Gift for a 77 Year Old Man

My Mom is 93 and in poor health. She could use some clothes but rarely gets dressed. She only leaves the house for doctor appointments and to get her hair done. She lives in her jammies. I run out of ideas for her. This year I found 2 frozen lobester tails and picked those up for her. I can remember one year I got Knotts Berry Farm syrups for my grandpa for Christmas, boysenberry, strawberry and apricot, he used them for pancakes and as an ice cream topper. He loved them. You could also pick up a nice streak for him to make himself for dinner some night. I know buying food as a gift seems silly but if you get him something he really likes but would rarely buy for himself like seafood, good steak etc is is a nice gift for an elderly person. If he has a DVD player get him a few movies he would like. He's probably into John Wayne type movies and other films made in the 40's - '60's.

homeade sweets like his wife used to bake him. when my grandma died I asked grandad what he wanted that grandma used to make for thanksgiving he smiled big and said 'PUMPKIN PIE' so what about a food basket. men dont generally know how to cook and when they were married the wife didnt work and did all the cooking and cleaning. he probably missed home cooked meals and sweets. my mom had to make my grandad tv dinners after grandma died she did all the cooking and he didnt know how and what do you cook for just one person? think about this. what is the one thing she made special for him every year. he will feel like she is still with him.

Dear Destiny-

I am up wrapping as I type...

When I saw your question...I was thinking that you should get him a 77 year old woman!! (joke!)

How about some nice comfy fleece sleep pants and a robe? Slippers? My dad ,now gone :( ...always seemed chilly at night. Have seen loads of them...all different colours and themes...

Just a thought
Happy christmas
Michele/cat

One of my great grandpas loved peanut brittle so for christmas he would get enough to last the year. I like the homebaked goods idea. You could make a coupon book that includes him coming over for dinner, you cleaning his house etc. Crossword puzzles or word searches were always floating around my great grandparents houses. My grandpa is 70 something and renavating his house so gift cards to Home Depot are always on his list.
I also like the donation to breast cancer in his (or his wife's name). You could also do a breast cancer walk with him (or for him), they have all lengths from a mile or two to 60 miles.
I hope you get an idea that strikes your fancy I know how hard it is to buy for the older people in your life.

Most older adults I know do not look at a pile of gifts as 'wow, they love me' but with the dread of 'where am I going to put all this stuff'. Try instead a donation to the breat cancer foundation. We dance around the subject of death, but he might want to know that someone so important to his life is not forgotten.

What about a weather station. We did that two years ago for all the grandmas and our grandpa and everyone really seemed to like it. We bought the kind with larger numbers to make them easier to see. Many of them still talk about how handy they are...they have the time, the current weather and the predicted forecast.

Another popular gift was a lap table. We got one like this. http://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/product.asp?SKU=11734138 One relative used it for working on bills comfortably, another used it for reading (she complained books were heavy to hold), and another used it for letter writing.

We are giving insulated grocery bags as part of our Christmas this year. Our grandmothers live farther out and it will come in handy because they will be able to make more stops when they head out for a shopping trip.

If you decide to do the blankets, I would suggest having the kids help make one of those no sew blankets. They are really easy to do...my five year old and I made one for his teacher in less than 45 minutes. I think that making something when you can is always a nice touch. And having the kids help will mean more to everyone. Google it, there are directions and videos all over the web.

HTH!
Merry Christmas

Comfy Pajamas ... I am sorry but I LOVE nothing more that COMFY Jammies on xmas morning with some slippers to go with! Ohhh i can feel the warmth right now.

My grandfather loves sitting in his chair and watching tv, and doing crosswords. How about a tv remote boat thing. He can put in all his tv guides, and pens, pencils, even room for a drink etc.
Or maybe a nice throw blanket he can use while sitting in his chair, you can get his name embroidered on it too.

Or a sweatshirt that says favorite grandpa, or something to do with his hobbies.

a gift cert. to lunch or dinner at a place near home. How bout does he like pizza... or chinese food.. maybe a gift cert. so he can order in. A picture frame with the kids picture.... a plant from the kids... a new ornament... a tray of cookies...

A fat furry fluffy blanket.

My daughter told me the same thing about myself. She said, "you have more than what you need (lol) and you buy whatever you want. What can I get you for Christmas." My response is, "you're right." I don't need anything. Don't buy me anything. Just being with you and the kids and having a good Christmas together is all I want." I love buying gifts. My having enough money to buy several gifts and having them gracefully accepted is a gift in itself.

And so I asked them to help me clear out some of the stuff I've accumulated over the years. I need help with lifting and packing. That will be a great gift. Along this idea you could give him home made "certificates" for special activities. A home cooked meal delivered to your door. A movie night at your house or at a theater. A batch of his favorite cookies.

You don't look cheap. There is a natural difference in what you enjoy because of the difference in ages and where you are in life. At 77 he's most likely feeling he needs less and may be thinking of how to reduce all that he owns. He's definitely enjoying spending money on his grandkids. And he loves watching them open those gifts and see their excitement and enjoyment in playing with or using them.

I remember when I was young, how many gifts was important to me. That just isn't the case anymore. Yes, he does want to be remembered. The cost or number is of no significance.

A nice warm scarf and gloves?
A calendar for the new year, with important dates/family events already penciled in?
Favorite movie on DVD?
Music Cds?
Favorite cologne?
Gift basket with his favorite snacks?

I was stuck with what to get my 95 year old great uncle. Up until last year, he was on his own and driving but a broken hip put an end to that. I ended up getting him the coolest slippers from Macy's that are pretty slip-proof. Also some dark chocolate that he loves. I had a hard time because he scaled way back when he moved and was really trying to minimize. Good luck!

One of the best gifts I ever found for my parnets and in laws was a grandparents legacy book. They fill the book out when they have time to sit and write. It asks questions and gives room for stories, so that when they are not around anymore the kids can stilll read the stories and share those moments with their grandparents. I know Barnes & Noble and Borders both carry the book, check it out online...

http://www.amazon.com/Memories-My-Grandchild-Annie-Decker...

Old men usually like hard candy. There mouths get dry. How bout a calendar with a theme that you think he would like. Mocassin style slippers always come in handy. Soft throw blankets always come in handy. With older people it's always nice to find things that make life easier for them and more comfortable for them.

How about making some meals for him to pop in the freezer? He can have some home cooked meals for the next few months. I know you probably don't have time to make the meals right now, but print out a note saying you will be making these for him. Or you could even give him a few meals wach month like a meal of the month club. Of course I'm assuming he lives nearby.

Nice big box of chocolates? Does he like candy?
Coffee and a new mug?
New scarf & gloves?

For next year: Take a nice photo of your MIL and have it turned into a beautiful canvas painting. You can do this on many photo sites or find a local artist willing to do it.

A basket filled with snacks? (nuts cheese cookies candy fruit etc. whatever his faves are).

Button up pajamas or mocassins?

A nice sweater?

A grabber reaching aid?

Pictures of the kids? Or a calendar with their pictures? CVS and walgreens have express service and if you have digital pictures you could upload them and pick up gift item the same day.

How about a gift certificate for a professional massage? I am getting older (although not quite that age lol) but as you get older everything hurts at one time or another and a massage is wonderful. Also how about anything with your childrens pictures on it like a coffee mug (they have one at walmart that is stainless steel and you put the pics in the bottom) or note cards (anywhere that does photos can do those). And I second the jammies idea. Nothing better.

get him a couple gift cards to his favorite stores...