Gift ideas for 99 year old?

[Spryte]

DH’s birth grandmother. We have only met her a few times. Traveling to her party and need a small gift. Any ideas?

She lives at home, alone but help is nearby. Very sharp, healthy.

[Laura Corin]

Hand cream? My mum's hands got very dry. Local cookies/candy?

[Hyacinth]

A small, easy-to-care-for potted plant?

[Spryte]

26 minutes ago, Laura Corin said:

Hand cream? My mum's hands got very dry. Local cookies/candy?

Hand cream is a good idea! Any recommendations for a good brand?

[Spryte]

Just now, Hyacinth said:

A small, easy-to-care-for potted plant?

This would be perfect, but I am not sure we can get it there — it is a long drive and a couple hotel stays away. I am not sure a plant would make it, unfortunately.

[Hyacinth]

1 minute ago, Spryte said:

This would be perfect, but I am not sure we can get it there — it is a long drive and a couple hotel stays away. I am not sure a plant would make it, unfortunately.

Can you buy one when you get to your destination?

[marbel]

I like the idea of nice hand cream, I like Aveeno but I'm sure there are better ones for a gift.

But what I really came to say is: if you like the house plant idea, and if buying at destination seems impractical, you could carry one with you. We brought a few houseplants when we moved cross-country several years ago. We put them in an open box, set them in the car where they got some light, kept them well-watered, and carried them into the hotel at night. They all made it just fine. 

But, assuming you won't have a terrible time crunch at your destination, buying there would be my pick for ease. 

[Spryte]

I’m leaning toward nice hand cream, and maybe some edible treats. I do like the plant idea, but it’s not practical for this trip. 
 

Open to any more ideas, too! Or hand cream suggestions — we are so limited in choices at our house, I’m not sure what might be good for people with no allergies.

[Drama Llama]

One gift that has been really well received by our elder was blown glass flowers, something like this:

tulips

Irises

They catch the light in a beautiful way that makes them seem alive, and they don't take up much room or need tending.  

 

I agree that hand cream is also a lovely idea.  

Edited June 24 by Drama Llama

[kbutton]

Cerave is a nice brand for overall lotion—it’s allergen-friendly. I assume they have a hand cream somewhere in their line.

 

 

[almondbutterandjelly]

My elderly father is always cold, so I get him blankets a lot. Since he is in a facility, I get them monogrammed with first initial and last name from LL Bean. Not sure if that would be a good idea for your situation, but thought I’d mention it. Also cardigan sweaters are good. 

[Drama Llama]

Another gift that has been a hit with elders here is greeting cards.  Not greeting cards written to the older person, although I'd include one of those, but beautiful cards that they can send to their loved ones.  Birthday, thank you, blank, whatever.  

[Kassia]

We like this one, but there are so many good ones to choose from:  https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000NKFU98/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

My MIL likes socks and single serving snacks like pudding cups, goldfish, peanuts, pretzels, pringles, candies, etc. and she loves chocolate, but I don't know if you want to give food as a gift.  

ETA - I forgot that my MIL also likes lip balm.  This cream is another good one: https://www.target.com/p/nivea-soft-moisturizing-cr-232-me-body-face-and-hand-cream-scented-6-8oz/-/A-11002959?ref=tgt_adv_xsp&AFID=google&fndsrc=tgtao&DFA=71700000012735304&CPNG=PLA_Beauty%2BPersonal+Care%2BShopping_Local|Beauty_Ecomm_Beauty&adgroup=SC_Health%2BBeauty&LID=700000001170770pgs&LNM=PRODUCT_GROUP&network=g&device=c&location=9015256&targetid=pla-894573305699&ds_rl=1246978&gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjwsuSzBhCLARIsAIcdLm5SfQiK9SA-FWK5fXdyu4nUOdy6zjvXbKYctHQxrFy8K_zIMM1f5_IaAtskEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds

Edited June 24 by Kassia

[EKS]

My 93yo father always enjoys a good box of chocolates.

