How are your elderly parents going to do their christmas shopping?

[Skipsurvey]

in fact how is everyone intending to do their Christmas shopping ?
worried about by stubborn mother who refused my suggestion that I buy online for her.

What do they normal do?

I'm going to go to the shops the same as any other year. My 90 year old nanna will do the same.

My mother will be doing it online I presume.

well there isnt normally a pandemic worry

crack on dm, take the bus, go into the shops?

My elderly relatives are and will be shopping as normal. There are very few pleasures left for them so I wouldn’t dream of suggesting that they don’t.

Some shops still have open hours that are just for the vulnerable might be quiter to go then

This lockdown, my Mum is doing most of her shopping, M&S, Boots and WHSmith, with me getting heavy items from Tescos. As she's in those shops anyway, I've told her to buy whatever she can carry now. She only has five to shop for, I've got her something for DH and she'll add cash.

I work in a town shop, there was a noticeable increase this week in customers) takings, some are obviously doing it now.

I did a bulk shop where I work mid October, and have been getting items from Tescos. The rest will be Amazon and a couple of small local shops when open..

My 80yo DM will go to the shops like usual. The shops here are still open. 93yo FIL doesn't buy Christmas gifts anymore.

DM is giving money. DFIL seems to be utilising me and DSIL to do it for him online.

Have you asked her what she plans to do?

Mine will be doing it online. My DM hates online shopping, especially Amazon, but she has accepted it will be necessary this year.

My GF is giving everyone money this year, he’d normally give vouchers and small gifts but doesn’t want to risk companies going bust.

@Skipsurvey

well there isnt normally a pandemic worry

No, there isn't, however I asked how they normally do it because it's really relevant to know the ability, irrespective of pandemic.

@Skipsurvey

crack on dm, take the bus, go into the shops?

Well yes, lots of older people have been doing this throughout.

We'll find out this week what's going to be open Christmas. I'm in Ireland. My parents are gone but I've said to mil to not go buying presents and if she really wants to send something to send an online voucher. She's the type that would put her health at risk to please others. I'm cutting back on presents and those who are adamant that we do presents will be getting vouchers, saves me the hassle thinking up what to buy.

My 88 year old mother is shopping online. On her own. She's pretty tech savvy.

Online, as usual. Home delivery if available or click and collect if not.

We’ve agreed no presents apart from for kids which can be bought online. We didn’t want elderly relatives feeling pressured to go into town to buy presents. All food will be delivered, we already have a Christmas slot thankfully as they have now sold out.

My 87 year old dad will be shopping online as he’s been doing all along including supermarket deliveries.

My 90 year old mother can't wait to get back to M&S after 2nd. She'll do the heavy shopping online.

My MIL is doing most of her shopping online and hoping to pick up one or two bits if/when the shops reopen.

My own DM gave up on buying presents a long time ago and either relies on me doing it for for my DC or just gives us all money instead.

Dm is looking at Amazon for A few people overseas. She has asked me to sort something specific for DD and she will pay me back. I have no idea about the rest of us siblings but suspect Amazon will be used there as well, or other Irish online retailers who deliver. I know she is raiding her “gift closet” for extended family (my DAunts and DUncles).

She is not planning on going shopping. Food shopping is being done by DSiblings living nearby - no online slots available from their local shops since March. I think that will continue until at least January and however long any future lockdowns last.

And for the first time in over 40 years, DF is not going to the city near them on Christmas Eve for last shopping and lunch. And they’ve also cancelled 2 things they usually host over Christmas/NY - house is reserved for “immediate family” (their own DCs and DGCs who live in this country - those overseas can’t travel).

And I have no idea what DMIL is doing - but she is also staying at home with DBIL doing her groceries. And she’s not so good at online shopping, but DSisIL May well be drafted to do that for her (both DSisIL and ourselves are not local to her but in the same country, but DBIL is very local to her - just dreadful at shopping!).

I have been doing MIL's for the past few years, she is now unable to get out at all pretty much. She also has a history of being in hospital in the run up to Christmas.

My Mum will just give me money to get them something, logistics really of a 180 mile gap between us.

I don't like Christmas shopping so mostly done online anyway. All non local relatives will be getting vouchers that can be used online or presents will be given in the summer when I see them again.

On line, with assistance from us where required. 3 out of 4 are shielding and are being super careful. Doubly so now they know that there's light ar the end of the tunnel.