Gift advice needed for older lady!

[oobiecoo]

I would like to get a gift for DH''s stepgrandmother. We aren''t close to her but she is a sweetie (to me, at least) and I know she will be there for Christmas. She is much older... in her 80s I guess, lives in an assisted care facility, she''s very difficult and picky (has moved probably 5 times in the past 2 years because everywhere she goes the people are "old" and she doesn''t like them). What would you recommend? We are making tins of baked goodies for everyone else in the family and though of making her one also but maybe modifying a few items so they don''t have as much sugar(I don''t think she''s diabetic but I assume you do have to be more careful at that age). Do you think that is ok? I''d like other suggestions... nothing more than $15-$20 though at the most. Thanks!

 

[Elmorton]

Gifts we used to give my great-grandma (who was in assisted living and sharp/active until her late 90''s when she passed away):
Oil of Olay lotion
Slippers with really good treads
A new housecoat if her current one was starting to get old
Note cards since she sent out a TON of cards - we''d get her a box of plain, a box of thank-you, a box of birthday, and I think a box of sympathy
Broaches/scarves for dressing up for church
Throw blankets/lap blankets
Books - esp crossword/find the word puzzles
And Ggma loved playing Scrabble with the ladies on her floor, so my mom got her a Scrabble Dictionary.

 

[laurel25]

What about a nice flowering plant that would brighten up her place? Something like a Christmas cactus or a cyclamen would be pretty and easy to care for. Or what about giving her a "certificate" for a day out with the two of you - you could take her to lunch and to get her hair done or to church or whatever she likes to do. I know my grandma who''s around that age, just loves to get visitors.

 

[bebe]

Ditto everything Elmorton said. My mom and MIL are both in assisted living and all those things would be nice.

Does she get out much? My mom didn''t (can''t now, has Alzheimers) but maybe a basket of good quality snacks/cheeses.
Things she couldn''t get in the dining room.

 

[oobiecoo]

I like your book idea, Elmorton. I know she likes to read... just not sure what exactly. Do you have any book recommendations?

Laurel- I know she likes plants so thats a possibility. Thanks!

bebe- I could bake her some nice mini loaves of bread but I'd hate for them to go bad too quickly. How long do you think they'd stay good in the fridge? I like the pepperidge farm stuff but I know its really processed so I don't know if she'd like that.


ETA: I've really only met her twice so I don't want to get too personal with things like clothes(not too sure of her style) or lotions(don't know how sensitive her skin is).

 

[Haven]

Picky? Doesn't like being around "old" people? She sounds JUST like my grandma! I'm afraid I won't be much help, though, because my grandma only ingests two things: Gallo dry Vermouth, and mint Milano cookies from Pepperidge Farm. It's very easy to shop for her.

Does she read? What about large-print books?
ETA: I just saw that you liked El's book idea. They always have John Grisham-y novels in large print at our local Half Price Books. My g-ma likes to read anything with a lot of suspense and action. And biographies of political figures.

 

[oobiecoo]

Date: 12/17/2008 10:23:06 PM
Author: Haven
Picky? Doesn''t like being around ''old'' people? She sounds JUST like my grandma! I''m afraid I won''t be much help, though, because my grandma only ingests two things: Gallo dry Vermouth, and mint Milano cookies from Pepperidge Farm. It''s very easy to shop for her.

Does she read? What about large-print books?
ETA: I just saw that you liked El''s book idea. They always have John Grisham-y novels in large print at our local Half Price Books. My g-ma likes to read anything with a lot of suspense and action. And biographies of political figures.

That''s hilarious! Half-Price is the only book store we have so its good to hear they have a good large-print selection.

 

[Kaleigh]

Date: 12/17/2008 10:23:06 PM
Author: Haven
Picky? Doesn't like being around 'old' people? She sounds JUST like my grandma! I'm afraid I won't be much help, though, because my grandma only ingests two things: Gallo dry Vermouth, and mint Milano cookies from Pepperidge Farm. It's very easy to shop for her.

Does she read? What about large-print books?
ETA: I just saw that you liked El's book idea. They always have John Grisham-y novels in large print at our local Half Price Books. My g-ma likes to read anything with a lot of suspense and action. And biographies of political figures.

OMG Haven , My Nanny was just like your Grandma.

Love the spunk!!!

A flowering plant
A large print book
Workbooks in large print. word jumbles and the like... Crosswords, etc...
The magnifying glass, their eyes go...Lighted if you can find it all the better....

A box of candy, always was a hit

She also adored me getting her comfy nighties and slippers. Gosh, I wish I could still be buying stuff for her. She was a love.

 

[swingirl]

And whatever you do DON''T cut down on the sugar if you bake some homemade goodies. Just because she''s old doesn''t mean she''s lost her sweet tooth. Unless someone''s diabetic they don''t need to cut down on their sugar intake just because they are old.

 

[that_someone_special]

Sugar is fine usually, and I don''t see many old people scarfing down the sweets. BUT things like thick caramel might be a bad idea.. (old people, old teeth...)

 

[Lorelei]

I find hand or foot lotion is often appreciated.