I always try to think of things that they would like not things I would like. I gave my husband a dual dvd player for the truck and a utility trailer so he never has to try to lift the lawnmowers into the back of his truck again. He hurt his hip that way when it slipped one time. But he wouldnt get off his wallet to buy one himself.
And I gave my mother a digital picture frame loaded with old family photos and current ones. She has pictures all over her house and loves to look at them all the time. I dont think she would enjoy anything more than looking at all her family pictures.