Grandmothers - what makes a good gift to you?

All_Hope_Is_Gone

Hope you don't mind me posting here... I need some help choosing a present for my Grandma She has diabetes and can barely leave the house anymore and I've run out of ideas on things to get her

If anyone can suggest anything, I'd really appreciate it. Thanks

Secret_Lady

All_Hope_Is_Gone wrote: »

Hope you don't mind me posting here... I need some help choosing a present for my Grandma She has diabetes and can barely leave the house anymore and I've run out of ideas on things to get her

If anyone can suggest anything, I'd really appreciate it. Thanks

What sort of things does she like? Idea of age, is she a young grandmother or young at heart anyway:-)

Reading, listening to music, crafting, ???

A bit more info and I'm sure some ideas will be forthcoming.

tikka1951

What about a Digital Photo Frame with lots of pics of all the family?

nikki1520

If your gran can't get out much, how about
a set of dvds of her favourite show, some books by her favourite author
a slanket to keep snuggly while watching tv
something she can enjoy in the home, like a DAB radio
some really nice bedding/ teacups etc
a promise of a trip out somewhere for lunch or something

all things I've bought for my housebound nan over the last few years that have gone down well

Athome1

Please don't be offended Tikka but why do people always think Grandparents are going to be thrilled with (usually yet more of) photos. My 89 yr old mum has more than enough! I know she'd like to take some of them down but thinks people with be offended. I have photos of my own family but they are kept to one room and the rest go in photo albums.

Going back to the original topic, I know it is really hard to buy for the older family members. My mum and MIL are getting harder and harder every year, as they can't - knit or crochet (arthritic pains) or do needlework (bad eyesight). Don't do/like the 'pampering' stuff, don't drink and after 70+ yrs of cooking aren't interested in food. Only watch the 5 digital channels even though they've got new tvs with freeview, aren't interested in films/series on DVDs and get their books from the library. I've given 'promise vouchers' in the past (ie I promise to take you shopping/ to the theatre/cinema [last two never got redeemed;)] Treat you to a trip to the hairdressers [didn't get used either, they prefered the lady that visits] Take you clothes/shoe shopping, treat you to a coffee somewhere nice [the answer to that one by my MIL was 'I prefer my own coffee at home thanks']. They are both lovely ladies but at nearly 90 they have most things they want I guess and don't want to do things that involves much extra effort. My mum likes fresh flowers but MIL loathes them. Sorry I'll stop doing lists now.

I'll be watching this tread with interest in case someone has a brainwave!

zygurat789

We all know what they would really like. More frequent visits from the grandchildren. This is after all their original raison d'etre and it is good to know that you've been successful.

consultant31

Since Grandmas can be anything from 30+ years to 100+ that's a difficult question

I'm a Gran (well, Mamma actually which I think sounds lovely) and my best present for my birthday was a day-trip (planned by my DD on behalf of my 2 year old DGS) for the 3 of us to Thomas Land.

We all had a lovely time. DGS is mad about Thomas and DD and I had a lovely time seeing his delight in his surroundings.

It may not suit anyone infirm or very old but at 60+ I had a super birthday that I shall long remember

newleaf

Athome1 wrote: »

Please don't be offended Tikka but why do people always think Grandparents are going to be thrilled with (usually yet more of) photos. My 89 yr old mum has more than enough! I know she'd like to take some of them down but thinks people with be offended. I have photos of my own family but they are kept to one room and the rest go in photo albums.

Going back to the original topic, I know it is really hard to buy for the older family members. My mum and MIL are getting harder and harder every year, as they can't - knit or crochet (arthritic pains) or do needlework (bad eyesight). Don't do/like the 'pampering' stuff, don't drink and after 70+ yrs of cooking aren't interested in food. Only watch the 5 digital channels even though they've got new tvs with freeview, aren't interested in films/series on DVDs and get their books from the library. I've given 'promise vouchers' in the past (ie I promise to take you shopping/ to the theatre/cinema [last two never got redeemed;)] Treat you to a trip to the hairdressers [didn't get used either, they prefered the lady that visits] Take you clothes/shoe shopping, treat you to a coffee somewhere nice [the answer to that one by my MIL was 'I prefer my own coffee at home thanks']. They are both lovely ladies but at nearly 90 they have most things they want I guess and don't want to do things that involves much extra effort. My mum likes fresh flowers but MIL loathes them. Sorry I'll stop doing lists now.

I'll be watching this tread with interest in case someone has a brainwave!

I could have written the above myself
Although not a Grandma, my mum is 80 and the above also applies to her. Anything she wants, she goes out and gets for herself without letting on. Ask her what she'd like for birthday or Christmas, she's no idea, can't think of a thing. It gets tougher every year.
Photos, ornaments etc. = 'clutter', and she doesn't want any more of that. She lives in sheltered housing, the flat is quite small. She has no special interests or hobbies, doesn't read, knit or sew, doesn't listen to music. Clothes? New shoes?, no, very particular about these things, and only buys identical stuff over and over again. Hairdressers? no, she likes to go to the woman down the road who does a dry trim for a fiver. Mobility is an issue, so doesn't want to go out anywhere.
The only thing she really likes is chocolate, but she is diabetic now, so even that is restricted, she can't even have a drop of alcohol now either. Oh, and she does like teddy bears, of a particular type, but has so many now, it's hard to get her any more as she really has nowhere to keep them.
The best present I gave her in ages was a zip up fleecy dressing gown in her favourite colour (which is quite unusual, and difficult to find in clothing) last Christmas. She wears it every evening and loves it! Hurrah! I got it from QVC.
MIL loves a jigsaw or a cookbook, still knits, and is an active walker and gardener, so she's still quite easy to choose a gift for.
I'll be watching the thread with interest too.

Incidentally, MIL changes the photos on display depending on who is visiting!

Athome1

[QUOTE=newleaf

Incidentally, MIL changes the photos on display depending on who is visiting![/QUOTE]


Clever MIL, I'll remember that if I'm ever a Granny!!

margaretclare

I understand the points made by Athome1, but I would suggest that, if the original gran 'can't get out much any more' an attempt should be made to find out why not and maybe to get her out? Even a car ride out to see the gorgeous autumn colours (better this year than any previous year apparently) might well be appreciated.

My late aunt, who was a polio survivor, loved getting out and about. Anywhere, it didn't matter. She spent so much time looking at 4 walls that any form of 'out' was a treat.

I concur with all those older ladies who don't want any more 'things'.

PS: 2 people on this thread have been mentioned as 'being diabetic now'. This is frightening.

Athome1

My mum does go out most days and I take her food shopping every week and out for a visit somewhere every week too. But she is not interested in some many things now. I love a root around a bootsale for example but that bores her stiff, ditto garden centres, shopping malls etc. When she visits us at the weekend she is isolated because she won't wear her hearing aid. She has no interest at all in films, tv programmes (unless it is a soap and we don't watch them) or anything technical. Luckily my mother has always been quite happy with her own company and does not find her life restricted/restrive at all. It would drive me made but then I'm 30+ years younger than she is:D

Anyway back to the Xmas theme I have bought her 2 cardigans to replace some 'bobbled' ones she has. Not terribly exciting I'm afraid.:o