Misty Posted August 21, 2010 Share Posted August 21, 2010 He and my grandmother (93) still live independently on their farm.. they are retired from farming, but they still live there without help.. Anyway, any ideas on what to bring my grandfather for his birthday? His mind is still there, his sight is so-so, and his hearing is so-so. He gets around okay, still drives short distances (in our small town). He is diabetic and I was thinking of bringing him a diabetic treat, but I have celiac disease so I can't make anything with gluten in my house. If anyone has any wonderful ideas that are safe for him to eat and me to prepare.. please share! My grandmother can't cook anymore so food would be perfect if I could just figure something out that is safe. Any other ideas? They already have plenty of Snuggies and socks :lol: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EJCMom Posted August 21, 2010 Share Posted August 21, 2010 I don't know if you're a scrapbooker or not, but my grandfather's favorite gift ever (he said) was the year I took a big box of his old photographs and put them all in a scrapbook for him. He actually cried when I gave it to him, and he wasn't a very emotionally expressive man. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Homemaker Posted August 21, 2010 Share Posted August 21, 2010 My grandparents really like gift cards to go out to eat. I know it isn't really personal, but they like it and it is able to save my grandmother from having to cook for a meal. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Remudamom Posted August 21, 2010 Share Posted August 21, 2010 Bring yourself, your children and lots of hugs and kisses. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Misty Posted August 21, 2010 Author Share Posted August 21, 2010 Bring yourself, your children and lots of hugs and kisses. LOL.. Well, we do that every Sunday.. this time I want to make him feel special!! :) Thanks everyone for the ideas! Keep them coming! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dandelion Posted August 21, 2010 Share Posted August 21, 2010 How about some great audio recordings of his favorite classic books? Since reading might be difficult at this point... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Starr Posted August 21, 2010 Share Posted August 21, 2010 One of those super duper WTM fancy birthday cakes. :D We made little cars from cake molds and put them on a race track. They were a hit! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
regentrude Posted August 21, 2010 Share Posted August 21, 2010 My grandmother most enjoyed photo books and recordings from my children. She did not want/need any stuff. You could also invite him to a special outing with you and your family. At that age, I think the most appreciated gift might be time together. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
newlifemom Posted August 21, 2010 Share Posted August 21, 2010 I brought my 98 yr old g-ma a balloon. She loved it. I am so glad I changed my mind. I had a plant. She got lots of plants. I also like the idea of scrapbooking his photos. Nothing fancy, just in a nice book. KWIM? Enjoy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GoVanGogh Posted August 21, 2010 Share Posted August 21, 2010 I know you said it is your grandfather's birthday - but is he sentimental about any special flower? Maybe a nice bouquet of sunny daisies? What about a digital photo frame, loaded with pictures? Gift basket of cheese and crackers? Nice assortment of coffees? Some homemade soups that can be frozen and reheated as needed? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chelle in MO Posted August 21, 2010 Share Posted August 21, 2010 How about a blessing jar? Write down good memories you have of him, quotes you think he'd like, Bible verses if he'd appreciate those. And ask other family members to contribute to it, too. You could also put in things like a coupon to go to a park w/you or pictures your kids have drawn. What a blessing to still have your grandparents at those ages! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dobela Posted August 21, 2010 Share Posted August 21, 2010 I was going to suggest a letter telling him how he has impacted your life and what some of your favorite memories are. If you want to take diabetic snacks, I would just go to the grocery store and stock up on premade. I did that once for my grandpa-a big basket filled with cookies, crackers, and assorted junk food (he loved junk food LOL) and he would always tell the family he wanted another one at his next gift receiving occassion LOL. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
