Need gift ideas!

[skimomma]

There is a couple in my life that I need gift ideas for.  I have been trying to think of something for weeks and am coming up blank.  The parameters:

1.  I can spend up to $100 total, so either up to $50 each or $100 for a joint gift.

2.  They are in their 80s, still living in their own house, and they are hoarders (so knickknacks are a no go).

3.  They no longer cook for themselves and have multiple food restrictions, the nature of which, I am not privy to.

4.  These are family friends who have done me some HUGE favors over the years but I am not close with them personally so personal items like photos aren't a good fit.

5.  They do not like flowers and/or plants.

6.  They wear orthotics, indoors and out, with special socks so any sort of footwear is off the table.  I have no idea what their clothing size and/or preference is.

7.  One is very hard of hearing and both are limited in mobility so "experience gifts" like tickets to something are not a good fit.

8.  They are not readers nor are they into puzzles, games, etc.... They also do not listen to music. They spend most of their time watching TV with the CC on.  They do not have a DVD player or computer.

9.  My mom, who also gives them gifts, has the market cornered on all things found in Sear's gift bins (like flashlights, multitools, car safety kits, etc.....).

10.  They do not like candles or bath stuff.

I cannot think a ANYTHING that does not violate one of the approve criteria.  Any ideas?  I'm desperate!!!!

[Kassia]

Grocery store or restaurant gift cards?  They could pick up prepared food at the grocery store.  Not sure about the dietary restrictions, though.  

Edited December 9, 2019 by Kassia

[happi duck]

If you have a way to find out if they have prime, netflix, hulu etc you can do a gift card for those.

I like the grocery store gift card mentioned above.   It could go with a fruit basket of you can find out if fruit is okay.

[73349]

Are there some books they might like, maybe in large print?

A nice wall calendar?

[skimomma]

I forgot an important detail.  They are wealthy.  Very wealthy.  So, they buy ME restaurant gift cards.  They have someone do all of their shopping and comes to their house to prepare and serve meals.  They rarely leave the house as all.  

My mom gets them a wall calendar every year so that is taken and they do not enjoy reading.  I seriously cannot think of a single idea.

I made them homemade corn sacks (the kind you can heat in the microwave) last year and that was a huge hit.  

 

[Spryte]

What about a fluffy throw to unwrap, something they can snuggle under while watching tv, and some sort of prepaid service?

If you know who does their yard work, pay for a month of lawn mowing, or gutter cleaning, or some sort of vehicle care.  (Not inside the house, if they hoard.)

Do they drive?  If not, you could prepay for transportation - whatever service they use.

I really like the grocery gift card idea, too!

They sound like special people to you, maybe just spending time with them is a good gift, too.

[Spryte]

Oops.  I just saw that they buy all of the suggestions I made.  
 

Maybe something homemade again, like the rice bags?

[Arcadia]

33 minutes ago, skimomma said:

2.  They are in their 80s, still living in their own house, and they are hoarders (so knickknacks are a no go).

4.  These are family friends who have done me some HUGE favors over the years but I am not close with them personally so personal items like photos aren't a good fit.

 

6 minutes ago, skimomma said:

I forgot an important detail.  They are wealthy.  Very wealthy.  

I made them homemade corn sacks (the kind you can heat in the microwave) last year and that was a huge hit.  

 

I have cousins and one of DH’s aunt would fit the very wealthy and hoarders description. I am not close to DH’s aunt but she has always been really nice to me and to everyone. Homemade gifts are appreciated because they can buy anything store bought.

They do appreciate store bought gifts that are specially chosen but that might be hard for people like my DH’s aunt where I don’t know her well enough to pick something special off the shelves or online. 

[plansrme]

A seasonal wreath for the front door.  A nice one (etsy has great options) is easily $100.  It's easy to tell if they have one already--it would be on the front door right now.

Harry & David's pears.  I know you said no food, but who can't eat a pear?  I hate pears, so not me, but most people, even those on food restrictions, can eat a pear.  Their presentation is lovely.  I gave my grandmother, who was similar in many ways, a three- or six-month subscription to H&D's fruit-of-the-month club, and she enjoyed it.

 

[skimomma]

24 minutes ago, Spryte said:

 

They sound like special people to you, maybe just spending time with them is a good gift, too.

 

They are special.  I live 10 hours away from them so won't be able to see them during the holidays but I always make sure to set aside time to spend with them whenever we are in town.

[skimomma]

16 minutes ago, Arcadia said:

 

 

I have cousins and one of DH’s aunt would fit the very wealthy and hoarders description. I am not close to DH’s aunt but she has always been really nice to me and to everyone. Homemade gifts are appreciated because they can buy anything store bought.

They do appreciate store bought gifts that are specially chosen but that might be hard for people like my DH’s aunt where I don’t know her well enough to pick something special off the shelves or online. 

 

That is what is tripping me up.  I am not really "crafty" but I made corn bags for them years (decades, maybe) ago and they used them so much they wore out....which made for a very handy gift idea last year.  But I am out of homemade ideas that would not just be more clutter.  They seriously don't need, or even want, anything from a store but I also know they really love having gifts to open on Christmas.

