Some ideas for retired people please!

[CoolShoeshine]

I’ve got retired in laws to buy for and they’ve got to that life stage where they’ve pretty much got everything they want. I’d love some ideas of things you have bought for older people which are original, not stereotypically ‘elderly’ but also aren’t too wacky either! They can still get out and about so experience ideas good too but we have given lots of afternoon teas, meals out and hotel stays in the past.

Do they like history? A metal detector would be cool.

National Trust membership.
Membership to a gallery - Tate, British Museum, etc.

Unusual drinks? There’s lots of new things out there both alcoholic and non alcoholic

Tickets to a flower show or music festival eg opera or to a comedian or musical/play
Would they be interested in some kind of class eg flower arranging.

Do they like gardening? Garden centre voucher

My old and young relatives have been enjoying jigsaws while stuck at home. Could you get one made of a family photo or a picture that is meaningful to them?

Or a game that you can play together in person or online. Cards against humanity is fun and is available in a family friendly edition. Or an online escape room.

I've run out of ideas but in the past I have given a nice wooden bird table which they liked.

Apart from that, a hamper of food goes down well.

It's hard to know what to get, I agree.

Amazon alexa
National trust or English heritage membership
Nice make up
Nice silver jewellery
L'occitane toiletries

That's for the women obviously!
I'm 62 and these are all things I'd like.

I’m with you on being stuck… my in-laws already have all the memberships, they’d never cope with a metal detector and I don’t think they’d do a jigsaw if their life depended on it… We got them a meal delivery from a restaurant they like last year but they haven’t used it, despite DH mentioning it expires soon. DHs cousin got them toiletries and MIL wasn’t happy…

We agreed we’d get them concert tickets but they’ve bought them themselves.

I’m at a loss! I’ll let you know if I find anything, though.

I love the idea of Cards Against Humanity but they’d need smelling salts

Vouchers for their nearest Theatre. Then they can choose a show. Put a copy of the theatre's brochure in with it with all the upcoming events.

we get things like

• theatre tickets
• membership to local attraction/gardens
• food hamper
• chocolate hamper
• garden centre voucher
• charitable donation (they requested this, i wouldn't impose it)

i find it very difficult though. they give away most food gifts.

I've got my Dad a gardening book from the RBS and a biography of someone ( can't remember) My grandmothers wanted either posh tea and biscuits or posh chocolates. My grandfather was always happy with a bottle of Drambuie.

A posh hamper? I am going to get my grandparents a Fortnum and Mason hamper this year.

We're retired and have a house full of tat - so we don't want any more!
I've told DCs that any presents have to be consumable, ie edible, drinkable or burnable 😁

Magazine subscription for a year ?

For my parents, and now my dad.

A usb telescope
Afternoon tea out voucher
A rocket book - note book you can erase with heat - unfortunately it didn't link to my dad's phone but he still loved it.

I was going to get an alexa but he's scared to use mine.

Cordless phone - I got this when my mum had terminal cancer so they could have a phone upstairs without need to wire it in.

USB which I put music on as my dad's car has an MP3 slot.

A couple of years age I had a conversation with my dad about dialect and English and then sent him David Chrystal's book, this has led to him reading more about linguistics so I've followed up with a few more.

One year I got my mum a box of bulbs, they were different flowers and the box was designed that you just buried the entire thing.

A digital photo frame, particularly if you pre load it with family photos.

I have a Fuji instant camera, my dad likes it because he can have actual photos that he can take to church to show people.

My mum used to sleep with the radio on using an ear piece, I got her a pillow with a speaker in it.

I also got a mini tool kit, it looks like a book but it has small screwdrivers etc which are ideal for fitting the screws in glasses.

A citizen eco watch for my dad, it's battery is charged by day light so he never needs a new battery.

Age is not a very good indicator of interests. Being “retired” doesn’t really tell you much.

I'd second National Trust or English Heritage membership , if that's within your budget . Obviously you'd have to check they don't already have it. I guess it depends a little on where they live/whether they travel in the UK as to how much value they would get from it. It's not all stately homes - parking at one of our loveliest beaches is NT and £7 a time!

If they already have NT membership, you can get NT gift cards which they can use in their shops and cafes, They sell some lovely stuff.

Otherwise, I'd suggest stuff they can use up. I know not everyone likes hampers, but I would love a selection of locally made jams, chutneys, artisan crackers, gin, wine etc!

Something to wear - jumpers maybe?

I've seen flower subscriptions mentioned on here a lot, I think that's a great idea (unless they go away a lot then maybe not).

Appreciate Christmas isn't the right time of year for this but a nice pot for the garden or a outside clock.

I’m well retired and I don’t want any more ‘stuff’ or ‘experiences’.
A couple of years ago I told Dh I didn’t really want or need anything- I was going to do a big food shop just for the food bank- that would be his present to me. (Well, apart from the usual chocs, that is.)
I think I’ll do the same this year.

What are they actually interested in? My DM took up many hobbies post retirement including digital photography and birdwatching.

Cheese. Everyone likes cheese

Gin subscription
Mixed case of wine
Flower subscription - monthly or quarterly

Gel manicure at salon - booked rather than voucher

Cashmere scarf

Garden bench

I'm 65 and would like cashmere scarves/gloves. Book tokens.Magazine subscription based around my interests. If it is someone who lives locally to me then it is nice to be taken out for coffee/lunch/dinner. I find afternoon tea to be a bit meh because I don't really do sweet things and would prefer to eat a meal in the evening. I like R&B music, some rappers, country music and opera. I would use vouchers for a theatre visit but not everyone of 65 would. It's probably better to go for interests rather than age. I

Things to do with any revamps they are doing - nice new kitchen linen when they got their kitchen doing.

Cashmere Turtle Doves gloves

Novels

Hotel Chocolat chocolate

Nice coffee

I have the double whammy as it's also my mum's birthday a week after Christmas.

She doesn't want anything but that doesn't work with me as she loves giving gifts and I find it not only unfair but I know how much she loves presents.

So I normally go for books, chocolate, good handcream and body lotion (she never treats herself to more than the basic) and something to drink. She also loves wall calendars so that's a good option normally. I try to go for more luxery brands.

She loves jigsaws so I may get her one this year as well.

Other things which worked well are nice but not thick scarves, either winter ones or silk.

My in-laws - we ask them. It is utterly pointless to guess and they often come up with something practical like a new handmixer. We normally get them some food as well, especially if we get some local unusual jams or drinks.

@Caspianberg

Cheese. Everyone likes cheese

This,and chutney. And Wine. I also love those tall tins of Fortnum and Mason colossus biscuits.

Failing that, I'd like fishing tackle