*Jessica* Posted August 21, 2010 Share Posted August 21, 2010 Subbing for ideas. Marc's grandmother just turned 92 and her party is tomorrow. We always give her Scotch, because she drinks a glass or two every night, but that is such a predictable gift at this point. And since it's a gift, we usually give her the expensive stuff, which she recently told us is a waste of money since she doesn't mind the cheap stuff that comes in the gallon jug! :lol: I need a new idea so I don't have to resort to buying cheap liquor! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GoVanGogh Posted August 21, 2010 Share Posted August 21, 2010 Marc's grandmother just turned 92 and her party is tomorrow. We always give her Scotch, because she drinks a glass or two every night, but that is such a predictable gift at this point. And since it's a gift, we usually give her the expensive stuff, which she recently told us is a waste of money since she doesn't mind the cheap stuff that comes in the gallon jug! :lol: I need a new idea so I don't have to resort to buying cheap liquor! Thanks for the giggle and memories this morning. My grandmother passed away six years ago and she loved a bit of Scotch in the evening, too. I miss her dearly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Teachin'Mine Posted August 21, 2010 Share Posted August 21, 2010 (edited) Since you're there every Sunday, maybe make up some cute certificates which he can redeem for chores which need doing. Then spend one of those Sundays, or a different day, with the whole family doing some things that need doing there. You can also buy some pre-made diabetic treats so you don't need to have any of the ingredients in the house. :) On edit: Here's some: http://www.amazon.com/Josephs-Sugar-Free-Cookies-Assortment/dp/B0008JF9FY/ref=sr_1_8?ie=UTF8&s=grocery&qid=1282400907&sr=8-8 Edited August 21, 2010 by Teachin'Mine Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beth in OH Posted August 21, 2010 Share Posted August 21, 2010 I know that when I hear a song from when I was about 20 years old, it takes me right back to that time. If I'm counting correctly, that would be 1936 for your g'pa. Here's a list of popular music from that year. How about a downloaded cd? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1936_in_music Here's a link to the greatest films of 1936: http://www.filmsite.org/1936.html Perhaps your g'pa saw some of these in a theater and would like to rewatch on DVD? I recently attended an art showing of a restored copy of the 1948 movie, The Red Shoes. I expected the theater to be filled with hipsters, but no, it was filled with senior citizens remembering when they had watched the film the first time in their youth! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Teachin'Mine Posted August 21, 2010 Share Posted August 21, 2010 Another thought, how about a bird feeder put where he can see it from the window? You can give him a big bag of birdseed and refill the feeder when you go on Sundays. Or, if you have hummingbirds in the area, a hummingbird feeder that goes on the window. :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kalanamak Posted August 21, 2010 Share Posted August 21, 2010 H Any other ideas? They already have plenty of Snuggies and socks :lol: Do they have DVD or VCR? My dad enjoyed the favorite movies of his younger days like It Happened One Night, Front Page, Some Like It Hot, etc. He knew the plot, caught the references (which he would miss in a modern movie), relived more lively times... Could you cook something there, like a cheese souffle? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Misty Posted August 21, 2010 Author Share Posted August 21, 2010 Wow!! So many fantastic ideas!!! I don't know which to choose, LOL... Thanks everyone for the great ideas!! So glad I asked here! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chelle in MO Posted August 21, 2010 Share Posted August 21, 2010 Wow!! So many fantastic ideas!!! I don't know which to choose, LOL... Thanks everyone for the great ideas!! So glad I asked here! Have fun tomorrow, and tell Grandpa we said happy birthday! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Corraleno Posted August 21, 2010 Share Posted August 21, 2010 This would actually be a present for next year, but you could start working on it now: what I'm doing for DH's 80-yo uncle is videotaping him while tells his life story. I do a little every week (the stories are all out of order, he just talks about things as they occur to him), and eventually I will edit it all together in chronological order in iMovie, add in stills of different people/places/events, add some stories about him from other relatives, etc. and put it all on DVD. It will probably be a multi-DVD set, given how much he likes to talk and what a good memory he has! :D The biggest impact of the present for the recipient is knowing that their lives will never be forgotten and their grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and even as-yet-unborn great-great-grandchildren will get to "know" them and hear their stories. I soooo wish we had done this with my FIL; he had such an amazing life and so many stories to tell, and my kids hardly knew him. :( Jackie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
justamouse Posted August 21, 2010 Share Posted August 21, 2010 For living that long and being independent, I'd bring him a bottle of Crown Royale. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.