Older loved ones in your family reach a point where they no longer need anything; they do not
have room for more things to collect dust. It is difficult for them to take care of their homes and keep them
clean and organized. They do not have the strength or stamina for household chores.
Seniors like gifts that provide entertainment and companionship; gifts that brighten their lives
enjoyable, less stressful, and uplifting. They like those special items that they would never buy
by themselves or that their budget would not allow it.
If you don’t have a lot of money to spend, give them your time. Tackle a task that is too difficult for
your favorite older adult, like cleaning your house or tending your garden. Run errands or take them away
shopping. Cook healthy meals for them. Give them a gift certificate from you with the promise of taking
Take care of these tasks weekly or monthly and keep your promise! Spend time visiting or reading to them.
Many of the following gift ideas come from seniors.
- Tickets to a movie, theater, concert, symphony, or local reading. If they live alone, you can give them two tickets so they can invite a friend.
- A subscription to a magazine, such as Taste of Home, Country Woman, Birds and Blooms, Reminisce, a craft magazine, a sports magazine, or a gardening magazine.
- An offer to hold a holiday dinner at your home instead of theirs.
- A new portable phone.
- Blank CDs to store music or graphics.
- A box of your favorite candies; one or two boxes a year won’t hurt. (If your health allows.)
- A gift card to a restaurant, department store, pharmacy, grocery store, or supermarket.
- The latest book from a favorite author, a gift certificate to a bookstore, or a subscription to a book club.
- Phone cards so they can call family and friends without feeling guilty about the phone bill.
- A new computer, computer accessory, or program with lessons to use. A computer allows them to stay in daily contact with friends and family online. If you have a printer, you may like paper, ink or toner cartridges.
- A computer class at the local computer learning center or community college.
- For the crafter, gift certificates from Michaels, Richards, or Hobby Lobby.
- Membership to a gym or interest group.
- Membership to a local discount shopping club like Sam’s Club or Costco.
- A gift certificate for dinner for four at a local restaurant and a note telling them to invite three friends who don’t have family to celebrate. Give them the opportunity to give!
- Favorite foods that they love but are too expensive for their budget.
- Take them to church on Christmas Eve and take a walk to see the lights and decorations.
- Help them move furniture or hang curtains, pictures, decorations, etc. in time for the holidays.
- Take the tree and decorations out of storage and help decorate. And, above all, help put everything in order once Christmas is over.
- Make a payment to the telephone or electric company.
- Pay for oven cleaning and maintenance.
- Warm winter clothes, gloves, underwear, nightdress or pajamas, loungewear, tracksuits, socks, slippers or slippers.
- Take the time to listen to their stories and record them for future generations. Sharing his recorded voice with future generations would mean a lot to them.
- Many older people go through bouts of depression during January and February. Why not spread a little cheer by treating them to lunch or dinner? It doesn’t have to be an expensive restaurant; just a place to eat and spend time together.
- Prepare lunch or dinner at home and help clean up afterwards.
- Many older people don’t drive, so get them out of the house; take them shopping, visiting family, or seeing the sites.
- All the children and grandchildren go together to give a great gift. A family delivered a new trash can filled with everyday things like cleaners, paper towels, toilet paper, trash bags, and non-perishable food. The grandchildren can make a card or craft to include.
- A digital camera.
- Food gifts. There are several fresh fruit companies that ship once during the holidays, once a quarter, or once a month. The older person can share the gift with her friends and neighbors.
- A coupon book filled with a to-do list.
- A cleaning lady every two weeks or once a month.
- Change the sheets on his bed once a week or hire a neighbor boy to help you. The difficult task is done and the elder enjoys the friendship of the child.
- A permanent gift certificate to a favorite salon or barber shop. They can come once a week to get their hair done and whenever they need a perm or haircut.
- A gift certificate to get her nails done. As it gets harder to take care of your own feet, give a gift certificate for a pedicure.
- A kitchen timer to remind them when food is cooking on the stove, when clothes are ready to be put in the dryer or taken out of the dryer, to wake them up after a short nap, to remind them not to stay up too late if They are reading before bed. Give more than one timer for different rooms in the house!
- A roll of postage stamps with a special holder, cards, stationery and pens.
- A coupon for a spring cleaning or car wash.
- For the gardener hand out tools, seeds, plant starter kits, peat pots.
- A coupon for a spring yard cleanup.
- Gift certificates to Amazon or other online stores so they can order gifts for themselves.
- If they have a favorite hobby, give them a gift that they can use with their hobby.
- DVD or CD of music and movies if they have a DVD or CD player. If your budget allows, give them a new DVD player!
- A prepaid cell phone for emergency use.
- A new kitten, puppy or bird if they are a pet lover and can take care of one.
- Those in wheelchairs need help shopping. When you deliver, stay for a pick-up snack or dinner at a favorite restaurant.
- Take them on a shopping spree that makes them feel safe and not vulnerable to the car and bag snatching that happens in parking lots.
- A promise booklet with shopping deals, a date to go shopping, a gift of consumables, whether mundane supplies or luxury indulgences, are always appreciated and add to a feeling of abundance and secure comfort. Having a reliable supply of things to use is a wonderful gift.
- Go out for a quiet brunch in a very nice restaurant with children and grandchildren. Let them invite a friend.
- Give them a special dinner with their favorite foods.
- It has a rechargeable flashlight.
- Airline tickets to visit a relative or friend.
If you still don’t know what gift to give, talk to them and listen to their needs. give them yours
time and yourself to show that you care.