Grandparent gift idea?

[krismom]

What can I get my 90 year old Grandfather for his birthday? I've exhausted all the family photo book, calendars, sports themed stuff, food baskets, etc. ideas. He's a fantastic guy, a WWII Vet- and I really want to do something special... Thanks in advance for any ideas!

 

[wrighter]

What did he do during WWII? My grandfather was a radioman on airplanes, and every year for Christmas we'd get him the GHOSTS calendar, which had pictures of the kinds of airplanes he flew. He loved it. He'd spend hours looking at the photos and pointing out little things.

What about getting your hands on some of his WWII paraphenalia and putting them in a shadow box?

 

[eliewriter]

Hey, that's great that he's approaching 90!

I like the WWII memorabilia idea.

If he likes to share stories of his life, maybe you could videotape them and put them together for him. He might like knowing that his stories are safely stored for future generations.

My dad recently celebrated his 90th. We threw him a small family party and got a nice embossed wooden frame and a cream-colored mat to decorate a little with "Happy Birthday from the whole gang!" and a foam cowboy hat sticker (he's from Texas and nearly always wears one). Then we took a family photo to blow up and put in the frame.

One thing my parents loved was a digital photo frame we got them (we got the Opteka one, Amazon.com sells it). Scanning old photos and putting them on a card takes time but they were amazed at it. We made sure to get a larger size so they wouldn't be frustrated by pictures that were hard to see.

I've also thought about giving them a night at a bed and breakfast (one not too far to drive to, and without a lot of stairs to climb) and tickets to a concert or event they might enjoy.

Hope you find just the right gift for your grandfather!

 

[cglaura]

How about a memory book...get everyone to write their favorite memory of him or something they did with him. And if they have pictures of the event or of them together during that time period, maybe you could assemble the story and photo in a sort of scrapbooking type book.

 

[kirstiebird]

My great grandmother is 103 and at age 99, my dad started "99 Reasons We Love You" -- he solicited ideas from all of the extended family ("I love you because you play pass the button" or "I love you because you tell me stories about life before tv") -- all random, but special thoughts. Dad did it all up as a list on the computer and had it printed in a poster size at kinkos and we framed it -- its perfect in her house now, and would be something she could take to a nursing home one day. Each year, we just add another reason we love her and add a new frame next to it. She loves showing it off!

 

[TeacupDemon]

When my husband's grandfather turned 100, we got him a framed copy of the Wall Street Journal from the day he was born. He really enjoyed it.

 

[Sillyminny40]

My 84 yr old parents LOVED the scrapbook I made them with a page devoted to every family member. I asked all 22 to give me 5 photos they would not get back (they made copies or emailed me the shot) as well as answers to a questionnaire about their favorite things, activities etc.

It was a good idea and we just add to it every Christmas or birthday a few pages!
Of course you need to have someone who is good at this but it works so well!

 

[tinachris]

We got my grandfather cd's of old radio programs he used to listen to as a kid/young adult. I think we got them at Cracker Barrel.

Also, I don't know where you live, but have you heard of Honor Flight? It is a non profit organization that takes vets (mainly WWII vets) to D.C. to visit "their" memorial (the WWII memorial). They have a website: honorflight.org and you can look for a local chapter of it and complete an application. All expenses are paid and the vet only needs to bring money for souviners. Just another idea, and one that will probably mean a lot if he has not seen "his" memorial.

HTH! Christina

 

[mlynn]

My husbands grandmom loves getting CVS gift cards. I know it isn't a special gift but she said it is the best gift to help with all her meds she needs.

 

[dyna]

Is it to late to have a flag flown over the White House in his honor for his birthday? You have to buy the flag it's flown on their birthday an then sent to them.

I come from a very large family my daddy 1 of 12 an I was 1 of over 40 grandkids. 1 year for Grandma's birthday couple of my aunts had the idea of making a quilt of my grandmas favorite childhood story. Anyone in the family who wanted to could make a block they furnished the pattern either a dog or cat just a simple outline. Everyone could do their block how ever they wanted out of any kind of cotton material. The name of the story was "The Calilo Cat an The Gingham Dog" My dad drew on the characters (dishes an clock & ect from the story) those pics and my block all ended up in the same quilt!

Yeah this project came back to haunt my aunts they ended up with 3 quilts larger than for a King sized bed! lol Grandma was overwhelmed by the gift! But loved it! shame my aunts did not have the idea sooner as grandma only got to enjoy it a short time before she passed.

I'm 1 of 3 lucky gkids to get a quilt in the end because my daddy did the work he did he got the quilt that has his work on it and once he passes I will get that quilt an what a treasure it is an and honor to recieve it.

 

[eliewriter]

Is it to late to have a flag flown over the White House in his honor for his birthday? You have to buy the flag it's flown on their birthday an then sent to them. QUOTE]

I knew sometimes people can get a flag that's flown over the White House but didn't realize you could arrange for it to be sent to someone if you buy it! I'll have to check it out on the White House Web site!

That reminds me, one year we arranged to have the President send my dad a letter of congratulations. We did this under President George W. Bush but I assume that all of the presidents do this. There are certain restrictions as to the occasion and you have to request it well in advance (I think I had to mail a letter to request it) but my father really treasured his and showed everyone who came to visit! You can find out more at www.whitehouse.gov.

I'm so glad this thread was started; there are a lot of wonderful ideas here!

 

[krismom]

Thanks you for all the wonderful ideas! I am touched that so many of "us" want to honor our vets and grandparents!