Christmas hamper goods for the elderly?

Legacy_user

Every year our local church does crimbo hampers for elderly locals who live on their own. We haven't donated goods before and this year the churchies are rallying hard as they didn't receive much donations last year. We've managed to get £115 from donations from our families and want to get goods that would be special instead of the basics like everyone gives!

What sort of goods that are special, and can fill several hampers that are also cheap which the old folk would love to receive can you think of?

Pollycat

This sounds like a question that will get you great replies on the Old-Style or Over 50 boards (or both).

Nice thing to do.

System

Pollycat wrote: »

This sounds like a question that will get you great replies on the Old-Style or Over 50 boards (or both).

Nice thing to do.

I did look on that board before posting the thread here but none of the threads on the first page relate to what i was seeking. I tried the search function as well and i cant find anything similar :huh:

charliewocka

Hi Spinkz, I help the local elderly day care centre by getting people at work to donate presents. We specify goods that the centre recommends, like warm blankets/throws, hats and gloves, toiletry sets etc and also 'festive foods'. Things like mini Christmas puddings, small boxes of shortbread, a small bottle of sherry, crystallised ginger, mince pies - those sorts of things. Can be fairly cheap to purchase (or go to a store, explain what you're doing and see if they can help out by donating or offering a discount). Also, they are a little more 'special' and can help somebody who may be on their own have a little treat. We try to encourage smaller portions/sizes to minimise waste!

Pollycat

The Old-Style board is very busy & I know lots of pensioners post on there.
They're very friendly too.

I'm sure you'll get lots of good suggestions here too.
I just can't get my head in gear right now 'cos I've been filling in forms for my Mum & my brain's gone into meltdown.

System

charliewocka wrote: »

Hi Spinkz, I help the local elderly day care centre by getting people at work to donate presents. We specify goods that the centre recommends, like warm blankets/throws, hats and gloves, toiletry sets etc and also 'festive foods'. Things like mini Christmas puddings, small boxes of shortbread, a small bottle of sherry, crystallised ginger, mince pies - those sorts of things. Can be fairly cheap to purchase (or go to a store, explain what you're doing and see if they can help out by donating or offering a discount). Also, they are a little more 'special' and can help somebody who may be on their own have a little treat. We try to encourage smaller portions/sizes to minimise waste!

Christmas puddings and sherry was the first things that came to mind but i'm thinking everyone will give those type of goods and they'll have too many of them and not much else. Last year they only received enough donations for 4 hampers, so i think this year they are going to get a lot of people donating.

System

Pollycat wrote: »

The Old-Style board is very busy & I know lots of pensioners post on there.
They're very friendly too.

I'm sure you'll get lots of good suggestions here too.
I just can't get my head in gear right now 'cos I've been filling in forms for my Mum & my brain's gone into meltdown.

I'll request it to be moved there in that case. I just wasn't sure looking at the other threads if it was a suitable place to post it.

charliewocka

Nice tea bags? Coffee? Pannetonne(sp?)? Perhaps a little mini truckle of cheddar and some biscuits?


Would there be any interest, or facilities, in the church or local area to do a Christmas Day dinner for the vulnerable or lonely? Doesn't even have to be on Christmas Day - Mum holds one the week before Christmas where local butchers donate the meat, greengrocer the veg, people make Christmas puddings, locals provide entertainment (music, crackers, instruments) and lots of people go along to have a natter. Transport is also voluntarily provided (we're in a very rural part of the world). It gives people the chance to have a Christmas celebration, catch up with other elderly people to reminisce, perhaps they might not get to see them through the year and they get a little gift. Bingo always comes out too


Some have said that getting their spirits lifted by having a day like this helps them through the main Christmas Day. When we are at my parents for dinner we always have an elderly guest or two - Christmas is at ours this year and we are new to the area and living in a construction zone so not the ideal time to invite elderly over! We have both sets of parents and my OH grandmothers along though!


Lovely gestures though.

tea_lover

Also think about some non-Christmassy food. As a non-currant lover I miss out on mince pies, Christmas cake, Christmas pudding etc. I can't be the only one that would much rather have a nice biscuit or something similar.

euronorris

Fancy jams and premium, locally sourced honey would probably go down nicely.

BigAunty

In my youth, tins of red salmon, ham and crab meat were considered to be posh fillings for sandwiches for visiting relatives.

Is that still the case nowadays or have sandwich fillings moved on?