Gift Ideas?!?

[sunflower]

I am at a total loss for what to buy my grandmother. Now I realize that I have known her for 33 years and no one here has even met her once (that I know of) so of course I know her better than anyone here. But I have no idea what to buy her.

This is a woman who downsized a house full of 45 years worth of stuff into a small studio apartment. She pretty much has no room for anything. Last year was good, I upgraded all her pictures of me to new ones but now that is done and I have no ideas for this year at all. I usually resort to jewelry and it's getting old, I have a feeling she thinks "oh great, another pair of earrings..." plus then I always get earrings, which I never wear (I think she thinks I like them since I give them so much!).

She likes to cook/bake, knit (but doesn't do it much due to arthritis), travel and do volunteer work. Random information, maybe it will be helpful.

Oh and to top it off, we're doing a $20 limit per person. But I'm crafty with coupons so if you have more expensive ideas, throw them out there! Any suggestions are welcome.

[andrewjackson]

I think picture frames are always a good gift.

[MarleysGh0st]

Food items are good and won't take up any (permanent) space in her apartment.

Or a gift card to a local restaurant, if you don't cook/bake, yourself.

[tlynn78]

Does she have a favorite tv show/movie? You could get her the dvd - lots of older stuff out in addition to the newer ones. I love to get books from my favorite authors, too. I won't spend the money for a hardback, always wait for the paperback to come out. My grandma liked to get flavored teas she could share with her friends; I gave her some one year with a pretty little teapot and matching cups - she loved it. You might also consider a 'coupon book' good for rides, taking her to a movie or lunch, stuff like that...

t.

[Appa23]

It's your Nana! I say forget the price limit and get her a digital picture frame so that she can have several different photos of grandkids or whatever at one time.

[a1mamacat]

Give her an appointment at a spa for a deluxe manicure. If her hands bother her from the arthritis, then pretty nails might make her feel better.

[MarkBarrett]

Along the line of photo ideas: A family photo calendar or those photo postage stamps? Or even a book or sheet or regular postage stamps?

Instead of earrings: pins for different holidays throughout the year

I've seen various animals for windows that have different outfits to wear for holidays.

A box filled with wrapping paper/ribbons/bows to handle different occasions

One of those optic fiber color-changing lights that come in many designs

[clem21]

Along the line of photo ideas: A family photo calendar or those photo postage stamps? Or even a book or sheet or regular postage stamps?

I was going to make this same suggestion. For her birthday, I got my grandma this calendar and I added all her kids' and grandkids' birthdays/anniversaries with pictures in the appropriate boxes. I also added family holiday pics to corresponding holiday date boxes.

http://www2.snapfish.com/storecalendars/size=8x11#top

She absolutely loved it (and I'm pretty sure it wasn't the usual fake grandkid present happiness)

If you put a bit of work in, it's a cheap and very personal gift that's great for a grandma I think...

[SportsFan68]

These are all great ideas. At the risk of agreeing with Clem and making him think I'm trying for Clem points, I agree with the personalized calendar idea. My 79-year-old friend gets one every year from her oldest daughter and loves it. Not only that, despite limited space, she saves them all.

[kayrharris]

I have to agree with Sprots, Joey's calendar is a great gift. Of course, I like all the other
suggestions too! I'd probably spend more than $20 too, but maybe she wouldn't notice.

[SportsFan68]

I have to agree with Sprots, Joey's calendar is a great gift. Of course, I like all the other
suggestions too! I'd probably spend more than $20 too, but maybe she wouldn't notice.

Hey!

Quit trying to snag some of my points!

[kayrharris]

I have to agree with Sprots, Joey's calendar is a great gift. Of course, I like all the other
suggestions too! I'd probably spend more than $20 too, but maybe she wouldn't notice.

Hey!

Quit trying to snag some of my points!

[clem21]

I have to agree with Sprots, Joey's calendar is a great gift. Of course, I like all the other
suggestions too! I'd probably spend more than $20 too, but maybe she wouldn't notice.

Hey!

Quit trying to snag some of my points!

Stop fighting.....

2 Clem points to Sprots for agreeing with me and excellent usage of an "I'm not really joking but I'm using a smiley so I can pretend I was joking" smiley. This brings Sprots' total up to 1.

1 Clem point to Kay just 'cuz I'm in a good mood. Don't make it a habit Kay, nobody likes a suckup This brings Kay's total up to 2

[a1mamacat]

Hey!

Quit trying to snag some of my points!

Stop fighting.....

2 Clem points to Sprots for agreeing with me and excellent usage of an "I'm not really joking but I'm using a smiley so I can pretend I was joking" smiley. This brings Sprots' total up to 1.

1 Clem point to Kay just 'cuz I'm in a good mood. Don't make it a habit Kay, nobody likes a suckup This brings Kay's total up to 2

Pot - meet Kettle

[kayrharris]

Hey!

Quit trying to snag some of my points!

Stop fighting.....

2 Clem points to Sprots for agreeing with me and excellent usage of an "I'm not really joking but I'm using a smiley so I can pretend I was joking" smiley. This brings Sprots' total up to 1.

1 Clem point to Kay just 'cuz I'm in a good mood. Don't make it a habit Kay, nobody likes a suckup This brings Kay's total up to 2

But last night Sprots wanted negative points!!

[clem21]

Stop fighting.....

2 Clem points to Sprots for agreeing with me and excellent usage of an "I'm not really joking but I'm using a smiley so I can pretend I was joking" smiley. This brings Sprots' total up to 1.

1 Clem point to Kay just 'cuz I'm in a good mood. Don't make it a habit Kay, nobody likes a suckup This brings Kay's total up to 2

Pot - meet Kettle

I am NOT a suckup. People just naturally are attracted to my sparkling personality and great sense of humor.
C'mon Saucy,
Don't Hate, Appreciate

[littlebeast13]

Stop fighting.....

2 Clem points to Sprots for agreeing with me and excellent usage of an "I'm not really joking but I'm using a smiley so I can pretend I was joking" smiley. This brings Sprots' total up to 1.

1 Clem point to Kay just 'cuz I'm in a good mood. Don't make it a habit Kay, nobody likes a suckup This brings Kay's total up to 2

But last night Sprots wanted negative points!!

I love negative points!

I didn't realize Clem gave them out though, so I guess I'm gonna have to try harder to piss him off now....

lb13

[kayrharris]

Stop fighting.....

2 Clem points to Sprots for agreeing with me and excellent usage of an "I'm not really joking but I'm using a smiley so I can pretend I was joking" smiley. This brings Sprots' total up to 1.

1 Clem point to Kay just 'cuz I'm in a good mood. Don't make it a habit Kay, nobody likes a suckup This brings Kay's total up to 2

But last night Sprots wanted negative points!!

I love negative points!

I didn't realize Clem gave them out though, so I guess I'm gonna have to try harder to piss him off now....

lb13

Should be absolutely no problem since that's your specialty!

[SportsFan68]

There's Kay!

Come to chat!