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 :)

Livebythecoast consider a guide dog.You get up dates and photos and finally an update about who the dog went to. You can watch clips and get a calendar too.I support one because my aunt was going to do it but became ill and died. I have carried on and I am now on dog 4. There are invites locally sometimes.I went to a talk which was really interesting.

OP Perhaps something else for others.My sister bought me a vegatable garden one year from Cafod. I was delighted.

Gel manicure for your Mum

The people I know in their late 70s would hate this...

I usually get DM M&S vouchers. She shops there regularly so she can choose her own things then she knows she'll like it

I realised reading this that there's a world of difference between "I don't want anything" meaning "there's nothing in particular I want so you choose" and "I do not wish to receive a single thing". I fall in the first category, there's nothing I want, but I bloody love gifts! If someone told me they didn't want anything I'd have to double check that they really were saying "no gifts please".

Photoshop their wedding photo or some other photo they like and make it nicer and frame it.

Something from oxfam unwrapped - it’s water buckets, mozzy nets, chickens, goats etc for people who need them in developing countries. You can choose something you think they’d like according to hobbies or interests, there are lots of choices at all prices and you are really helping people who need it most.

DVDs surely no-one owns a DVD anymore?
I bought one literally last week so DS could watch stuff on dvd. Disney and Pixar films, the Paw Patrol movie that he got for his birthday, old episodes of shows I enjoyed at his age like Fraggle Rock - none of that is available to stream.

My parents are equally difficult to buy for. I’ve gone for personalised items from Etsy - an insulated mug and a glass with an engraved Christmas message from DS, a customised shopping bag with a picture of DM and DS, plus a few practical bits like socks and a few savoury treats. In the past I’ve done some excellent hampers from M&S by buying a nice reusable bag and packing it with stuff I know they’ll like. Photo calendars are always appreciated too.

I try to get things that people don't know they want because they've never had them and therefore don't know what they can do for them. Previous hits have been: Amazon Alexa and subs to play music and make appointment reminders, electric blankets both under and over (they're better than they were years ago when many people wrote them off and good for chronic pain/stiff joints), v-shaped pillows (do wonders for my back pain, but many think they're just for nursing mothers), wireless headphones (it was like an epiphany when my dad realised he didn't have to listen to his partner's soaps every evening)... will try to think of more.

I really don’t think you can buy DVD unless you know they have a player. It’s not normal to have one nowadays. I have a cinemaparadiso subscription of 2 DVDs a month only because we can’t finish a film in 48 hours. I don’t know anyone who buys or rents them unless they are old. I have amazon prime and Netflix and you can rent on amazon too. All much easier than a physical disc.

When DDad kept saying nothing I gave him this.

Went down a treat.

Link
www.findmeagift.co.uk/gifts/the-gift-of-nothing.html?adGroupId=9942893748&device=t&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIuJ2gkY_z5QIVyJrVCh3FFQlGEAQYAiABEgIfB_D_BwE

My parents are in their 80's and really difficult to buy for. They don't won't or need anything. I sort a hamper of things I know they will like. Pre packed hampers are no good as most in it wouldn't be used/ eaten.

Don't try to second guess or you will still end up buying something that is just not wanted. My parents wouldn't want a subscription, smellies, National Trust vouchers or anything similar. I know they would end up giving these things away. Only buy what you know is going to be used.

By the way, my parents still have and use a DVD player.

Give them your time . By that I mean take them out - lunch , trip to garden centre to buy them a plant , M &S is supposed to do a nice afternoon tea.
They don’t want stuff .

I live in London and we have a DVD player as lots of the films that we watch aren't available through streaming or Netflix etc. They're not redundant at all.

I give my elderly relatives Costa coffee card vouchers. Every time I am in Costa it is packed with pensioners (I'm not one btw) drinking tea or coffee.

You can get a garden subscription where something seasonal arrives each month. Think seeds and bulbs etc

A cake club subscription?

Bouquet subscription?

My mom is 90. A while ago I got her a subscription to the people’s friend magazine so she gets that weekly. Last month she mentioned that she had run out of her favourite perfume so I sent her a bottle and told her it was an early Christmas present. I will send her flowers in the week leading up to Christmas as she likes that.

At her age now if I see something I think she would like I send it to her so she can enjoy it 🙂

A nice doorstep pot with a few fancy tulip bulbs in it.

Sorry to be a killjoy but charity donations in someone else's name doesn't feel like a gift to the recipient. The only way I can see this working is as a kind of Secret Santa where everyone does it and you open your donation information together.

A garden planter is a good shout actually. You've done the work so the most reluctant gardener would get the benefit.

My DH always says he doesn't want anything. So one year we got him nothing. His little sad face! 😁 I hate when my DD spends money she doesn't have on me, when I can buy anything I need. And her gifts are always really thoughtful, but she needs the money more than I need they gift. How about a handwritten voucher for a day/ lunch out/ quiz night/local concert with you, or a homemade cake (or whatever you're good at providing that they'd appreciate) ? All I really want from my children is their company.

We still have both lots of parents, one set mid 80's one set mid 90's.

For the Mums both are always thrilled by tights! I know.... it's not the most exciting, but they can't get out much, and it is something that is always needed as they ladder often.

For the Dads we really struggle, but they often need new jumpers and Xmas is always a good time to buy them.

Their BDays are all in Autumn too, but then we tend to lump them together and buy food hampers. Even in the one set's care homes, they appreciate a hamper of "special" food. Their care home keep named cupboards for residents own food, which is nice. All the alcohol is kept in their bedrooms, but if someone has a birthday, they share it all out among the residents which is fun and appreciated.

An outdoor pot, potted up with something winter flowering. If you wanted something that would last, a skimmia or daphne would be good.

A painting, or a print. Only takes up wall space.

Or you could give them something Christmassy, and give it to them on 1st December. A miniature tree, with lights on already and maybe some ribbon bows. Simple and festive.

@Bowerbird5 The guide dog idea is lovely! I really like that. Wish someone would get that for me.

That's great they don't want more pointless stuff! If only everyone was like them.

Charity donations in their name is a great solution. I'm 39 and ask ppl to do this.