I’m mostly done with my Christmas gift buying but need ideas for 2 women in their early 80s, both live alone and independently.
Parameters:
I’d like to spend no more than $50 each ideally.
Prefer something consumable but doesn’t have to be.
Quality is very important.
The past 2 years I’ve done gourmet jams and chocolates so want something different than that.
I thought about flowers but I’m usually disappointed with ordered flowers and the limited florist shop options in one of the recipient’s towns were very unimpressive.
Maybe some nice tea?
I briefly thought candles but that’s a bit cliche and scents can be hard to judge for others.
Jeni’s ice cream is amazing but a variety pack is a little over $50. Someone gave it to us as a gift and we liked it so much I sent another to my parents for Christmas. It arrives packed in dry ice. It sat outside our house for a day and was still rock-hard frozen when we unpacked it.
Harry & David gift box? We send them to MIL who is also in her 80s and lives alone; she seems to really appreciate the thought and the food. There should be several options available for $50 or less.
I just got some Charm School Chocolates as part of my gift to my MIL, it’s a non-dairy Vegan chocolate company that has excellent reviews. Also sent her a strawberry rhubarb pie from an online specialty baking company back in June for her birthday that she loved!
Really nice hand cream (and matching scented soap or something)? A tube of $20 hand cream in my car is my indulgent/luxury present to myself that I enjoy every time I take a ride and put the cream on my dry hands.
Obviously if they hate that kind of thing, never mind. But it is consumable, and if you get expensive hand cream it can feel luxurious and maybe not something one would readily buy for oneself.
If you know their interests, I’ve found a really thoughtful present can be a used book that is clearly targeted for them. For example, I have friends who created a replica English pub in their basement called the Jolly Ogre. I found a book from the 1930’s called “Og The Ogre” and it might have been illustrated by Quentin Crisp. Or for kids graduating from The Millbrook School, I found copies of the founding headmaster’s memoirs, some of which were signed by him. I think they cost about $15. You can do this very targeted searching on Abebooks (and probably other websites).
If they still use USPS for bills, personal correspondence, etc., then maybe some pretty Forever stamps and matching stationery. I usually tuck a sheet of postage stamps in my mother’s greeting card for birthday, Christmas, whatever, and she loves having an inventory of them – even though she uses them for only something like four bills a month.
If they use any services, maybe buy a session of snow clearing, house cleaning, whatever works for them and is within budget.
Either paper or electronic subscription to newspaper, periodical.
If they like tea, go to the Harney website. Great tea selection and tea “stuff”.
We sent our 80 something the LL Bean Christmas wreath. One year we sent a cute little decorated greens thing that looked like a Christmas tree. Our 80 something didn’t put up a tree, and this little thing was perfect.
This is a little above your budget but is cute. And order today and it would be delivered this week.
Buying for this demographic is always hard because they usually have everything they need, they don’t want more stuff, and they already know what products they like. That’s why consumables (foods, personal care products, books) are so good. Other things that have worked for me for parents in their 80’s:
-a pet treat monthly subscription. We did 6 months but you could do a single month.
-an indoor herb garden kit for someone who had been a gardener but no longer had the mobility to manage it.
If you’re local, services like
-a bird feeder, plus coming by on a regular basis to fill it.
-planting bulbs or annuals
-Taking them to a movie, concert, or play, with or without a meal.
-Meal kits made by you. For instance, their favorite homemade soup in single serving freezable ziplocks.
-If they still drive, a car cleaning
-A spa afternoon. Take them to the local salon for their choice of treatment such as a mani-pedi or facial.
My MIL seems to be very happy when we buy her an orchid plant. We live in an orchid growing area so we buy local and deliver but maybe you can buy online.
I’ve noticed most of the consumables seem to end up in her pantry.
Sort of expanding on the idea of @mom60, a flower arrangement could be nice. Doesn’t have to be orchid, but something happy and festive would be nice.
See’s candy is being discussed elsewhere, and I love it, so that would be good.
Thanks for all the ideas so far. Much appreciated. Keep them coming!
I prefer not to do chocolates again.
I don’t live local to either.
As I mentioned, I don’t trust florists after too many bad experiences without knowing the quality of the florist on the giving end. I love receiving orchids myself. If anyone knows an orchid shipper of quality, please share.
@cinnamon1212 Do you have any preferred hand cream brands? Both live in cold climates so hand cream definitely comes in handy (no pun intended!).
@thumper1 I do like the Harney & Sons suggestion. Some reasonable stuff on there and they are still offering discounts.
Are they a fun spunky 80? Or more of traditional or older lady 80’s? (hey, some 80 year olds are “young”!! )
I’ll second Jeni’s - it’s really SO good. And each container is small so not like they have to eat a whole gallon of a flavor. The presentation (the box) is nicely done too.
If you think they drink tea I think that’s a good idea - maybe with one of those mugs/travel mugs that you can steep a bag or loose tea right in?
