We all have someone on our gift list who is hard to shop for because they already have it all, or have limited space, such as someone in a nursing home or assisted living home. Most often, without being too nosy, you usually have an idea of their income as well. Here are a few gift ideas (many can be used year around, not just at Christmas time), of items they will really appreciate, want, use, and that won't take up a lot of space.
For someone on food stamps or a very limited fixed income, this is a real blessing. You might also include in that box a couple of Rubbermaid food storage type containers.
Also add coupons for services they might use, such as washing their car, cleaning their carpets, windows, and mini blinds for them, mowing their lawn, working in the garden, painting, etc. Be creative; just look around and see what needs to be done, that due to finances or physical labor needs to be done and do it for them.
By mom-from-missouri from Plattsburg, MO
I live in Senior Housing/low income housing. I do not have a car nor do a lot of the people that live here. Although we have a marvelous Council On Aging that has a bus for different trips there are still places that we are unable to go.
Despite claims that the economy has improved somewhat, it has worsened for those on fixed incomes and on social services. Cash gifts go uncounted unless tied to some traceable source.
When buying an appliance such as a coffee maker for a senior citizen, make sure it has an automatic shut off in case they forget to turn it off.
Need a Christmas/birthday/anniversary gift idea for someone who is on medicare and often gets prescriptions? Get them a gift card to their pharmacy.
It is not easy to find a gift for elderly friends and relatives. I give them stationary, a ball point pen and stamps. By Jean Sterling
My grandpa just lost his wife (my grandma) three months ago. I don't know what to get him for Christmas now. When my grandma was alive I usually got them a gift card to go out to dinner somewhere nice. Any ideas of what to get him would be appreciated. Thank you.
I think you should still get him the gift card and make a date night with him. He will be especially lonely around the holidays and by you going out to eat with him he will be reminded how much he is loved by those still on earth.
Do you live near enough that you could take him out to dinner yourself? I am sure that even though your grandmother is no longer alive, he would enjoy a meal out. Or perhaps he has a friend he could go with. I am sure whatever you choose he will appreciate.
How about a supply of frozen dinners that he could just cook in the micro? Or a box of necessities like toilet paper, soap, laundry detergent, etc....Or a gift card to a grocery or drug store or for gasoline? The idea of taking him out to dinner is great. I see elderly people with their children at my favorite buffet all the time and they always look so happy!
You might take him out to dinner yourself, since he is now alone. He would appreciate the company and I think you will, too.
How about a really nice fuzzy and soft blanket to wrap up in, when he is feeling cold and sad? A mug set with a ton of different coffee, tea or flavored syrups if he is set on one type of coffee. A cleaning service, once a month for a few months, or a year, or a coupon for you to do it.
There are so many things to do. The first thing, is he ready for winter? Does he need gloves etc. What does he need help with? If you have a husband or kids you could all make him a coupon book with ways to help. Say keep walks shoveled and dust the house mop floors. I am assuming at his age he does not drive but just in case he does a book with car washes and cleaning his car inside would tickle him I know my Dad was so happy with his before he passed away and then my mom wanted one.
You could also (getting back to your coupon book.) Promise a day to come in you and your family be it sister's, brother's children, etc. and clean for him. You could invite him for hot cooked meal's. You can make extra and freeze it and when you can take the frozen food over to him to warm up for a hot meal. This could all go into your coupon book.
Check to see if your area where you live has meal's on wheel's they are people who make sure senior citizen's get hot meals. They also have a program where someone comes into clean once a week. Check into that or if you are not strapped for cash you can hire a maid to clean.
Make sure he has rides for appointments. We have a system for old people that will pick older people up and take them to appointments and some places deliver groceries and prescriptions. Make sure he has help with his winter heating bills they have programs for senior's for gas and electric where if he can not make the full payments they will help.
Do all you can to help in these ways they are important. Most important spend time with him on Christmas. He will not want to be alone. Can he spend the night with someone? Right now he will want to talk. Take him to movies but wait until he seems ready but for now all these things he will need help with. And hugs do not forget to add hugs for him in your coupon book. I know I went way over what you asked but I know what he needs and he also needs everyone's help and love most of all.
Making up some gift bags of items for people in a nursing home is sure to brighten the day of anyone receiving this thoughtful gift. This is a page about gift bags for seniors in nursing homes.
If you are wondering what to give older friends/relatives for the holidays, here is an idea: Consumable gifts are always welcome since seniors do not want to get things that will end up collecting dust or ending up in a yard sale!
I have to buy to presents for the senior citizen part, one for a male and one for a female. I don't know what to get. I need help, but I really don't have a clue what to get.
Choosing the perfect gift for an elderly parent is easy if you think about what they would really enjoy, such as special foods, a chore jar, books, and such. This is a page about Christmas gift ideas for elderly dad.