| 6 Dec 11, 10:28 AM dannigirl1 UK(CV), 2 yrs   |
They do some lovely smellies at Body Shop, either little gifts thats they will wrap in shop or buy some items and wrap them yourself. Also you might find you will get a decent discount if you look for offers. Walk on the Wildside | |
| 6 Dec 11, 10:48 AM angellover UK(CM), 3 yrs |
Have you also looked at The Health and safety of lifting and handling people from a wheel chair to a chair, for them to sit at the table and for them to visit a WC respectfully. Is disability access, equipment needed, for example: curtery or looked and asked if anyone needs special cutlery as some may not be able to hold a knife and fork. As for the gifts I personally would get them things they can use every day, like a food box but the pic sounds a good idea too. I hope it all goes to plan and that you all have a fab time. Edited: If you also ask local shops for donations you may be surprised at what you get, this not only helps the budget but makes the community feel more involved in helping others. The first time I asked, I was amazed at the goods I got for Xmas to give out, so if not for this year you could consider it for next. The highest fences we have to climb, are those we have built within our mind Edited 6 Dec 11, 10:51 AM by angellover | |
| 6 Dec 11, 11:53 AM sathya UK(S), 18 mths |
It sounds like a wonderful idea. Another option is to approach florists/homebase type places for donations. In some work I did with older adults they were overjoyed with having a nicely wrapped, pretty pot with spring bulbs in that they could grow in their room/ on the windowsill. Not just for the ladies either as some of the men really missed "a spot of gardening". There is still a very strong need to nurture and feel useful and something like that keeps people engaged as they also have something beautiful to look forward to. Obviously this may depend on ability, but as you have referred to some as having carers, it may be an enjoyable acvtivity for the carer to carry out with the older adult. Also if you have enough volunteers and again the right mitigation of risk in place how about some nice IOU cards for a day out of their choice? cc x The violets explode inside me when I meet your eyes Then I'm spinning and I'm diving Like a cloud of starlings - Elbow | |
| 6 Dec 11, 12:55 PM Whipkick UK(CB), 9 yrs |
If you are going to do choccies then think quality i.e Thorntons or some such, something they wouldn't buy normally. Little bits of luxery, like flowers, potted plant or bath products will give a lasting effect aaway from the event making it more memorable, A digital picture even if not framed would be a nice idea. A posh invitation to the event on card, or the menu or even who was there list all aids the memory and something to treaure. Place names also make the meal more interesting especially if people don't know each other, Its as much about creating a memory as the meal and the people you share it with. 'Just 7 seconds away, just as long as I stay, I'll be waiting..' | |
| 6 Dec 11, 5:51 PM just_iana UK(SS), 6 yrs |
thanks to all of you for your answers, some great ideas here, and even if i cant bear them all in mind this time - next year i've got some great ideas for the future,. just to answer a couple of things - Health and safety are absolutely covered off, and as i say in my first post, the catering and carer perspectives, along with transport are all safely in place. Its the firt time i'v been asked to do this sort of event, and they very kindly gave me 2 weeks from asking me to it being hosted...so it's all been a tad frantic. all the big stuff is sorted, so it was really just about what to do for a gift. My nan had two luxury items she treasured - a box of Guilayn seahorse chocolates and a jar for Fortnun and Mason Cranberry Sauce., - neither was ever opened, they were too special, but she had so so much pleasure from them - and thinking about her made me think a few Quality Street werent the way to go. The broad response from this thread is a little luxury, so i'll look at goodie-bags with some lovely luxury bits in, if i can thanks very much again for all your ideas, i very much appreciate them
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| 6 Dec 11, 6:56 PM eloesa UK(SO), 7 yrs       |
Denture pots?  ( sorry , couldn't resist! ) elo
Take my blood Sir.. do not let it drip to nothing.. but instead, spread it over your body and give me your soul... | |
| 6 Dec 11, 7:04 PM Shypeachybottom UK, 20 mths |
in the Boots 3-for-2 ofers, you can often find some nice body or hand creams which feel quite luxurious and indulgent another thing.. might sound a bit boring but my elderly aunt loves these.. is some soft fluffy socks with 'grippy' bits underneath so that you don't slip in them and to keep toes toasty warm and lovely orange marmelade that tastes luxurious
good luck There's a somebody I'm longing to see, I hope that he turns out to be, someone to watch over me | |
| 6 Dec 11, 7:49 PM Souci_X UK(BA), 5 yrs |
You could buy a favour, a little photoframe, a place setting something attractive that can be taken home with them to remind them. There are little seed packets you can get and stuff that look really nice, you can also have those kinds of things personalised. I don't know the ratio of men to women but I have worked in many care homes and I know many of the women I used to look after would have loved something like that, esp in care homes which can feel really clinical if they dont have bits around. | |
| 6 Dec 11, 10:25 PM sassysub_lime UK(SN), 7 yrs |
Hi, its just a thought - off the top of my head really. But also from experience - on visiting my mum in her residential home,whenever I pop in, all her friends want to talk with me, just a few words and minutes - general questions,little snippets of their day/week etc...and I try and remember funny things that have happened etc .... They really perk up when someone from outside visits - so.... how about donating ( if at all possible ofcourse ) an hour of your time to each of the OAPs.... time for a chat and a cuppa, time with some gentle pampering? a hand massage etc ?Have a wander with them through some photographs? Ofcourse this depends on how many OAPS there are? maybe give out a little personalised notelet to each of them at the party.
Take whatever you need from this
Please leave a message after the tone ~sassy has left the building. | |
| 8 Dec 11, 9:12 AM Lady_Toza_Scarlet UK, 5 yrs £ |
I'd go with the smellies or little plants in pots. Hyacinths smell nice or else the spectacular Amaryllis. The latter can be bought for £4 at garden centres. You could look in the wholesale section of ebay to buy in bulk, not necessarily in 100s, can be just 20 items or so. |
