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Christmas

From present ideas to party food, find all your Christmas inspiration here.

Gift ideas for an elderly lady- difficult one

19 replies

stayok · 06/12/2025 17:16

My granny, 98. She is in a home and bed-bound with very limited movement and eyesight.

She likes sweets and that it was I usually get her. I've also done framed photos in the past (she can't really see them from her bed but likes telling the staff about them) and a nice throw.

She can't read and can't use any sort of tech - audiobooks etc are no good.

Any ideas? Maybe sweets again would be the best option as that's something I know she will like. But perhaps there's something better...

OP posts:
Belmondo · 06/12/2025 17:25

A plant
A donation to a charity close to heart in her name (I find with very elderly people this is sometimes best approached as "sponsoring a child", as this has been around for a while)
A really nice fruit cake
Small windchimes or suncatcher-type thing for the window
Bedsocks
V-shaped pillow

Comedycook · 06/12/2025 17:27

Would an old fashioned music box be appreciated...sorry it's all I could think of.

Desmondhasabarrow · 06/12/2025 17:28

Does she still have a decent sense of smell? Smells can evoke strong memories and feelings. Is there maybe a scent you think she would enjoy - eg if she grew up on the coast look for petrichor (wet rock) and saltwater scented candles or diffusers, if she wore Chanel no 5 as a young woman buy her that?

Yesimmoaningaboutbenefits · 06/12/2025 17:30

I've bought 93 yo grandma a nice poncho blanket, more like a shawl really. Last year we got her some nicer-looking artificial flowers for her room. I think the year before was clothes (because she lost a lot of weight when she first went in).

Bigearringsbigsmile · 06/12/2025 17:30

Some lovely smelling soaps or a nice perfume. A soft beautiful silk scarf.
Posh handcream.

Burnnoticed · 06/12/2025 17:34

Something really soft, like a furry scarf or cushion. Or a teddy, if you think she'd like that!

Reification · 06/12/2025 17:36

Do a lot of people buy for her? If not and if you usually buy her sweets and know she likes them, give her sweets (even if you also add something extra too).

If she doesn't get presents from lots of people and can't get out or online to buy her own, she might very well be really looking forward to the usual sweets!

sodabreadjam · 06/12/2025 17:38

What about some nicely scented pillow sleep spray to help her sleep?

Tisserand, The Body Shop and Feather & Down all do them.

A cushion with a picture of family members or a familiar scene - perhaps a reminder of holidays past.

GoodBrew · 06/12/2025 17:40

One of those plug in electric heated pillows or for a cheaper option a microwavable one?

Pineapplewaves · 06/12/2025 17:41

Does she a radio or a CD player that the care home staff could switch on for her? DP bought MIL a radio which she likes to have on all day in the background. MIL also likes playing all her old CD’s and cassettes from her younger days.

TFImBackIn · 06/12/2025 17:45

My mum's in a similar situation. If your granny is happy with sweets, then that's what I'd give her. They're not something the home will provide. What about a tin of Quality Street or something Christmassy, where she can offer them to her carers? (They might not be allowed to accept them but I'm sure they can find a way around that.) What about paying for a shampoo and blowdry? Does she have a bath? Nice bubble bath? Is her sense of smell any good? If so then handwash can be a good idea.
I hope she has a great Christmas. ❤

FastTurtle · 06/12/2025 19:22

Last year I bought my visually impaired DM who has advance Alzheimer’s a really nice hairbrush.

Allthesnowallthetime · 06/12/2025 19:25

My grandmother appreciated a cosy bed jacket.

Also, definitely the sweets!

luckylavender · 06/12/2025 19:27

Sweets definitely. And maybe a bed jacket?

Wonkywalker · 06/12/2025 19:30

I get a very elderly relative who is bed bound and blind either new soft Christy towels or a new nightie or dressing gown - anything soft is always appreciated. However, if your relative loves chocolate she may appreciate chocolates more.

BellaBal · 06/12/2025 19:33

My Nan when she was housebound really loved having her nails done as a treat - we would get some gorgeous smelling hand cream in a tin (heathcote and ivory have some lovely ones) and rub that in and then trim her nails and paint them - we would take several colours so she could choose.

The scents, the feeling of being pampered and feminine, were so precious to her.

She would carry on using the hand cream and admire her nails - she would ask us to repeat the service on a very regular basis!

stayok · 07/12/2025 18:41

Thanks so much everyone- some really good ideas. Am thinking maybe the sweets as usual plus I might think about a suncatcher.

OP posts:
Mudandsleep · 07/12/2025 18:51

Would she like a soft toy, maybe similar in look to a pet she used to have? My Granny was so pleased with her soft toy cat.

MidnightPatrol · 07/12/2025 18:52

Mine would have liked a bottle of sherry…!

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