Gift ideas for elderly (80s) in laws, please

[Sunshineandswimming]

Has anyone got any great gift ideas for elderly (80s) in laws who don't have any hobbies & don't go out much due to poor mobility. FiL uses a wheelchair and they struggle to go out now. He likes his food & sweet treats but has health issues that means he shouldn't over indulge. MiL has always been difficult to buy for. In recent years we've made them food hampers & done photo frames of the kids but the kids are all growing up now. We've tried garden vouchers but they go unused & things for the garden or plants don't seem to interest them anymore.
Any random suggestions of things that have gone down well with relatives, please?

Time. Just time with their family in what ever form is manageable for them. A day out, a trip to the theatre, weekend away, afternoon tea or just some special treats while you visit them for a weekend.

Fleeces/ throws, heated blankets
Microwavable cuddly or wheat heat wrap
Warm nightie/PJs dressing gowns
slipper socks or slippers
Soup maker
Nostalgic photo/info books
Special brownies or biscuits/ hot drinks selection

A flower subscription? My parents, late 80s, loved theirs

Photography Books
my elderly Dad who has early dementia will look at them endlessly
Also, jigsaws. Waterstones have a very good selection

A foot hot water bottle? You slot your feet in and it warms them. If they can’t carry / fill a water one there are electric options.

Wizards 0% sugar chocolate

We’re in our 70s and pretty active, but our favourite gifts from DS and DIL have been an IOU for a meal out together - dinner, afternoon tea, a picnic etc. It’s always a treat to spend proper time together over food!

Magazine subscriptions

I recommend bird feeders. My DP gavd had hours of pleasure watching the birds feed outside their window

A retro style digital radio

Velvitiser with hot chocolate sachets and some nice biscuits.

Thanks everyone. There's some great ideas & things I hadn't thought of.

I’m 81 and of all the suggestions, the present I would like best is wizzler’s bird feeders.
I might need to drop a hint to my DGCs.

I know you said they need to not over indulge, but could they as a one off? I've just bought my dad a fortnum & mason voucher for his 80th and booked him in for afternoon tea with my mum.

I think it would make him pretty sad and depressed if I bought him a hot water bottle or a heated blanket or similar!

My Dad is in his 90s - last year at the last minute I decided to buy him a bird feeder from local garden centre - it was about £20 and had 2 hanging feeders - he smiled when I gave it to him but didn't look overly enthused.

Roll forward - he loved it - I ended up buying a second one plus I've been buying sacks of nuts and sunflower hearts all year for it - he sits for ages each afternoon watching the birds congregate - lots of small birds including a new family plus baby paraqueets etc - probably the best thing I have ever bought him. Each morning he goes and refills it and looks forward to the birds using it.

Also bird feeder. Really good pillows.

I think I might buy my dad a bird feeder after the recommendations. My dad's house is built on a slope so the houses on the other side of the road are lower down so the birds spend time on the neighbours' roof.

OP Things my dad has liked include a heated throw, he'd used one at mine.

A torch - it's a wind up torch that is also a radio and has a couple of USB slots, this wasn't a birthday or Xmas gift, just something I thought he should have in the house in case of power cuts.

David Crystal's book The English Language its the type of book that you can dip in to rather than read cover to cover.

Not trying to put a dampener on bird feeders or derail the thread. Absolutely loved mine at our last house. I spent a fortune on different seed mixes, new feeders and bird baths. Bought cleaning products brushes etc.
It was amazing watching all the different birds and so calming. I loved it.
It gave me a keen interest.
Sadly it attracted rats and we had to stop feeding. Still miss my birds. I kept the bird baths and we donated everything else to a lady who was a keen bird feeder.
Think about location for the feeder and can it be swept up underneath. Food needs to be stored in tins.

Familio subscription - it’s a family newsletter that you and the kids can put your news and pictures on (via an app) and the company prints and sends it as a physical newsletter. It might be a good way for the kids to keep them updated too.

Ring door bell & Alexa!

But failing that I'd go with tickets to something.

If they’re not phased by technology, an Alexa is a great gift. I’ve got my dad’s Alexa set up with the house lights and I also got him a Ring doorbell. I made him a cue card (at the beginning) and stuck it to a wall near his chair so he knew what to say - he now answers the door, switches on the lights and plays music without having to get up. If you’ve got arthritis or mobility issues, not having to keep getting up is a big help!

Depends if they’re receptive to new things but my dad loves his (and he’s in his 80s).

I would suggest a heated throw too. I’ve got the fluffy Lakeland one and love it. And Alexa is a great idea too but they would probably need help in setting it up

Yes, I should have said that I got it all set up for my dad and then gave him a card with printed phrases (in giant print), e.g: ‘To switch the lights on and off, say ‘Alexa, turn the lights on’ etc.
Same with the doorbell - he can answer and ask delivery drivers to leave packages in the garden etc. It’s been really helpful for him but guess it depends on the person and if they’re interested in this type of thing.

Photobox calendar with family photos. Both of ours (delivered early this year) have been very well received.

Waterless amarylis bulbs

No - I’d hate this