Grandparent gift ideas off the mark
12/15/2012I have enjoyed your daily gift guide, but you really missed the mark with your ideas for those over 65 years of age (“Holiday Countdown; What to buy: Gifts for grandparents,” Dec. 8).
Not everyone over 65 uses a walker or needs clocks with large numbers. Many people who are 65 and older are active, in good health, and members of the work force. Texting, tweeting, and involvement with Facebook are common activities among this population.
At 65, some men and women do not need to accumulate more things. Much appreciated gift ideas may include a donation to a favorite charity, or just quality time spent with family.
KATHLEEN SCHRAMKO
Perrysburg
Gifts for older folks? Think active
Most of the items suggest the stereotype that grandparents are infirm. I am a 66-year-old grandmother. Many of today’s grandparents and great-grandparents are active and physically and mentally fit.
Your list of ideas for today’s grandparents should have included items such as new or updated iPods; speaker/recharging/docking stations for iPods, smart phones or an iPad; gift cards for events at the Huntington Center or the Stranahan Theater; a round of golf or golf cart rental, and walking/running/workout gear.
Another idea would be new or renewed memberships to a health club, AAA, the Toledo Museum of Art, or the Toledo Zoo.
Today’s seniors are far more active and healthy than our parents and grandparents were when they were our ages. The items on your list will undoubtedly be needed someday. But thankfully, many of us do not need these items just yet.
LINDA LAGER
Chelmsford Lane
Here’s alternative list for elderly
I am a 73-year-old working grandparent of 13 active grandchildren. I suggest the following gift list for grandparents who aren’t over the hill: a Nook or Kindle e-reader; good walking shoes; gasoline cards; gift cards to local restaurants, to hotels for visits to grandchildren, and to craft stores, and tickets to movies or live theater.
You should not assume that grandparents are too old to want anything but the gifts you suggested.
MIKELL LYNNE HEDLEY
Sylvania
Payroll tax holiday must go
Ross Douthat’s Dec. 1 op-ed column, “Holidays come and go, but that of payroll tax should stay,” claims the payroll tax holiday is a fine thing. But it really is foolish.
If the George W. Bush tax cuts were the cause of most of our problems, why are more tax cuts supposed to be the solution?
Congress should let all tax cuts expire as scheduled for everybody. Aren’t we all in this together? Maybe then most of the drastic cuts in expenditures would not be necessary.
KARL FILZER, SR.
111th Street