Gift Ideas for the Holidays—How to Fill a Special Senior's Needs and Wants
Posted by Donna Mae Scheib on December 20, 2017
Gift Ideas for the Holidays—How to Fill a Special Senior’s Needs and Wants
It’s that time of year when families come together and take part in holiday traditions; for many families, this means exchanging presents. A lot of us struggle to buy something special for a senior loved one. They may say they don’t want or need anything and, after years of gift giving, it can be hard to come up with “new” ideas.
Interested in knowing what some seniors (including my ninety-year-old mother) told me when I recently visited their senior care facility and asked, “What gift would you like for the holidays?” Read on!
Gift Cards
A common response! While it may feel like taking the easy way out, there are still ways to personalize this sort of gift. Think about what your loved one may need the most at this time. Consider purchasing gift cards that can be used at a favorite grocery store, food delivery service or restaurant. Clothing store cards are also a great option—your loved one can purchase a warm sweater or a thick pair of wool socks. Gift cards can also be purchased for pharmaceutical co-pays or over-the-counter needs, books, haircuts and styling, manicures, pedicures, or any number of leisure activities. Another great idea is to purchase gift cards to subscription services—magazines, newspapers, TV services, etc.—that you know your loved one would enjoy year round. If your loved one owns a Nook, Kindle or tablet, consider purchasing them a gift card for their device’s online store—they won’t even need to leave the house to use it!
Single-Serving Treats
Add a personal touch to your gift giving with a homemade dessert (maybe two!) or a healthier treat like a bag of nuts or some granola bars. What’s one of their favorite foods that they can’t indulge in very often? Surprise them!
Added Funds
Many senior facilities have planned outings throughout the year for their residents. Check with the care staff about upcoming events and prepay for some activities.
Personal Care Products
Consider gifting a basket of soaps, shampoo, hand cream, Kleenex, a comb and brush set and/or other products they use daily.
Personalized Gifts
Gifts that add a special touch might include a photobook or framed family photograph, assorted DVDs of musical favorites or a calendar with important dates pre-marked.
A Coupon Booklet
Think outside the box. Create a customized coupon booklet featuring activities you know they enjoy—maybe a trip to the movies, a Friday night fish fry or passes to the local library or museum. How about a visit to a holiday program, concert or craft fair? Make it even more personal by adding a special voucher to bring friends and family to their facility to play checkers and cards or to simply chat.
Other
Looking for additional ideas? Consider these:
- A fun puzzle (with large, sturdy pieces)
- Pretty stationery or a box of thank you notes and birthday cards they can use throughout the year
- Colorful pens and a journal to write in
- Stamps
- A book of crossword puzzles
- New sheets set, a warm comforter or quilt, or some soft towels
- A bird feeder with birdfeed, or a bird house that both birds and your loved one can enjoy
- Indoor plants or flowers
When in doubt, look around their living area. What might they really need, use and enjoy?
Sometimes the simple things are the best gifts of all. After visiting my mother’s facility for few hours, it was time to leave. I enjoyed my time there. Before I left, my mother hugged me tight and whispered in my ear, “Thank you for visiting today, and please come again soon.” I added one more idea to my list of gifts for the holidays:
The gift of yourself.