What to give a grandmother

The problem with a gift for a grandmother is almost never a lack of ideas: it's that she already has what she needs, doesn't want you to spend money, and has no room for another knickknack.

The rule that sorts everything out

Choose something that gets used up or enjoyed, not something that has to be put away. Flowers, food, an experience, time. Anything that takes up a permanent spot on a shelf works against you.

What works

• Flowers. It's the most popular answer for a reason: they don't take up space forever, they're enjoyed for a week, and the gesture is unmistakable. Pink roses, lilies, or a colorful arrangement.
• An orchid or a flowering plant. It lasts for months and gives her something to look after, which does a lot of older people good.
• A breakfast delivered to her home. It arrives early, surprises her, and she doesn't have to go pick it up.
• Printed photos. Photos of the grandkids live on everyone's phone and never get looked at. A printed album is the gift that moves people most, and one of the cheapest.
• A voice message or a video with messages from all the grandkids.
• Something to do together: an outing, a lunch, a visit to a place she likes. It's what's asked for most and given least.

What to avoid

• Another picture frame. She has some.
• Technology she didn't ask for. A new device can be a burden rather than a gift, unless there's real interest.
• Clothes, because of size and style.
• Huge flower arrangements. If she lives alone in a small apartment, a one-meter (three-foot) bouquet is a problem. Go for something medium-sized in its own base.

A practical detail about flowers

If she has trouble handling a heavy vase or changing the water, send an arrangement in a floral foam base: it comes ready, won't tip over, and only needs a little water added every couple of days. It's a detail that makes a big difference.

The dates

In Argentina, Grandmother's Day is celebrated on July 26, the feast of Saint Anne and Saint Joachim. And many families also include grandmothers on Mother's Day, which in Argentina falls in October.

Availability of each flower changes with the season. If you are looking for a specific flower, ask us before ordering and we will confirm whether we have it.