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Christmas

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

Ideas for 90 year old lady

35 replies

JustMoved123 · 16/12/2025 13:31

Desperately trying to think of a gift for MIL, she’s fit and well, living alone in her own home but doesn’t wear slippers, need a heated throw etc, we’re at a loss so all ideas welcome. Thank you

OP posts:
Coffeeishot · 16/12/2025 13:33

Can you make her a nice hamper of bits and pieces she likes?

Melsy88 · 16/12/2025 13:46

Book, photo frame with a nice picture of the family in, fancy jam/food, clothes (a new jumper?), scarf, jewellery, voucher for a meal out with you, tickets to some Christmas lights, national trust membership...

renthead · 16/12/2025 13:47

What are her interests?

thesandwich · 16/12/2025 13:53

Planted pot with bulbs etc in it? Subscription to magazine

Forgottenmyphone · 16/12/2025 13:56

I’ve bought my aunt (similar age, also lives alone) a marble solitaire game.

MsOtisReflects · 16/12/2025 13:57

Tickets for the theatre or an orchestral / jazz / whatever she prefers concert in the spring. You’ll know whether she’d prefer to go with a family member, or with a friend.

Rictasmorticia · 16/12/2025 13:58

My favourite present was a book where you can tell your life story. As my mum had dementia all her stories were lost. DD got me the book and it has all sorts of prompts, having things you would not necessarily think off. There is a space for photos too. She gave it to me at Christmas, it took me a year to complete and I gave back the following Christmas.

You can buy the books on Amazon

JustMoved123 · 16/12/2025 17:15

Wow, thanks everyone, some really thoughtful ideas here. Unfortunately we live in Australia so taking her out isn’t easy, we could plan it but she would forget as she has early stage dementia.

OP posts:
JustMoved123 · 16/12/2025 17:18

@Rictasmorticia that sounds like a lovely idea, it might be too late for MIL but I might get one for me!

OP posts:
rwalker · 16/12/2025 17:20

Does she have broadband
get her an alexa brilliant for radio and reminders

tinyspiny · 16/12/2025 17:21

My MIL is mid 90s and she is getting a cashmere jumper , shower gels and hand cream from us .

DrEmilyCrabtree · 16/12/2025 17:36

A box of treats from Betty's of Harrogate bas bee my go to for that sort of present recently. If you go to their website you can choose from a wide range of things (in all price brackets) and getting sent to to them

Zanzara · 16/12/2025 17:52

Whisky. That's what I'd like, anyway.

AvonCallingBarksdale · 16/12/2025 19:44

I’ve got a monthly flower subscription for DM and a framed photo of her DGC. She doesn’t want stuff (88), and has limited mobility.

KnickerlessParsons · 16/12/2025 19:53

We bought our 93yo an electronic picture frame. All the gcs send photos to it and she loves it.
She’s also partial to a Pru Leith style chunky necklace and a lipstick.

Scottie1310 · 16/12/2025 20:40

Another vote for the electronic picture frame. I’m gonna get pictures of all the great grandchildren for my nanna who is a similar age

DangerousAlchemy · 16/12/2025 20:47

Rictasmorticia · 16/12/2025 13:58

My favourite present was a book where you can tell your life story. As my mum had dementia all her stories were lost. DD got me the book and it has all sorts of prompts, having things you would not necessarily think off. There is a space for photos too. She gave it to me at Christmas, it took me a year to complete and I gave back the following Christmas.

You can buy the books on Amazon

I love this idea 💗 both my parents are sadly dead so only myself and my 2 Dsis remember all the stories & my memory is shocking lately (peri M). I might do something like this for my own kids - DS18 & DD21

DangerousAlchemy · 16/12/2025 20:49

rwalker · 16/12/2025 17:20

Does she have broadband
get her an alexa brilliant for radio and reminders

My PIL also use Alexa in every room in case my MIL has a fall (she's disabled) so she can use it to ring my Fil mobile (he never leaves her so will be in house or garden somewhere) as they don't want to get her an alarm pendant/bracelet thingy (though they should too)

PoppityBoo · 16/12/2025 20:55

My grandma is 99 and for the past 5 years we’ve been getting her ‘the oldie’ magazine on subscription. She loves it!

IsThisACrazyThoughtDec25 · 16/12/2025 20:59

Turtledoves wrist warmers or seasalt circle scarf stood thing much appreciated by my elderly relatives.

StruggleFlourish · 16/12/2025 21:36

More than like that she doesn't want or need any gifts, almost all people I know over the age of 65 has told me that. They're usually in a state of getting rid of things rather than acquiring more things.
But that doesn't mean you want Christmas to come and go and you are empty-handed.
Keeping in mind this is usually just something that makes you the comma the giver feel better rather than the receiver (but, it depends on the person... Some people really love to receive gifts. Most of the seniors I know find it to be uncomfortable. They have to put on a happy face to receive things that they know they're not going to use / want but, they usually can regift, so not typically a big problem)

My recommendation is to go with consumable items. Nice things that you think she will like, that are not so incredibly perishable that they need to be used within a few days. Homemade treats are usually well received, signifying more effort / love on your part as the giver, however store-bought nice little lovely treats are also good because they can be more easily regifted/given to other people. (Some people do not like homemade treats if they do not know who it's from.)

You can always try to give items that would give comfort such as a warm throw or slippers, keeping in mind that she probably has enough throws, and slippers can be a bit of a personal item. Does she prefer to be soft does she prefer to be all around the foot, does she prefer it to have a hard soul, does she prefer to be a slip-in type or does she have to be able to bend over with her fingers to hook the back part of the slipper over her heel which might be a problem if she has any type of mobility issue... Plus some slippers are actually quite slippery underfoot or if they're oversized and you think this would be cozy and warm, they might actually pose a tripping hazard... Lots to consider for a 90-year-old, especially if they are not specifically telling you they're likes and dislikes...

If you know that she has a very favorite particular hair or nail salon that she really likes going to you could consider getting a gift certificate for that place for her, same thing if there is a very specific cafe or restaurant that she is able to get to (not just one that she used to go to or likes but actually is able to get to again, mobility issues or travel concerns being a practical deterrent to going out places) That can also be a nice gift but a lot of seniors don't love gift cards because they can't SEE the value that's on the card (if it's electronic) or they are concerned that it will expire before they have the opportunity to use it.

Doone22 · 16/12/2025 21:48

At that age I stick to (a) photo of their lovely grandson or (b) something edible/drinkable. If they don't want it they'll regift it.

GammonAndEgg · 16/12/2025 22:03

Got my 98 year old gran a scratch card and a helium balloon. She was absolutely ecstatic!! She said no one had bought her her own balloon since she was a child!

WonderingWanda · 16/12/2025 22:12

I see you are in Australia so not sure what thr equivalent might be but a Hamper filled with old fashioned sweets. Things like Pear drops, Army and Navy's, Cough Candy, Bon Bons etc. Some Hankies. Maybe some old fashioned soaps and handcreams.