Ageing Senior Gift Present Christmas Family Active
Being of the senior persuasion myself and having discussed this situation with others my age; let's first consider what us old dears have plenty of and don't want:Unless you know for a fact your Senior needs/wants sleep wear don't just assume they do. I personally have enough pajamas and night gowns to outfit an entire nursing home and it's staff including matching robes. In the event of a prolonged illness I'd have to be 120 years old to wear each of them one time. Same goes for bedroom slippers and most of them don't even come close to fitting or being comfortable. I can't live long enough to wear them all much less wear them out to the point of needing more.Bath powders and bath products are nice but unless you know the brand/kind your Senior prefers don't go there. I've got stacks of this stuff in my gift closet and I just pass it on! Be very wary of giving bath oils and any product that leaves a residue in the shower or bath tub. That's a sure prescription for a nasty fall whether it actually happens or not. Lotions and rub-on moisturizers are far more preferable and definitely safer.Never, ever, give the gift of a live, breathing pet unless you've foregone the element of surprise and discussed it with your Senior first. Just because Aunt Susie is suddenly without a pet, no matter the reason, doesn't mean she's ready for another.That's all the finger wagging! Now, having had the benefit of advice straight from several horses' (old ones) mouths - here's some of the good stuff - some of which will apply to ladies only and some which work for both genders. Today's Seniors are a pretty well informed group. We've got more time to keep up with current events, television, reading, etc. and we're more active than you might think - way past the 65 mark.First, consider the big ticket items. If your Senior has an old television (and your budget can swing it) consider a new one with a large screen and a remote that's workable without a degree in engineering. Computers are also great gifts. Lots of Seniors don't use a computer because they don't own one and have never had the chance to become acquainted with one. If you go this route, seek out a source for basic computer courses and make a class part of the gift. Cell phones are super gifts - if your Senior wants and/or will use one. A cell phone gift's even better if the giver's picking up the bill each month.If your Senior likes to read consider books. Any hobby, such as gardening, is a great starter for selecting a book. If who-done-its are a favorite that one's a shoo-in. Does your Senior volunteer or take classes? Give a book that correlates with those activities. Last but not least just look at the best seller list. If it's selling well it's a good read for Seniors too. If it's not the sort of thing they usually read perhaps you'll open a new reading door and introduce them to a new author.Work-related gifts are wonderful and yes, lots of Seniors still go to work every day. How about a gift certificate to a favorite clothing or shoe store? The key words here are gift certificate. As we age most of us become harder to fit and more particular about what we will and won't wear so leave the choice up to us. A gift certificate is found money, so to speak, and we all like that no matter our age.A clever note promising services such as shoveling snow, painting a room, or providing Sunday dinner for a specified period of time are all wonderful gifts and always appreciated. Your promise that we can baby-sit your six kids every weekend isn't welcomed by all seniors so consider that one carefully. Someone to clean our house one day a week would be a real treat!My nieces always give me gifts of make-up including free, first time application after I open the gift. Their gifting keeps me current on makeup tips, colors and application and it's very helpful. They often choose the latest moisturizers and masks for mature skin which I'd never try on my own.Fragrances please us all - if you've done your research. Most Seniors will readily admit to being set in their ways when it comes to perfumes or cologne. We have our likes, dislikes and old favorites just like younger people so keep that in mind. The new "Meet Me Under the Bridge" may be just grand for your 21-year-old daughter but it may smell like "Swamp Surprise" to your Senior!Jewelry comes into play for every gifting occasion and is always a superb gift if chosen with care and forethought. Good costume jewelry is always appropriate for Senior ladies when the style of the recipient is considered. When buying jewelry for male Seniors be very careful. There's not much choice in costume jewelry for men over 50 years old so choose wisely. A good watch, pair of high-end cuff links or perhaps a tasteful gentleman's bracelet are good choices. Cheap here won't do so if your budget won't stretch around a good piece of jewelry for grandpa rule it out.Probably the finest and most treasured gift a Senior, or anyone else, receives at Christmas is the gathering of family, friends and sharing. It's the time of year when everyone comes together to celebrate the birthday of Jesus Christ, honor family and share the joy of creating memories for future years. The last, and perhaps best suggestion: Senior citizens are human beings like everyone else - we've just been practicing longer!
