What do you think of this gift?

[princesshannahsmom]

My grandparents are 78 and 80. They buy themselves EVERYTHING they want and need. They mentioned a big screen, a few weeks later, they bought it. They mentioned a DSLR, a projector, a DVD/VCR recorderplayer combo, a Garmin, and many other things and they bought them all (over the years of course). Basically they are the hardest people on earth to buy for.

So, I came up with this idea, based on the fact that they are particular about certain things. I'm gonna buy a large wicker basket and fill it with some basic needs. Two new bath towels, a large pack of yellow Dial soap, some Scope mouthwash, some Crest toothpaste, Bic razors, Barbasol shaving cream, Aquanet hairspray and a few other necessities.

When I mentioned this to DD10, she was mortified. She can't imagine this as a Christmas gift.

So, what do all of you think of this idea?

 

[HeatherH]

Well, honestly...I have to agree with your daughter. It's one thing if your grandparents were on a limited budget and hygiene items would be welcomed because they couldn't afford them...but your grandparents obviously CAN afford them.

I completely understand the "hard to buy for" people, and often have to stew for days to figure it out too. But for people like your grandparents, I think the hygiene basket wouldn't go over too well. I'd go with a gift card to their favorite store or restaurant before doing that. Or even make a donation in their name to a charity. They obviously aren't in need themselves.

Good luck!

 

[Ceila]

I wouldn't go that route, either.

What about tickets to something they would enjoy - perhaps a theater event or the symphony?

 

[FSUDisneyGirl]

Umm....

I also agree with your daughter. Not a fun gift to me! How about a gift certificate to somewhere fun?

 

[KLAIT]

We have people the same age and in the same situation...what my son and I did was make some homemade soap with cute tags and then some of the shrink wrap bags and put them in a gift basket with a few towels and a back brush poof thing. Homemade soap (should say home poured) is so easy. If you have a Michaels or Hobby Lobby close, you can pick up a mold for a couple of bucks and a block of soap base for chaep too..especially if you have a 40% off coupon....a little coloring and scent and you are good to go!

We also made homemade jam...the EASIEST gift ever and good too...we bought frozen fruit and made several, and picked our fruit here while in season..can make a lot of gifts with one batch..we paired this in a basket with a new toaster and a cute little knife...we cut Christmas fabric to decorate and bought some "homemade jam" tags form " The Smiths Kitchen" on Ebay and a spool of cheap gold fabric ribbon to attach the kind of jam made in our kitchen....really really cute gift that they will use....Our favorite was strawberry-cranberry....very cheap to make//

 

[beavismom]

Considering their taste in electronics, I would get them a subscription to Netflix. This is what we get my in-laws and they really enjoy it.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

Not sure that is a good gift.


My MIL is buying my FIL a record player that will help digitize albums to CD or MP3. Do you know if they have a record collection that they need to preserve?

 

[Bluestars]

I think you should add a couple of toothbrushes to the basket and maybe a little rubber duckie.

 

[goofy's friends]

I agree with your daughter as well. It would be nice if it was a needy couple, but they don't seem to be. My grandparents love movies--maybe a movie basket would be more fun to put together and more fun to receive.

 

[Pakey]

I agree with your daughter also.

 

[Minnie]

Agree with your daughter on this one....

Do they like to go out to eat? Some of the restaurants have special gift cards - one of the local restaurants has a old fashioned sack of peanuts, ect.

 

[Luv Bunnies]

Do they have a subscription to TV Guide to help them decide what to watch on that big screen TV? Or you could get them a couple of Snuggie blankets to use while watching. I agree with the others about the necessity basket. That would be more appropriate for people who can't afford those things.

 

[karensi]

Another vote for agreeng with your DD.
I too mostly buy whatever I need/want (I'm not quite as old as your DGPs but I am a grandmother) and I really don't think I would like to get a gift like the one you were thinking of.
There are alot of good suggestions in the previous posts. I would go with one of those or something like what PP's have suggested.

Good luck


Karen

 

[daisyduck123]

I agree with your DD.

We giving my 93yo grandmother a family album that we created on Shutterfly.

http://www.shutterfly.com/photo-books

As long as you have the digital photos handy, a book does not take long to create at all. Ours arrived yesterday and my grandmother is going to love it!!

 

[antmaril]

I agree with your daughter.

 

[golfgal]

I would get them that box thing that streams Nexflix to their TV and a netflix subscription.

 

[SC Minnie]

I agree with your DD.

We giving my 93yo grandmother a family album that we created on Shutterfly.

http://www.shutterfly.com/photo-books

As long as you have the digital photos handy, a book does not take long to create at all. Ours arrived yesterday and my grandmother is going to love it!!

I used them to create a calendar with pics of all the grandkids for my parents. I got them less than a week after ordering.

 

[Becky2005]

I think it's all a matter of perspective. I'm the type of person that would LOVE that kind of gift. I'm also the kind of person that if my DH got me a toaster for Christmas (especially when ours was on the fritz) -- I would LOVE it.

I love practical gifts. I know DH had the hardest time understanding I truly did like those kinds of gifts because to him, the Christmas presents should be things you wouldn't buy yourself, something frivilous...not practical.

I guess it would depend on which type your grandparents are if they would love it or be offended. I know for a fact if I gave my parents something like that, they would love it.

 

[luvmyfam444]

I'd fo with a museum membership or something along those lines - art museum or do you have a local symphony or ballet? If that's too steep in price (sometimes you can buy just 1/2 a year or certain performances @ the symphony) then I'd get a giftcard to their fav rest - they probably eat out all the time. Or even lessons - ballroom dance, art lessons, stain glass - anything you think they may enjoy like that

 

[puffkin]

My grandparents and DH's grandparents are up there in age and have pretty much everything they need/want. I wouldn't say either set is well-off, but they get by. Both are actually pretty frugal. Last year I filled HUGE HUGE HUGE baskets with all sorts of household items (paper towels, air freshener, batteries, light bulbs) and toiletries (toothpaste, soap, mouthwash, etc) as long as a few fun things DVD, movie gift card. They were a HUGE hit. My grandfather proclaimed it the best gift ever, he told everyone about it for weeks. He even emptied the basket out and gave it back with instructions that he wanted it filled next year

If your parents are the type who would appreciate something like this, then I say go for it! I also like the idea of the netflix box or something along those lines if they are into their electronics!