I love all the suggestions here.

Get her the Bunnings gift voucher to do up her garden and then help her with it. Time together is the most valuable thing you can give

She sounds like an amazingly strong person. I like suggestions from others to help with the garden. How about a tree you can all plant together in memory of those who are no longer here followed by a day of pampering after all the hard work in the garden

Maybe a seat/bench for the garden; a lovely place to sit, relax and have a ‘cuppa’.

Approach a Service Organization, maybe Rotary, Lions or Apex.. They may be able to help you with the labour side of it or suggest who can. You may be able to access help via your Mum’s Local Council if she is on a Pension at a discounted rate. They will remove old trees, plants, slash grass etc. or advise you who can. Scouts in some areas help with various jobs to raise funds for their activities. If you have any connections with a church, somebody may know somebody reliable you can employ.

Great ideas
My sister and i have started looking for some garden helpers
I would love to help but im still recovering from my mastectomy and my sister is always busy
I really hope this year is special
unfortunately it doesnt feel as if this year will be much of an improvement from last year but fingers crossed

Maybe you convince her to tell you her plans for her garden and buy her something towards it, maybe a plant in a decorative pot that can be put in a sheltered position until the weather is suitable to put in a permanent spot. Initially she has something to enjoy until she decides what to spend the voucher on.

Your poor mum, she has been through a lot. I agree with other suggestions something for the garden like a really nice chair for her or otherwise some help to help her create her garden.

What about hiring a landscaper for her that can help her making the garden exactly like she wants? Or would that be too much money? Or what about something nice to use in the garden to relax, like a nice chair, maybe one of those hanging egg chairs that look so cute? I’m thinking about something like this http://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0193/2624/products/Screen_Shot_2013-10-16_at_4.25.47_PM_1024x1024.png?v=1381900906

bunnings voucher is good but with that you could maybe give a hand written voucher that says pick a day date that you can be used as her helper for the garden, like a whole day of just weeding and clipping and pruning and carrying garden ornaments from here to there. im sure you help her out when you can anyway bit its a nice idea i think and its up to her when and its all day. also she sounds like an amazing woman i would nominate her for one of those mother of the year awards. I totally understand the grief, my brother died 3 years ago in a car accident and Christmas has never been the same but instead of trying to hide our sorrow we all have a huge cry together then talk about the good times for the rest of the day, oh remember when ben did thid or oh ben would have loved that, and instead of pulling sad faces even if we are crying we still smile, after a while it feels nice to be able to open up with your loved ones and of course we dont focus on my brother all day but he is brought up many many times and now after a few years sometimes without the tears just the smiles. I hope your Christmas is great this year and i hope it gets better for your mum, the pain never goes you just learn to deal with it better.

She sounds like she needs a special treat! Along with your Bunning voucher to improve her garden why not a comfortable garden seat to enjoy her garden or a bird bath & bird feeders will encourage some friendly little birds. I’m sure you will give her a special day regardless!

How about employing a gardener to either help her do the garden. If this doesn’t fit the bill maybe a massage or tickets to a theatre show. Hope you succeed in making her feel spoilt and special. Best wishes to you and the family.

I love Threelos idea and was going to suggest the same thing. How about putting on a bit of a barbie at the same time and making a day of it. I really hope you all have a great Christmas this year.

Oh wow, I’m so sorry to hear what your mum has been through. She sounds very strong, and it’s so lovely that you want to do something special for her. Just one idea – you mentioned her garden – maybe you could gather a big group of family and friends and as a gift offer to spend a whole day fixing up her garden like she wants it – a bit like those TV show makeovers!

Best wishes, and I hope you and your family have a really nice Christmas this year.