Christmas Gift Ideas for Elderly Parents or Grandparents
Before the tips, a quip:
“If I had known how wonderful it would be to have grandchildren, I’d have had them first.” ~ Lois Wyse.
Before you get too caught up in searching for the absolute perfect Christmas gift for your grandparents, remember that you can do no wrong as a grandchild. Grandpas and grandmas love you no matter what – and so do elderly parents. If your elderly parents or grandparents are new to the grandparenting game, click The Grandparents Handbook – it’s full of games, activities, and ideas for things to do with grandkids. And, read on for ideas for holiday presents for elderly loved ones…
7 Christmas Gift Ideas for Elderly Parents or Grandparents
A book or class about computers or the internet for seniors. Many elderly parents and grandparents don’t keep in touch through email, Facebook, Twitter, or their children’s blogs because they don’t know how. So, a book or class about computers and the internet – such as Internet for Seniors in Easy Steps - For the Over 50’s
Tickets to the Cirque de Soleil, concerts, sporting events. I once lived next to a little old lady who had season’s tickets to the city’s hockey team (the Edmonton Oilers!). She went to every game, and took a different person with her every time. It was fun — I went with her once — and I think it kept her young and lively. To learn about discounted tickets in your city (or your parents’ city), click The Ticket Network button.
Gift certificates. I like giving (and receiving) gift certificates almost as much as gift baskets! Good types of gift certificates for elderly parents or grandparents include restaurants, beauty salons, health spas, community centers, gas stations, grocery stores, and continuing education classes.
A book about writing their life story – or hire a professional! Many people don’t realize how much history is lost when their elderly parents or grandparents pass on, and they regret not writing down their family’s life history or genealogy. A great Christmas gift idea for older people is a book about writing your memoirs – such as Turning Memories Into Memoirs: A Handbook for Writing Lifestories
An annual membership to a local zoo, aquarium, or museum. Some elderly parents or grandparents would love to round up a few friends and go to fun places like the aquarium or zoo! For others, it’s a great way to spend time with grandchildren. A gift of an annual membership could encourage the family to spend more time together and get to know each other in a different way.
A memory quilt. Creating a quilt out of baby clothes, army uniforms (if your grandparent or dad served in the military), wedding dresses, and other unique clothes or heirlooms is a very special holiday gift. Quilts are both practical and meaningful, especially if you make it yourself – or make it with your parents or grandparents!
A monthly bouquet of flowers. A monthly bouquet of wildflowers, roses, tulips, or your mom or grandma’s favorite flower is a wonderful way to remind her that you love her at Christmas – and all year long! Same with a monthly bottle of red wine or Scotch for dear old dad or grandpa, or a small gourmet nut and chocolate gift basket. Click the bouquet for direct access to JustFlowers.com.
If you’re looking for healthy holiday gift ideas for older – but active – people, read 5 Healthy Holiday Gifts for Friends, Colleagues, or Family Members.
And if you need tips on Christmas gift wrap, you’ll love 6 Creative and Inexpensive Christmas Gift Wrap Ideas!
If you have any Christmas gift ideas for elderly parents or grandparents – or questions about anything I’ve written above – please comment below!
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Comment by Laurie PK on 17 November 2009:
I just discovered that the Kindle (wireless reading device) has a new “text to speech” application. This might make it a perfect holiday gift for elderly parents or grandparents who can’t read very well…
Comment by candygiftbaskets on 21 November 2009:
Great tips Laurie. Gift Baskets indeed makes a perfect gift for elderly parents or grandparents. They come with so many themes, designs and with great packaging.
Comment by Laurie Pawlik-Kienlen on 21 November 2009:
And, gift baskets last a long time. That is, if you give a gift basket that has wine, nuts, chocolate, cheeses, crackers, cookies, etc — your gift recipient can enjoy one treat at a time for months!
Yes, I love gift baskets……I hope one of my family members is reading this
Comment by Jill on 24 November 2009:
Those are some great gift ideas. I never know what to get someone who has everything. I also, like to give my parents a current picture of the family. Have a great holiday.
Comment by John Marshall on 1 December 2009:
A very impressive list of Christmas gift ideas for Parents. I think that other gifts that can be good for older folks include:
-DVD collection sets of old classics(if familiar with DVDs)
-Brain Training Games- have to measure their demeanor towards this gift though.
-Hobby related items (gardening, fishing, etc.)
-Ceiva- offers a wireless digital picture frame which you can send pictures to them about what you are up to and the grandkids.
-Espresso or coffee makers. Delonghi has a number of really good ones that are a good deal and even an automatic one.
Best,
John Marshall
Comment by Laurie Pawlik-Kienlen on 6 December 2009:
John, thanks for these Christmas gift ideas for elderly parents or grandparents!
I’ve heard of Ceiva, and think it’d be great — if they like digital photos. Some older people prefer print photos….it just depends on their personality, physical health, lifestyle, etc.
Hope to see you around Quips & Tips again,
Laurie
Comment by Mildred on 14 December 2009:
As an “elderly parent” and a grandparent, I would love to get more visits from my family. Gift certificates and gift baskets are wonderful Christmas presents….but even better is regular visits.
From a granny in Kentucky…
Comment by Laurie PK on 16 December 2009:
Thanks for your comment, Mildred — it’s great to hear from you. And I think no matter how old we get, we always appreciate visits from our loved ones.
Comment by Katherine on 27 December 2009:
This year, I bought my grandmother a cell phone for Christmas. She’s very “old fashioned” and extremely frugal. She’d make me return it if I spend “too much” money on it b/c she “doesn’t need a cell phone if she hasn’t had it all these times.” So, when I discovered TracFone’s holiday bundle that costs $10, I know she won’t be able to argue with me on this one. Knowing that she finally has a cell gives me a great peace of mind!
Comment by Laurie Pawlik-Kienlen on 30 December 2009:
Katherine,
That’s a great gift for a grandmother! My in-laws, who are elderly grandparents, have a cell phone and they use it fairly regularly. It’s especially useful for emergencies. They often take road trips out of town, and a cell phone is — like you said — great peace of mind for both us and them.
Thanks for this idea