If you were 89 and were to receive a food hamper for Christmas, what would you like in it?

[shoppingbagsundereyes]

Putting together a hamper for dh's great aunt and her partner. So far I have a small m and s Xmas cake, some Christmas tea, Christmas marmalade, a bag of assorted nuts, some cheesey biscuits and a small thing of chocolates.
What else do you reckon? I have room for probably 3 more things.

[UriGeller]

There'll be rummaging through it saying, "where's the booze?"

[derektheladyhamster]

Wine but that might just be the older people I know!

[SparkleSoiree]

What about a small bottle of sherry or Port?

[SparkleSoiree]

Shortbread or a small christmas pudding?

[Butterytoast]

Mince pies? Naice mini pork pies closer to the time?

[shoppingbagsundereyes]

Was considering booze but don't think they drink. Will check with dh. Looked at lovely mini bottles of booze in m an ds yesterday but was unsure. Wondered about mini whiskey for him and mini sherry for her or maybe a little Baileys.

[bigbrick]

That's a lovely idea. How about some fruit jellies or orange pieces in chocolate, some coffee, biscuits, mint sweets, crackers & cheese(although you have cheesy biscuits). A tv guide, peoples friend magazine.

[shoppingbagsundereyes]

Shortbread good idea. Think I'd struggle to fit a pack of mince pies in the box I've bought along with all the other stuff. Might make the shortbread.

[MadameDefarge]

I'd put some nice cheese in, a bottle of port.

Worried about the nuts, with older folk often having dentures etc...

Some xmas pate? and xmas pickle/chutney?

this means they would have all the stuff for a nice high tea.

[MadameDefarge]

after eights.

[mermaidbutmytailfelloff]

My mum who is 84 would like nice gin, chocolate gingers, thorntons fudge, more gin....

She reckons she doesn't eat much [deluded emoticon] so would like nibble bits, cheeses, pate, scones and clotted cream.

[starsandunicorns]

A packet of old fainsoned sweets like humbugs or those cough sweets my grandad always got those as he had them when he was young

[MadameDefarge]

those york fruit jellies were always popular in my GPs house. and twiglets.

[Atari]

I will never forget my Grandad's face the year my cousin gave him a HUGE pork chop.

It was better than the look on any child's face at Christmas

[shoppingbagsundereyes]

Lol at huge pork chop. Can't put anything in that needs to go in the fridge as I don't want them to have to put anything in the fridge before Xmas and thereby ruin the surprise.
Will take nuts out ( dh will be happy, more for him). Those pretty jellies sound nice, fudge sounds good.
Any savoury ideas that don't need to go in the fridge?

[MadameDefarge]

you can get cheeses and pates that are vacuum packed so don't need refrigerating. They might be kept in the chill cabinet, but they don't need to be. iyswim.

how about tins of speciality soup?

[cece]

MY Gran always liked;

tinned salmon
tinned crab
jar of coffee
tea bags
nice biscuits

[MadameDefarge]

sorry to repeat myself, but I do think that having the makings of a delicious meal they can enjoy between them with a couple of extra treats would be lovely.

YOu can also get vacuum packed meals, ie stews etc. One brand I can think of is 'look what I found'

[MissBeehiving]

My Great Aunt (102) practically mainlines likes brandy. A hamper without it would be unthinkable

[olibeansmummy]

Short bread, mince pies, those jelly fruits, fancy jam or marmalade. I'd go for very traditional picky bits as don't forget they'll have already done their shopping for Christmas.

[ShadeofViolet]

Elizabeth Shaw mints. My Nan (the same age) goes mad over them!!

[raisah]

Basket for the hamper

www.homebargains.co.uk/products/5836-christmas-luxury-hamper-basket.aspx

[VisualiseAHorse]

Don't forget a nut cracker!

[Grennie]

Not nuts. Too difficult to eat for a lot of older people.

[MissBeehiving]

Nothing that gets stuck under/to dentures. My Great Aunt eats cashew nuts with her brandy. Either they don't stick or alternatively she might be anaesthetised to the irritation by the brandy.