A birthday party...

[fajrdrako]

This evening I am going to a birthday party for a woman I have known since I was eight years old. She does yoga better than I do, and she's turning 91 today. Ninety-one! The woman's almost as old as Captain Jack!

So what do you give a woman of 91? She likes to read, but her eyesight isn't so good these days. maaboroshi suggests flowers. Sheila suggested baked goods. Beulah is giving her an audiobook - a mystery. Myself, I'm stumped. Have to think a little longer....

Does anyone have any suggestions?

Comments

[cupati.livejournal.com]

What accessories are required for Yoga? Seeing as she likes it, and so do you, so you know what she'd need.

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

The problem is, you don't really need accesories for yoga - and I happen to know her daughter is giving her a yoga mat, which is just about all she needs! I gave her a yoga book for her 90th birthday last year.

Still thinking...

[cupati.livejournal.com]

Cushions. Everyone likes cushions.

[auriaephiala.livejournal.com]

Perhaps a pre-paid dinner from a gourmet take-out place in her area? Or a voucher for a restaurant she likes?

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

Yes, I could ask her daughter if there's a restaurant she likes near her home - ! Good idea.

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

Cushions - I like that idea. And they're comfy!

[firesignwriter.livejournal.com]

If her eyesight's at all serviceable, you could do what we do for my grandfather: a large-print edition book (there are tons, usually in a special section of the bookstore) and a page-sized magnifying sheet (also usually available at big bookstores)...

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

Good ideas! I will browse at the neighbourhood stores and see what I come up with.

[wijsgeer.livejournal.com]

something nice to touch. A nice shawl/scarf maybe?

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

I looked for one but didn't have time to shop downtown. I think she can see enough to enjoy good colours - she still knits!

[neadods.livejournal.com]

Large print books or more audiobooks, I think.

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

In the end I gave her music - a selection of Bing Crosby songs on CD.

[hamadryad11.livejournal.com]

Can she read large-print books? That might be nice for her if she can see well enough. I don't see them that often, but I know they're out there. The audiobook idea is a good one. I've heard a few Ann Granger audiobooks. The woman who narrates them is very easy to listen to. She does have an English accent, but she's quite clear and easy to understand.

Does she listen to music while she's doing yoga? Maybe a CD? Or a potted plant?

[hamadryad11.livejournal.com]

Oops! I just saw your more recent post. I didn't realise I was so out of date!

[neadods.livejournal.com]

That works too.

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

I don't know if she can read large-print books; I think they are difficult for her. I know she can read a little using a video-device that makes pictures of print and puts it, large, on a screen for her - I don't think she'd use that if she could read large print. Beulah gave her an audiobook version of a Dick Francis novel, and she was happy to get that.

I opted for a CD, and she liked it - and joked about how she'd listen while doing yoga, so maybe she actually will!

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

Only by a couple of hours! I gave her a CD, and the birthday occasion was a success all round.

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

She seemed happy with it! I like Bing Crosby songs myself - there was at least one Cole Porter song on the CD - and I thought she'd like to listen to songs that were popular when she was young.

[filkferengi]

If you don't mind a belated present, shop at half.com. When I was upgrading my Heyers to hardbacks, I found several large print editions quite cheaply over there. Large-print, hardback, and cheap--a trifecta of win!

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

I may try that - I've tried them before and had trouble finding anyone willing to sell or ship books to Canada. Bummer. But there seem to be more people willing to do so than there used to be.

[filkferengi]

If you find something you like, you can always have me get it & then ship it to you.

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

Thank you so much for the offer! That's very kind and potentially very useful. If I find myself with that problem, I'll wail for help!