Practical holiday gifts a good choice for seniors

“Ho, ho, ho and mistletoe and presents for pretty girls.” Sound familiar? It’s my favorite line from “A Charlie Brown Christmas,” a show that can’t help but jump-start your holiday spirit.

And speaking of presents, everyone likes surprises in brightly colored wrapping or buried under tissue paper in a festive gift bag. Gift giving is ageless so if you have a senior on your list, keep reading.

Perfectly good holiday cheer can be zapped simply by contemplating just the right gift for an older person, who clearly doesn’t need more knick-knacks or dusting powder, which by the way, may be dangerous if it spills on a bare floor.

While ideas abound, keep in mind that this is not a “one gift fits all” situation, said Amy Cotton, nurse practitioner and program director for Rosscare’s Center for Healthy Aging. “If you don’t know the person well, but really want to remember them with something, it is best to ask them if there is anything they would like or need. Let them make suggestions.”

And when shopping for seniors, consider their living situations. If they have downsized from a house to a small apartment there may not be room for more “collectibles,” no matter how pretty.

Practical is the word of the day. For instance, think stamps. How often have you run out of stamps just when you needed them most? I got a roll from my mother last year and thought of her every time I used one.

“It really all comes down to knowing your senior,” Cotton said. “Homemade treats are a good choice if the person has no dietary restrictions. Gift certificates are popular as well. And nicely wrapped gift baskets filled with special treats that the person is partial to, such as crackers and fruit cups, show thoughtfulness but would also be useful.”

Subscriptions to newspapers, magazines, even video rentals are gifts that continue to give. One elderly woman who didn’t drive was thrilled with the taxi vouchers she received from a relative, Cotton said.

Does the senior need some things done around the house? Window washing, snow shoveling, grocery shopping in the event of bad weather can all be much appreciated gifts.

Coupons for “work days” at the person’s home may bring much needed peace of mind, or an outing, such as lunch at a favorite restaurant, may give the senior something to look forward to and anticipate.

And for these seniors who like to dine out for lunch, Meals for Me has gift books for $12.50 which will buy five meals at a community dining room. It is a great way to ensure that your loved one is getting a nutritious meal and some companionship.

If you would like to do something special for a senior in general, Deb Poulton, director of residential programs at EAA, has some suggestions.

“Beano prizes are always a hit, especially boxes of tissues, and paper towels. These are things the residents can’t just run out to the store to get,” she said. “Flashlights are a great idea, too. We had a brief power outage at one of our assisted livings and while the hallways had generator lights, the apartments were dark. Many residents didn’t have flashlights. The lantern types would be very useful so they could just be set down and not carried around. The residents would really appreciate these.”

There is so much we take for granted that would be so useful for some seniors. Large print puzzle books or playing cards, individually packaged snacks, personal care items such as shampoo and shower gel would mean the world to someone who can’t hop in the car and head to the mall, said Poulton.

But as always, the best gift is you. Your time is certainly valuable – but to a senior it is invaluable.

Carol Higgins is director of communication at Eastern Agency on Aging. For information in EAA, call 941-2865 or email info@eaaa.org.