Being of the senior persuasion myself and having discussed this situation with others my age; let's first consider what us old dears have plenty of and don't want:
Unless you know for a fact your Senior needs/wants sleep wear don't just assume they do. I personally have enough pajamas and night gowns to outfit an entire nursing home and it's staff including matching robes. In the event of a prolonged illness I'd have to be 120 years old to wear each of them one time. Same goes for bedroom slippers and most of them don't even come close to fitting or being comfortable. I can't live long enough to wear them all much less wear them out to the point of needing more.
Bath powders and bath products are nice but unless you know the brand/kind your Senior prefers don't go there. I've got stacks of this stuff in my gift closet and I just pass it on! Be very wary of giving bath oils and any product that leaves a residue in the shower or bath tub. That's a sure prescription for a nasty fall whether it actually happens or not. Lotions and rub-on moisturizers are far more preferable and definitely safer.
Never, ever, give the gift of a live, breathing pet unless you've foregone the element of surprise and discussed it with your Senior first. Just because Aunt Susie is suddenly without a pet, no matter the reason, doesn't mean she's ready for another.
That's all the finger wagging! Now, having had the benefit of advice straight from several horses' (old ones) mouths - here's some of the good stuff - some of which will apply to ladies only and some which work for both genders. Today's Seniors are a pretty well informed group. We've got more time to keep up with current events, television, reading, etc. and we're more active than you might think - way past the 65 mark.
First, consider the big ticket items. If your Senior has an old television (and your budget can swing it) consider a new one with a large screen and a remote that's workable without a degree in engineering. Computers are also great gifts. Lots of Seniors don't use a computer because they don't own one and have never had the chance to become acquainted with one. If you go this route, seek out a source for basic computer courses and make a class part of the gift. Cell phones are super gifts - if your Senior wants and/or will use one. A cell phone gift's even better if the giver's picking up the bill each month.
If your Senior likes to read consider books. Any hobby, such as gardening, is a great starter for selecting a book. If who-done-its are a favorite that one's a shoo-in. Does your Senior volunteer or take classes? Give a book that correlates with those activities. Last but not least just look at the best seller list. If it's selling well it's a good read for Seniors too. If it's not the sort of thing they usually read perhaps you'll open a new reading door and introduce them to a new author.
Work-related gifts are wonderful and yes, lots of Seniors still go to work every day. How about a gift certificate to a favorite clothing or shoe store? The key words here are gift certificate. As we age most of us become harder to fit and more particular about what we will and won't wear so leave the choice up to us. A gift certificate is found money, so to speak, and we all like that no matter our age.
A clever note promising services such as shoveling snow, painting a room, or providing Sunday dinner for a specified period of time are all wonderful gifts and always appreciated. Your promise that we can baby-sit your six kids every weekend isn't welcomed by all seniors so consider that one carefully. Someone to clean our house one day a week would be a real treat!
My nieces always give me gifts of make-up including free, first time application after I open the gift. Their gifting keeps me current on makeup tips, colors and application and it's very helpful. They often choose the latest moisturizers and masks for mature skin which I'd never try on my own.
Fragrances please us all - if you've done your research. Most Seniors will readily admit to being set in their ways when it comes to perfumes or cologne. We have our likes, dislikes and old favorites just like younger people so keep that in mind. The new "Meet Me Under the Bridge" may be just grand for your 21-year-old daughter but it may smell like "Swamp Surprise" to your Senior!
Jewelry comes into play for every gifting occasion and is always a superb gift if chosen with care and forethought. Good costume jewelry is always appropriate for Senior ladies when the style of the recipient is considered. When buying jewelry for male Seniors be very careful. There's not much choice in costume jewelry for men over 50 years old so choose wisely. A good watch, pair of high-end cuff links or perhaps a tasteful gentleman's bracelet are good choices. Cheap here won't do so if your budget won't stretch around a good piece of jewelry for grandpa rule it out.
Probably the finest and most treasured gift a Senior, or anyone else, receives at Christmas is the gathering of family, friends and sharing. It's the time of year when everyone comes together to celebrate the birthday of Jesus Christ, honor family and share the joy of creating memories for future years. The last, and perhaps best suggestion: Senior citizens are human beings like everyone else - we've just been practicing longer!
