They will be married 71 years (yup 71 not a typo) in two weeks. We are stumped on gift ideas, grandfather won't leave the house and grandmother is a little feeble (sp?). Grandfather can't stand noisy kids or crowds in the house, so no party. Grandmother has everything underneath the sun as they say. Throw me a unique gift idea please.

My sister just got her father-in-law a bench in his deceased wife's honor for the bike path in town. They say that a donation in the person's name is a good gift idea for the elderly who don't need anything...........Check with chamber of commerce, nursing homes, hospitals, cancer society, etc.

That's a great idea, Mel.

How about a prepared dinner brought over and served for them fancy style?

Gee...I have no clue...but I'm glad you posted this topic, because I had totally forgotten that my mom and dad's first anniversary (not a typo, 1 year!) is coming up New Year's Eve. (They've been married 3 or 4 times...I lost count)


Cindy Faye

Tamara...this is a toughy! I am sure they have most everything they "need"...so how about a family photo in a nice frame. Or maybe if you could get your hands on a pic of them when they were youg or just married and have it restored (Ask Cindy about that...she does an EXCELLENT job on restoring photos) I think i am going to get my in~laws (which are really out~laws) a summer of lawn service so they wont have to mow this summer. I'm just thinking something that would be :helpful" to them ...like house cleaning service would be a really good gift...


~V~

Vanessa - those are some very good ideas - I know I would love either one of those!

Hi tamara
How about name a star.
You get a Certificate and where your star is!

www.buyastar.net

I got 6 months of a bi-monthly housekeeper once. She was just a fabulous gift and I think lawn or gardening services would be terrific too. Or how about someone to do some heavy chores around the place....putting out and cleaning the lawn furniture in the spring, taking down storm windows, or just washing all the windows inside and out. Anything that is difficult for an elderly person to do. Give them a special chair to sit on and direct the work!!

Vanessa always has the best ideas!!! How do you come up with those??? When I think of my Grandma, I try to think of things that would be helpful...just as Vanessa said...the lawn care or house cleaning would be a wonderful idea!
Christina

Well...they older you get the more you DON'T need clutter & "stuff"...I just get tired of waisting money on things that people don't "need"...so I try to be a little more practical...and helpful at the same time. I also try to think of what would be something I would want if I just had money to play with that would make my life easier....(and give me more time in the garden)

~V~

That's just it, she has 17 children so there is no need for cleaning services or lawn work, between the kids and the 100+ grandchildren and great grandchildren they don't have to do a thing.

There is no pic of their wedding (shotgun) and they were to poor for a camera, a couple of years ago my aunt got a few pics from someone else and restored them. They wouldn't understand the charity ideas, they'd wonder why someone else has their gift.lol

I am seriously thinking of buying a wedding cake because they have never had one, you know with the tiers and flowers. What do you think?

How about the dinner gift then, with a wedding cake served at the end?

tamara,

71 yrsfor a shotgun is amazing,bet you the one that was olding the gun at the time,if still alive,is pating himself on the back right now ,congratulation to your grandparents!


those are all great ideas;azlea and the star is so romantic.so is the bench idea,of course if their sights are good why not a magazine subscription it would not be boring for them to receive a new magazine on a subject they love once in a while.i love lynne s idea of the fanvy dinner with a wedding cake at the end.

17 kids can give money in order to have a nice painting of them.

good luck.

I like the idea of the wedding cake - something not too big and overwhelming. Maybe I'm just getting old and crabby but food is a practical gift that is usually appreciated. Old people don't need and often don't like things that take up space so food fits the bill. Or a houseplant (colorful azalea - but who am I to make suggestions about plants to anyone here.....)

Well...if I had 17 kids I better not have to do a darn thing either!!!!
I think your idea of the wedding cake is not only practical but VERY appropriate. And..yes I would do the dinner as well...this is a wonderful event to celebrate. Let us know what you decide and how it goes!!!


~V~

We've been told "No dinner", grandpa's orders. So the cake will have to do.

Man...they are making it difficult...or maybe they are making it easy depending on how you look at it! You certainly must follow their wishes though...so just do what you can and know it will be fine!

~V~

Tamara....
Did you ever tell us.. what they both like?
Gramma?? Reading, flowers, etc.??

Grampa?? Reading, tv shows, etc.???

Tamara, what about doing some "heavy" chores for them that they are not able to do any more. Like cleaning the oven, etc...

Dianna

Tamara - what about a small memory album (Creative Memories has a nice 7 x 7 inch album) with just a few pictures through the years and including journaling boxes or letters from each of their children - or better yet a larger one with letters from all the children and grandchildren on the idea of "what I learned from...." or "what mom and dad mean to me..." along with candids of each of the different families. If someone else already suggested this I'm always happy to swipe someone else's good idea.