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Holiday Guide 2007: Gifts For Grandparents

 

Something Special For That Special Senior

 


Your grandparents always remember your big days and you probably have a stash of crisp $5 bills and un-cashed checks to prove it. However, finding a perfect gift for the special senior in your life can prove to be a bit trickier than receiving the perfect gifts from them. 

Below are some ideas to keep in mind while you are grandparent-gifting this season.  And yes, we're giving you thrifty options too, but if you consider all the loot they've given you over the years, would it really hurt to be a little spendy this year...   Yeah, we didn't think so.


Thrifty Options

Mind Your P's And Q's
The World's Largest Crossword Puzzle; $29.95 (Hammacher Schlemmer)

Help your elders keep a sharp and nimble mind with this giant wall puzzle.  They can attempt it alone or employ the neighbors to help fill in the patchwork.  Completed or not, the satisfaction (read: bragging) they'll share with friends and love ones will be reward enough.  



It's All About Me You
Hardbound Photo Album; $29.95 - $64.95 (Kodak, Flickr)

Your grandparents don't care about digital photography -- they want the print.  Do one better and make them a custom book with a captioned narrative of your recent life adventures.  Let them see how much fun you've been having and you'll stop hearing about how you don't call enough.  They miss you.



Get Their Nails Did
Manis and Pedis; $20+ (Jessica Nail Clinic)

Let grandma in on a little beauty secret: introduce her to the local nail salon. From the $20 quickie to the more elaborate treatments at the Jessica Nail Clinic, she'll be happy she joined the club. Whether she's impeccably groomed or decidedly low-maintenance, every gal appreciates a trip to the salon. Grandpa can indulge, too: who doesn't like a little TLC on their weathered and weary parts?
 


Reading For The Retired
Magazine Subscriptions; $15+ (National Geographic, The New Yorker)
The Portable Professor; $39.95 (Barnes and Noble)

When you're retired, you have plenty of time to do, well, whatever you want. Tune in to your grandparents hobbies, and then gift them with some inspired reading. A subscription to National Geographic or The New Yorker will keep them up-to-date and occupied. Reading not their style? The Portable Professor audio collection from Barnes & Noble can provide lessons on everything from Socrates to the Supreme Court.




Spendy Options


Juice It Or Lose It
Jack LaLanne's Power Juicer; $99.80 (Power Juicer)

Grandparents can appreciate gadgets, too, as long as they're user-friendly. And what senior doesn't aspire to be like Jack LaLanne, the 93-year-old fitness dynamo? For two easy payments of $49.90, 'ma and 'pa can have a Power Juicer than can whip up anything from sorbet to zucchini bread. And they might even invite you over for a glass of fresh-squeezed pineapple juice.



Happy Feet
iSqueez Calf/Foot Massager; $399 (Brookstone, SkyMall)

Knead, squeeze, and massage away the stresses of their everyday. Or month.  Or the last 80 years.  This professional quality soother relieves foot fatigue through refloxology pressure points and varying vibration modes.  Calf complaints and ankle aches will be old news.  ;)



 Candy Is Dandy
L'artisan du Chocolat Truffles; $60 (L'artisan du Chocolat)

While a box of Hersheys might do for your mailman or cubemate, Grandma deserves something more. Give her a box of delectably sinful, handcrafted, french truffles from L'Artisan du Chocolat and you'll once again hold the title of favorite grandchild.
 


The Good, The Bad, And The Witchy
Wicked, The Musical; $200 (TicketMaster)

Remember the good ol' days? Of course not - you're too young. But for your grandparents, those days were  probably a lot like  Oz, because everything looked a lot like Kansas back then. Get grandma out of the house for a night out at one of L.A.'s longest running musicals. Witchcraft and live spectacle? Now that's family bonding.



 
Photo by cw via Flickr

I got the worlds largest crossword for my grand dad last year. a hit!

Posted 12/07/07 08:44AM PST by Karl