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

[rightsaidfrederickII]

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

• 'One cup' kettle that dispenses a cup of hot water at time and means she doesn't have to lift the kettle any more www.argos.co.uk/product/1219292 (11 months on and she's still saying how good it is!!)
  
• Coffee table books of her favourite animal species and - for the people watcher in her - Humans of New York Stories www.amazon.co.uk/Humans-New-York-Brandon-Stanton/dp/1447295552?tag=mumsnet&ascsubtag=mnforum-21
  
• A 'meet the animals' experience at the local zoo where she got to go into the enclosure and feed them (wheelchair friendly, hurrah!)
  

Anyone else had any inspired ideas?

[kittensinmydinner1]

A Fitzroy barometer - keep them like cats staring at a (possible) fly on the skirting board... (it's not ...it's a mark...she's easily confused)... what elderly person doesn't want a conversation starter about the weather. ?

Or cat amongst the pigeons and an Ann Summers voucher.. that'll mix it up a bit...

[poisonedbypen]

My mum liked a voucher for 6 manicures. A Kindle went down very well too.

[Fireinthegrate]

My 87 yr old MIL has dementia. She kept talking about a cat the family briefly had many, many years ago.
We bought her a fur real cat and she absolutely loves it. She thinks it is real and tells us of it's escapades when we visit.
She 'sees' it run along the corridor to her room, and she puts a bowl down for it.
But best of all it sits on her lap, she strokes it, it purrs, and it keeps MIL calm.
Well worth the money!

[stopfuckingshoutingatme]

Some reallly nice pajamas or nighties
A very gentle shower gel or wipes
Cashmere hit water bottle cover

[steff13]

Pot plants

[goose1964]

How about something like this

www.cathkidston.com/gifts-under-£40/london-tea-for-one-set-1008548?ctry=GB&gclid=CjwKCAiAxuTQBRBmEiwAAkFF1vsjdkEsvXUXtb8JCS4jJwJ64vFazI4oflvf93Impmj9CVJe7xocyQAvD_BwE

[officerhinrika]

I also agree with giving time. DF is now 84 and is increasingly frail but absolutely refuses any mobility aids. He has always done all his home maintenance and it irritates him beyond anything to have to get someone in. So for his 2 days before Xmas birthday he’s getting a new kitchen light installed by DS2 and various handrails whilst DS 1 does a winter tidy up in his garden and de mosses the paths.
For Xmas he’s getting us cooking a Christmas Eve meal plus a small stocking (diary, crossword book, nuts etc) for the next morning and a kindle Fire. DS1 will set it up with large icons for the basics while he gets to grips with scrolling. Christmas Day at my sisters as he won’t come and stay with any of us, oh no.

[raspberrycordial]

For my dh’s grandmother’s 94th birthday I went to Waitrose and bought her 12/15 different ready meals that I know she likes. I put them in a gift bag and stocked up her freezer. She may be 7 stone but she still lives at home alone and NEVER misses a meal

[notangelinajolie]

Nail Varnish & Manicure at local salon. Scone tea at nice tea room. Tickets to a show. My mum doesn't need or want stuff she would rather have someone to spend some time with her. She lives alone and is frail and isn't able to go out without someone to help so she really enjoys getting out of the house.

She might be old but she still loves nice things and a bit of pampering and undivided attention from family always goes down well.

[DailyMailFuckRightOff]

This is a lovely thread. I don't have anyone of that age to buy for anymore but it was lovely to read about successes. And for the lady who wishes she'd had a half naked butler - get it on the list! No more fleece blankets or socks for you!

[newsfromnowhere]

My dad has asked for a basic pedometer on a lanyard with large display so he can see how many steps he's managing a day (he has atherosclerosis and his consultant has told him to keep moving as much as possible). I've found quite a good one on Amazon.

[CheapSausagesAndSpam]

I get my Mum what she likes which is cake and chocolate, plants and cashmere!

[CheapSausagesAndSpam]

Oh Fire that's lovely. I'm so glad your MIL loves her cat.

[oldmissmort]

Regarding the one cup kettle - we bought one for 92 yr old MIL last Christmas but we ended up using it ourselves as it's not one 'cup' - if you put a cup underneath you end up with boiling water overflowing! It should be called one 'mug'. I think there's a more up to date model now where you can adjust the amount of hot water that is dispensed- be warned if you're buying for very elderly

[ChoccyJules]

Glad a PP used my 'Britain from above' photo book idea. There are also now the photos from the space station ones. Have bought for younger recipients too!
Thanks for the Edinburgh Woollen Mill fleecy blanket tip, am on the site right now