Feisty grandparents are fighting back after generations of stoic resignation at the bottom of the Christmas present pecking order.
Members of Southwark Circle, a group in South London that fights for pensioners’ rights, waved placards proclaiming “No more socks” and “Yes to internet lessons” to launch a campaign for better Christmas gifts.
Albert Summers said: “Don’t people realise that after 90 years on this earth I’ve got enough socks, ties and b****y bubble bath?
“I don’t want to sound like an old stick in the mud but people need to use their imagination a bit better.
I’d love to go to the West End and watch a show or get some vouchers for internet lessons or something.”
Advertisement
Stan Hardy, 89, said: “We’ve all got drawers full of ties already. This year we’re saying, ‘If you’re going to spend your money, spend it on something we want’.” Today’s OAP was looking for something much more up to the minute, he said.
Daniel Dickens, head of the group, said: “I hope sons, daughters, brothers and sisters get the message this time.”
To make it easy, the group has £30 gift packs for OAPs, including theatre outings and internet and DIY tuition.
It was recently praised by David Cameron, the Tory leader, who said: “In the London Borough of Southwark, a new social enterprise called Southwark Circle is delivering vastly improved care services for less money designed by elderly people for elderly people using local social networks to bring real improvements to people’s lives.”