Grans 80th

[bubba28]

Does anyone have any ideas for what i can get my gran for her 80th Birthday? She is in hospital at the moment, after sufering a stroke 6months ago, waiting to be admited to a home. We are currently packing up her home, so it has to be a little thing. We've been trying to think of something for ages, so any help would be great.

Many thanks
bubba

[welshlibranr]

Hi bubba
It's a difficult one! when my mum became infirm we found that she wasn't very interested in material things at all, I took her out in the car for a birthday treat, and drove her around her favourite places, stopping off for a cup of tea and a cream cake, she really enjoyed herself, it brought back such lovely memories of happy times for her, maybe you could do something similar, Hope this helps....................welsh

[Hymie]

I made a birthday card for my mums 80th birthday (actually it was just an A4 print out on photographic paper). The card was produced using software purchased from ebay (for less than �5 including P&P).

It was personalised with her name, listing how many days she had lived on reaching 80, listed other famous people who were born on the same day (of the year) � listed events which had occurred on that day throughout history and events in the news in her year of birth.

I know my mother really liked this card, she would show it to others and it remained on her mantle-piece long after the others had been discarded.

You need not purchase any software to make such a card if you are reasonably proficient with a computer. Wikipedia is a good source of all the information you will need to create the card � it will cost you nothing, but your time.

[sammy snake]

Will she actually notice whether you buy her anything or not?

[piggling]

My son bought my mother a helium balloon with Happy Birthday on it. It was so different from all the usual things & she thought it was great. That was last October & it is still floating around the house. She has even given it a pet name!

[joannie10]

do you know the home that she will be going to? Could you perhaps plant a rose bush or fit a bird house to a tree that will be near to her window or something? What about one of those digital frames with lots of old photos loaded into it?

[Tewart]

My Dad died last year and my Mum celebrated her 80th just a few weeks ago. She cannot walk very well and pretty much stays in the house. As others say it is hard to know what to buy and probably most of the time its not material gifts they want. I wrote to about 20 friends and family and asked for copies of photos that they had taken at events where my Mum and Dad had been. I ended up filling an album which my mother looks at every day. Whilst she was at each event and has her own pictures, the photos are all taken from someone else's point of view and she notices something different every day. I think at this age and with restricted mobility there's an awful lot of past to look back on, rather than looking to an unsure future so perhaps something along these lines might be a recommendation?

[showcatbenga]

I loved tewart's idea but if an album seems too much then how about one of those picture frames with lots of holes for a number of pictures. You could include all the family, maybe get one for each branch of the family & more frames at a later date. Or depending on how good her sight is do a whole photomontage.
The reason I'm suggesting a frame for the wall is it won't be knocked over or get in the way of the staff looking after her & her room. It will be on view all the time & the staff & visitors can talk to her about it while they are getting to know her. Plus I don't know a grandma who doesn't like to talk about her family! lol.

[poohshunny]

Staying on the photo theme. We got my hubby's nana a digital photo frame for her 80th. Due to her problems with walking, she doesn't get out as much as she used to, especially since papa died. She is now on her own. The family all looked out old cherished photos of all the happy years spent as a family. We scanned them all into the PC and transferred them onto an SD card to put them onto the frame for her. She often puts it on and enjoys the memories of really happy times. When we take photos on our digital camera we update the frame for her, this means she feels that she is up to date with all the family. She still thanks us for the frame 2 years later. She says it is a wonderful thoughtful gift.

[Jillius]

If her hearing is ok how about a talking book on cd ?

[laurenetloui]

hey...how about a scrapbook...i made one of these for my friend before she moved away and she loves it remnds her of home could be ideal for your nan if shes going into a home....it could include anything..photos of the family...you could get people to write in it/sign it....wedding pictures....her favourite flowers pressed...pictures of places shes been, from times when she was young. anything that appiles to her really. and if your artistic you could always decorate the pages with sequins, buttons, ribbons, lace ect. i recommend with photos that have sentimental value that you make copies from the negatives or scan them and print onto photopaper.

good luck with whatever you decide

[Blob :]]

it was my grans 80th last year + it was hard to get her something suitable for her in the shops becos there arent many shops for them now. but i looked around in birthday shops and bought her a huge teddy wif ah crown on sayin '80' + i didnt know if she liked it cos she never usually had teddies near her bed. but she loved it + itss always keepin her toes warm every night hehe x

[quizmouse]

I agree with pooshunny. We bought my 80 yr old mum a digital photo frame and she loves it. We update it reg and have scanned all her old favourites onto it and she spends ages reminiscing.... I would suggest a bigishone though so she can see it well.