Grandma's Favorite Gifts: One Woman's Advice on Shopping for Elders

After living in the same home for forty years, I was packing for a move to my first condo. I ended up sitting on the floor going through old pictures of my children and school pictures of their children. I thought to myself, "How much easier it would have been if there were group pictures of the family instead of 15 years of school pictures." Previously, It was no problem to arrange the grandchildren's pictures because wall space was plentiful and I could update them periodically. Now, I had to pick and chose my favorites and pack up extras to give back to their parents.

I thought to myself, "Why not write a Grandma's Favorite Presents column for our local newspaper? " Read it for me and tell me if I missed anything of importance that I should include.

Keepsakes and chotskys were hobbies for early and mid-marriage days but I have since given them to family members who are delighted at the prospect of starting a collection of their own. Now I visit their homes and am delighted to see Disney characters, Precious Moments, Hummels, and every variety of animal life you can imagine. My mother advised me long ago when she said,

"Peggy, Tis far better for you to see your family enjoy them while you're alive rather than giving gifts after you are dead."

Everyone likes to eat, so gift baskets from local Italian deli's are wonderful. They fit all items in beautiful baskets, pastas of every shape and size, sauces like marinara, mushroom, with meat or meatless, jars of artichokes, olives and oh, the cheeses, pungent, sharp or mild. I have seen such baskets and they range from $75.00 to $200.00. By the time they wrap the basket in colored cellaphane and added a huge ribbon, you have food for the month and you don't have to step out your doorstep.

Gourmet foods,candies, fruit and wines are popular and if you do not have a good nose, you will find connoisseurs who will gladly give you tips on your purchase. Given a choice between store-bought or homemade, homemade wins , hands down. Be it a hot dinners, cake or cookies,cornbread, even gourmet sugarless candy.

I.O.U.'s are perfect for the homebound, just be sure to pay off the IOU. Picking up and delivering dry cleaning, help with spring clean-up, taking someone to visit a friend, take someone out to lunch or dinner. Banking trips offer privacy to people who need to visit safe deposit boxes or speak to bank officers or lawyers.

My daughter-in-law came to my house last year and climbed up the ladder to the attic. Not only did she bring down the ornaments and help decorate the house and tree, she also straightened out the attic while she was there.( Am I lucky or what ??????)

Having been a volunteer for caregivers of the terminally ill, I know firsthand that babysitting an ill family member is one of the best gifts you can give.
One elderly man told me his wife was always running around and leaving him alone. I know for a fact that this lady went bowling once a week to finish her year in a league. So while visiting, you give the person who is sick an opportunity to vent and let out some steam. It may sound strange to you, but very sick people often need a non-family member to let out steam. They feel , they can't confide in a family member or it would get back to the spouse.

I sent my sister "The Funny Greek Wedding". Her husband didn't get videos that were of interest to her. He loved westerns, sports and old army movies. I can't tell you how delighted she was to watch it and laugh--- and laughter was just what she needed.

Finally, as you may have gathered, your best possible gift to grandparents ( Be they out and about, or homebound) is yourself. The gift of love is the greatest gift of all. Love your neighbor but, love your family FIRST.