NTTCR: Gifts for elderly grandparents

marijaa333 · August 2014

Hi all,

DH are about to visit his grandparents who live in Europe; they are elderly (mid-80s) but still mobile and still take care of their house and garden by themselves. Last time I was there, they really liked the shortbread cookies we brought with us, so I'll take some again, but we're having difficulty figuring out what to get them as gifts. DH doesn't think clothing is a good idea because of issues with fit and other preferences, and I tend to agree.

Do you have any elderly family, and if so, have they appreciated anything in particular? I was thinking about a digital photo frame with a large memory that we could load with their photos, but other than that I'm really stuck for ideas!

meredithcarole · August 2014

Do they collect anything? Perhaps a trinket of some sort if they do. Otherwise, you could get them something gardening related. Maybe some soap and a nail brush? My nails are always a mess after gardening. Something like this: https://www.blisshomeanddesign.com/SPA/Bar-Soaps/Gardeners-Soap-with-Tray-and-Brush.html?gclid=CKmH6uzdmsACFSpo7AodYWcATg

marijaa333 · August 2014

Thanks! Something gardening related is a good idea -- I will look for a gentle nail brush.

hooligans4 · August 2014

The picture frame sounds like a great idea if you have it pre loaded with family pictures because if they are anything like my 87 year old grandmother they won't know how to use it. I usually get my grandmother something that will make her life easier like a roomba to vacuum for her. Or when you get there you can pick up a few gift cards to local restaurants so they can go out for a nice meal. Whatever you choose I'm sure they will appreciate it. Have a fun trip.

kindershlitz · August 2014

Sounds fun. I'm just going to throw out there that plugs in Europe are different so I don't know if a frame would work. Maybe they run on batteries? I don't know because we don't have one. Cookies and maybe shutterfly photo book instead along with gardening something. My parents are older so 'functional' 'edible' is the way to go for them. Have fun!

KirstenAlecia · August 2014

books, scarves, sweets, homemade jams or jellys, scrapbook filled with family photos. games they might enjoy playing together (board or card)

I also second gardening items.....maybe a kitchen herb garden?

lgsdesigner · August 2014

My grandmother loves gift cards to Red Lobster, but not sure they have those there or if that is personal enough.

I would go with the kitchen herb garden gift or maybe make a memory book for them on Shutterfly.

Pintobean39 · August 2014

My Grandmother is 97 and I usually give her pictures already framed or maybe fresh cut flowers in a pretty vase or an orchid. I might not be much help because my grandmother has never been big on gifts. All her milestone bdays they specifically say no gifts, but I still bring her flowers. Since all her grand kids live far away from her she just loves when we come visit.

marijaa333 · August 2014

Thank you ladies! All great ideas.

Ally1177 · August 2014

@lgsdesigner‌, my grandmother loves giving Red Lobster gift cards!! haha

ewenner · August 2014

What about buying them some nice stationery and air-mail stamps so they can keep in touch with their family overseas? I also like the idea of a Shutterfly book, if you have time to put something like that together.

marijaa333 · August 2014

They live in a relatively rural area so no chain restaurants, I'm afraid. The Shutterfly book is a great idea; the digital picture frame preloaded with photos may be quicker to assemble, and it does run on a battery charge, so no worries about European plugs (though that was a good point!).

Davie813 · August 2014

I'm the world's worst gift-giver (cash for kids, gift cards for grownups), so I'm no help. I just wanted to wish you a safe and pleasant trip. Whereabouts in Europe are you going?

marijaa333 · August 2014

Thanks, @Davie813 - we're going to Sweden. I'll try to pack some parenting leave legislation and import it back... This is what they get (and can be divided however they like between parents):

"Out of the total of 480 days paid parental leave, 60 days are reserved exclusively for each parent and are lost if not utilized. It should be noted that the paid days include weekends. Thus, 480 days is equal to about 16 months."

From the Sweden section at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parental_leave

Davie813 · August 2014

marijaa333 said:

Thanks, @Davie813 - we're going to Sweden. I'll try to pack some parenting leave legislation and import it back... This is what they get (and can be divided however they like between parents):

"Out of the total of 480 days paid parental leave, 60 days are reserved exclusively for each parent and are lost if not utilized. It should be noted that the paid days include weekends. Thus, 480 days is equal to about 16 months."
From the Sweden section at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parental_leave

But, but, but--America has 12 weeks of unpaid leave...for some people. Also: Red Lobster.

Sigh. Yes, please bring some back with you.

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