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Post by drawkcab on Nov 8, 2017 20:56:28 GMT
It's the most wonderful time of the year!
or is it the most frustrating time of the year?
I've got about 1/2 my holiday shopping done and I'm struggling with 2 couples who literally have everything.
The others that are left are kids so I'm waiting to see what they say they'd like at Thanksgiving.
What would you get for a couple in their 60s who are getting ready to retire or a couple in their 80s, who are long retired?
As I was typing this, I realized my struggle is partly from not getting to buy for my parents, they've passed away and it feels so much like a chore. I'll turn that around now that I know.
Thanks Peas!
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PrettyInPeank
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,691 
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Post by PrettyInPeank on Nov 8, 2017 20:59:37 GMT
I would find a classy cooking class and put a certificate in a basket with some wine a cheese.
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Post by deekaye on Nov 8, 2017 21:07:16 GMT
My father-in-law and his long-time S.O are in their 80's and we always do "event" type presents. The last thing they want or need are more things. Even though both of them are financially comfortable, they won't take themselves out to a fancy/nice restaurant because it's just too expensive (uhhh, probably why they are financially comfortable!). We have a local winery/gift shop/restaurant that puts together a very nice basket of wine and dessert, along with gift certificates to their restaurant. My FIL/SO enjoy wine before they go to dinner, enjoy dinner, and then enjoy dessert at home later. They are at the age where they will order one dinner and share (small appetites) so the gift certificate usually lasts through a couple of outings. We've also given them "Disney on Ice" tickets (their request!) along with one of us as their driver and movie tickets packaged in a basket with old fashioned candy (found on-line) that they got a kick out of. My mom is nearly 80 but is so easy to buy for.... she still likes "stuff"!  |
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Post by JustCallMeMommy on Nov 8, 2017 21:11:21 GMT
For people who have everything, I would probably go with something edible like Harry and David Pears.
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Post by Delta Dawn on Nov 8, 2017 21:13:21 GMT
My son and Dad buy everything they want and need. I have a friend who has a little business making magic bags (the kind you heat in the microwave and they are good on sore shoulders, knees etc.) I got her to make my son one for when he hurts himself (as in always). I have 3 from her now, too.
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pudgygroundhog
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Posts: 4,643
Location: The Grand Canyon
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Post by pudgygroundhog on Nov 8, 2017 21:13:21 GMT
When in doubt, I try to go with either experiences - tickets or a gift card to an experience - or consumables like gift cards for dinner or a nice food basket depending on their tastes. Depending on your budget, it could be a monthly club (fun to get something each month).
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Post by mellowyellow on Nov 8, 2017 21:15:59 GMT
This is how my parents are...exactly. What I did for their bdays this year is my mom always complains about her haircut being awful. So I scheduled her a hair appointment with my stylist and then took her to lunch. For my dad, I took him to go get a massage and then took him to lunch. Would something like this be a possibility?
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Deleted
Posts: 0
May 19, 2024 7:44:47 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Nov 8, 2017 21:32:46 GMT
Those tile things.
New pillows
New sheets.
New blankets for the beds or guest beds.
Large thin bath towels. Ones that are not hard to get out of the washer when wet.
One of those fancy toaster ovens. And pans to fit in it.
Grab bars for the bathroom
Slippers with rubber bottoms.
A new vaporizer
Heating pad
A room heater
Heated throw blanket.
Heavy duty rubber mats for outside steps.
A small heavy duty bucket.
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Deleted
Posts: 0
May 19, 2024 7:44:47 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Nov 8, 2017 21:33:31 GMT
A stick vacuum
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Post by annabella on Nov 8, 2017 21:41:13 GMT
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Post by drawkcab on Nov 8, 2017 21:52:00 GMT
The silver ball of yarn cracks me up!
If only I could afford it, the 80s lady is a knitter.
You've all given me some great ideas, thank you!
The younger couple live in suburbia and will be easy now that my mind is open, the older couple live out in the country and will be more difficult but no longer impossible.
Whoo hoo!!
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Post by digirlwiz on Nov 8, 2017 22:14:04 GMT
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Post by maryland on Nov 8, 2017 22:25:50 GMT
It's frustrating, especially when you are like me and are awful at coming up with creative gifts. We always have to travel for Thanksgiving and Christmas, so as busy as we are, years ago I started giving everyone gift cards (except the kids). Don't have to worry about shopping and packing all the gifts.
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camcas
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,973
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Post by camcas on Nov 8, 2017 22:41:41 GMT
Your time....spend the day with them
Talk ,laugh,reminisce,look at photos.....enjoy each other’s company for a day
Priceless
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desertgirl
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Posts: 2,646
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Post by desertgirl on Nov 8, 2017 22:45:20 GMT
Well, as a "senior" myself, I would love to have some of the stuff on @megmc 's list!! I have most of it, and have money to replace all of it, but I just don't do it. You would be surprised at how delighted I, and many of my senior women friends, would be to see a new toaster oven under the tree!
Or new sheets, some of those nice, soft ones. Or a set of delicious new towels. Go over to their houses and use the commode in one of their bathrooms and buy new towels and some doodad that can spice up a tired, neutral bathroom.
