Birthday Present - Abington,PA

Most often what older people want more than anything else is company, and to get out of the house! They usually don't want or need any more "stuff" so I would suggest taking her out to a nice dinner or lunch, or a show or performance (if she's into that sort of thing) or just having her over for a meal.

My Grandma is in her eighties and she doesn't like getting presents anymore, because she feels like she has enough stuff. What she really likes is getting flowers, either cut flowers in an arrangement, or a nice plant. I think flowers and maybe something your kids made for her would be great.

I would go with either an experience or something consumable. A nice day trip, dinner out, wine, chocolates...

I would take her out for dinner and spoil her at dinner with a nice dessert. Then maybe give her a nice photo framed of her and your family. A card too =)

take her out for a nice dinner and go around the table and have each person say a few kinds words.. then give her one of those giant cards and have everyone sign it.. also, throw in some flowers and then have the waitstaff bring out a piece of cake (or you bring a cake to a restaurant) and everyone sing happy bday.. I think it's the memories she will enjoy and time with you, probably more than any material item..
my MIL is 88 and she likes these kinds of things..

-Take her a nice box of soft chocolates (as long as she isn't diabetic or
anything).
-Add a nice box of pastries from a nearby bakery (the really good kinds).
-Bring her a bouquet of flowers.
-Add a magazine.
-Wrap up a nice, soft, warm blanket for the winter.
-Then lastly.....spend some time with her on her special day. Go over, sit
with her, have a cup of coffee or tea & just talk!

unless she has a *thing* that you know about (birdwatching, gardening, cake decorating) i'm in the camp that says it should be something you do with her rather than something you give her. flowers are always nice too.
:) khairete
S.

Take her out. Dinner, movie, dessert, etc.
What does she like to do?
What's her passion?
Start there.

[It always cracks me up when people think that seniors don't "need" anything. Or that gifts for seniors need only have a shelf life if a few months. My mom (a few years younger than your neighbor) shops for clothes with the excitement of someone a third her age, loves shoes, jewelry, fitness, she works PT, drives everywhere, is sharp as a tack, volunteers, etc.]

I agree with getting her an activity or meal out rather than a gift (other than flowers if you know she would like them).

I also would not pay attention to age but think of a gift based on her interests. Any type of food or drink you remember her saying she liked? Any type of game? Any special place she likes to go?

Make her a coupon book of a variety of things she can "redeem" - Things she can't do or wouldn't ask for. A board game on a rainy afternoon, 2 hours of raking leaves, trimming the garden, weeding, a ride to a supermarket she can't get to, a home-cooked meal, a holiday at your house if she doesn't have family, a ride to the doctor, show shoveling of her walk, taking down and putting up screens (including rinsing them with the hose), dusting for cobwebs or anything else up high (if she shouldn't be on a ladder), decluttering the garage, putting down lime on her lawn, vacuuming the coils behind her refrigerator, putting up Christmas decorations, disposing of her Christmas tree, picking her up if she needs her car serviced (so she doesn't have to wait), a ride to your kids' concerts (if she would enjoy that), a picnic, rides anywhere she needs to go (if she doesn't drive) like post office or bank, or a museum.

If you do a book of 12 items, she'll have one favor or treat per month for a whole year.

I would take her out to lunch and a movie!

We have a very sweet elder family friend. I have always bought her garden things. Once a stake that said friends are the flowers we pick. I let the kids paint it and then I put sealer over the paint. We also made stepping stones with quickcrete and had the kids put their handprints with marbles in the middle to look like a butterfly. She has perennials that are low maintenance-but she likes her house to look nice.
I don't like birthday gifts!!! The last thing I need is a nick nack or candle. I have fake flowers up the wazoo and don't even care for them (the other half misinterpreted when I said fresh flowers are a waste IMO).
Good luck. You probably brighten up her day just by being there ;)

Birthday's are a lot less about age and a lot more about interest. We have had the privelege of having a few octagenarians in our lives. One would have loved a box of tea. Another would have loved doing shots at a biker bar, or a night at chippendales. Another would have loved a round of golf, another some deep sea fishing, another would have loved some fine poetry, another really trashy novels, useless kitchen gadgets and a bottle of rose.

Flowers and a card in a pinch.

Best,
F. B.