Present for 85 year old who can't see well

[TheRookie]

It's my Granny's birthday on Friday and she is partially blind. Can anyone suggest a good present? She always says she has everything and it's really hard to buy for her. She doesn't like things that smell like candles or body stuff, she has so much stuff but I want to get her something. She is visiting us and getting train home next week so needs to be something she can travel with so flowers/plants out 🫣 help!

Some sort of music player?
You can get dementia friendly ones (I know she doesn’t have dementia) where you upload the chosen music then just lift a flap and the music will play.

Take her out for dinner or afternoon tea while she’s staying with you.

Why don't you accept what she says - she doesn't want more 'stuff'. My DM is a similar age and just doesn't want/need anything else in her life. She gets thoroughly fed up with plants, flowers, candles, photos, foodie gifts, soaps etc. The one thing she likes is time or experiences ie; a meal out, theatre trip or a charity gift etc.

I think often we give presents to make ourselves feel good, ie; 'I've spent £X so grandma really knows I love her' without really thinking it through.

I remembered years ago clearing out my DGM's house after she died and discovering years of unwanted birthday and Christmas presents .

You're so right @ragwort, I should just follow her wishes! If she wasn't staying with us, I wouldn't buy her anything, I would probably make her a card with pictures of the kids on and that would be that but felt like since she was here, I should get her something. I am making lunch for her and my mum tomorrow and we are having a party at the weekend, as it's my son and my nephew's birthday in the next week too so having a joint celebration while Granny visits so hopefully that will be enough!

I sent my great aunt an M&S hamper for her 90th, she absolutely loved it x

When my mother was loosing her sight, she really missed being able to read, we bought her a device from the RNIB, for which they supplied a memory stick with a book being read. They had a whole library of books on memory sticks which cost nothing to borrow.

I'd be really tempted to buy her some chocolates and just take her out instead of wracking your brains, especially as she's asked for no gifts.

Nice chair for the garden?

I would make your Nan a pot of tea, put all old songs (my nans favourite is Andy Williams) on Alexa (or equivalent) and sit and chat and ask her to tell you about her life growing up and favourite times. My Nan loves telling me about how she met my grandad 🥰

At that age, talking and reminiscing with family is just priceless 👍🏼

Fabulous flowers- you could get those ones that are treated and last for months! Nice bottle of wine.
A mobile tablet thing that she can make the print big, look at photos, fo zoom calls on?
A gorgeous handmade blanket.
Take her to get her nails done?
Have a fun day out with her!- make her remember she's more than just a granny!

❤️❤️ love this!

Our 93 gran likes the individual wine cups that M&S/sainsburys sells because she can open them and they're easy access unlike bottles with tight lids or corks 😂

https://www.sainsburys.co.uk/gol-ui/product/ProductDisplay?storeId=10151&productId=1206882&langId=44&istCompanyId=1e096408-041f-4238-994e-a7cf46bf9413&istFeedId=689af7a8-5842-4d88-be59-1ee5688a81b5&istItemId=wpqllqmqq&istBid=t&&cmpid=cpc&utmsource=Google&utmmmedium=cpc&utmcampaign=15426723355&utmmcontent=shopping&utmterm=%7Bsku%7D&utmmcustom1=129125419326&utmcustom2=759-449-0952&gclid=Cj0KCQjw0oyYBhDGARIsAMZEuMvPbTuhRzpqpjFxwkFO1nSWrkCR35ZrxmN2YKxfWRuxxqKcUMJSMkQaAundEALwwwcB&gclsrc=aw.ds

Other than that something more tactile like a heated blanket, nice bedding, high quality soft nightwear.

Amazon echo dot and an audible subscription, that way she can request books verbally. Or a kindle that can play audible books and a audible subscription. They are doing 3 months subscription for 99p until the 4th September. She can get you to help add books remotely online if you help set up the account.

Something that involves her spending time with family doing something she loves but wouldn't normally do alone is also a good idea.

Or something that involves her having contact with others in a nice way like a hand massage or pedicure and foot massage if she would like that. That way she can have a chat whilst being pampered.

A talking clock or watch. If she can’t see well the ability to work out the time is useful.

but if not anything that involves spoiling them at the moment is worthwhile.

but working with elderly people the gift of time is most important.

My mum is 81 and loves her Alexa. She chatters away to it and asks her questions. Loves listening to music and radio through it too

Given the coming winter… a heated throw?
Or some posh chocolates and a bottle of gin.

I may be projecting here… 😁