[skimomma]

13 minutes ago, plansrme said:

A seasonal wreath for the front door.  A nice one (etsy has great options) is easily $100.  It's easy to tell if they have one already--it would be on the front door right now.

Harry & David's pears.  I know you said no food, but who can't eat a pear?  I hate pears, so not me, but most people, even those on food restrictions, can eat a pear.  Their presentation is lovely.  I gave my grandmother, who was similar in many ways, a three- or six-month subscription to H&D's fruit-of-the-month club, and she enjoyed it.

 

 

Well, I can't see their door without driving ten hours, but I doubt they have one.  So, that is an idea.

They send us gifts every year....including about half of the Harry and David catalog, including pears.  Would it be tacky for me to send them the same thing I know they are going to send us?

 

[J-rap]

I've given a nice flower centerpiece to people like this.  Something festive for the holidays?

[mominco]

 I have a few people in my life like your friends op!My go to gift 

https://www.neimanmarcus.com/p/the-dark-chocolate-bakery-sacher-torte-prod204530092?childItemId=NMHB9DS_&navpath=cat000000_cat000553_cat40350757&page=0&position=14&uuid=PDP_PAGINATION_09ebd14f3243f591be0c2480e19e1d70_zUn7hgyKoa90gJFIgz_0rqhXOUK-on0dUYeCKu2l.jsession

I have not had any one complain about this cake ever.With my aunt its a default and she gets upset if I don't send it.She does not eat it but she serves it to  her guests!Do look at their other gourmet foods.

https://www.neimanmarcus.com/c/home-gourmet-food-cat40350757

[gardenmom5]

2 hours ago, skimomma said:

I forgot an important detail.  They are wealthy.  Very wealthy.  So, they buy ME restaurant gift cards.  They have someone do all of their shopping and comes to their house to prepare and serve meals.  They rarely leave the house as all.  

My mom gets them a wall calendar every year so that is taken and they do not enjoy reading.  I seriously cannot think of a single idea.

I made them homemade corn sacks (the kind you can heat in the microwave) last year and that was a huge hit.  

 

would they like being taken to a ballet?  it something they can watch, but hearing is less important.

My friend's brother is rather "well off" - and his favorite gift from her is homemade divinity.  to the point the year she didn't send him some, he complained.

an electronic foot massager? the kind that gives a really good massage?

[happi duck]

I was not picturing wealthy.  Hmmm.

I like the floral centerpiece idea above unless you know they would keep the dried remains. 

Edible arrangement if fruit is okay?  

Do they drink tea?  There are probably interesting seasonal teas.

[Selkie]

I was going to suggest a centerpiece, too. I send one to my dad and his gf every year. Harry and David has very pretty, Christmasy ones.

[Arcadia]

1 hour ago, skimomma said:

 

That is what is tripping me up.  I am not really "crafty" but I made corn bags for them years (decades, maybe) ago and they used them so much they wore out....which made for a very handy gift idea last year.  But I am out of homemade ideas that would not just be more clutter.  

 

How about a homemade tea cozy. My elderly aunts made those before their eyesight was too bad to do so.

e.g 

crochet version (my friends made these kind to give away as gifts) https://www.diys.com/easy-crocheted-tea-cozies/

cloth/quilt version (my elderly aunts use these kind as they are easily washable if need to) https://www.barharbortea.com/product-page/new-england-homemade-tea-cozy

[WendyLady]

Can you donate in their name?  Chickens or clean water?  My parents are donating a pig in my kids' names:  https://cwsbestgift.org/gift/a-pig-in-haiti/?utm_source=cwsglobal&utm_medium=lp111119&utm_campaign=ldsgm  through Christmas Giving Machines

If you do a pig or a chicken, then you could give a little ornament for their tree with a note about their donation.

I send fruit from The Fruit Company to my in laws every year.  We know the growers from Hood River, Oregon and love to support local farmers.  And my in laws have everything...

[matrips]

A really heartfelt and appreciative letter to them?  It sounds like they really don’t need monetary gifts.

[Chris in VA]

Dvd players can be had for less than 50 bucks. That and a couple fun movies?

[mmasc]

How about these? Or are they too much like your homemade warmers?

https://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/store/product/anti-stress-microwavable-comfort-wrap/1016883620?skuId=16883620&gclsrc=aw.ds&&mrkgcl=609&mrkgadid=3254088494&rkg_id=0&enginename=google&mcid=PS_googlepla_nonbrand_brand_local&product_id=16883620&adtype=pla&product_channel=local&adpos=1o1&creative=233266395762&device=m&matchtype=&network=g&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI3fO03aup5gIVAdbACh02hgo5EAQYASABEgJ18_D_BwE

I like the DVD player and movies idea too. 

[skimomma]

Thanks everyone!  I ordered a wreath for their door and a digital indoor/outdoor thermometer.  Not sure about the thermometer but I don't recall seeing one when I visited last so fingers crossed.  

I got too nervous about food because one of them is very picky and the other has a lot of sensitivities.  With my luck, I'd order something they couldn't use.....

[plansrme]

5 hours ago, skimomma said:

 

 

They send us gifts every year....including about half of the Harry and David catalog, including pears.  Would it be tacky for me to send them the same thing I know they are going to send us?

 

Ha, yes!  I would also feel weird about that.  Glad the wreath may be an option!  I love wreaths.