Gift suggestions needed for great-grandmother's 90th b'day!

[Julie O]

Help! My great-grandmother is having her 90th birthday party a week from Sunday. I won't be able to go because it's too far for me to travel right now. SO, I have to send her a gift. She has poor eyesight & doesn't cook much for herself anymore. She also can be a very picky eater. (She owned a restaurant for 35 years & expects all food to taste like her food.) I just really don't have any ideas for what to get her. Any suggestions???

[Jessica]

I have a couple of ideas:
1. Older people often have plenty of "stuff." How about a basket or box of ready-made treats: dried fruit, cookies or crackers, nuts, jams, teas. Someone in the family might know her preferences.
2. My husband's grandmother likes to receive either blank cards or a selection of birthday and anniversary cards that she can send to friends and family. I am not sure if your great-grandmother's eyesight precludes writing cards.
3. How about a book on tape, if she is unable to read? There are catalogs and you might even be able to get a gift certificate so she can choose a book.

[Beth]

If she doesn't read, would she enjoy the books on tape that have been getting praise? Or some music on tape or CD? When my grandmother was in the hospital once, I took her a recording of the music she loved from a movie we had seen together. SHe loved it.

My grandmother and MIL both enjoyed having their hair and nails done when they were unable to do it themselves, so those may be good for her too. Some women like or need lotions for older, extra dry skin, but check to see if she needs them, has a lifetime supply, likes or hates scented, etc.

[Cyn]

I like the idea about the hair and manicure.

My 91-year-old grandmother likes slippers, starbucks coffee, pepermints and other hard candies, note cards, See's Candy (CA), her rug being steam cleaned.

She also loves large print mystery books, particularly the Mrs. Pollifax line by Dorothy Gillman. Thorndike Press is the major large print book publisher. My grandmother is legally blind but can still read these. Depending on your grandmother's strength though you may only want to purchase paperbacks (normally the size of large trade apper), if you go this route. If she's back east, what about a nice fresh fruit basket or fruit of the month from Harry and David? I always hope my office gets one.

[mary4815]

I had another opinion to share. You said that because she had worked in the restaurant business, she was particular (picky) about food gifts. In my opinion, a food gift might still be very nice.
I have a friend who was in the restaurant business for 40 years. I think he ENJOYS complaining about today's restaurant food. I think he ENJOYS remembering how good his was and making the comparisons. It may sound weird, but I think it kind of cute. He just fusses and complains, (and goes right ahead and eats it--and looks like he enjoys it). ......just an additional thought.
and ONE MORE: For a very small price we can hire a local quartet to go into homes and sing a few numbers directed to the individual. This always brings a smile. Then afterwards they can tell all their friends about it.

[Wendy w]

I like Mary4815's idea. My mother is 81 and has a houseful of stuff and doesn't need anything.

She likes manicures but has never had a professional pedicure so I went to her hair salon and purchased a certificate for a manicure and pedicure.

Other family members chipped in on a down comforter because she complains that her bedroom is cold. My aunt, also up there in years received a cashmere throw from one of my cousins that she loves.

[Anne]

I only see my MIL once a year because she is so far away. She is 85 and also has a hard time reading. I hired the daughter of some long time family friends to come into MIL's house and read to her for an hour a week till school is out in the spring. I would never try this with someone we didn't know and trust but so far this has worked great. I may try and do something similar with yard-chores this summer.

[Cyn]

Anne, that's a wonderful idea. Thank you for sharing.

[Vanessa]

I like the idea of pampering her with a day at the B parlor or someone going to her house and doing her hair etc. My grandma always liked to look nice. And...when you look nice you feel better. If there are any relatives close by you can arrange for someone to pick her up take her to the B parlor and on her way back home stop for some tea or coffee or a light lunch. She will feel like a queen for a day.

[SHERRY]

Probably not enough time, but if she has any brother's, sister's, or even her children might have some memorable items from her younger years, ex. wedding dress, photos, awards, certificates, etc. You could make a nice shadow box of these or a few items that will bring back fond memories.

