He is about 70, lives by himself, retired Army man~
I thought a fruit basket, but not sure. Any suggestions.
2006-12-20 03:05:58 · 34 answers · asked by ~*~*~ 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Etiquette
offer to do something for him that he may not be able to do himself. shovel the snow for him. help clean his house, prepare a meal for him.
2006-12-20 03:08:11 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
You're leaving out some key details.
If he's retired Army, I'm presuming he has a good pension and isn't hurting for cash. Does he have a nice home, a nice car? If so, he probably doesn't need anything practical for day-to-day living. So no blankets or slippers.
Is he in good physical shape? If so, he probably doesn't need help with chores or maintenance around the house. If not, that's a great gift to give him. Maybe he needs his gutters cleaned, his plant beds weeded or something. Also, if he's overweight, don't give him a big box of candy or cookies as a gift. He might be diabetic.
Does he seem to get a lot of company? He might have nieces, nephews, or children from a previous marriage (if he's divorced or widowed and now lives alone) who he sees regularly. If not, definitely invite him to a holiday dinner at your place. He will probably appreciate the company more than anything else you could give him. If you don't know, you might consider asking him what his plans are for the holidays, or what he did for Thanksgiving. This will give you an idea.
And if he has all of these bases covered, then the fruit basket is a nice idea, or else a gift certificate to a home & garden store, a nice restaurant or clothing or book store would be great.
I think it's terrific that you're doing this, by the way. It's what the holiday spirit is all about!
2006-12-20 03:27:22 · answer #2 · answered by kcbranaghsgirl 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I think if he is 70 and lives by himself a great gift would be for you to ask him over for christmas dinner or to spend the afternoon with him. A fruit basket is a great idea as well. I would shy away from Army memories as they may not all be good ones. I would think about the doing something nice for him just as a good jesture but not for a christmas gift. If he is into a certain type of music a good gift may be a vintage record.
2006-12-20 03:11:39 · answer #3 · answered by Sissy 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I would be careful with the fruit basket idea. If he is on any medications, there are some that say grapefruit is forbidden! And I know of one older couple who have digestive problems, so they have to give away any fruit baskets they get. Also it takes a LONG time for one person to eat a fruit basket!
I would stick with a gift card. Either to a restaurant, grocery store or gas station. Even if he has enough money, he still has to eat and use his car.
Or if you see him doing things around his house, a gift card to a home improvement store would be good.
I think it's nice that you are thinking of him! Inviting him to share a meal with you would be nice, too.
2006-12-20 05:03:46 · answer #4 · answered by Cat Lover 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Take him out to dinner at his favorite resturant. He will enjoy the company. If he has mobility issues get him a service like snow removal or lawn care. If he likes music take him to the Symphony. We always got our elderly neighbor basic cable for the year. She liked to watch all the shows but really couldn't afford the cable. Also if he has a DVD player get him some classic movies like Westerns or Military classics. Even if he doesn't have a DVD player you culd buy him an inexpensive one and a few movies for less than $50.
2006-12-20 03:46:02 · answer #5 · answered by Loren T 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Make sure if you get him food that he will be able to eat it okay, especially if he has bad teeth or digestion problems. Fruit would probably be okay, but don't get him too much or it will spoil. Maybe a small fruit basket and a gift certificate to his favorite restaurant?
2006-12-20 03:08:39 · answer #6 · answered by Mrs. Pears 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A box of Elmer's Quality Chocolates. I've just polished one off and am going to get a second box today. LOL!!!
(We don't have sickly sweet chocolates where I live and this was such a surprise to find in my local dollar store. I don't know how the shopkeeper got them over the border. He must have bribed the customs officials.)
2006-12-20 03:10:15 · answer #7 · answered by $Sun King$ 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
how about a grocery store or drugstore gift card. If he lives alone a fruit basket may be too big for him and spoil..
2006-12-20 03:16:54 · answer #8 · answered by jojo 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
a fruit basket sounds fine, you could also give him something baked...cookies, cake or you could take him Christmas dinner if he lives alone and has no family close by. I'm sure he would appreciate anything, it's a nice gesture
Merry Christmas!!~~~
2006-12-20 03:08:33 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
A fruit basket is a very nice idea:)
2006-12-20 03:07:21 · answer #10 · answered by MaryBeth 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A gas-mask, and fatigues. Sorry flannel fatigues. I'm sorry I just wanted to make ya'll laugh. No fruit, hard on the teeth. All the warm fuzzy clothing ideas and time spent with him or restaurant ideas are good.
2006-12-20 14:01:34 · answer #11 · answered by Melinda 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