As a senior myself, I really don’t need more stuff. Most older people have what they need and, if they’re like me, are probably trying to get rid of the excess. Here are ten suggestions for gifts that I have given with success or would enjoy as a gift, things that can be used, used up, or consumed.
1. Favorite sweet treats. My husband’s grandparents loved a cake I baked from a family recipe and always took home any that might be left over at family get-togethers. Just before Christmas I baked several small cakes in throw-away aluminum pans, wrapped them for freezing, then wrapped them in gift paper. It was a gift they could enjoy for months. Your senior probably has a favorite, too.
2. Bird feeder. It seems that almost everyone has a bird feeder but, in reality, not everyone does. Even if your senior has one or more, a new one is always welcome. You might include an offer to set it up in the chosen location. The cost of a bird feeder is whatever you want to spend, from about $5 for a simple plastic feeder to $20 and up for fancier feeders.
3. Bird seed. Many seniors are on a limited income and the cost of bird seed can add up over a year. Twenty pound bags of black-oil sunflower… a favorite of wild birds… or other seed will be welcomed by anyone who owns a feeder. This could be a one-time gift or a bag of seed every month through the winter. Don’t buy more than a thirty day supply at one time…seeds can get moldy if stored too long. A storage container for the seed would make wrapping and storing the seed easier. Seed prices vary widely, depending on where you shop.
4. Ice cream toppings. Ice cream lovers will love a selection of pour-on toppings and nuts. In addition to good old hot fudge, Smucker’s offers Dove Dark Chocolate, Milky Way, Chocolate Mocha, and more. Caramel and hot fudge are available sugar free. Smucker’s also offers a jelly that is just fruit and fruit juice, no sugar added. These make great ice cream toppings for fruit lovers. A good ice cream scoop for about $10 would be a nice addition to this gift.
5. Memory journal. A memory journal is a place to write down memories that we want to pass on to our children and grandchildren. Most book stores carry a selection of memory journals for grandmother, grandfather, mother or father to child, family remembrances, and autobiographical. You might include a good pen to encourage an immediate start. Fat writing instruments are easier for seniors to use. Memory journals are priced at about $15-20.
6. Flavored popcorn. Popcorn isn’t just butter or plain anymore. Besides the old fashioned caramel corn, think chocolate, cinnamon, vanilla butternut, pecan praline, spicy cheese, and ranch. These and almost any other flavor you can think of are available in gift packs from specialty popcorn stores. This is not an inexpensive gift, considering it’s popcorn. A gallon can run $7.50 and up, while two gallons of specialty mix may be $30 or more.
7. A good magnifying glass. Fine print can difficult to read at any age but the older we get, the more tricky it becomes. Magnifying glasses come in handy for reading labels on over-the-counter drugs, cooking directions on packages, expiration dates on almost anything, and dozens of other places where the print is minuscule. Consider getting a glass that has a built-in light for under $10.
8. Outdoor thermometer. The older we get, the more we’re concerned about the outside temperature. There’s probably no logical reason for this, it just is. Get a thermometer that has large numbers that are easy to read. Offer to hang the thermometer in a clearly visible location. A plain easy to read thermometer is under $15.
9. Nature sounds CD. Street noises are annoying at any time but more so at night. A CD of thundering rain, a waterfall, or ocean waves will mask the outside noises and help most people drift off to sleep. Many people seem to enjoy the sounds of a tropical rainforest but some of the strident bird sounds on these CD,s aren’t for everyone. There are dozens of nature sounds to choose from and CD’s can be found at larger department stores or ordered online. CD’s will cost from $10-20.
10. Gift certificate to favorite restaurant. Many restaurants, even local diners, offer gift certificates in amounts starting at $5.00. Small amounts will be the most useful, because some restaurants will not give change on a gift certificate even if the total check is less than the certificate amount.
Reference:
- 1. Create a gift box at Smucker’s online store: onlinestore.smucker.com/index.cfm 2. Good pricing on these popcorn treats: alspopcorn.infosaic70.com/index.html
