BIFL Furniture ideas to remember grandma?

Submitted by dmay73 t3_11w5c60 in BuyItForLife

My grandma passed away a couple of months ago after a long fight with Alzheimer’s. My wife and I were left $1k and wanted to buy a piece of furniture that I can point to my future kids and say is from her. I was kind of thinking of a nice outdoor wooden rocking chair and was wondering if anyone knew of any brands for that price. Also I’m open to other suggestions.

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Muncie4 t1_jcxyakc wrote

Why not put that same money into a 529 account and say, "Grandma wanted you to not suffer with student loans as much or at all, here's your 529"? Buying a chair with grandma's money doesn't magically make it grandma's chair. Plus, I could list about 100 chair types/brands which would make your head spin. If you want a chair, get a chair, but a 529 account is more practical than a chair with no physical attachment to Grandma other than using inheritance money to purchase it. This post is practical and not emotional or mean.

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diskebbin t1_jcwt7sd wrote

We got this outdoor swing and my son, who’s never interested in being outside, went out there all the time. The type with like three seats and a frame.

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CosmicCommando t1_jcy0xqj wrote

Why not use the money to get each of your future kids a hope chest? It's a basic kind of thing that can be repurposed in many ways, isn't so huge that taking it while moving will be an issue, and it won't be hard to find or make one with quality wood.

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koldfusion47 t1_jcy8wkb wrote

I'm kinda with you that Op should look for a a more practical gift. To spell it out more it's getting more and more difficult for younger generations to move out and get a place of their own, so with heirloom furniture the OP is either keeping the furniture till his kids make their way out of shitty apartment rentals to have the space to use a nice rocking chair, or the kids are stuck with guilt every move they make to make room for this chair that isn't just a chair it's an emotional attachment.

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emmettfitz t1_jcynxlw wrote

You can put the money in an educational trust for your children. MIL started to slip with alzheimer's. Before we lost her completely, we had her put money in a prepaid educational account for our kids. She also prepaid her funeral. Remember her with your children's education.

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annoyingdoorbell t1_jczjfpi wrote

In my outdoor environment, I've never had wooden outdoor furniture last tremendously long even if I bring it in in the winter.

If you do opt for wood, I would recommend getting furniture that has metal bracket connections instead of just wood joints. Those are the sections that will wiggle away from each other over time. A woodworker told me that after I complained how short outdoor furniture lasts.

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hegeliansynthesis t1_jd0oujt wrote

Maybe have one commissioned by some wood worker and get her name engraved on it. So you know youre getting quality and it explicitly honors her.

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HarleyOhio t1_jd0fjgp wrote

What types of things did your grandmother love? You could buy an antique piece or Amish made furniture that reminds you of her. A nice handmade quilt, a piece of jewelry, art, etc. What would grandma buy you if she was buying you a gift for 1k? If you want an heirloom piece, I don't think I would purchase a piece of outdoor furniture, it wears quicker in the elements.

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