Last Minute Holiday Gift Ideas for Seniors

It might seem like your senior loved ones have everything they need. Mom probably doesn’t need another bathrobe, and Dad probably doesn’t need another tie - especially now that’s retired. But there are plenty of easy and creative gifts you can give your seniors this holiday season. Some are tangible; some provide excitement for future activities together. Think of what might make the holidays even more special for your senior loved ones this year - even if it is another robe. It is important to ensure they know they are remembered during this season. Here are some ideas for last-minute holiday gifts for seniors.

The Gift of Time

Sometimes, one of the best gifts you can give your senior loved one is the gift of your time, meaning you spend time with your senior loved one. You can use that time doing whatever you think they would enjoy most. Something fun to package up would be a blank photo album for your senior citizens, along with a note saying you can spend time together creating a new album filled with all of their favorite photos from the past. Another idea is to promise fun future memories together that you will take photos of and fill the album with. You can start with a photo of the two of you together during the holiday season. If their cluttered basement has been weighing on them, you can wrap up an empty box along with a note promising two hours of time each Saturday for the next month, indicating you will sort it out together. You also can wrap up some Take Back Bags, which allow them to donate items they no longer want. 

The Gift of Experience

Gifting your senior loved one a present of an experience is fun the day they open the gift and when the experience happens. It is easy to wrap up at the last minute and give to your seniors. For example, you can order tickets to a show at the Savannah, such as The Man in Black, which will happen this February and features a Johnny Cash tribute show. If that isn’t their vibe, there are many other shows to choose from. You can print the tickets at home and wrap them up for the holidays. Maybe Dad is already looking ahead to spring training and some baseball games. Give him the gift of a Rays holiday three-pack, which promises the time to see his favorite team and players. You can also give a coffee tasting, print out a list of some coffee shops around town, including The Standard, or do a wine tasting at Lakeridge that you can do together. This gift also includes the gift of time.

Gift Your Hands

Maybe your senior needs help with projects around the home. Or they need help changing all of their light bulbs. Promise them some handy work, where they get to pick the projects you do one Saturday each month. As seniors age, it can get hard to do things, but often, it is harder for them to ask for help. Offering this help in the form of a gift will make things easier for them in more ways than one. 

Technologic Help

Let’s face it - some of our seniors aren’t the most technologically savvy. This holiday season, you can give them the latest technology, such as a new iPad or new headphones, to listen to their music. But along with that gift, why not give them a session or two of time to help them learn how to use it to ease any frustration they might have? You can also consider items such as a weather station or even a towel warmer, things they might not even realize are out there but can make their life easier, more comfortable and just fun as they marvel at how wonderful it can be to have a warm towel right after their shower.

We Can Help

If you are looking for help caring for your senior loved one, our professionally-trained caregivers at Visiting Angels The Villages will provide the compassionate and expert care you need. Our expert caregivers professionally meet the needs of your seniors, whether they need help getting ready each morning or need more specialized care, such as dementia care, help using technology or fall prevention. Whatever your needs are, our experts can help tailor an expert care plan for you.

With clients in The Villages, Lady Lake, Fruitland Park, and other communities in Lake and Sumter counties, we know how to help seniors maintain meaningful, independent lives. For information on helpers in Lake and Sumter Counties, contact us online or call us at (352) 643-0702. Our main office is located at 367 Fennell Blvd.