Gifts for Elderly

Product-Related Gifts for Elderly

It can be hard to find product-related gifts to give to older people. Many have collected quite a bit of stuff already. You also want an item you give to someone to be either meaningful or useful.

Meaningful Gift Items

A meaningful gift should be something that holds a particular significance, not a toaster or teacup set. Possible gift options include:

• A homemade gift from a grandchild: A painted pot, beaded necklace, winter wreath made with items a grandchild collects--a homemade gift from a grandchild is sure to be a hit, no matter how simple.
• A family photo nicely matted and framed: What’s extra special is to have a professional photo taken of a senior and one or more of their loved ones. When was the last time you included your grandmother in a family photo shoot?
• A gift your child chooses and the story behind the gift: For example, if your child picks out a holiday ornament for a grandparent, ask your child why. You can jot down their answer on a nice card. People like to know the meaning behind a gift.
• Any item you can personalize is nice: One great option that always goes over with great success is a personalized calendar. This one is mainly good for an older adult with grandchildren. It's 12 months of grandkid pictures!
• A family or friend scrapbook: Create a great book full of photos, quotes, and memories that will be loved for years to come.

Useful Gift Items

Useful means that your gift should make someone’s life easier or provide them a means to do a task they enjoy. Here are some great ideas:

• Large print books or book on tape: Large print books are not at every library and books on tape can be hard to find as well. For some people, large print and, or audio books can make it easier to enjoy literature. Learn about an individual’s favorite authors and then hunt down their books in large print or on audio.
• Paper, pen, and stamps: Allows for letter writing and staying in touch with friends. Be sure to find a nice stationary and beautiful pen.
• Long distance phone card: Phone calls are expensive, so your gift of a phone card can help a senior stay in touch with family and friends.
• Pay some bills: This gift sounds unglamorous but it’s a good one. If you can afford it, offer to cover a bill each month for a very special elderly friend. Many older individuals are on set incomes. If you cover one bill a month, say, a water, phone, or electric bill, it might free up money that someone can spend on fun items.
• Hire a housekeeper to come in once a month and tidy up: This is a gift anyone would love but for an older individual, professional housekeeping is a huge treat.

Also consider hobby supplies as great gifts for seniors, because they give the gift of activity, stimulation, and fun. Now, that’s useful! Great places to look for hobby supplies include:

• Michaels: Most crafty art projects under the sun. Sewing, paint, pottery, scrapbooking supplies and more.
• Hobbies.net: You'll find a good assortment of models and puzzles here.
• Edmund Scientific: Fun science hobbies and activities for the young or young at heart.
• Chefmall: Gifts for cooking enthusiasts.
• Gardening supplies that increase comfort and ease of work.

Look on LoveToKnow Crafts for more ideas.

Time-Based Gifts

Time-based gifts for elderly family members or friends far outweigh product-based gifts for many people. Products come and go, but time spent together creates a memory. Various research shows that the more socially active an individual is, and the more senior activities they participate in, the healthier they tend to be as well.

Some ideas of time-based gifts for elderly individuals include:

• Go over and cook dinner once a week. Afterwards stay and play cards or another fun game, or just talk.
• Call regularly and chat.
• Volunteer together at a community garden, community center, local greenhouse, or elementary school.
• On your next family vacation, take an older relative. They’d love Disneyland too.
• Pick up elderly friends as a surprise and take them with you the next time you and your children visit the park.
• Start or work on a hobby or scrapbook together.
• Take up a healthy class, such as low-fat cooking, swimming, Tai Chi for seniors, or yoga. Get fit and spend time together.

Conclusion

Honestly, it really doesn’t matter what activity you’re doing. Whether simply birdwatching or going RV camping; what really matters is you and an elderly family member or friend get to enjoy time together. That’s the best gift anyone can receive – attention, caring, love, and friendship.