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 maintain 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 your budget would not allow it.

If you don’t have a lot of money to spend, give them your time. Tackling a task that is too difficult for

your favorite senior, like cleaning your house or taking care of your garden. Run errands or take them away

shopping. Cook healthy meals for them. Give them a gift certificate from you with a promise to take

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.

1. Tickets to a local movie, theater, concert, symphony, or reading. If they live alone, you can give them two tickets so they can invite a friend.
2. 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.
3. An offer to have a holiday dinner at your house instead of theirs.
4. A new portable phone.
5. Blank CDs for storing music or graphics.
6. A box of your favorite candies; one or two boxes a year won’t hurt. (If your health allows it.)
7. A gift card to a restaurant, department store, pharmacy, grocery store, or supermarket.
8. The latest book by a favorite author, a gift certificate to a bookstore, or a subscription to a book club.
9. Phone cards so they can call family and friends without feeling guilty about the phone bill.
10. A new computer, computer accessory, or lesson program to use. A computer allows them to keep in daily contact with friends and family online. If they have a printer, they might like paper, ink or toner cartridges.
11. A computer class at your local computer learning center or community college.
12. For the crafter, gift certificates from Michaels, Richards, or Hobby Lobby.
13. Membership in a gym or interest group.
14. Membership in a local discount shopping club like Sam’s Club or Costco.
15. 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 a chance to give!
16. Favorite foods they love but are too expensive for their budget.
17. Take them to church on Christmas Eve and take a walk to see the lights and decorations.
18. Help them move furniture or hang curtains, pictures, decorations, etc. in time for the holidays.
19. Get the tree and decorations out of storage and help decorate. And, above all, help put everything in order once Christmas is over.
20. Make a payment to the telephone or electric company.
21. Pay for oven cleaning and maintenance.
22. Warm winter clothing, gloves, underwear, nightdress or pajamas, loungewear, tracksuits, socks, slippers or slippers.
23. Take the time to listen to their stories and record them for future generations. Sharing your recorded voice with future generations would mean a lot to them.
24. Many older people go through bouts of depression during January and February. Why not spread a little cheer by inviting them over for lunch or dinner? It doesn’t have to be an expensive restaurant; just a place to eat and spend time together.
25. Prepare lunch or dinner at home and help clean up afterwards.
26. Many older people don’t drive, so get them out of the house; Take them shopping, to visit a relative, or to see the sites.
27. All the children and grandchildren go together to give a great gift. One family delivered a new trash can filled with everyday items such as cleaners, paper towels, toilet paper, trash bags, and non-perishable food. Grandchildren can make a card or craft to include.
28. A digital camera.
29. 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.
30. A coupon book filled with a to-do list.
31. A cleaning lady every two weeks or once a month.
32. 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 boy’s friendship.
33. A permanent gift certificate to a favorite salon or barbershop. They can come once a week to get their hair done and whenever they need a perm or haircut.
34. A gift certificate to get your nails done. As it gets harder to take care of your own feet, give a gift certificate for a pedicure.
35. A kitchen timer to remind them when food is cooking on the stove, when clothes are ready to put in or 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 going to bed. Give more than one timer for different rooms in the house!
36. A roll of postage stamps with a special holder, cards, stationery and pens.
37. A coupon for a spring cleaning or car wash.
38. For the gardener hand out tools, seeds, plant starter kits, peat pots.
39. A coupon for a spring cleaning of the garden.
40. Gift certificates to Amazon or other online stores so they can order gifts for themselves.
41. If they have a favorite hobby, give them a gift that they can use with their hobby.
42. DVDs or CDs of music and movies if they have a DVD or CD player. If your budget allows it, get them a new DVD player!
43. A prepaid cell phone for emergency use.
44. A new kitten, puppy, or bird if they are pet lovers and can take care of one.
45. Those in a wheelchair need help shopping. When you deliver, stay for a picked up snack or dinner at a favorite restaurant.
46. Take them on a shopping spree that makes them feel safe and not vulnerable to the car and bag snatches that happen in parking lots.
47. 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 sense of abundance and secure comfort. Having a reliable supply of things to wear is a wonderful gift.
48. Go out for a quiet brunch at a very nice restaurant with children and grandchildren. Let them invite a friend.
49. Give them a special dinner with their favorite foods.
50. It has a rechargeable flashlight.
51. Plane 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 you care.