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AIBU?

... to ask you for your non-cliche presents for the (very) elderly

140 replies

rightsaidfrederickII · 24/11/2017 21:02

Let's be honest. They've had a lot of Christmases and they've been considered old for about the last 15/20 of them, and all the classic old person presents have been done to death so many times they never want to see a set of smellies or pot plant again.

The following are officially off the list:
Calendars
Nice toiletries
Flowers
Chocolates / other sweet things
Long books (the concentration isn't there anyway)
Tech which contains more than 3 buttons (more trouble than it's worth to teach them how to use it and have them forget by Boxing Day, and again the day after that)
Shite made by the kids
Pot plants
Alcohol (half a glass and someone will fall over and break their hip)
Jigsaws and other puzzles
Hat / glove / scarf sets

What has everyone else come up with? Previous successes of mine for someone nearer 100 than 90 but still independent include



Anyone else had any inspired ideas?
OP posts:
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ButterflyForest · 24/11/2017 21:04

Jigsaw, favourite chocolates, scarf, jumper, jewellerySmile

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SausagePerfume · 24/11/2017 21:05

I bought a gift voucher for her local theatre for my grandma last year. We ended up going together and she loved it.

She's also enjoyed vouchers for massages/facials etc.

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confusedlittleone · 24/11/2017 21:05

My go to is blanket with arms 😂

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TheNoseyProject · 24/11/2017 21:05

A selection box of dried fruit. I know it’s a bit odd but it went down so well as it was a treat in her childhood.

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ButterflyForest · 24/11/2017 21:06

Sorry, wrote some of your no-go list.

Another idea: duvet cover and cushions for bedroom/lounge- something that the recipient might not buy often.

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RedBlackberries · 24/11/2017 21:06

Audible books.

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ChoccyJules · 24/11/2017 21:06

One of those 'Britain from above' photo books.

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MyBrilliantDisguise · 24/11/2017 21:06

A voucher for lunch out?

A home made cake?

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MyBrilliantDisguise · 24/11/2017 21:07

I've just had a box of Medjoul dates from Asda - they are absolutely gorgeous.

I found with my mum and dad that they liked nice food - although they didn't eat as much as before, whatever they did eat they liked it to be really nice.

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Pattyandbump · 24/11/2017 21:07

ButterflyForest did you read the OP?

DVD boxsets have gone down well in the past, as has a DAB radio.

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sandgrown · 24/11/2017 21:08

Magazine subscription, Music compilation like the one by Len Goodman. Digital radio. Theatre tokens or tickets for a show.

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aniceearlynight · 24/11/2017 21:08

Voucher for tea in a 'posh' hotel nearby which you will pick them up and chauffeur them to/from.

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TeaBelle · 24/11/2017 21:08

I'm making christmas cakes but in cupcake sizes (4 in a box) so hopefully a treat without being overwhelming/ too much waste. Gifted with a tea towel decorated by dd (3)

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Todayissunny · 24/11/2017 21:09

My mil is I an op home. Ds made her a cushion with a heart on it out of old material we had (on sewing machine with my help). She was thrilled. Book with a dc home made bookmark -she read the book and passed it on.she has no space for anything though probably wont give her anything this year as I have no ideas.. .

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Ffsdh · 24/11/2017 21:09

I know they are cliches but my gm (94) loves a photobook. I’ve got her some really nicely bound ones that she keeps on her coffee table to bore all her visitor with.

She’s also a big fan of slippers, particularly soft, easy to get on ones like the Ugg slippers.

She likes RSPB and National Trust memberships as much for the magazines as for the free entry.

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Juancornetto · 24/11/2017 21:09

Local history book for the area they grew up in

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FemaleDilbert · 24/11/2017 21:10

My go-to for oldies is a regular basket made out like a hamper and go round m&s or Waitrose and filled with posh nibbles, sweets, chutneys - that kind of thing. Tends to go down well as it’s the kind of things people may not buy for themselves or not be able to browse for in shops.

Plus get a dozen or so things they’re bound to like at least some of them

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Bananamanfan · 24/11/2017 21:10

When our grandmothers were suffering with dementia/alzeimers they loved cuddly toys. My nanny loved dogs and I bought her a lovely soft jellycat dog. DH's nana loved bears and used to keep a teddy bear tucked into her jumper.

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ByThePowerOfRa · 24/11/2017 21:11

I’ve just ordered a photo blanket for my granny, with pictures of all her great-grandchildren on it.

I love the one cup kettle idea too though.

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Ttbb · 24/11/2017 21:12

CDs, things relating to hobbies ( e.g. Pinncushion, knitting box, gardening gloves), calendars (chilche but useful), tea cups/pots/nice tea.

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ByThePowerOfRa · 24/11/2017 21:13

You can buy cuddley companion dog and cat soft toy things which look and sound like they’re breathing. They aren’t real obviously, but they look like real, sleeping animals.

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reallyorange · 24/11/2017 21:13

nice big cushion or blanket type thing. My grandma loved a cushion I got her from Past Times

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DJBaggySmalls · 24/11/2017 21:14

A selection of old fashioned sweets in easy to open containers. (I found some plastic cookie jars in the pound shop).
Home made cakes, rock buns and biscuits.

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echt · 24/11/2017 21:15

A subscription to "The Oldie". I've been reading it since it came out when I was in my 30s. An entertaining read.

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aniceearlynight · 24/11/2017 21:18

Had had a lot of success with DVD box sets of classic TV progs e.g. Brideshead, Pallisers and classic musicals - Fred n Ginger, Singing in the Rain. Blue Planet DVD also went down v well.

Bought my dad a magnifying sheet to read small print e.g. crosswords and that has been v useful.

I know you said no pot plants but I buy mum a 'grow your own' amaryllis from M&S every year - it's a bulb you put in a pot then it grows and produces huge and beautiful flower. She loves it and often takes (v bad) photos of it on her phone which she then spends hours trying and failing to sends to me.

Both parents like Sudoku and Codeword books that cost about £2.99 from Tesco.

My dad is always cold due to blood thinning drugs so I sometimes buy him clothes that he wouldn't buy himself e.g. got him a light down gilet from Uniqlo and he loves it and wears it over his jumper every single day.

A day out is a good present if they are mobile enough e.g. last year I took a day off work and drove my dad to a Nat Trust property he particularly wanted to go to.

I have actually bought my dad a Poldark calendar as a bit of a joke because he loves Poldark!

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