ALT-1 Christmas 2007 Gift Ideas for Seniors
Senior Surprises
The fastest growing segment of the US Population is seniors. We are all living longer and no matter how old we get, we love to receive gifts. Think about the person you are giving the gift to, what are their interests, hobbies, favorite things to do?
Some ideas for different groups:
Seniors in Nursing Homes are a special group indeed, the best gift you can give a senior in assisted living or in a nursing home setting is your time. Visit and visit often, my grandmother was in a nursing home for the last 5 years of her life, not one single day went by in that five years that a member of our family did not visit or call. I remember going to the nursing home after school every day to visit. Visiting is the single best gift you can give a senior in a nursing home. Other things you can provide them, pretty soaps, baskets of tasty goodies for them to share, family pictures, movies on DVD, a DVD player. One year I gave my gardening loving grandmother a window garden, I planted the seeds with her, watered them when I visited and watched it grow, she died in 1989, I brought that garden home, it has been re-potted several times, but I still have it. What a great memory to share with my children!
Grandparents are special people. Compile your pictures of your children, take them to Walgreens or CVS and have a calendar made for 2008 with pictures of their grandchildren. Professionally frame some nice artwork from your children. Do they play cards, get some cards made with a Christmas photo of your family. Give all the adult children & grandchildren cards that are stamped and addressed, have them write them and mail them periodically throughout the year.
Gifts any senior will love, grandparents, neighbors, acquaintances, etc.
Do they love plants? Get them a plant of the month club, they will receive a beautiful flowering plant once a month, same goes for fruit, or wine; there are many options for this that are not to expensive and are something wonderful for them to look forward to each month.
Cleaning: Many seniors don't see well enough to know the house is not clean and WILL NOT ask for help. Show up at their house, with a bucket and some cleaning supplies and go to it, they will appreciate it more than you know, sometimes you have to insist and not take no for an answer, remember their pride, but I guarantee you they will appreciate it and remember it.
Be thoughtful and spend a little time and imagination on the seniors in your life, they will remember it and appreciate it. You will feel better for it.
