Gift ideas for elderly grandmother

[Beth H]

My grandmother is 87. She is in failing health, and in and out of assisted living. However, she still is fairly aware of stuff and able to enjoy holidays such as Christmas.

My sister and I had for the past few years gotten her (and my other grandmother) "fruit of the month" from Harry and David, which she enjoyed. However, because of her health situation, this does not seem like a good idea for the coming year.

I was considering doing a big basket of goodies for her - total cost $150. Any ideas of what we could put in it? She is not in good enough health to do "crafty" things anymore (as she has Parkinson's), and no food as digestive troubles have been one of her health problems recently.

Thanks for any ideas you might have!

[lhall]

I'm not much help. My grandmother will be 88 in a few weeks. She's in ok health, but her memory is going fast. I'm thinking she'll have to go into a memory care facility very soon and am not looking forward to the battle.

In the past I haven't spent that much money on my grandmother knowing that she won't really mind or use something that expensive. On year I got her a huge poinsetta. I think it was only $25.00, but that's her favorite flower. Last year I got her a victorian style trifold picture frame. She's got an old picture of me and pictures of my girls in the frames. Unfortunately she doesn't recognize/remember any of her great grand children from pictures anymore.

Leigh

[tbb113]

Beth:

There was a thread on this not too long ago, and while I was searching I found a second one also. Here is the link to the search results (http://community.cookinglight.com/search.php?s=&action=showresults&searchid=386356&sortby=lastpost&sortorder=descending)

Tyra

[JenZen]

My grandma is 90, and gift-buying gets more challenging every year because she has everything she needs. If one of the grandkids gets wind that she "needs" something it is literally the best-kept secret around.

Some cool nonessential gifts that the grandkids have come up with:

1. A barometric pressure glass (the water moves up the spout when the pressure changes, so you can tell when a storm is coming)

2. A water thermometer with floating degree bulbs. The bulbs float to the top depending on the temperature.

3. Two years ago, DH, who is a graphic designer, took a photo of a sheep I had taken and put one of my favorite verses on it. I had it framed, and she really seemed to like that.

4. Every year, someone gets her a poinsetta.

5. Someone also gets her a bag of bird seed.

That's about all I can think of for now. This thread reminds me that I better get creative soon before the holidays roll around ...

Jen

[KathrynY]

Is she able to and/or does she enjoy reading? DH's 93-year-old grandmother really likes magazines, especially travel ones, so we get her subscriptions to some of her favorites at Christmas.

[carrieateadingo]

I get my 80 year old grandmother a subscription to the newspaper of the small Mississippi town she grew up in. She likes keeping track of what is going on there.

[Abbey]

I like to get calendars made ..the kind where there is a different picture on each month. I usually put pictures of my kids, vacation pictures, etc. on them. You can get them at Kinko's, or even easier, at Snapfish.com (they can send it directly to her, after using your uploaded pictures). I think they run about $30.

[NancyR]

Originally posted by carrieateadingo
I get my 80 year old grandmother a subscription to the newspaper of the small Mississippi town she grew up in. She likes keeping track of what is going on there.
what a cool idea! (if she is still "with it" enough to want to read). I have found that the older people get (and by "older" I mean maybe even over 60, which is still young) the less people want "THINGS". They get so much "stuff" they have no place to put it and have., truthfully, had it all before at one time or another. If you have a computer, which you obviously do, why not make her a gift certificate book for such stuff as maybe lunch out with you, a drive in the country, flowers when she feels blue (she could call to redeem coupon), hugs, trip to beauty shop, manicure...you get the picture. My MIL is in assisted living and as soon as she gets "stuff" she wanders the halls trying to give it away :eek:

[gertdog]

The hometown newspaper subscription is a great idea- I know my grandma receives hers courtesy of my dad and she loves it.

If she still enjoys reading- large print books, or, if her eyesight is truly bad, a cassette or cd player and some audiobooks. My other grandma is currently recovering from a stroke and reading is hard for her, but she loves being able to listen to a book.

Colorful suncatchers for a window- I have seen some really pretty ones of stamped glass.

I love Nancy's ideas for coupons for some pampering and time with you... I know my grandmas both would love that.

[lakelady1]

A calendar and month by month filing of birthday/anniversary/whatever cards, already addressed to the family member to receive it and stamped. With a few extras for replacements or additions. My grandmother loved knowing that she remained part of someone's special days and it helped her memory as well. Gave her an opportunity to tell the nurses/caregivers about the people, etc.

[Beth H]

These are all great ideas - I really appreciate the input. It's just gets harder each year as she certainly does not need any more "stuff." At the same time, she gets hurt easily if she feels as though our other grandmother (who is in better health and far more "with it") gets a different/better gift. So - it's kind of a tricky balance. I think we're definitely going to do the calendar from Kinko's as one gift, though.