Help! I need ideas for my Grandma's 80th Birthday! - Big Big Forums

sivohdarba · 04-11-2002, 02:29 PM

If anyone out there could help me with ideas for a gift I would really appreciate it! I can tell you what she doesn't need...Nicnacks..lol...she has run out of places to put them all! I was thinking of gift certificates for a resraurant, but she doesn't get out often, and I live too far away to take her out. Sooo...can anyone give me some suggestions? Maybe there was something special you gave or received that you would like to share with me...please?!?!?

captorquewrench · 04-11-2002, 02:30 PM

some of the cleaning services like merry maids offer gift certificates. if I'd love that NOW think of how happy it would make me at 80!

happy birthday grandma!!!!!!!!!

justbeachy · 04-11-2002, 02:37 PM

I always send my granny pretty bed clothes, slippers, large print puzzle books, that sort of thing. btw I really like cap's idea the best, though.

sivohdarba · 04-11-2002, 02:38 PM

Great idea captorquewrench!! That's something all of us kids go in on, and I know she could use it...It must take her all week just to dust off the "treasures" she pack-rats!!

Thanks for replying so quickly

MsLynn · 04-11-2002, 02:52 PM

I'd get a big photo album, and go from the year she was born, and if you have something personal thats great, if not, get on the web and print out a copy of a big newspaper article from that year. if possible on her birthday that year. I did that for my grandparents 50th wedding anniversary. starting with the year they got married. I love giving gifts that are different.

like say for the year her kids were born, put pictures -baby pics if you have them- of her kids. and the year she got married a wedding pic. just an idea, kinda time consuming though

usedtirewife · 04-11-2002, 03:01 PM

For my grandmother's 80th birthday this past feb, we all wrote down memories on pretty papers. By all I mean the whole family, sons, daughters, aunt, uncles, cousins, grandchildren, and even my son the great grandchild. Everyone used a different type of paper so she would know who wrote each, ranging from color to prints. Some of us wrote out 5 or 6 and others did more. Simple meories like going shopping, or eating a holiday meal together. Then we collected them all together and presented them in a big jar that was decorated with lace and stickers. She was so suprised to get this. She reads one or so a day then puts it back in the jar. It has touched her like no other gift we could have given her. Especially seeing as we live all over the country and don't get to see her often. also it seems to help her with her memory that has been fading away.

picklepuss · 04-11-2002, 08:01 PM

How about some homeade coupons for a Free month of Electric(pay her electric bill),Gift certificates for the grocery store she uses,a CD of her favorite music,a gift basket of fruit,a roll of stamps.Just some ideas.Hope they help.And HAPPY B-DAY GRANDMA!

janelle · 04-11-2002, 08:13 PM

I think these are all good ideas. We gave my mom a lamp for her 80th birthday and had a little sign engraved on it saying "Best Mother in the World".

We had an open house for her on her 90th birthday and people came and went when they wanted.

For her last birthday we took her to the bowling alley and she watched her great-grandkids bowl but you could also all go to the park. Take lots of pics.

Some old people don't like having their things messed with so be careful about the house cleaning. If the person you hire understands this they will just clean around the big areas and not disturb their things. Some old people get mixed up when their things are moved around. If your grandmother hasn't had any trouble with her memory she may be ok with it.

sivohdarba · 04-11-2002, 10:21 PM

WOW!! You all gave such wonderful ideas!! If I had the time I would do them all

Thank-you so much for helping me...I really truly appreciate it.

angelinwaiting · 04-11-2002, 11:34 PM

I got an idea from someone here on BBS for my Mom at Christmas and she loved it...make a video for her of some of her old pictures...like pictures of her parents, grandparents, her children, grandchildren, and of course of her...at the end of the video, have everyone you can say something special about her...ours turned out great and my Mom watches it all the time...This is a priceless gift if you have the time to get it all together

Happy 80th birthday Grandma

janelle · 04-12-2002, 01:06 AM

I like your idea angel but just remember most 80 year olds don't know how to turn on a VCR so she won't be able to watch it unless someone else does it for her. That's been my experience.

I'm sure the people would like to make a tape for her but remember she is declining as she gets older. It would be a great rememberence for the family though.