[jd]

Another food related idea - find a local caterer that will make a desert plate to deliver to your great grandmother once a month. My aunt arranged this for my 90 year old grandmother and she really enjoys the treat every month. The caterer makes a small selection of things that last (quantity and quality wise) about a week. Good luck!

[karen w]

My grandmother is 92 y.o.(and still going strong!). On her 90th birthday we had a big party for her with my entire family there-all the grandkids and great grandkids from both coasts. As a gift my husband and I had 8x11" pictures of our kids framed very nicely for her. I think this meant alot especially since our oldest son is named for her husband who has been gone almost 9 yrs. now, and he was a great man(in my opinion!!).

[lorilei]

How about sending her a lovely bouquet of bright, beautiful flowers? Good quality flowers keep for a week or more, and can really brighten up a space in the duldrums of winter.

(I often bring flowers to my elderly relatives -- it's even more special if you can find their favorite flowers out of season)

[mightyh]

What about slippers or a nice throw?

[mary4815]

You could prepay a local hair salon to have someone come in and wash and set her hair for her....Some shops have that service. If she is caring about her appearance, you could have her nails done and her toenails trimmed and buffed.
I have a blind lady friend that I have given these "gifts", and she responded most favorably.
When your eyesight is poor (or gone) you really appreciate what you previously could do for yourself!

[lsdesign]

I saw a beautiful cane in the spring issue of the Smithsonian catalogue that is made in cloisonne. It was pricey ($97) but maybe you could go in on it with some one. I also agree about flowers even though her eyesight is poor. Maybe you get get a Smith and Hawken flower of the month subscription.

[marys]

My grandmother is 92 and is very difficult to buy for. We usually get her gift certificates for places like the grocery store (she doesn't cook much either, so she can stock up on her frozen foods), her hair salon, or long distance calling cards. She also enjoys wine, brandy and whiskey so she appreciates those gifts too!

[mary4815]

Originally posted by Julie O:
Help! My great-grandmother is having her 90th birthday party a week from Sunday. I won't be able to go because it's too far for me to travel right now. SO, I have to send her a gift. She has poor eyesight & doesn't cook much for herself anymore. She also can be a very picky eater. (She owned a restaurant for 35 years & expects all food to taste like her food.) I just really don't have any ideas for what to get her. Any suggestions???
Will you be able to share with US what she enjoyed after the birthday is passed?

[Cyn]

Hi All.

My cousin had a great idea. She bought a nice soft sweat shirt jacket, then at a family gathering had each great-grandchild cover one hand in fabric paint and put their print on the jacket. Then she wrote their name under each one. If family is not close, maybe the jacket and paints could be sent from one family to the next. It was great and grandma loves it. We even had...prepare yourself....her favorite dog's foot-print.

Ciao.

[mary4815]

What did you decide to send for your grandmother's birthday? Most of all, we would like to know what SHE liked so we will have an idea of something our own elderly friends will really enjoy?

[mary4815]

Any updates?

[neutro]

Older people are usually cold, so she might like a fleece vest or a fleece scarf. You can make the scarf yourself. Buy just 12" of fleece. You can fringe the ends if you like.

[Julie O]

I sent her a cookie bouquet. (www.cookiesbydesign.com) I've been sick for over a week now, so I haven't had a chance to find out what she thought of it. We received one of these at work & everyone thought they were really neat.

I really appreciated all of the ideas everyone sent. My great-grandmother used to do huge amounts of crochetting, so she already has lots of nice warm blankets, scarves, etc. Otherwise, I would have gotten her something like that. And, she's allergic to so many things that I was afraid to try flowers or most food. I also didn't have much time, so I couldn't make anything really neat. I'll let you know how her party went as soon as I find out. Thanks again for all the great suggestions!

[mary4815]

SO sorry you have been sick Julie. It will be fun to hear what she enjoyed most about her birthday party. Your cookie bouquet must have been a big success!!
Mary F.

[emptyspool]

New underwear. Elderly people like sensible gifts. You can't go wrong.