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Holidays:  What to buy for elderly grands....  |
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FebruaryViolet
True Blue Farmgirl
4810 Posts
Jonni
Elsmere
Kentucky
USA
4810 Posts |
 Posted - Dec 15 2008 : 1:24:51 PM
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Dilemma, dilemma...my husband's grandparents are both living and though they used to have a very active lifestyle, they have both fallen ill in the past year and can no longer drive, nor do the running around they used to. Over the years, we had purchased them gift cards to their favorite "blue hair" restaurants, and the "boats" because they loved to go to casino's, or to Macy's, her favorite department store, but those days are gone now, sadly, and it seems as thought their will has gone along with it. Christmas Eve at their little home is a big deal, and I want to get them something...but WHAT? What on earth? I would like to stay away from anything like lap blankets and things that say, "you're old" and I am hesitant to buy them a gift card to their favorite place to eat, because it's such an ordeal to organize someone to drive them (in a car that they can both get in and out of) and I just don't want them to feel awkward or troubled about a gift...
My husband's father and his sisters will usually go together and buy them a big gift, like a chair or something like that...we can't afford that, so....
Jump on in...please  |
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Lainey
True Blue Farmgirl
2401 Posts
Elaine
Waco
Kentucky
USA
2401 Posts |
Posted - Dec 15 2008 : 1:28:26 PM
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I usually bought my grandparents some clothing item they needed and one of my grandfathers got really excited when he received a big box of chocolates.
Farmgirl Sister #25
http://countrygirldreams.blogspot.com/ |
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Marybeth
True Blue Farmgirl
6418 Posts
Mary Beth
Stanwood
Wa 98292
USA
6418 Posts |
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ddmashayekhi
True Blue Farmgirl
4737 Posts
Dawn
Naperville
Illinois
USA
4737 Posts |
Posted - Dec 15 2008 : 8:07:06 PM
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I had given my late grandparents gift baskets of foods they liked. One of them was several varieties of gourmet soups with soup mugs & crackers. I had also done up fruit baskets, different types of candies, and the fancy butter cookies from the bakery. Good luck on deciding what you want to give, whatever it is I'm sure they will love it.
Dawn in IL |
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kristin sherrill
True Blue Farmgirl
11303 Posts
kristin
chickamauga
ga
USA
11303 Posts |
Posted - Dec 16 2008 : 04:31:20 AM
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My grandpa's favorite thing for Christmas was the big huge candy cane. He loved those, so he got enuf to last all year.
What about flowers? My friend is 91 and she loves to get flowers. I get her pretty vases and bring her flowers at least once a month. She'll take and divide them up and put them all over the house. They last for weeks and they are so pretty to look at. And don't cost a fortune, either. I got some the other day on sale for just a few dollars. There were still lots of good flowers in it.
Also someone to come clean for them or cook a nice meal once a week or so. That's a good thing.
Kris |
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Mumof3
True Blue Farmgirl
3890 Posts
Karin
Ellenwood
GA
USA
3890 Posts |
Posted - Dec 16 2008 : 05:14:15 AM
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What about an assortment of homemade breads or other treats? (they could freeze them for later.) Or you could make them a coupon book with things that they could like to do with you and your husband- lunch out, watching a movie together, doing Grandma's nails (or hair), taking Grandpa to get a hair cut, etc. Time, I would think, would be the greatest gift.
Karin
Farmgirl Sister
# 18 :)
www.perfectlittlemiracle.blogspot.com
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catscharm74
True Blue Farmgirl
4687 Posts
Heather
Texas
USA
4687 Posts |
Posted - Dec 16 2008 : 06:11:49 AM
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What about organizing a dinner and bringing it to them? Either order it or make it yourself, but make it special things they wouldn't normal buy or eat.
Heather
Yee-Haw, I am a cowgirl!!!
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owwlady
True Blue Farmgirl
899 Posts
Jan
Tomahawk
WI
USA
899 Posts |
Posted - Dec 16 2008 : 08:57:52 AM
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| How about a scrapbook of past Christmas get togethers? Pictures, stories of your favorite moments, etc. If you have access to pictures of their childhood Christmas moments, add copies of those also. |
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dkelewae
True Blue Farmgirl
1310 Posts
Diana
Saint Peters
MO
USA
1310 Posts |
Posted - Dec 16 2008 : 09:57:06 AM
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How about one of those grandpa/grandma memory books where they fill out telling how life was for them growing up, etc? I got one of these for my grandma, and instead of just handing her the book to fill out herself...I sat down with her, asked the questions, and wrote the answers in for her. It was a wonderful way to not only spend quality time with her, but she so enjoyed sharing her childhood and growing up memories with me. My grandma passed away in 1993, and that book is one of my most cherished possessions.
Diana
Farmgirl Sister #272
St. Peters MO
Country Girl trapped in the city!
http://farmgirldreams.blogspot.com/ |
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kristin sherrill
True Blue Farmgirl
11303 Posts
kristin
chickamauga
ga
USA
11303 Posts |
Posted - Dec 16 2008 : 10:20:51 AM
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I got my mom one of those books about 10 years ago. I keep asking her if she's done with it. I brought it up last time they were here. So maybe I'll get that this year! (I did get it for her to give to me) That would be a good thing to do together, though.
Kris |
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corporatefarmgirl
True Blue Farmgirl
389 Posts
Tamara
Pikeville
TN
USA
389 Posts |
Posted - Dec 16 2008 : 11:27:26 AM
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I gave each of my grandparents photo albums filled with family pictures they loved it.
We also did a "date" book. Different family members commited to do different things for the grandparents on certain dates. We put down things like - Bring dinner over and eat together, plant spring flowers in the garden, have movie and popcorn ( at their house), ect. We had a least one day as a date day for every month. We also included everyone's birthdays and other special dates in the book. It was a great way to keep giving to them through out the year. It also gave them something to look forward to....
Tamara
http://smallfarm.about.com
The earth is in our hands - please use a gentle touch
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FebruaryViolet
True Blue Farmgirl
4810 Posts
Jonni
Elsmere
Kentucky
USA
4810 Posts |
Posted - Dec 16 2008 : 11:41:35 AM
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These are all wonderful ideas! Thanks so much...I wish that my Grandparents (in law) were a little more sentimental...he is, and he loves things about his home country (Ireland) but she's very fixy and more into material things (and I'm not at all saying that's bad)..she's simply more "Saks Fifth Avenue Granny" as opposed to the kindof granny we all think of.
So, still stumped. Maybe we'll do some separate gifts--get him something a little more sentimental, and something more personal for her (like a salon visit) I like the ideas of the coupons for dinner and things like that...
Why does gift giving have to be such a challenge?! |
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Holidays: What to buy for elderly grands.... |
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What to buy for elderly grands....
