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!

My dad really likes it if I get him a moon pig card where I put old family pictures on it. He’s not bothered about a present, just likes the card !

Last year I bought my grandad some crossword puzzles in super large print because his eye sight is deteriorating.

But he does use them so think it went down quite well :)

Dressing gowns , pyjamas, nice cosy throw

Countryfile 2022 calendar

It doesn’t sound like they need or want anything. I live buying presents but why bu for the sake of it ?

Say “can I have some ideas of what you might like for Christmas” and when they inevitably say they don’t want anything then that’s your cue to say “ok…. Shall I just take you out for a nice lunch/wander round local RHS garden etc on me in the spring?”

Or buy them a bare root rose they can put in the garden

Ravensburger puzzles are reduced to £4.99 for loads of different ones on Amazon currently, may be a good option?

You can get chocolate specifically for people with diabetes. I did this for my grandad once and he was so happy I had remembered about it.

Ye that diabetic chocolate and sweets can give you the runs if you eat too much of it.

Darker chocolate abut 80% coco is much better for you.

Maybe get them a calendar but each month is a different family member.

One year I bought my Dad large print TV guide subscription - a hit

Yes, a lot of older people just like what they already have and do. We don't require a lot of new things. It's not that we are difficult to buy for, it's that we don't need things generally, my family know this, so they can save their money and not worry about buying things for me..

I would only appreciate a new house plant, or a plant for the garden etc, as always been a keen gardener..

When it was my birthday, 79th, my son who is 50, was going to some store some where to get something, and he said do you want anything from this store,so I said, I wouldn't mind a dozen wooden clothes pegs,, as a birthday present, he thought I was joking, but I wasn't.

Yes, generally we don't want stuff that hangs around and presents aren't so important after a certain age. Perhaps ask them if there's anything they'd like and when/if they say no, suggest a lunch somewhere instead - most of us appreciate family giving us their time tbh.

Why do you want to buy them a present?

I'm in my sixties, comfortably off and honestly have everything I need or want. I really don't want to sound grizzly, but if I wanted any of the things people are suggesting here, I would have look around at what was available and bought it.

It really is the opposite of younger days, when there were lots of things I could big afford so that presents were a big thing.

If you want to acknowledge my birthday, or something special I have done for you, a card or a photo by email are perfectly lovely.

I am always interested in your lives and that of your children and grandchildren do an email about what they are up to with photos is always a welcome reminder that you are thinking of me.

People who don't do the internet often enjoy calendars and wall charts with pictures of the younger generations.

It's not just me who doesn't need anything. DH loves to give presents. MiL once said she liked perfume so he chose a new scent each birthday / Christmas. After she died, we found a drawer in her bedroom filled with beautifully wrapped bottles of scent.

The more people's houses someone has had to clear out, the less they want to accumulation throughout their lives.

Trust me in this one.

Crossword book or other puzzle books, bottle of scotch and a poinsettia.

It is difficult if people don't have any interests. I think the mug suggestion is good. One other thing to consider is maybe something relating to where they grew up? Father in law was difficult to buy for . He lived to 94 with no comforts as not bothered, although he always had a nice car One day we showed him Google maps on our computer, and he told us where he lived in 1939. He was amazed to see his old haunts, and it kept him going for hours! So maybe something nostalgic like a book or dvd.

Take a photo of their garden and ask an artist to paint it.

M&S fruit hamper? Nobody could be vexed with fruit!
www.marksandspencer.com/medium-fresh-fruit-basket-serves-approx-18-/p/flp60264225

I'm 70 and DDs know to get me cashmere socks, books and planted bulbs.

@user1000000000009 my FIL was a bit like this although he had sight problems so some excuse . We used to get him new pyjamas and
a box of biscuits .

@FinallyHere yes I also found recent presents to my dad in his wardrobe when clearing the house after he passed. The wine was always drunk though . And slippers were worn.

Oops I meant Google Earth, the one where you can swoop like a bird.....great fun.

Give them a scratch card each. With a bow.

Possibly not but what about an RHS subscription. They can go to gardens when they are ready to venture out and get a monthly gardening mag????

My mum is like this. I send her big bunches of flowers arranged in those boxes, so she just has to put them on the table. Seems to always go down well.

Also a nostalgia book with lots of old photos of where she grew up was a hit.

Fleece bedding....toast warm , easy wash, quick dry and never needs an iron.

Heated blanket/throw.