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Christmas

From present ideas to party food, find all your Christmas inspiration here.

What to get for a grandparent's last christmas?

9 replies

stickeywicket · 29/11/2011 10:45

That's it really. It's my father-in-law and he only has 3 grandchildren

OP posts:
MrsTwinks · 29/11/2011 11:19

family portrait of everyone, including him too maybe? Or a digital photoframe loaded up with great family photos new and old?

its something he can have with him in his final days, even if its hospice/hospital, and he'll know that you have one of him with grandchildren etc. My grandpa was very into having photos with his great grandkids taken when we was terminal so they would have something of him with them.

Northernlurker · 29/11/2011 11:22

I knew last year would be my bil's last Christmas. I bought him and my sister a joint present - an antique brass candle stick - the brass sort, very wee willie winkie type thing. They both like antique stuff and he was really pleased with it. I didn't want to get him something which sister would have to decide what to do with in a few months (he died in March as it turned out) As a Christian there seemed something very symbolic too about light in the darkness. Obviously I didn't tell them any of that. It was just something nice for both of them and now it's just hers/ Can you do something similar for fil and mil?

lindsell · 29/11/2011 11:27

My fil died just before Christmas last year, earlier in the year we did a digital photo frame with lots of photos of Ds (his only grandson who he delighted in) and photos of dh/bil/dsds so it was easy for him to see the photos without going through an album
which towards the end he wasn't physically able to do. We updated it with new photos when we went to visit so he could see Ds (only 18mths when fil died) growing and what he was doing.

moajab · 29/11/2011 12:27

Sorry to hear about your FIL. I agree with previous posters about photos or photo gifts. Also what about using the grandchildrens art work to create a gift - mug, coaster, bag etc.

Another idea would be something he can enjoy in the time he's got left. Obviously I don't know what condition he's in at the moment or his likes and dislikes, but if he still has some appetite then a hamper of foods/drinks he enjoys would be nice. If he's still able to get out then tickets for a show/ concert. if he's not then things he can do at home/hospital/hospice - audio books, DVDs, puzzles, crosswords.

Whatever you decide I hope his last Christmas is a good one!

gingemum · 30/11/2011 23:12

Have you seen these books ?

RedBlanket · 30/11/2011 23:14

How about a DVD about the history of the town he lived in or grew up in?

3duracellbunnies · 01/12/2011 09:45

It depends on how ill he is, but we have bought memory books for our remaining grandparents this year, it is kind of a gift for them to then give back to the children. We got ours @ christmas fair, and the pages feel really nice (unlike some I saw in shop). Their website is www.myfamilystories.co.uk. They do various versions, we got one grandparents' one with space for two answers per page for my parents, and one of grandfather's memories for fil who is on his own. If someone is able to work on it with him, it may make him smile as he thinks about his past and is lovely record to pass on to grandchildren. Depends on his health and personality as whether appropriate at this time of his life.

3duracellbunnies · 01/12/2011 09:53

Sorry just checked site, it has moved to pricelesstreasuresonline.co.uk, their phone number is 01892 863300: they also do money back if they don't like it.

BiddyPop · 01/12/2011 13:01

A couple of years ago, I made one pair of grandparents a pair of lap-blankets. I used 2 different woollen fabrics for the top, with an Irish linen back for one and a flowery cotton for the other (so not scratchy wool on skin. They are nicely sized to cover legs but not so bulky to trip them up. (Just a bit smaller than a baby blanket - well, narrower but longer).

They keep their house hot, so rarely need them at home but used them for maybe 2 years on holidays at the beach. Last year, my grandad was in hospital for 10 weeks and my aunt would alternate the 2 for the top of his bed, bringing them home to wash in between. It just covered the top of the bed well. The day he died, I managed to get in to see him in the mid-morning (he died early afternoon), and he happened to have his own one on top of his bed, which felt right.

This year, my grandmother spent 6 weeks in hospital, and the same happened (swapping the blankets for washing).

That might be an idea?

I am actually trying to find an idea for that same grandmother myself, as it probably will be her last Christmas too, and Grandad was my Godparent in that household so, as he's gone, I have to buy for her and vice versa (my other siblings are all buying for their respective aunt or uncle who is their godparent, and it all works out numbers wise that everyone is covered).

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