Windows 7: Can a laptop get on the internet without a hotspot

I wish to take my laptop to my aunt's 95th birthday so she can view well wishers on Skype. I have Skype on my laptop as do the well wishers.
If this is a possibility what do I need?

If I understand you correctly: You would need some source of internet: DSL, Cable, Satellite, or even dial up. You could also use a smartphone if you know how to connect it to the computer.

I hear phones with internet can get a computer on the internet as well, a slow connection, but it's something. Most phones come with USBs these days, so it shouldn't be too difficult. I don't know how it's done, but I read of it on a couple sites through Google.

Here's one of them: Connect to the internet using your cell phone and laptop computer

A USB Internet dongle would do the job. You can get them on a pay as you go plan. Not the cheapest way but useful for occasional use.

There are 3 ways, tethering a smartphone, using a cellular mobile hotspot (mifi), and using a cellular air card.
Tethering usually requires a surcharge from the cellular provider, but can usually be turned on and off monthly and sometimes can be used for less than a month and you only pay pro-rated fee for that month.
There are ways around paying for the tethering charge, rooting or jail breaking the phone and running a tethering app.
My brother has a rooted android phone and we used his phone to connect our iPads to the Internet Thursday while we were at a golf tournament.

The other 2 options require buying hardware and paying a monthly fee.
I would call up some cellular providers in your area and see if they rent the mifi or air cards if you can't tether to a smartphone.

I guess most options have been discussed above.

If you're looking for something short-term, a USB Internet dongle or using your Phone's Internet connection via USB are two possible options. The latter being easier to carry out, but inadequate for Skype video calls.

The next problem you will face is, unless you find somewhere with decent 4G cellular service, you aren't going to be running a video conference anyway.