Tuesday, October 07, 2008

What to get for grandma?

We're off to Derby at the weekend for mother-in-law's surprise 80th birthday party. I don't mean it's a surprise to her that she's 80 but, hopefully, the party will be. Although the sisters-in-law did the same for father-in-law a couple of years ago so it she'll probably be expecting it.

But I still haven't worked out what to get her. I tried talking to Husband. She's his mother after all.
'What about one of those "buy a goat for an African village" type presents?'
'I don't think she'd appreciate that.'
'Well, what about a nice rose planted in a big tub?'
'That won't look very nice at this time of year.'
'No, but it will flower next summer and be a nice reminder.'
'She'll look at it and think, "I won't be here to see it flowering."'
'Of course she will!'
'We know that but you know what she's like.'

Jewellery is ruled out because she's already started giving hers away before she's dead. And waht's the point of buying clothes because, on her basis, she won't get the wear out of them. She has plenty of ornaments, vases, photo frames, and she doesn't have any hobbies.

I've been listening to Gervaise Phinn reading his stories about being a school inspector in the Yorkshire Dales (James Herriot only with children instead of cows) while I've been ironing. I think she'd like him but a story CD doesn't seem like much of an 80th birthday present.

Any ideas?

6 comments:

Unknown said...

I think a CD would be an excellent birthday present. My mother is 84 and I've given her several "books on tape." She loves being read to!

Leslie: said...

What about a therapeutic massage? It might make her old bones feel quite nice.

Liz Hinds said...

nick, I mentioned the story CD idea to Husband. He muttered, 'Nuhurh, it doesn't sound very impressive.'

The trouble is, leslie, that she needs oxygen sometimes so I don't know if she could cope with a massage. I'm going for my chin zapper this morning; I might ask them (although in a different town) if they could recommend an appropriate treatment.

DeeJay said...

A major problem isn't it. My own mother at 87 has the same standard responses to presents as although she is not housebound is very restricted in movement and doesn't ever go very far. I know it doesn't sound very exciting but one thing she has enjoyed is a hamper of food that she would not normally buy for herself Just opening it to see what it contains is a major excitement

Unknown said...

Liz, I require oxygen 24/7 and I could sure cope with a massage! Probably several!

Dragonstar said...

If she likes flowers, what about an indoor planter or an autumn-flowering outdoor tub? Something bright and cheerful. No harm in adding a CD as well.
Your poor husband's probably been wondering what to give his mother for years!