Pensioners who don’t drink or eat sweets or go out?

[CamillaRose]

Absolutely stumped for gifts. Both on medication and diabetic so they don’t want sweets or alcohol. They’re still staying home because of Covid so don’t want memberships or tickets. I’ve tried books and magazines in the past but they don’t read. DVDs have been left unwatched. They like being cosy, watching Netflix and gardening in their tiny back yard. But they already have blankets and gardening tools. Help!

Slankets for watching TV
Cushioned lap trays
Bloom & Wild flower subscription
Box sets if they have a DVD player
If they like music, a pre-loaded MP3 player which you can add to every now and then
Anything it looks like they need new of - dressing gowns, slippers, nightwear, sweater/cardigan.
A luxury food hamper.

All things I either have and use or would like to receive.

One of those heat in the microwave shoulder or back warmers? My mum loves her electronic foot massager. You can buy keto sweets/baked goods which are suitable for diabetics. Alexa with music subscription if they like listening to music? My dad loves asking Alexa all sorts as well. It’s amazing for their generation to have access to info on tap like that!

Not On The High St has 30% off advent calendars today. There's a really nice seeds one for gardeners which might be something a bit different for them

For those with a sunny garden, how about a sundial?

Or how about an Echo Dot?

Nice food. Teas, coffee. Stuff that can be used, anyway.

why not an Alternative gift from Oxfam or a church connected charity so that he can enjoy knowing someone who really needs gift is enjoying it?

Jewellery (that you like so it can boomerang back)?

My in-laws are the same, their social circle was limited pre covid was tiny but now they NEVER leave the house unless it is for a haircut or a medical appointment.

For gifts I would agree with a nice food hamper, they don't have to contain sweets etc.

I love my electric blanket, that might make a good gift.
Decent slippers?
Bird feeding stuff for the garden.

@TheChip I want one of those crystal things. I love the way the colours bounce around the room.

@user1000000000009

Sorry to hijack the thread but My father in law goes to work and goes to church and that's it.

He doesn't drink, smoke, eat chocolates, he doesn't go out for dinner, like the garden or gardening.

He has a tv and a radio. That's it and he's very happy with that. The tv is an old tv from the 90s that he won't part with because it works just fine and he knows how to use the remote.

He does not know how to use the internet.

He's very difficult to buy for, vouchers go out of date and are unused, he doesn't buy himself new clothes or shoes. He's still wearing clothes from 40/50 years ago.

He also doesn't like "fancy" food. Cauliflower cheese is a fancy food to him.

He uses pear soap so no upgrade from there (I've bought him nice smellies in the past and he throws them away full)

I bought him a hat and gloves a few years ago but he didn't like the one I bought him.

He doesn't go to the shops so giving him cash, the money will just sit there.

He's not interested in his grandchildren so pictures of them or a calendar is out because he doesn't go anywhere after work unless it's to church and back and doesn't want to know his grandkids.

I don't think he will get anything this year unless anyone has some suggestions for me. He's in his mid 70s

Would a donation to a Christianity charity in his name go down well?

A ready planted trough or planter for the garden or house is always good. Plants die, so you can get another one next year. I was astonished to discover how pleased elderly people were with mugs with their names on. I suppose it's the sort of thing they buy for kids but no one buys for them. Calendars,diaries,subscriptions to magazines,self illuminating magnifying glass, gadgets.

@user1000000000009 this is my problem too. They don’t go anywhere except to Asda and back, or out in the garden to play with their grandkids. They don’t know how to use the internet, it’s connected and they know how to work Netflix but that’s all. They literally just watch tv and read the newspaper. Things that have gone down well in the past have been:
-A backrest pillow with arms to sit up comfortably in bed
-Socks
-A very practical outdoor fleece sweater

I like the idea of a remote control caddy to store bits and bobs on the coffee table, I think that’s what I’ll buy this year.

A heated fuzzy blanket to use while watching Netflix
Cheese

On the theme of remote control, you can get remote control plugs - one control for 3 or 4 plug sockets - to avoid bending to switch the tv on/off.

Nb it's not an Internet-connected thing, it's really just on/off.

Jigsaw
Some lovely new house slippers
Seeds for the garden
Houseplant
Mugs
Tea

I’m despairing at this thread; so many truly lovely suggestions and I’m still stumped. I have two elderly loved ones who have declined so much in the last year.

Slippers are a trip risk. Cashmere blankets and socks are out because everything needs to be machine washable. No alcohol, no sugar and God forbid, no posh food - they like what they like! One is autistic and can’t handle change at all so upgrades or improvements of anything are unwelcome.

I’m already filling their freezers, spending time with them and keeping one of them in clothes and pjs.

Or maybe a bird feeder for the garden.
My grandmother loved that as she enjoyed watching birds from the window during winter.

Sorry - didn’t mean to be so negative!

Personalised shit as well. Like a coffee mug, or a cushion with a picture of you and them on it.

One of my friends is elderly and she mentioned a while ago she and many of her friends from the same age don’t buy each other stuff anymore as they have collected so much troughout their lives already that they don’t want to add more. They give each other stuff that they use and it’s gone, like foods, tea or coffee, subscriptions etc.

Afternoon tea hamper? Cornish Hampers are good.

Diabetics are allowed sweet things, they just have to be careful.

@CatKittyCatCatKittyCatCat

A heated fuzzy blanket to use while watching Netflix Cheese

I'm 46 and am adding these suggestions to to my own list for Santa!

@thelegohooverer proper slippers with velcro fastening and a non slip sole wouldn't be a trip hazard, not sexy but warm and cosy.

@thelegohooverer
perfume/aftershave?
Lottery tickets!
A calendar for 2022 and If they are grandparents you could use photos of grandchildren or something?