Gifts for Seniors

The Right Gift

Many seniors fall into one extreme category or the other when it comes to gift choices. They either need everything or already have everything they need. When buying gifts for seniors you have to consider which category they fall into and buy accordingly. If  someone is on a fixed income they could use just about anything but it really depends on the individual and how well you know them. They could want something they themselves could never afford or they may want practical gifts of everyday needs.

For the seniors that fall into the have everything categories there are some really unique gifts to consider. I have been looking at different sites browsing for gifts myself and there are some really cool items to be found. I am going to share some gift ideas with you that fall into both of these categories that I hope will help you in selecting the perfect gift. I have experience in both areas as I have folks on both sides of the family, some who have a fixed income and some who lack for nothing.

Gifts for Seniors on a Fixed Income

As mentioned above the first thing to consider is how well you know the individual. If you know them well then you can ask them if they want a practical gift or have a special request. I have an aunt who hates practical gifts even though she is not well-to-do. She wants gifts that are completely just a splurge for her, something to brighten her day. If you were to give her a coffee pot or microwave oven, for example, believe me, your goose would be cooked. Another senior I know loves to get practical gifts like a particular pair of shoes they get every year or sheets, etc. If it is someone you know well it is best to ask for a list to choose from and go from there.

If you do not know these people well then it is probably good to stick to the practical because you can pretty much see their needs. Those that have a hard time getting groceries or gasoline for example would love a Wal-Mart (or some similar store) gift card to take care of some of those needs. Walmart is a good choice because they can even use it for groceries if necessary. I read about a gift that I thought was neat depending on how much money you want to spend, get a gift card or certificate from a reputable auto shop that they can use for oil changes/tune-ups or minor repairs. Gift cards to a favorite restaurant are always nice if you know they do not get to go out often. Another thing that people on a fixed income need is money to get their hair done, either cut or colored. I know my Aunt often needs a haircut and color and cannot afford it. She loves it when one of her children gives her a gift certificate to get her hair done.

Another thing to consider is whether or not the person can get around by themselves. It may be that you could take them shopping or out to eat as part of their gift, what a blessing that would be to a homebound senior. Or you could make them a meal with a special dessert. We have a couple across the street from us that we take cookies to because she has arthritis so severe she can hardly move let alone bake and they just love cookies. It brightens up their faces when they see those cookies coming! To me, it is fairly simple to figure out what to buy for someone who needs everything. Just talk to them for a short time or spend a few minutes with them and you will know.

Gifts for Seniors Who Have Everything

The harder gifts for me have always been buying for the ones who really do not need much. My dad and older brother are like that and I have a devil of a time buying gifts for them every year. When someone has all the clothes they need, all the basic comforts of life, and then some, this is when you have to get creative. It is helpful if they have hobbies because then it is a little easier. For example, my brother loves to read and is very much into jogging, tennis, golf, and is really very active. He loves to read informational type books and books on sports; he even cooks for himself so cookbooks are an option. Any kind of sporting equipment, especially winter wear for jogging he would be into. There are also all kinds of great golfing
gifts.

My dad on the other hand is not into any sport physically speaking (loves to watch it on the television though) and has limited interests. He collects antiques which are generally way too expensive for me to buy. Over the years I have tried to buy him unique gifts which did not go over as I had pictured them so Dad pretty much gets the same gifts every year and it makes him happy. Some folks are like that too, I’ve noticed older men (in general) like certain things and like to count on getting the same thing every year. My wife’s dad was the same way also. My dad wanted his favorite cologne and a nice bag of fresh pistachios. That’s it and he was thrilled. Sometimes I would throw in new slippers or bake some homemade cookies or candy that he liked but we got to where we seldom deviated. For my father-in-law it was a certain pair of polyester pants he wore, a certain kind of shirt, and a couple of cans of nuts that he liked to eat. He was on a set income and that is what he wanted. My dad had everything he wanted and my father-in-law didn’t but those gifts made them both happy. Well, there you go.

If you have folks in your life who have it all and do not like to get the same things over and over here are a few gifts I have run across lately that they may like. I will list a few below.

• Personalized Golf Towel Here is a gift for either gender; anyone who loves the game of golf would get a kick out of personalized golf towels. If you know an avid golfer and you have seen their passion for the game you probably know this would be appreciated.

• Personalized Sports New York Times Book  This would be one that my brother would love. You can pick between the sports of football, baseball, or golf each one featuring significant moments in your chosen team’s history. The book can be personalized on the front cover and on the cover page with a name and personal message. What a great gift
  for the sports lovers in your life who have just about everything!

• Trudeau 24-Piece Stainless-Steel Lazy Susan 40-Ounce Fondue Set  I think this would be a great gift, particularly for the woman who has just about everything in her well-equipped kitchen. If she doesn’t already have a fondue set this is a nice one. What fun to have a party with fondue! I remember when I was growing up it was all the rave to have a fondue party. What is not to love about anything that has to do with chocolate, cheese, or fried bits of scrumptiousness?

• Classic Village Luminaria Set This is such a sweet set of colonial-style houses and a church which are beautifully crafted and made out of heavyweight pressed paper. It has
  icicles to set the wintery mood and LED tea lights to illuminate the village from inside of each building. A sweet gift to decorate any home for the holidays. If you have someone to buy for who loves to decorate then this is the one.

I hope some of these suggestions will be helpful to you when you are stuck in buying that special someone a gift. Remember to watch and observe what those with everything take an interest in and buy them something novel in that area. For those with set incomes think practical or special desire. One thing is for sure, if you’re buying from the heart you cannot go wrong.

See Also:

• Annuities for Retirement
• How To Develop Winning Money Management Skills
•  Top 10- Nicest Affordable Cars
• Senior Citizens Driving Safely: When to Hang up the Car Keys?
• It’s Never Too Early to Begin Preparing for Retirement Financially

Image courtesy of Naypong / FreeDigitalPhotos.net