80th Birthday, present & party ideas (merged)

Becles

Anyone got any suggestions for something a bit different to get my Gran for her 80th birthday this year?

She's still quite active - lives alone in sheltered accomodation, but still manages to do her shopping, have trips out, goes to OAP's day clubs and she plays bowls.

She normally gets loads of bath stuff, fancy biscuits and books for Christmas/Birthdays so I wanted to stay away from those.

All I can think of so far is making her an embroidered sampler and framing it. Any other ideas appreciated.

dora37

For my Grandads 85th, I asked all my aunties & uncles to send pictures of them and their children at different stages, plus any they had of my Grandad and Grandma over the years.

I scanned them into the computer (therefore not spoiling the originals), printed them onto photo paper, then mounted them randomly onto a board (couple of pounds from art shop). On the bottom I printed a small card with his full name, date of birth - Present. And then framed it (IKEA).

It was time consuming, however not too expensive. It was also fun looking at the photos sent from Aunties/Uncles, as I had never seen them before.

My Grandad absolutely loved it and it took pride of place on his Living Room wall - where he showed everybody who visited. Much better than all those bottles of Whiskey he received!

Bendybops19

Get her an indoor bowls kit

http://www.hawkin.com/rkmain.asp?PAGEID=20670&STK_PROD_CODE=02031

Only £12.99. She can practice in her spare time

Heres a pic of it...

Hawksmuir

What about organising a party or meal for your gran.

We did that all her kids and grankids chipped in, we invited all her friends, sisters, brothers, cousins etc.

We felt that teh only time they all met up was at funerals, so at least they could all be together for a happy occasion, the day was fantastic and all had a great time, cant wait for the 85th

Toothsmith

Bungee Jump?

Becles

Hawksmuir wrote:

What about organising a party or meal for your gran.

Already in planning stages!

The sheltered accomodation has a large communal room with a kitchen off it stocked with plates, cups etc. The warden has said we can have free use of it all for as long as we want.

Due to my Mam working on the 30th Dec, we're having it the day before her birthday so it'll be a big surprise as she won't be expecting it at all.

Thanks for the other suggestions

scuzz

dora37 wrote:

For my Grandads 85th, I asked all my aunties & uncles to send pictures of them and their children at different stages, plus any they had of my Grandad and Grandma over the years.

I scanned them into the computer (therefore not spoiling the originals), printed them onto photo paper, then mounted them randomly onto a board (couple of pounds from art shop). On the bottom I printed a small card with his full name, date of birth - Present. And then framed it (IKEA).

It was time consuming, however not too expensive. It was also fun looking at the photos sent from Aunties/Uncles, as I had never seen them before.

My Grandad absolutely loved it and it took pride of place on his Living Room wall - where he showed everybody who visited. Much better than all those bottles of Whiskey he received!

I did something similar for my Nan's 80th. Got a really nice photo album and put them all in that

margaretclare

A voucher for something she'd enjoy doing but doesn't think of for herself.

We live near a small airport and people give helicopter rides, trial flying lessons (all ages!!)

I was once given a day out at a stables which has carriage-horses. After being shown around the stables and introduced to all the horses we went out in a carriage (the kind that gets hired for TV and film work). A nice lunch, then I was given a lesson in driving a pony and trap.

A ride in a hot-air balloon, on a preserved steam-train....the list is endless.

Or a really lovely day's pampering at a health farm/beauty parlour.

Aunty Margaret

Peakma

My grandma is quite large, she loves swimming but daren't reveal herself in a cossie to the world.So my Aunt organised her a private swimming party for all the family.She loved it, and it gave her the confidence to go in future to the pensioners session.
Ideas off the top of my head; A bird bath or feeder(some nice window ones), a comfy outdoor chair, good led torch, hot air baloon ride!-never to old to want this, aquality pen-boring but usefull,heated foot warmer for using whilst watching the tele, pill box despenser with timer,a cosy fleece, a special day out with you-a quaint village, or theatre.....

kdee_2

It's my dad's tomorrow!

I bought him a dvd player (which he never would have bought in a million years :lol) and The World At War" collection (£70 worth of stuff about the war.)
On a similar note, why not a load of black and white classics, or romantic movies or musicals. ?

Edinburghlass_2

Friend of mine organised to take her Mum and a few of her friends out for afternoon tea. Unknown to her Mum she had arranged a stretch limo to take them to the "posh" hotel.

The ladies were thrilled