Creative Gift Ideas for the Elderly
There are Many Fun or Practical Items Available for Seniors
Getting creative in your gifting can bring the biggest smile to those you shop for and especially for a senior. There are many gifts that can be very suitable for the elderly person on your list but items that will help them to look and feel younger are some of the best gifts to bestow.
Some gift choices can make a senior feel super special and these are exactly the type of present that you want to give them. There are hundreds of great products that will help to make them feel like they are years younger than their birth certificate says they are. Unusual, practical, and a bit of a novelty these gifts come in a wonderful array of themes, colors, and styles which means that the selection is ideal. There is something that will perfectly suit each person. Of course a hug is always welcome too. A Gift of Fun is Ideal. Get Your Senior Into the Game!
Many seniors get together with friends at the local community center to play cards but limited vision can make seeing the numbers on the playing cards difficult. Large number playing cards are an excellent gift item.
Always include at least 2 to 4 decks so they will be able to participate in games like Canasta and Zamba which require more than one deck in their play. If your gift is one of entertainment than you open the door for the recipient to feel like a kid again. Play is important for every person at any age. Gift certificates to his / her favorite restaurant, coffee shop, or department store are all a means to get your elderly person out and enjoying life. A pair of tickets to a local hockey game, concert or other local event are other wonderful choices. If the elderly person on your gift list is single be sure to provide an extra ticket so he or she can take along a friend. Events are always more fun when you participate with a friend. A little fresh air and a good dose of sunshine definitely improves a person's attitude and outlook. Twenty minutes in the sun will also provide you with a good dose of vitamin D. Lawn games are a great gift choice for anyone of any age. Age does not remove our joy in play. This is why a gift of fun can be very important. Sweet Treats and Gifts of Entertainment
Many elderly persons are on a low income. Not only do they often have higher medical costs but a government pension often does not allow much additional income for all the fun little extras of life.
Many seniors find their income barely covers the costs of housing, medical, and other essentials such as food and transportation. If your gift can provide an opportunity for entertainment while at the same time still improving their health then the added fun aspect of your present makes it an experience that surpasses mere dollars and cents. Excellent choices in this area are passes to a local swimming pool or bowling lane, golf passes, dance lessons, yoga lessons, or a pair of tickets to an upcoming dinner and dance event. Circulation can be a major issue for the elderly so a massage can be a wonderfully thoughtful gift to receive. A gift certificate to a local spa or a massage theme product they can use at their leisure at home. Physical Fitness Gifts Really Can be Fun
A senior recipient may chuckle when they open a fitness gift but you can be sure that they will use it to regain strength and a more youthful appearance. Just keep the product within their fitness level to avoid risk of injury.
A lighter weight neoprene dumbbell set is a wonderful item for a special grandmom or granddad. It is a gift that says I care. Staying active is important at any age and even more so for the elderly to prevent muscle loss. Fortunately with so many people today working desk jobs a new trend in physical fitness equipment is geared for those in a seated position. These elliptical and pedal exercises can be a lot of fun and ideal for those who may have limited mobility. Simply peddling while watching TV can help to improve the circulation in the feet and legs. A mini cycle used in a sitting position can be an ideal piece of exercise equipment for them. A new fishing rod or tackle box is perfect for those who enjoy a day on the lake while a pedometer, smart watch, or fitbit can be ideal for those who enjoy going out for a walk. A pedometer counts the steps and distance that a person travels throughout his or her day while the new fit watches and bracelets keep a tab on their health. An Indoor Gift of Fitness Can be Fun
A treadmill is an excellent gift as it allows a person with joint issues to walk during the winter without the fear of slipping on ice and experiencing a fall. If you are searching for a good choice for a grandparent a treadmill is it.
When it is cold and icy outside they can still get up and take a little walk to increase lung and heart health. The elderly have special fitness requirements which need to be taken into consideration when purchasing gifts for them. They need to stay active but may have to accomplish this in a bit of a different manner than their younger counterparts. An elliptical machine is another really great product for those who may not be in peak condition. For the elderly or disabled they are ideal. This fitness equipment allow for a weight bearing exercise program while minimizing stress on the joints and thereby preventing damage to inflamed joints. If the elderly person on your gift list is in good health with excellent knee joints than an exercise bike is another gift item to consider. In exercise equipment choices keep in mind the limitations of the person you are purchasing for. Copper Naturally Practical and Decorative
A Few Little Surprises Make the Gift Extra Special 
Heart healthy gift baskets are ideal for a senior. With a wide variety of items within them they will find something they will enjoy and a few other items which they can share with their friends as well.
Include a special little surprise or two in their gift. Select small items you think would make them feel extra special and be sure to include something which they really are not expecting. When you wrap up your basket slip in a lottery ticket among their treats as this special little gift will give them something exciting to look forward to. A two dollar lottery ticket can provide more dreams than most hundred dollar gifts can so even if they don't win on that ticket it is always worth the investment. Another nice idea is to enclose a gift card for a meal at their favorite restaurant or coffee shop, tickets to a movie, or passes for an afternoon of golf. Little surprises just because they are surprises can make any gift an extra special treat for the person who receives it. Gift Baskets are Exciting as They Contain a Variety of Items
Gift baskets can be so much fun for those who create them and those who receive them. You can go with a traditional basket or use an item such as a jewelry box, tackle box, salad bowl, or tea pot as your container. There are many imaginative ways to build a basket gift so be creative.
When you do up a basket include a few little unexpected treats as well. If the elderly person on your list likes crossword or word search puzzles, then include in a couple books, new pencils and erasers in their treat basket. If they play cards quiet frequently as do many seniors, include in their package some all plastic cards, large numbered cards, new pencils and score pads. Anything that makes the elderly person on your list smile, be it a cat theme, a puppy theme, angels or good luck charms, use it to make their gift sparkle. Little Luxuries are always appreciated. If the person on your shopping list has a sweet tooth or some other food preference than a nice gift basket of their favorite goodies is always a wonderful choice. Home baked cookies, cake, biscuits, brownies or other sweet goodies are always appreciated. Bring Them a Smile for Their Birthday, Anniversary, or Christmas
An indoor herb garden, medicinal aloe plant, or planter box filled with a variety of lettuce sprigs is the perfect gift for anyone but even more so for elderly friends and relatives.
These beautiful indoor gardens not only supply a tasty supply of fresh herbs all year round but they are also a delightful decorative plant to place in the kitchen or living room of your home. It doesn't take much to make a simple gift special, a little humor, a unique touch, and a wee little unexpected surprise. It is the love of life that really makes us young and the special little touches added to a gift really can make an older person feel like a kid again. A great gift doesn't have to cost a lot it just takes a creative thought. |
Lorelei Cohen
Writer, blogger, wife, mother, and grandmom. I love to write and I love to shop, combining these elements just seemed logical so here I am.
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