Gift for GPs at that awkward age

[Nonplusultra]

Pils are at the stage where they can’t walk very far, and can’t manage without a toilet for very long, but they’re not housebound by any means. They’re the type to cover up these things and would be mortified to use a stick or a wheelchair, or even admit anything is difficult.

They’re also downsizing and trying to offload a lot of possessions so I’d like to get them an experience type of thing, rather than a physical gift.

Ideally I’d like to find something that we can do with them so that part of the gift is spending time with their gc too. They’ve been known to not bother going to concerts, and not get round to using gift cards if it’s just for them. And also part of the gift is organising the logistics so they just have to come and enjoy themselves.

They’re also very well off and can (and do) buy whatever they want, and whatever services they need. Our budget is up to £200.

Last year we took them on a vintage bus trip for afternoon tea which they loved. But neither of them would be able to manage the steps now, and besides mil has been diagnosed with diabetes. The year before we took them to a west end show, but access to a toilet would be an issue now.

I’d really appreciate any suggestions

TBH it sounds like an experience is too much for them now. I would settle for something else. When people have conditions it is often very stressful for them to go out and about and especially with others. You could arrange an afternoon tea at their house?

What about an afternoon tea or meal in a local restaurant?

National Trust or English Heritage membership? If you have properties nearby that might be nice?

Or subscriptions to things that interest them? My mum is a great reader and loves the London Review of Books.

Are they moving to a place with a garden? Hiring a gardener for them with a subscription to regular flowers perhaps?

Meal out at an assessible restaurant/garden centre? Meal at yours?

Bird feeder for their new garden. Kids could visit and name the birds.

Magazine subscription. My nan used to love puzzle books like 'Thats life'.

Heated throw

Jigsaw

Gift card for pedicure, hair cut, nails

Heritage railway diner?

I’d suggest afternoon tea at a nice garden centre or a scenic pub, that way they can have a little walk as well without it being too much

My gran was a big reader and liked books and magazine subscriptions as presents.

She was happy to go out in a wheelchair for lunches etc when she couldn't walk far but if that's not an option you are more restricted.

You could get a boxed afternoon tea from a nice cafe to have at home though.

Photobooks of grandchildren went down well too and took up less space than a load of photos on the wall.

If mil is type 2 diabetic an afternoon tea won't be helpful at all.

Not an experience but I arranged flowers to be delivered once per month with a local florist. They were already in a vessel (vase/baskets etc) so they were no hassle for the recipient.

I had a gorgeous book subscription from Mr B's Emporium I think it was called,
They ask you loads of questions first and then choose you a book a month, you could get them a subscription each? And a flower subscription or chocolate subscription or something too? Lovely to get real post!

Pantomime with GC?

Something like glass blowing or jewelry making.

How about having a private chef come and cook for the family?

You would have to be careful and check the detail but a mini cruise (one on a cruise ship not a ferry) might be not too much over budget.

It would give access to eating and theatre without too much walking and with ample toilets.

Food hamper? Self assembled so they don't end up with lots of food they wouldn't/couldn't eat

One year my mum gave my grandad a calendar with a treat/outing written in the notes section for each month.
This meant that each one could be smaller and more manageable for him (coffee and cake at nice tea shop, a trip to the beach with fish and chips, trip to the garden centre Christmas display etc) and could also be done at any time during the month depending on how he was feeling (rather than having to book a certain date in advance). This might make it a bit more flexible for them and remove the embarrassment/stress they may feel if they’re not able to do something you’ve booked.

A bouquet of flowers subscription is a favourite for the oldies in my family. A cream tea box and magazine subscriptions are popular too. Netflix vouchers or Amazon vouchers. Ugg slippers, Oodies. Glamorous, but warm knitwear.

Hobbycraft do activities which you could do as a family, if you’re wanting to avoid food.
Not sure what the toilet situation would be, but I think the workshops are only approx 1.5hrs long

Having a parent with what sounds like similar needs to yours, I agree with PP that maybe one significant experience would be too much for them now. What about making vouchers for several smaller trips out? eg separate vouchers for breakfast/brunch; lunch: afternoon tea; dinner. I'd suggested homemade vouchers rather than vouchers for specific places for flexibility / their involvement in choosing venue. It's possibly what you do with them anyway but I am sure it would be appreciated.

Maybe a flower delivery subscription?

So many lovely ideas here. Thank you all for the suggestions.

I’m going to have a look at subscription boxes when I get a chance and see if something like that would suit. They live abroad for parts of the year so I’m not sure how easily I could switch the address. Of course that may all come to an end too. A flower subscription would be lovely for mil but I don’t think it would register with fil so I’ll have to find something different for him.

They’re not yet at the point where they don’t go out and about. It’s just that I need to think more carefully about the logistics. Recently ds took them to a museum exhibition that had some links with the area where FIL grew up, and a curator showed him some photographs and found entries in a ledger. They loved that but the fact that we could drive directly to the door, and there were lifts and toilets was a key part of it.

The problem with lunch or brunch is that we do that a good bit anyway. I quite like the personal chef idea , particularly if there was a bit of drama to it.

I love Mr B's! They do a book spa where you go and discuss books over a slice of cake and leave with a selection of books they think you'll like (it's in Bath)

I love that idea @Monkeymonkeymoo

I'm not sure if this is a good thing or not (now they can't physically explore!) but the Ordnance Survey Map website has lots of gifts you can personalise to a place.
You can make and personalise a map with their house at the centre - lovely to pore over, or display on the wall in a frame. If they like maps it's a good thing.

@Monkeymonkeymoo This is a fab idea. Do you remember what the other monthly treats / outing were? I'm so going to use this but struggling to come up with 12 things 🤔

Ours get some sort of hamper every year. Last year it was cheese and port which went down really well.

Edit: Just wanted to mention it (even though I know you wanted experiences) as comestibles disappear once eaten/drank.

They can't be that infirm if they can travel abroad by air / sea / rail and live there part of the year.

Just get what you'd normally get them.

Have you asked what they would like?