Some people are tough to shop for, but these 10 best gifts for seniors can show your friend or family member that you’re thinking of them, whether they’re settled into a retirement community or aging at home.
When asked what they want for their birthday or other holiday, most seniors will tell you that they don’t need anything. It’s likely that over the years they’ve accumulated a lot of “stuff,” and that coffee cup or cap with a funny slogan would become just another thing to take up space in their homes.
But everyone enjoys – and deserves – a treat every now and then. So, to help you find something special to give those older folks on your list, we’ve uncovered 10 unique gift ideas for seniors, aging in place or in a retirement community, that we think your loved ones will find useful, delightful, and maybe even unforgettable!
10 of the best gifts for seniors
1. Send a custom book or song.
Everyone wants to know that they are loved; however, you may not have the time or the talent to put your feelings for someone in writing. There are many companies that make it easy for you! You can buy a heartfelt, fill-in-the-blank book where you simply insert precisely what you love about that person. If you prefer a musical tribute, all you have to do is answer some questions posed by a song writing (and recording) service, choose an artist, and receive a fully produced, custom song!
2. Give the gift of learning.
Continuing to learn is critical as we age. Years ago, when I was searching for a gift for my mom, she couldn’t easily make it into a classroom anymore. But with a Masterclass membership, she was able to use her computer to learn to cook delicious, restaurant-quality pasta dishes. But cooking classes are just the tip of the iceberg – Masterclass teaches everything from interior design to poker strategies, and all the classes are taught by experts in their fields.
- Check out a Masterclass membership.
3. Brighten their day with a bouquet
For an instant pick-me-up, send your family member, neighbor, or friend a colorful, 3D paper bouquet of flowers, birds, birthday cakes, and more (sure to delight just about anyone on your list!). Or if you’d prefer to send real blooms, a floral subscription gives your loved one something to look forward to every month or even every week!
- Check out bouquet cards or a floral subscription.
4. Help organize their favorite lounging spot
While your friend or family member is lounging, this handy silicone cup holder/tray, which attaches securely to the arm of their couch or chair, keeps their drink, phone, remote, and other items within easy reach. The secure drink holder also prevents spills. Plus, there’s a pocket for their tablet!
- Check out the couch cup holder and tray.
Related: Gadgets and gift ideas for seniors who live alone
5. Simplify greeting card-sending
When struggling to come up with a gift for her favorite aunt, one woman created a box of greeting cards, organized by month, for all the friends and family members on Aunt Sue’s birthday and anniversary list. The cards were pre-addressed and stamped, so her aunt simply had to go to the month and sign and mail the cards. Aunt Sue was ecstatic, making it next-to-impossible for her niece to top this gift in years to come!
- Check out this 12-pocket accordion folder.
6. Roll puzzles out of the way
Does your loved one enjoy putting together puzzles, but they take up too much valuable space when that person isn’t actively working on them? This clever felt mat with inflatable tube allows the puzzle maker to conveniently roll their partially finished “artwork” out of the way until the next time they decide to tackle it. We found this item ingenious!
- Check out the puzzle mat.
7. Introduce new ways to bond
Many seniors would love to share their stories and advice with the younger generations of their family but don’t know where to begin. Two of these best gifts for seniors can help: “200 Conversation Starters for Grandparents,” with questions about life lessons, memories, and hopes for the future, provides a bonding experience for the whole family; “Letters for my Grandchild,” one of “Oprah’s Favorite Things,” is a pack of 12 letters with prompts like “the best advice anyone ever gave” or “a special story about our family” to facilitate the sharing process. Each of these gifts helps grandparents connect with their kids, grandkids, and entire families.
- Check out 200 Conversation Starters.
- Check out Letters for my Grandchild.
8. Take birdwatching to a new level
It was especially difficult since Tom’s dementia diagnosis for his kids and wife to find gifts for him anymore. Most activities that he used to love became too challenging for him. Tom, a nature lover, still loved watching the birds at the feeders in his yard but was forced to do so from a distance due to mobility issues. Last Christmas, his kids gave him a smart bird feeder so their dad could watch close-up videos of the birds from a smartphone screen. He doesn’t even have to be home to peek in on the birds dining in their yard! Using AI, the app will even remind Tom of the type of bird he’s watching!
- Check out this smart bird feeder.
9. Enjoy an experience together.
Maybe your neighbor loves to golf or your best friend enjoys the theater. When holidays roll around, give them a gift certificate to enjoy their favorite activities. If feasible, you can plan to join them so you can share the experience.
10. Give the gift of your presence.
When researching the best gifts for seniors, we heard over and over again how older people prefer a visit or a phone call (voice or Zoom) over anything else. They want to hear about your latest vacation or what the kids are up to. They want to share the details of that great meal they had at the diner or the bingo game they won. After all, spending time together costs nothing and is the greatest gift of all!
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