And who cannot use new slippers? I do have some really nice ones with an arch support built in, but I also love my cozy fleece ones I got at REI years ago. A cozy new blanket would be lovely, too.
What I would not want is a gift card to a large place, but a GC to a delicious, small, maybe locally owned restaurant would be perfect.
Just a thought. I'll sign off as a 66-year-old who loves gifts!
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Post by peasapie on Nov 8, 2017 22:49:54 GMT
Those tile things. New pillows New sheets. New blankets for the beds or guest beds. Large thin bath towels. Ones that are not hard to get out of the washer when wet. One of those fancy toaster ovens. And pans to fit in it. Grab bars for the bathroom Slippers with rubber bottoms. A new vaporizer Heating pad A room heater Heated throw blanket. Heavy duty rubber mats for outside steps. A small heavy duty bucket. Geez, these are all really good. Especially those little tile things, which aren't cheap and help you find your keys when you keep leaving them everywhere and everyone is tired of looking for them. Not that it's me. |
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kelly8875
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Post by kelly8875 on Nov 9, 2017 0:48:29 GMT
Last year I got my dad the ancestry.con DNA test kit. He loved it.
My mom is easy... pads of paper with my kids pics on them, a new book, gift card, or anything I just see.
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casii
Drama Llama
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Post by casii on Nov 9, 2017 2:06:45 GMT
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PLurker
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Jun 28, 2014 3:48:49 GMT
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Post by PLurker on Nov 9, 2017 2:26:09 GMT
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scrappinghappy
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“I’m late, I’m late for a very important date. No time to say “Hello.” Goodbye. I’m late...."
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Post by scrappinghappy on Nov 9, 2017 5:07:52 GMT
Thank you! Just found ds's gift. Hunt a killer subscription box! |
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momto4kiddos
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Jun 26, 2014 11:45:15 GMT
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Post by momto4kiddos on Nov 9, 2017 12:49:02 GMT
I'll be reading through this post more carefully later today... I have THAT kid. He turns 21 in a few weeks and wants/needs nothing. He works a ton and loves it so he has plenty to buy what he wants. To be honest I was thinking of buying him clothes because he hates to shop! I'm looking for something a little fun too - especially with the fact that Christmas is just a few weeks after his birthday!
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Post by marzbar71 on Nov 9, 2017 13:29:44 GMT
I just got my dad's Christmas list - he is 80. He asked for some new Jockey undershirts, some casual shirts, a nose/ear hair trimmer (!), K-cups. a copper skillet, red and blue bandanas (because the ones he has from the 1970s are starting get worn out. LOL), and a couple of gift cards.
He's also obsessed with his Foodsaver so we'll probably get him some rolls and bags for that. I also ordered him a couple of Bible trivia books because the bible study he teaches like to get questions before they start.
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carhoch
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Post by carhoch on Nov 9, 2017 13:34:25 GMT
Movie theater tickets or gift card to car wash place
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Post by Fidget on Nov 9, 2017 13:47:02 GMT
For the older couple, if they send out a lot of greeting cards like my MIL - here is an idea. A couple years ago, I ordered a couple of boxes of all occasion cards and bought several books of stamps and gave that to her. She loved it!! She doesn't drive anymore and loves sending all types of cards to her family and friends.
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Post by pattyraindrops on Nov 9, 2017 14:34:25 GMT
Freezer meals. I made a bunch up for my parents and they loved not having to really do anything, but could still eat at home.
And no, I don't remember which ones I did.
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Post by mikklynn on Nov 9, 2017 14:38:19 GMT
For people who have everything, I would probably go with something edible like Harry and David Pears. Even my late FIL, who hated everything, liked these. |
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Post by mikklynn on Nov 9, 2017 14:42:20 GMT
For the older couple, if they send out a lot of greeting cards like my MIL - here is an idea. A couple years ago, I ordered a couple of boxes of all occasion cards and bought several books of stamps and gave that to her. She loved it!! She doesn't drive anymore and loves sending all types of cards to her family and friends. We did that for DH's grandmother. She also liked single serving size canned goods. She would not buy them, because they are expensive in comparison to a full size can. But, she'd complain about eating green beans for 4 days, LOL. |
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smcast
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Post by smcast on Nov 9, 2017 15:02:44 GMT
Could you do a newspaper or magazine subscription? For my grandma, I usually pay for her newspaper every year or gift card to salon where she gets her hair done. Food is always good. A nice gift basket. How about fruit of the month subscription for a year. Do they garden? It all depends on their interests. Tickets to an event is fun too. Again, budget dependent.
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Post by auntkelly on Nov 9, 2017 15:57:05 GMT
I am sometimes accused of being one of those people who is hard to buy for. Both kids are in grad school, so they don't have a lot of extra money to spend on gifts for mom. I told my daughter I would love to have two little luxuries for Christmas which won't break the bank: 1) a cool pair of readers (I saw some at Loft for $24 and I'm sure they'll go on sale before Christmas; and 2) a pair of cushy running socks because I walk/run a lot and am too cheap to pay more than $10 for a pair of socks.
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Post by mikklynn on Nov 9, 2017 16:21:55 GMT
I just ordered a Callahan Auto Parts t-shirt for DH. It's a reference to the movie Tommy Boy. He's really hard to buy for!
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