ALT-2 Christmas 2007 Gift Ideas for Seniors
Gifts That Keep On Giving
Who would have thought, that something as inexpensive as a potato peeler, would bring a huge smile of joy from an 85-year-old woman on a fixed income. Fixed so low that she can not afford the bare necessities of life, let alone a new potato peeler.
How stunned do you think I was, when this was the answer my aunt blurted out, when she and my mother and I were visiting and discussing the topic of gifts for seniors. I was too ashamed to tell her I had thrown two away during my recent move.
Opie in Mayberry isn't the only one lucky enough to have an Aunt Bea. Mine is a wonderfully, delightful, loving matriarch of a large family. She has always kept things interesting in the family, not only because of more than her share of hard luck, but because she also does things like run over herself with her own car, luckily only shattering her hip.
For years, Aunt Bea, provided all us girls, in the family, cosmetics she would buy using her discount as clerk for the old Womble's Drug Store on H Street where she worked for over 40 years.
Always generous with her love, Aunt Bea taught us all how to not take yourself or life too seriously, openly laughing while telling a story of something "stupid" she did. You can't help but caught up in the telling of the stories of her antics, in-between belly laughs then her ending with "I can't believe I did that, can you?"
After I got over the shock of Aunt Bea's need for a new potato peeler, we brainstormed other gifts that needy seniors could use, in-between sharing stories, and found the list was endless. We all agreed that if you don't know for sure, ask the senior before spending your hard earned money or valuable time.
Helping seniors with food gift certificates, medicines, shelter and utility bills can mean the difference between life and death.
Medical supplies, hearing aid batteries, a cane or walker, raised toilet seat, help paying for a new pair of glasses or other assistive devices, and rides to medical appointments can make every day life easier.
Replacing an old can opener with the new Black & Decker opener that opens all sizes of cans, is great for someone with weak hands. Food processors, choppers and other energy saving appliances can make cooking safer.
Bus passes, tickets for a special show or gift certificates for movies, restaurants or bingo, can provide some pleasure time for an otherwise isolated individual.
If you are a handy or helping kind of person, giving a gift card of service hours, to be used as needed for repairs, help around the house or in the yard is a great gift. Help with paperwork, changing filters and fire alarm batteries can help the senior feel safer. Planting or feeding and trimming plants, straightening the garage and helping with spring cleaning, will not only help prevent hoarding, but also provides a less cluttered living environment.
Helping with the purchase of craft and hobby supplies or shopping at thrift stores for puzzles, cards, games and other activity types of gifts, helps structure the time for someone who is unable to get out much.
For those with less need, there is more opportunity to gift something more fun, again, keeping in mind what would be best for the specific gift receiver.
Being one who works overtime trying to find the most outlandish, fun gift for those I care about, I hit pay dirt when I paid for a one year subscription to Playgirl magazine for my then 80-year-old grandmother. No longer in print, this magazine was the female equivalent of Playboy. Whether it had the same effect on the female libido, that Playboy supposedly has on men, I don't think was ever determined-unfortunately.
Whether it did or not, my grandmother anxiously awaited the delivery of her monthly magazine wrapped in plain, brown wrapping paper. I always wondered if the plain wrapper was to protect the receiver from being stocked by all the dirty-old-men, who just might be hiding in the bushes, waiting to see which lusty-old-ladies were receiving plain, brown packages each month.
And then there was the question of what the mailman thought of my dainty, prim and proper, styling grandmother as he stuffed the magazine into the mail slot. All I know is Grandma could not wait to share the contents of her magazine with me each month. "Oh, those gorgeous young men," she would longingly say. She was not the only one disappointed when the magazine went out of print-it was just too early for it's time.
With no new magazine to replace Playgirl, batteries might be the next best thing. Yep-that does still happen after 80. So what greater fun than to spend a Sunday afternoon at the local X-rated toy store, helping someone comfortable with their sexuality use their holiday gift certificate. Of course, you have to also be comfortable or things could get a little awkward.Make the holiday season for those you care about a special treat this year. Next time I move and find myself getting ready to throw away that extra potato peeler, I'll find it a new home instead and maybe deliver it with a silk nightgown and a gift certificate for rental of an X-rated movie. Happy Gift Buying!
