No matter how you celebrate this holiday season, we have some gift ideas for the seniors in your life! We know how challenging it can be to find the right gift for someone, so we wanted to make this blog post to help you search! Gift-giving is a love language for many, while for others, it’s a foreign language, no matter what it is for you, we’re here to help give you some ideas! A gift doesn’t need to be expensive or fancy to be valuable; rather, it should show how much you love, care, and know the person you’re gifting. Often, sentimental gifts are the most valuable. Think of some of your favorite gifts you’ve received — have they been luxurious items? Well, maybe, but we can’t exactly make a gift idea blog post, with the idea being that everyone should take a vacation, although we are fond of that idea as well.

As we discussed in our last blog post, the holiday season can often be full of stress, last-minute shopping, and subsequent overspending. So, we have created a list of ideas for gifts that are thoughtful and won’t break the bank.

Whether it be someone’s birthday, a holiday, or just because, the right gift can go a long way in brightening their day and making their lives easier, as we grow older, needs and priorities change, so we’ve compiled a list of gifts specifically targeted toward seniors that can help bring comfort, connection, and joy to the seniors in your life.

5 Tips For Gift-Giving:

Here are some tips for gift-giving that can apply to all age groups!

1. Shop by hobby/interest – give gifts based on things they enjoy doing
2. Shop to fix a problem – help them solve a problem they’ve mentioned previously
3. Shop by experience – give the gift of an adventure to partake in together
4. Shop by aspiration – help to fulfill a dream of theirs (no matter how big or small)
5. Shop by collection – if they collect something, gift one to add to their collection

6 Gift Ideas for Seniors

1. Personalized Keepsakes

There is something special about personalized gifts. A personal touch instantly elevates a gift and makes it all the more sentimental. Here are some ideas for personalized gifts to give the seniors in your life:

• Blanket or Pillow: A custom blanket or pillow with pictures of memories you’ve shared is sure to warm hearts and keep you cozy at the same time!
• Jewelry: A necklace or bracelet with personalization of a sweet phrase or inside joke to wear and remind them of you. You could also include engraved initials or birthstones for a subtle reminder of their family and loved ones.

2. Comfort and Relaxation

Comfort and relaxation are always things we could use more of. And while you can’t exactly gift someone peace of mind, you can gift them with the tools to help increase their comfort and produce some relaxing moments. Here are some ideas for gifts to help the seniors in your life relax:

• Heated Blankets: Seniors are known to often feel colder, so a nice and warm blanket would be a great option to help keep them cozy during the chilly months.
• Foot Massagers: Seniors are also prone to issues with their feet and could benefit from a foot massager. This can help relieve swelling or pain and help them relax. 
• Aromatherapy Diffusers: A great gift for helping anyone to relax. Diffusers are great for calming our nervous system and reducing stress.

3. Technology

Most seniors use technology in some form to help them stay connected with others, whether that be a landline phone or cellphone, social media, or television. There are so many amazing gadgets out there now that can help the seniors in your life better stay connected and even provide assistance if and when needed. Here are some ideas for technological gifts for the seniors in your life:

• Smart speakers: Devices such as Amazon’s Alexa Echo or Google Home enable your senior to stay connected, ask questions, listen to music, get reminders, or hear news updates. Another device we’d recommend is the ElliQ, which is an advanced social robot that supports seniors in keeping their lives healthy, active, and connected. Check out our previous blog post to learn more about the ElliQ!
• Digital photo frames: These can shuffle through photos and memories and allow you to have a tabletop photo album. Some also allow family members to add new pictures from their computers so they have something new to look at all the time.
• Health Monitors: Fitness trackers or pedometers nowadays are huge motivators in staying active. They can also monitor sleep, heart rate, and more. These can be beneficial for those wanting to keep track of varying aspects of their health.

4. Games

It’s always fun to gather with friends and family and play games, especially on the holidays. Playing games can keep your mind active and encourage connection between you and others. Games that test the brain or prompt creativity are a great way to enjoy free time together. Here are some ideas for games to gift:

• Puzzles: A classic option would be a jigsaw puzzle! There are fun and festive options, or you could pick one that fits a theme of the interest of the person you’re giving the gift to. You could also make a custom and personalized puzzle with pictures together. 
• Board Games and Card Games: Games like Scrabble, Bingo, Yahtzee, Uno, Skip-Bo, and many others are great options to play together.

5. Hobbies and Creativity

Everyone likely has one or more hobbies that they partake in. Whatever this hobby is, find a gift that could encourage this hobby and maybe find a way to enjoy it alongside them. For example, if someone likes to fish, you could offer to go fishing with them. If it’s their hobby to sew, you could ask them to do a sewing project together.

• Crafting, Sewing, or Knitting Kit: Getting them a new knitting, crafting, or sewing set that they can use to create something new.
• Gardening: People who enjoy gardening might enjoy a new plant or plant accessories.
• Coloring Books: Coloring is not just for children and can be enjoyed by people of any age. There are many varieties of coloring books with different themes targeted towards adults that you can pick from.

6. Experiences

Great gifts don’t even have to be physical or tangible. Instead, you could give the gift of your time with tickets to a sports game, a local musical production, or a concert.

• Concert or Theater Tickets: Going to a concert and seeing new music or hearing music you know live is a wonderful experience.
• Classes: The gift of community classes such as cooking classes or art classes can be a great gift if the senior in your life is a social butterfly or is just looking for more social connectivity. 

One of the greatest things you could give a senior in your life is your time. Spending quality time connecting with them will always be a welcome present. And if you wish to go above and beyond, just think about their needs, their interests, and their preferences, and you’ll be sure to find the perfect gift for them! 

At Senior Industry Services, we believe in making life easier and more joyful for seniors, one thoughtful action at a time. So, take your time, find something that suits your loved one’s unique personality, and enjoy the joy that comes with giving from the heart.

Happy gifting and Happy Holidays from your friends at Senior Industry Services!

Written for Senior Industry Services by Lauren Hope Bartling