Well, the time is quickly approaching to think about gift-giving and holiday events. Trying to come up with gifts for my elderly loved ones gets harder every year. I don’t know why. So, compiling this extensive list of gift ideas for aging parents is as much for me as it is for you.
My own people will never tell me what they WANT. And somehow I feel guilty giving them practical things they NEED. There has to be a happy medium. So, this list includes both meaningful and practical ideas for you this season. I’ve included links where I could find a product that I might buy myself.
Dont forget to subscribe below for my FREE printable – Simplify Your Holidays: The Quick and Dirty Guide just below. Let me help you with getting organized now so you’ll find the joy of the season later.
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Meaningful Gift Ideas
- Write your own story service. (Storyworth.com) I saw this advertised last year. What a wonderful idea! It works like this: You buy the service as a gift and then Storyworth will send a weekly email prompt/question for you (or your loved one) to answer and email back. At the end of the year, you receive a hardback bound book of your (or their) story. I’d love to have this record of my dad’s life.
- Any photo gift. I know my parents always said they wanted photos of my family for Christmas, so that is what we gave. They loved having current photos of my kiddos at their current ages to look at since we never lived near them. Photos are especially great if your parent is living in a nursing facility.
- A family birthday calendar and/or cards with postage. This one might require a little preparation on your part. How about a calendar with birthdays already inserted on the proper days? You might include cards and perhaps even addresses of where to send them.
- Digital photo frame. There is a new product available now that can send digital photos straight to this frame located somewhere else. This (below) is such a frame from Nixplay at Amazon. You can download the Nixplay app on your phone and send photos straight from your phone! Very cool.
Gift Ideas for Safety and Comfort
While you’re thinking about what your loved one may need in their home, check out this post with ideas for aging parents and home safety.
- Video doorbell
- Large-button TV remote
- Foot warmer
- Foot spa
- Heated mattress pad/blanket
- Heated throw – lap size
- House shoes/slippers
- Grabbers
- Floor light with magnifying glass
- Portable personal heater
- Wheelchair tray
- Outlet nightlights
- Solar lights for outdoors
- Humidifier
- Coffee pot
- Raised toilet seat
Stocking Stuffer Ideas
- Magnifying glass
- Suspenders/belt
- Aftershave
- Soaps/lotions
- Small flashlight
- Nail polish
- Ink pens
- Socks
- Keychain
- Winter gloves and /or hat
- Watch
- Wallet or change purse
- Jewelry
Gift Ideas of Services
- Lawn care
- Car cleaning or even gift cards for car washes
- Handyman services
- Meal preparation or meal delivery
- House cleaning
- Massage
- Dental services
- Manicure or pedicure
- Haircuts
Gift Cards or Subscriptions as Gifts
- A favorite restaurant
- Grocery store
- Amazon Prime
- Newspaper/magazine
- Kindle Unlimited
- Audible (Link below)
Gift Ideas for Hobbies
- Craft kits
- Gardening supplies or tools or seeds
- Quilting supplies
- Painting sets
- Jigsaw puzzles
- Pens/pencils
- Embroidery hoop and/or stand
- Golf balls/tees
- Fishing supplies/lures
- Desktop easel
Tech Gift Ideas
- Tablet
- Laptop
- Smartphone
- Cell phone case
- Wireless mouse
- Mousepad
- Roomba vacuum
- Wireless printer
- Digital photo frame
- Digital scale
Most Important Gift Idea for Aging Parents
I can’t state enough that what your aging parents want most of all is YOU. Time with you. A meal with you. A special outing with you. Holidays can be lonely times for the aging set. Include them in your plans. Let them know you’re thinking of them. They just want YOU.
If you found this post helpful I’d be honored if you’d share it with a friend or on social media!
Dont forget to subscribe below for my FREE printable – Simplify Your Holidays: The Quick and Dirty Guide just below. Let me help you with getting organized now so you’ll find the joy of the season later.
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