Christmas Present Ideas for Dad & Stepmom??

[momof1princess]

i need help guys...i have NO idea what to get my dad and stepmom for christmas. my dad is retired, had triple heart bypass surgery a year ago and still hasn't really recovered & also has a bad back, so he's not exactly active. my stepmom has a really bad back as well (so bad she has epidurals once or twice a month for the pain-not sure how often, to be honest-but sometimes it's not enough and she has to be rushed to the ER in horrible pain). my dad is retired from goodyear and has no hobbies to speak of aside from crossword puzzles (i bought him two GIANT crossword puzzle books off amazon last christmas) and my stepmom collects fiber optic angels (LOL) of which i've given her 2-3 already. they're on a VERY fixed income, and while i know they'd never accept money from me, i was considering making them some sort of useful gift basket, but i'm just not creative enough. anyone have any gift basket ideas? or perhaps i should just get them a wal-mart gift card and perhaps a gas card? i really want this gift to help them out without seeming so, if possible-HELP!



June 1989 - one day at MK
June 1992 - honeymoon at CBR
April 2004 - DD's first trip to WDW
Sept 2005 - Pop Century
Oct 2006 or Jan 2007 - CBR or WL?

 

[Sandy V.]

You sound like a very thoughtful person to want your gift to be useful. I think that the Wal-Mart or gas cards would be good. Especially with the price of gas!!

I don't know what your budget is, but since they spend so much time at home, would they like a DirecTv or Dish Network satellite system? If you have siblings, maybe they could pitch in to pay for a year's subscription? Or, in the alternative, how about a year's worth of cable tv?

Restaurant gift cards are also good - everyone has to eat. I would suggest movie cards too, but I don't know if that's their thing.

Good luck!!

 

[Crankyshank]

What about grocery gift cards? There are 9 of us chipping in $$ for Stop & Shop gift cards for my Grandmother this Christmas. With her income being fixed and the cost of heating and food rising, we figured it would be a good idea.

 

[minniecarousel]

Harry & David Fruit gift baskets. You can order the "Fruit of the Month" (not a joke - it's great!) or just a one-time gift box.

Gift cards are nice, except that you end up letting them know the exact dollar amount that you spend!

 

[nativetxn]

I have no idea about what to give my 80 year old MIL. She doesn't need anything. There is nothing she wants except a trip to Las Vegas.

We are happy to give her a trip but she can't walk yet since her leg was amputated.

I like the idea of a grocery store gift card, though.

Katholyn

 

[cepmom]

I'm in a similar situation with my Dad and stepmom....Dad has emphysyma and my stepmom has MS, so they are not active at all. Last year I got my Dad a bathrobe he needed, and gave stepmom a restaurant GC which she can use to go out with a girlfriend (Dad does not like to go out). I have no idea what to give this year.

If your Dad and stepmom are not active, and both have troubles with bad backs, maybe a gift of a cleaning service would help them out. We did that a couple of years ago for DH's grandfather who is 94 and up until last spring, was living at home alone. Or maybe a basket with GC's to stores they need to go to like the supermarket, pharmacy, walmart etc since they are on a fixed income.

 

[disneyeveryyear]

We used to put together a basket for my DH's GM.

We included all kinds of useful things.

Stamps
Rolaids
Toothpaste
Magazine Subscription
favorite flavor of coffee
etc.

It wasn't very glamorous, but very appreciated.

 

[Karel]

Would they like some DVD's? Make a movie basket. Or a breakfast basket with breakfast stuff.