[Jaybee]

I'd go for something consumable. I love fresh flowers, myself. So many products are difficult when you account for personal sensitivities/preferences, as well as how much they may already own. You can't really transport flowers like that, but nicer grocery chains like Publix have pretty arrangements that are not huge or hugely expensive that you could pick up once you arrive.

[Spryte]

Oh! Yes, something consumable is a good plan. Big family = lots of gifts, I would think.

We have a local beekeeper who makes hand cream and some other products. I may look at their selection to see if anything might work.

[marbel]

Allergies or no, I always go with unscented creams/lotions for gifts, unless I am certain the person likes scented things. I don't have allergies but my husband does, so we keep scents low here. It's come to the point that I hate scented things, probably because I'm not exposed to them very often.

I like fresh flowers, too, if brought in a vase so no one has to mess with them at the event. 

Lip balm - oh my, I think lip balm is a wonderful gift. I've seen gift sets with various flavors. 

I am not so very old, but I am still happy when someone brings me a gift, even if it's something I can't or don't want to use. I just give it away. (Scented things go to my daughter who loves them and lives with roommates who love them too.) 

Edited June 24 by marbel

[Laura Corin]

1 hour ago, Spryte said:

Hand cream is a good idea! Any recommendations for a good brand?

I am probably too far away to make a good suggestion. 

[Teaching3bears]

She might like framed photos of your family or DH.  Or a blanket or throw. For hand cream, I like Andalou lavender and Yardley rose.  I have mild chemical sensitivities and these don’t bother me. 

[Corraleno]

Burt's Bees has some nice sets, like this one with three different hand creams or this one with honey hand and body creams plus lip balm. Another brand I like for creams and lotions is Pacifica.

The wifi-connected photo frames have been a big hit with all of my elderly relatives. Friends and family use a code or password to remotely upload photos, and the recipient can choose how the photos display. If she already has one, you can ask for the password and add photos of your family.

[TechWife]

Someone to come and give her a hand and/or shoulder massage, perhaps.

[HomeAgain]

I have started giving those paper pop up bouquets to older folks.  Our bookstore carries a few varieties from LovePop as well as some similar ones. 

They're always a hit because they can be displayed or shoved in a drawer when room is needed, and the person is usually fascinated with how they're put together.

[Carol in Cal.]

Artisanal jams are my go to in that kind of situation.  They are consumable but not ordinary.  

[chiguirre]

2 hours ago, Spryte said:

Oh! Yes, something consumable is a good plan. Big family = lots of gifts, I would think.

We have a local beekeeper who makes hand cream and some other products. I may look at their selection to see if anything might work.

That's a great idea. It should be something special that she can't just order off of Amazon. I'd get a pot of honey and some personal care items and make a pretty gift basket.

[Spryte]

Just now, chiguirre said:

That's a great idea. It should be something special that she can't just order off of Amazon. I'd get a pot of honey and some personal care items and make a pretty gift basket.

Ok, I like this plan! It’s just personal and unique enough, but doesn’t feel like we are pushing ourselves into her life. There’s a tightrope we walk here due to the situation and dynamics, IYKWIM.

[Bambam]

1 hour ago, HomeAgain said:

I have started giving those paper pop up bouquets to older folks.  Our bookstore carries a few varieties from LovePop as well as some similar ones. 

They're always a hit because they can be displayed or shoved in a drawer when room is needed, and the person is usually fascinated with how they're put together.

I do these too. Freshcut Paper (online) is another good source. 

The folks I know who are in their 90s are generally trying not to have more stuff. 
Hand creme or some food consumable is a good choice. My elderly MIL and her sister (who lived together for several years) used to really enjoy the Kirkland tin of Belgian cookies (the box from Sam's Club is inferior). You can also get them on Amazon.
https://www.amazon.com/LIMITED-EDITITON-Kirkland-Signature-Chocolate/dp/B07Z6QRQML