By: Tina Carder

Gifts for senior citizens, or the older people in our lives, don’t have to be hummm-drummm and boring.

Even if you think at that age they already have everything, think again.

We will address the have it already seniors at the end of this article.

There are many gift ideas which are greatly appreciated by the senior citizen.

It takes a little of knowing what the person likes and a lot of understanding their needs as they are aging.

One thing I can tell you is that as people get older their bodies tend to be more sensitive to the changes in temperatures because as people age their skin gets thinner.

That’s one reason a thermometer located inside the home which can tell the temperature outside is always a great gift.

It allows the senior to see the outside temperature before he or she prepares to go outdoors, meaning they can wear or take with them whatever they need to stay comfortable as the temps warm up or cool off outside.   Since their bodies tend to feel cooler even when it’s warm inside and outside it’s always nice to give them a gift of longer light weight jackets, sweaters, stretchy thicker socks to wear over their lighter socks, ball caps or fashionable hats, and scarves.  Other types of gifts they can wear and will appreciate are ones which require very little energy and effort to get on and off.

Choose materials with steadfast dyes, bright reds, and deep dark denim blues tend to run or fade.

Here are some other great gift ideas for seniors or older relatives at home or in nursing homes:

“   If they live in a climate where it gets snowy and cold in the winter then one of the snap up quilted blanket wraps is a wonderful gift that they will use over and over.

“   Fruit Baskets–but please check with others in the family to see who else might be going to give a Fruit Basket because fruit is perishable and one person can only eat so much fruit before it goes bad.

“   Favorite Coffees and Teas in baskets or containers they can keep and use again.  Some of the more modern plastics and acrylics look just like glass but don’t have the risks of breaking glass.

“   If they are diabetic nice baskets with diabetic candies, teas, coffees, sugar substitutes, diabetic lotions and creams, alcohol wipes, syrups, jams and jellies, diabetic crackers and cookies, finger lancets, and anything else they may need or use daily to control their diabetes.  Or items which cost is a little too high for them to afford on a regular basis.

“   Containers filled with the person’s favorite body care items, shampoos, shower or bath caps, and a gift certificate for the barber or beauty shop.

“   Most seniors have problems with dry eyes or itchy burning dry eyes and often times the eye drops they need to use cost too much for them to use on an as needed basis.  Find out what types of eye drops or eye washes they use and give them a couple of bottles or a gift certificate to buy the drops or washes.  Also as people age their eyes become even more sensitive to the effects of UV light rays or bright lights and they often times don’t think to buy a pair of really good quality sunglasses.  Combine the eye drops and washes with the sunglasses as a gift of clearer sight for the aging eyes of the person you love.

“   A basket or container with new flashlights and batteries for different rooms they use most in their home.  Oh don’t forget batteries for their hearing aid if they have one.

Don’t pick just any old cheap type flashlight choose ones that are bigger,easy to hold, hopefully without glass parts, and ones that are easy to change the batteries in.  These are really appreciated when the power goes out, during storms, and even when just getting up in the dark.  They also are handy for looking in closets, boxes, or containers to find things.

“   If the person still is able to shop with a friend, an aide, or on their own then gift certificates to any of the grocery stores or other stores they use are always appreciated.

“   A special gift for seniors is to give them a small gift with a gift certificate or printout of the meal or meals you’re sending to them and when they will be delivered.  Send A Meal is a fantastic place to send meals from as a gift or a treat for anyone.  You can do the entire meal giving process right from your computer or laptop and it only takes a couple of minutes.  The meals are completely prepared, totally delicious and all that is required is to heat them up.  I wouldn’t send anyone in a nursing home these meals because most hospitals and nursing homes have a central delivery department and getting the meals to the intended person is sometimes very difficult.

“   Personalized photo frames with a recent photo inside.  Personalized photo frames for them to place their own favorite or other pictures inside.  Choose ones which aren’t glass if at all possible.  Usually with seniors it’s takes a longer time to heal when they get cut.

“   Is there a really favorite picture that the senior in your life has out all of the time, if so then use your computer to send it to someplace like Canvas On Demand who will turn that picture into a quality oil like painting in just about any size for their table or as a wall hanging.  This gift actually will become an heirloom that will proudly be passed on generation after generation.

“   If the senior still likes eating out then a gift certificate to the favorite restaurant is always welcomed.

“   If they still go to functions outside the home and like to dress nicely when they go out then a piece of personalized jewelry, money clip, personalized key holders, are all nice gifts to give and get.  Even a new purse, clutch, or wallet that they wouldn’t buy for themselves would be enjoyed.

“   Key rings or key chains with larger easier to find adornments or pocketbobs engraved with their name.  These make it so much easier for them to find their keys and if the item is engraved with the name and it gets lost at a doctor’s office or hospital it’s easier to return to the owner.

Pocketbobs is an outstanding place to get a handcrafted solid sterling silver pocketbob, key chains, money clips, and other items for engraving.

Finally for the seniors that have all the money and everything.

We know there are a few.

Send A Meal can cover anyone’s taste be it everyday meatloaf or gourmet steak and lobster, so no matter what their age may be, they still have to eat.  So thrill them with a month of the meal, an entire month of meals delivered right to their door.

We politely suggest that you take a close look around our site and you’ll find gifts that will even make them hug you out of appreciation!

Please visit us at http://www.theonlinehelper.com

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