends that you can invite?

I vote for the Zoom cocktails/coffee. Since COVID hit, my 5 first cousins and I have been doing a Sunday text thread just making sure we are all okay. Yesterday, one of the cousins ask that we Zoom instead of texting. It was great! We set it for the cocktail hour and all had drinks together! We are going to do it again next Sunday evening.

What about MasterClass? It is on sale right now, 2 memberships for $180/year. I checked a couple of places and they get good reviews. Perhaps you and she could take a class or two simultaneously.

I took up beading (jewelry, snowflakes, mobiles, and other crafts) last year and love it. It’s very detailed and time consuming, and I love giving my creations to loved ones. There are millions of videos online to help get started. I just kind of winged it ... bought some supplies and started. It’s fun learning. You could find a beginner’s kit to send her. :)

ETA: For example ...

https://beadaholique.com/collections/jewelry-making-kits

https://www.jewelrysupply.com/Beginners-Beading-Kit_p_11158.html

Thank you all for your thoughtful ideas! I agree that there’s not much to do for the day to day — waking up alone, eating alone, etc — except to wait it out. We do have mutual friends and four of us do zoom regularly, but I think a lot of factors merged for her recently and she’s having a rough patch. Just thought I’d send her something (add to everything, she just moved 1.5 hrs away) to cheer her.

Sue, last year I did a post asking what to get a friend in the same age range who would be homebound due to foot surgery (obviously, pre-Covid). she needed cheering up. Here’s the post about what I sent her:

“Thanks for the ideas. I am impatient so I just placed an order. I bought her a drinking animals coloring book with drink recipes, coloring pencils, and a flower windowsill starter set. I will pick up a slinky and a bottle of OPI nail polish tomorrow. I’ll throw in the newest people magazine, a copy of Dutch house that I just finished with a note in it, and some cookies. I think that’s plenty. Thank you again everyone.”

With the exception of the slinky, I think any of these in combination would be a fun gift to receive. You’re such a good friend to do this for her.

Paint by sticker?

Amazon has several options, wasn't able to post link. I love the idea of a bird feeder--just be sure she doesn't live in an area where bears visit. We had to remove all our bird feeders because they were attracting bears into the neighborhood, sigh.

If you go the bird feeder route, these Sibley's Backyard Birds of laminated fold outs are great (look online for her area).

Last year I was looking for a new craft. I am not an artist and I can't sew or knit but I wanted the end result to be something useful. I saw a punch needle pillow in a magazine and thought it looked cool, and I discovered it's a really easy craft. You can buy kits or make your own design, and some of them are quite artistic. Not only do you work in color and pattern, you can add texture to your work with various yarns and techniques. You can see examples on Etsy and Google.