Stuck for a Christmas gift idea for an older person

Jackie23 said:
Yes...yummy food or take someone out to eat or to a movie.
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our cinemas ( movie theatres)... became so expensive that hadly anybody went to them, so in the last few years they've become almost extinct, so many have closed down
 

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If the recipient is on a very tight budget, maybe cash which could be used to pay bills would be greatly appreciated, or pay one of their bills (electric/gas comes to mind). Do they wear dentures, are they diabetic or diet restricted, which may affect food choices? One of the best gifts I ever received was a miniature food processer during a time when I was having extensive dental work done. I still use it.

Do they do puzzles? I had a puzzle gift that was so fun I actually hung it on the wall. Love it! A framed favorite photo might also be nice. Do they have a pet? A friend of mine sends my dogs new toys every Christmas.

Time is always a great gift.
 
Aunt Bea said:
Your time is probably the best thing that you can give to an older person.

Plan a lunch date, offer to do a small DIY project, offer a few rides to run errands, or just get together for a visit without any unnecessary gifts.
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yep time is a great gift , and most people are loathe to give it... also help around the house or garden.. so as we're all older people here as in the Op.. who is going to be offering time with me.. or whose going to offer to come and help me with housework ?... Nobody !

remember we're not talking about our ancient elders here we're talking about us.. WE are the seniors.WE are the older people...and I for one don't want Pontsettias, Cheese and jam baskets.. or passé gifts given to older folks that we though were acceptable when we were younger..


I want someone to think... she need a skiing holiday companion .. ... she needs someone to clear her attic... she needs company for a couple of hours in the evening.. she needs to go dancing witth someone...... she neds someone to turn her mattress.. ( not me, but you get the point)

I don't want people to think that giving a tin of toffees tied up with Ribbon with a fancy store' name on it.. to be how to think of what seniors would love someone to buy for them, just because they're older..
 

Aunt Bea said:
Your time is probably the best thing that you can give to an older person.

Plan a lunch date, offer to do a small DIY project, offer a few rides to run errands, or just get together for a visit without any unnecessary gifts.
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Assuming they like you! LOLOLOL Some people are too polite to tell you a sad truth!
 
hollydolly said:
the last thing you put in a hot water bottle is scalding water..every bottle tells you not to use boiling water ..and you will only find cheap plugs on poor quality bottles...
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Correct!
How about put cold water in it and nuke it on low power, flip it in the microwave until it is JUUUUSSSTTT right.
 
"I for one don't want Pontsettias, Cheese and jam baskets.. or passé gifts given to older folks that we though were acceptable when we were younger.."

If one cannot decide just give them small bill cash rather than spend on a gift for deposit in a trash can or unhealthy snacks and food they wouldn't eat if it were not sitting there staring them in the face because they haven't the heart to toss a gift they don't want?

I like to tip. An envelop full of 1s and 5s would be great!!!
 
I enjoy anything with snaps instead of buttons, and that doesn't look as if my mother would have worn it when she was 70.

Black silk or satin, no itchy lace, 3/4 sleeves; with snaps; mid thigh comes to mind, panties to match.

We may be old, but we aren't dead!
 
CooCooforCoCoPuffs said:
"I for one don't want Pontsettias, Cheese and jam baskets.. or passé gifts given to older folks that we though were acceptable when we were younger.."

If one cannot decide just give them small bill cash rather than spend on a gift for deposit in a trash can or unhealthy snacks and food they wouldn't eat if it were not sitting there staring them in the face because they haven't the heart to toss a gift they don't want?

I like to tip. An envelop full of 1s and 5s would be great!!!
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Precisely !!!
 
hollydolly said:
our cinemas ( movie theatres)... became so expensive that hadly anybody went to them, so in the last few years they've become almsot extinct
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Same here when it comes to movies. Also, someone older may not want to venture out so much, which brings me to a DVD player as a gift. I have one and can borrow movies from the library and watch them from the comfort of home.
 
I've been playing around with battery-based "portable power station" devices and charging them with solar panels. The solar charging is optional, they can be charged from AC power or car "cigar lighter" ports as well.

Here is a smaller and cheaper model of a high-quality unit that I got for half off a while back:

BLUETTI AC50B Review (My thoughts)

That one runs about $270 to $300 on sale, though there are cheaper brands. Just look for the features needed.

While these have several obvious uses, they can also serve as an Uninterruptable Power Supply (UPS) for things like computers... or even medical equipment (oxygen concentrators, CPAP machines, etc.) that older folks may be dependent upon. They can be plugged in, charging until full, while at the same time passing AC line power through to the attached equipment. If the power fails, the battery and inverter take over.

You'll probably want one scaled to power critical devices through the night 10 hours to even 24 hours. Anything larger is going to be very heavy and much more pricey.

One of these could even be used in the car for a long trip. Many oxygen concentrators are designed for portability, but they need power. Instead of lugging an oxygen tank instead and worrying that it may run out, you could power the concentrator in the car from one of these power stations. They can even be recharged from the car "lighter" port at the same time.

At your destination, drag Granny inside with her concentrator and plug in inside the house until time to go home.

At home in UPS Mode a small lamp can be plugged in along with the medical equipment, and phone charging can be done as needed.

This might be great to allay power outage fears. Though there are tons of options, normal-use setup and operation is very simple.


If Gramps or Granny loves fiddling with tech, throw in a compatible 100 watt portable solar panel. Then they can geek out over options, as described here and elsewhere:

Bluetti UPS Modes Explained

And they are great for campers, drone hobbyists, digital photographers and videographers, etc.
 
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