General Chat

you could have old restored photo put on canvas

if she is Diabetic she probably has trouble with her feet how about a home visit by a Chiropodist. Also does she have a garden I am about her age and am always asking for Flower seeds or things for the Birds, as if she is disabled she would be looking out at the Garden a lot.

When I was stuck without any ideas for what to buy for my mum when she was getting older, I looked out an old black and white photo of herself , me and her other 2 children together and had it enlarged, then I found a very reasonable priced frame for it and hey presto she had a brand new 30 year old photo that she adored. Hope it helps with ideas for you.

On my 65th last year, although i did have presents (craft bits and other things) from my children my favourite 'presents' were first going out for a family meal with daughter, son in law and the three teenage boys, and second the following day when my son and family appeared for a surprise lunch (we were near Winchester, they live Milton Keynes) bearing a beautiful bouquet of flowers. I can see the two little ones in my mind now, the 9 near old carrying the flowers and both of them shouting happy birthday Nana. Just having them all together (most unusual because of distance0 was the best present ever. Ann Glos

Dawn, What ever you get will be speial and she'll love it. What about some IOU cheques. You could make them of the computer and she'll be able o cash them in when she needs a faviour. Wooden flowers and a vase. they last forever, can be sented with sprays and never need watering. If your mum has a faviourate auther, you could have a look for a book shat she hasn't read. If she's in to a craft of art you could get some materials for her to work with A printed family tree with her at the center. You could print or draw it yourself and put it in a simple frame which you could decerate.

would love to Lindy but is a morning tiddler is at nursery soi will try and go day before and tiddler can run riot in their bungalow and show granny what a big girl she is now with her potty training.

You could of course turn up on the doorstep on her birthday just for a visit, I am sure that would be the best gift your mum could wish for. xxhugxx

Lindy camcorder - we live in the dark ages in this house so don't have one. As for taping the children, 13 year old girl - me thinks she wont do it? Nice idea though

What about taping the children singing songs and messages to their grandparents, or if you have a camcorder you could video them doing normal daily things combined with messages to grandma. xxhugxx

Sue I like that idea although sister has probably sorted her present by now. but I can check with her. Another problem is I don't live near mum and wont be able to get to her on her birthday Gwen good idea but dad has his new super duper scanner and is restoring all the photos and wouldn't want to step on his toes. Joanne yes you explained that well, will get children to do cards, should be able to follow those instructions. As for flowers, sister will send some, nan will send some, dad will get her some so think the house may be overflowing. Thanks for ideas

How about some lovely flowers and a vase to put them in. We have an Aldi here and their bunches only cost 1.89. I've bought lovely vases in the past from Poundland too so it needn't cost a fortune. If she's at home a lot she'll appreciate some pretty flowers to cheer her up at this miserable time of year weather-wise. Then get the children to make cards. Or something for the kids to make for granny - cut coloured card into the shape of flower heads (you know the kind that kids draw), then attach them to straws to look like the flower stems. Then buy a small box of Roses chocs and stick one of the round ones onto the middle of the card flower. Make a few and put together to make a bunch of roses! I hope I've explained this well enough!! Joanne

Has she got some old photos of her self or parents that are in need of restoration,I know someone had ha photo restored and it had a terrible crease down the middle but it turned out beautifull

Dawnie, When it was my mums 60th,my sister and i chipped in together and bought her 60 bithday presents.They were nothing expensive,but just little things.We then decorated her sitting room with balloons and banners and laid all the presents out in the room.The look on her face was priceless.She never expected to recieve 60 prezzies. Sue

Jim problem is mum can't walk very well now and would need a wheelchair so until she gets her super buggy will have to put that idea aside but will keep it in mind for next year. Angela already did things like that for christmas.

Not sure if you have opportunity/space for this but if so what about a small area of cement in the garden in which all the grandkids could put hand/footprints. Could combine it with a flower garden/patio garden. Otherwise, I have always loved the handprints the kids do at school with poems alongside. Or a 'memory box' with a photo or poem set into the lid - containing lots of snippets/things to do with the family inside - drawings, photos, even tickets/copies of school reports, marriage certificates, pebbles from beaches where the family went for picnics etc - the kind of thing she can sit and sift through when she wants to. Angela

k since you knew her when u were a kid,at some time or other she has most probally used the words (when we were young) so what was the rest of the sentence, as lot of the older generation would like a chance to revisit their past, so what was it, trip to the seaside, cinema, picnic in the park, meal at nice restuarant, family party, i know theres usually something that peeps liked to do as kids, but as get older leave it behind, so for one day can you give it back to her, no matter how crazy it sounds.

Claire shes not into watching many films, siter has given her a load of dvds and she hasn't watched them.

Now claire I like that. Mum is on tablets that mean she has to take them first thing then sit still so dad could get it all sorted while shes sitting. Afternoon tea one is a possibility as well but will have to search for diabetic stuff so dad can share with her. But which ever it is different so like it.

Or if she doesn't go to the pictures, what about hiring her fave vid and doing a bucket of popcorn, fave drink, bag of sweeties, nachos or whatever, and doing her a 'movie night' at home. Claire xx

Ok, I did a 'sunday morning' basket for my parents once. Some flavoured teas, mini pots of jam, pats of nice butter, some fresh croissants, ect (you could put anything she particularly like in it) and they had a leisurely brekkie at the weekend without having to go out and get anything special. Or you could do an 'afternoon tea' one with scones or danish pastries. Claire xx