In the past six months, I’ve become aquainted with a distant cousin via snail mail. We’ve exchanged loads of letters, some containing mundane chatter, some with deep and meaningful thoughts on life experiences, religion, family history, etc. This is one very cool old guy.
He’s quite old and infirm, he lives alone, and I get the feeling that he rarely has visitors. It seems that when he’s feeling well, his time is consumed by writing letters to his friends and family. All of his hobbies have fallen by the wayside due to his poor health.
I’d like to do something especially nice for him to give him a lift, to make him aware that he is appreciated and cared for. But I’m sorta broke, and he lives about 1500 miles away from me.
I’ve already considered sending some home made baked goods or a fresh fruit basket, but he’s failed to tell me if he has any dietary restrictions. I mean, if he can’t have sugary stuff, I don’t want to tempt him.
Books are right out, because he’s got a gigantic library & I bet he’d have anything I sent him.
I just want to convey that I think he’s extra special, and I appreciate the friendship we’re building (I’ve already stated as much in my letters).
You can buy one in the store for around $10 – probably cheaper to do that and ship it yourself. Check Jackson & Perkins or Whiteflower Farm for gift type stuff.
Attention – no. Pot it, put it in a sunny window, water it once a week.
These are all pricey outlets (that send out a lot of catalogues, which is why they occur to me off the top of my head) – you can probably do better than this.
Yes, or a Christmas cactus can be delivered by any number of Internet floral places. The one I sent my mom a few years ago has bloomed many times with basic upkeep. Then in the future you could send a pot of an incrementally larger size as it outgrows its home.
Well of course you’re right, Quartz. I’m thinking most of his books are old. But I don’t know exactly what interests him.
And I’m having second thoughts on a plant. I know an amaryllis won’t require much attention, but I wouldn’t want him to feel like my gift will make him work. I want him to just enjoy it.
Ah, screw it. I went ahead and ordered an amaryllis for him (the deadline would have been tomorrow at noon). I’ve got more Christmas shopping to do, and I didn’t want to stress out about what to get him. Since he’s into flowers and gardening, I’m sure he’ll like it. I put a lovely note on the gift as well.
Thanks, Dopers for all your help!
Quartz- maybe I’ll find out what kind of books he’d be interested in and send him one for his birthday.
If he’s a gardener (and even if he doesn’t maintain a garden now, it’s an existential state), potting a bulb isn’t “work,” and he’ll definitely enjoy watching it grow.
