I want to give my great aunt a present -- but what?
December 18, 2011 11:20 AM Subscribe
I'd like to find a gift for a great aunt I don't know very well (yet).
Two years ago I made the acquaintance of my late grandmother's youngest sister. She is great fun and it's been a pleasure getting to know her. She has lots of family history and stories about a side of the family that I've never known very much about.
Lately she's been asking us to come visit (she lives about 45 minutes away). I'd like to bring her a small gift of some kind, but I'm stumped. I'm looking for suggestions.
Here's what I know. She is 75 and retired, not wealthy, but not struggling to make ends meet, either. Her husband died this past summer; she specifically didn't want flowers so I'm sort of reluctant to bring her some. She seems to be in pretty good health, but doesn't have a garden or do yard work. She's religious, but I'm irreligious and feel weird bringing her something Jesus-y. Other than that we're related, that's all I got.
Please throw some suggestions my way: Small gifts that are kind of neutral but still are a little show of esteem.
Note: it doesn't specifically have to be a Christmas-type present. We might not get to see her until next month.
Also note: I'm sort of philosophically opposed to gift cards, but would consider them in a pinch.
Two years ago I made the acquaintance of my late grandmother's youngest sister. She is great fun and it's been a pleasure getting to know her. She has lots of family history and stories about a side of the family that I've never known very much about.
Lately she's been asking us to come visit (she lives about 45 minutes away). I'd like to bring her a small gift of some kind, but I'm stumped. I'm looking for suggestions.
Here's what I know. She is 75 and retired, not wealthy, but not struggling to make ends meet, either. Her husband died this past summer; she specifically didn't want flowers so I'm sort of reluctant to bring her some. She seems to be in pretty good health, but doesn't have a garden or do yard work. She's religious, but I'm irreligious and feel weird bringing her something Jesus-y. Other than that we're related, that's all I got.
Please throw some suggestions my way: Small gifts that are kind of neutral but still are a little show of esteem.
Note: it doesn't specifically have to be a Christmas-type present. We might not get to see her until next month.
Also note: I'm sort of philosophically opposed to gift cards, but would consider them in a pinch.
Something cute and warm in the scarf/hat/mittens area.
posted by J. Wilson at 11:39 AM on December 18, 2011
posted by J. Wilson at 11:39 AM on December 18, 2011
Do you have family photographs from when you were younger that show family members she's related to? If you do, you could make her a small album of 10-20 of those photos, labeling them to let her know who is in them. I bet she'd really appreciate that, especially if she hasn't had a chance to get to know your side of the family well.
posted by decathecting at 12:04 PM on December 18, 2011 [2 favorites]
posted by decathecting at 12:04 PM on December 18, 2011 [2 favorites]
Family photographs are a great idea. Otherwise, is there a traditional family food item you could make for her? My great-uncle LOVED it when my mom would make him some of the cookies that are traditional in our family/culture.
posted by katemonster at 12:33 PM on December 18, 2011 [1 favorite]
posted by katemonster at 12:33 PM on December 18, 2011 [1 favorite]
Best answer: wooden tea box
nice tea
jewelry box
scarf/pashmina
brooch
pretty serving plate
kitchen-related stuff
good quality scented candle/diffuser
good book
posted by leigh1 at 12:50 PM on December 18, 2011 [1 favorite]
nice tea
jewelry box
scarf/pashmina
brooch
pretty serving plate
kitchen-related stuff
good quality scented candle/diffuser
good book
posted by leigh1 at 12:50 PM on December 18, 2011 [1 favorite]
nice chocolates
posted by kestrel251 at 12:58 PM on December 18, 2011
posted by kestrel251 at 12:58 PM on December 18, 2011
Since she's 75, you might watch the food items --- chocolates and cookies are nice, but a lot of older folks have diet restrictions. Although katemonster's 'traditional family food item' sounds very thoughtful, as does kestrel521's 'nice tea'.
posted by easily confused at 1:15 PM on December 18, 2011
posted by easily confused at 1:15 PM on December 18, 2011
A nice coffee table book might be interesting, if you know her interests. Maybe on religious art, if she might appreciate that or just on some interesting topic (a coffee table book about coffee tables, which itself turns into a coffee table, maybe...
Seinfeld anyone?
Hello?
posted by bitteroldman at 1:23 PM on December 18, 2011 [1 favorite]
Seinfeld anyone?
Hello?
posted by bitteroldman at 1:23 PM on December 18, 2011 [1 favorite]
I love the idea of the family photo album. or if you don't have enough photos, maybe one family picture in a nice frame. or a few in one of those montage frames.
posted by gt2 at 1:30 PM on December 18, 2011
posted by gt2 at 1:30 PM on December 18, 2011
Do you know what her favorite comic strip was when she was a kid? Many are being reprinted: Archie, Pogo, Little Orphan Annie, Gasoline Alley, Li'l Abner, Popeye, Mickey Mouse.....
posted by brujita at 1:43 PM on December 18, 2011 [2 favorites]
posted by brujita at 1:43 PM on December 18, 2011 [2 favorites]
Response by poster: Do you know what her favorite comic strip was when she was a kid? Many are being reprinted: Archie, Pogo, Little Orphan Annie, Gasoline Alley, Li'l Abner, Popeye, Mickey Mouse.....
I love this idea but have no idea what the answer would be. I'll save this for a future occasion.
Thanks, everyone.
posted by That's Numberwang! at 6:09 PM on December 18, 2011
I love this idea but have no idea what the answer would be. I'll save this for a future occasion.
Thanks, everyone.
posted by That's Numberwang! at 6:09 PM on December 18, 2011
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posted by amanda at 11:25 AM on December 18, 2011