Birthday Gift Ideas for Grandmother's 90th Birthday

[aprilbride]

I need help! I'm fortunate enough to be able to go to Germany at the end of the month to attend my dear Grandma's 90th birthday. I'm at a complete loss as to what to get her. Of course she insists that she wants nothing, I tell her "nothing" is not an option. Thinking back on things I've given her through the years, it seems like I've already gone through all the "good" gifts, like a locket with my pic in it, a quilt, various forms of pictures etc. She's at the age where she thinks she won't be around for much longer and is actually getting rid of things:(

Any ideas? I'd very much appreciate any feedback you may have!

[HUNGRY!]

My grandmother is 93 and I have the same problem. Anyway, things she has enjoyed are paying one of her bills for 6 months, gift certificates to the hairdresser, and being sent flowers. Also ,what about slippers and a nice bathrobe? I don't know anyone who would say no to that!

[MinEaston]

My 92-year-old grandmother has always appreciated nice scented lotions and photos of her grandchildren. Even a simple piece of jewelry works, or a fancy eyeglass chain or case.

[RunnerKim]

What about a donation to her favorite charity or meals. I remember how thankful my great grandmother was in receiving a bunch of freezer meals. Books on tape?

Kim

[linsleyd]

My grandmother turns 90 at the end of the year and the past two years she has made me get her Diamonique earrings because they are so pretty and cheap. I'm actually not too sure on the price because my MIL works at QVC and I get a discount.
I know she really liked them because she gave away all of her real diamonds and it was nice for her to wear diamond earrings and no one could tell they were fake.

[ktg0930]

My grandma also appreciates the practical things, like the hairdresser gift certificates. At Christmas, my mom always gives her a box of useful things like paper towels, stamps, food items that she likes, etc. What about an activity...something she likes to do that she doesn't do very often (or a new activity) that you could do together? She might like to just spend time with you alone rather than have another thing, especially if she's downsizing.

[aprilbride]

Thanks for all the great ideas, guys! It's tricky since I'll only be there for a few days, so I'm really limited on what I can do. I like the flower idea, I might look into setting up an arrangement with a local florist that would send her flowers every month for 6 months or so....that way she'd know I'm thinking about her. My aunt lives with her and cooks for her, so there's no shortage of meals. She's somewhat limited as to what activities she can do as she's been having a hard time walking lately. A gift certificate to the hair dresser might be a good idea as well....Thanks so much for your feedback, I knew you'd inspire me:-)

[Canice]

I would go practical, too. It seems to drive younger people nuts, but I believe you should respect what the honoree says. It's true that most old folks just aren't interested in "stuff" - they're a lot smarter than us! :)
It is wonderful of you to travel so far to be with her on her special day, and I'm sure that means the world to her. Does she get out and about? I was thinking perhaps a note (wrapped up in a small gift) outlining a special outing you'd like to take her on?

[tbb113]

Pampering never hurts either. A gift certificate for a massage? A manicure/pedicure?

Honestly, I think the thing my grandmother would have liked best when she was elderly was a day of remembering why I thought she was so special. Some of my fondest memories are my grandmother telling me stories about her life, I think she would have liked to known what a lasting impression they had on me. So, maybe you could write her a nice letter telling her why she is important and what you learned from her.

[schuh]

I just got back from my Grandma's 90th birthday party. Aren't we lucky to have grandmas around for so long?

For her gift, I made a memory quilt. I had everyone from the family make a square that represented something special about her or a special memory with her. I then sewed it into a quilt. I deliberately made it the size of a twin bed, because the comforter in her guest room has seen better days. (She's as practical as the rest of the grandmas represented in this thread.) Much to my surprise, she's having it hung on a wall -- she doesn't want anyone sitting on it!

Anyway, some of the other gifts she received and appreciated were: gift certificates to some local restaurants, gift certificates to get her hair done, gift certificates for manicures and pedicures. But what she didn't get that she really wanted was -- a bottle of Scotch!

Since you're going to Germany, is there any edible goodie from your area that you could take her? Something she couldn't get there? I usually take people New York State wine when I'm visiting them in other parts of the country.

[aprilbride]

Schuh, I love it! A bottle of Scotch...that is too funny:-) I think the quilt idea is great, only am I so not talented in that department! And I'm running out of time, only 4 more weeks.

Tyra, love the letter idea. I think I will definetely do that. My grandmother took care of me for the first 5 years of my life while my parents were working and growing up I spent a lot of time with her, she's taught me a lot. I know she'd appreciate that.

Right now I"m leaning towards a special letter/card, either a certificate to her hair dresser and/or a dinner outing and flowers, maybe a monthly delivery..

[Kay Henderson]

How wonderful that you are going to join your grandmother on her special day! I also think you are on the right track with the letter idea. Here are a couple more ideas. Perhaps they may come in useful at another time.

My mother is 93. The greatest hit I have had in the "stuff" category in recent years is a Timex Indiglo watch. It is large and easily readable, and a simple push of the stem lights it up. My mother told me that she wears it to bed, so that when she wakes up during the night, she can easily check to see what time it is.

For her 90th birthday, I prepared a variation of Dylan Thomas' "A Child's Christmas in Wales." In my case, it was "A Child's Christmas in Sacramento," in which I reflected on our family's "Christmas Pasts." Here are the first few lines:

When I was a girl
one winter was so much like the rest
I can scarcely remember if it rained twelve days when I was eight
or eight days when I was twelve.

One Christmas blends with another
like tule fog rising from the low areas and empty lots
of our Town and Country neighborhood.

I reach my hand into the mist
and I bring out the care package from my aunt and uncle in Alabama
our Monopoly game
and the bubble lights.

Now this is pretty culturally specific, so may not apply in your case. However, a remembrance of your childhood holidays might make a cherished gift some year.

Kay

[JaneStarr]

My grandmother appreciated a folder full of blank greeting cards for a variety of occasions along with a book of stamps. That way, it was easy for her to send cards out for birthdays, anniversaries, sickness, etc. Anything "consumable" like this would be a good gift idea.

Jane

[NancyR]

Originally posted by Canice
I would go practical, too. It seems to drive younger people nuts, but I believe you should respect what the honoree says. It's true that most old folks just aren't interested in "stuff" - they're a lot smarter than us! :)


I agree....when seniors say they don't want "stuff" they mean it! That said, I do have a suggestion and don't laugh but........ For Christmas my SIL gave my Mom a whole bunch of lottery scratch tickets. She had a BALL scratching them off! Just a thought.