Gifts for older people who don’t want stuff

[Ladybird37]

What to get for men and women who do f want ‘stuff’, no to food/drink/smellies, have loads of photos, clothes etc, don’t like theatre/meals out/spa. Tearing my hair out but have no idea this year and want to buy something nice because we love them :)

DVDs here and vouchers for local farm shop. The farm shop didn’t actually do vouchers, they just made something up for us.

A membership to local gardens or national trust is nice. If you have young kids could they make something like a coaster with their hand print or a picture to go up on the fridge.
Otherwise I just wouldnt get them anything, the obviously don't want anything!

What about "experience " days out . Steam train rides , a pleasure boat ride if near the beach . Do they like wildlife at all ,maybe 2 for 1 London zoo ? .What about a nice garden chair ?

If they like galleries/museums then Art Fund membership is good. Lots of lovely places to go and and they'll also be helping museums & galleries to buy important works/objects which might otherwise be bought by private collectors.

Flower subscription service? They get a bouquet through the post every month.

A craft/gardening/cooking/diy/sports class?
A ticket to a supper club?
A ticket to a historical talk?
A walking tour around a nearby town?
An animal experience at a local zoo?

I am praying I don't receive more crap for landfill this year and that my wishes will be listened to!

All of those suggesting flowers - they are SO bad for the environment. All imported, all sprayed with chemicals. All come wrapped in plastic (even if your final product doesn't - the florists received them in plastic).
The only way you can get organic, local flowers is to buy locally and almost nothing will be available in December.

RSPB membership.
They send a magazine every month in a biodegradable wrapper.
You could maybe get them a bird box/bird seed to go with it.

Depending on the budget
Tickets to a show

I have this issue too, older parents who don't 'do' anything except go shopping for themselves. I'm thinking of a voucher so they can buy lunch while they are out. They can and do afford to buy lunch themselves, so it's not a gift they need but it is one that they'll use.

Half bottles of wine ?

However, if they have said they don't want anything... don't get them anything.

A family portrait photography session or photo of your own family.

My MIL is a bit picky like this but she likes garden centre vouchers.

Do they like crosswords / sudoku etc? Maybe a crossword book?

I'm getting my parents a plant from M&S just before Xmas and a framed photo of their grandson.

Mum doesn't drink and is diabetic, so no chocolates either!

How about a voucher for a local restaurant or make your own voucher to take them out for a meal in Jan 2020?

Toilet roll !

Respect their choice and give them nothing.

We have an arrangement where a flower shop near to MIL sends her a floral arrangement every month. She loves it.

Pic would not load .

As an oldie, the best Xmas present I have ever had was fortnightly bouquets of flowers for six months.

I'm another who has more stuff than I could ever use, but the regular flowers were really welcome.

A Tesco , Waitrose , M and S card with cash on it .

We bought an Alexa one year and then for birthdays plug sockets to attach to electric blanket, kettle etc. It was very well received

How old is 'old'?

I agree with a PP, I really don't want presents, I am fortunate to have everything I need & if I want nice chocs, wine, pair of gloves or whatever I would rather choose my own.

My parents (late 80s) are the same, THEY JUST DON'T WANT ANYTHING, they do actually like charity gifts (as do I).

What do people find it so hard to respect other people's wishes?

What about spending time with people, a meal out? Theatre trip?

I volunteer at a Food Bank & we are inundated with unwanted 'foodie/hamper type' gifts after Christmas (& most of our clients don't really want jars of Fortnum & Mason stuff ).

I think the weekly entry to a charity raffle is a lovely idea. In the past, I have given National Trust annual membership but this obviously depends on your budget and how active/mobile the recipients are.

Magazine subscriptions

Bird feeder or bird table for garden

I got my Dad once one of those small stone benches for the garden- went down well

Potted amaryllis or potted hyacinths

For my DH I bought a whole load of summer flowering bulbs from Thompson & Morgan

Gel manicure for your Mum

Cinema membership/tickets - our local cinema do daytime screenings of old classic movies

Get them an echo dot