by Lois Breneman, © 2008, Revised 2009, Heart to Heart
Many of us have aging parents or grandparents who tend to be lonely and in need of a tender loving hug, a phone call, a card or a letter. When it comes to gifts for an older person, it is difficult to know just what to give an older person to express our love and care for them. When we ask for ideas, they most often say, "I don't need anything. I already have all I need." Many times they are trying to get rid of their extra personal possessions, because of down-sizing their homes and they certainly don't need new appliances or knickknacks. So just what is a friend or loved one to give them? Here are a few ideas.
Give a sturdy decorated box (covered with fabric or gift wrap) filled with fresh fruit and snacks from the grocery store that they enjoy. A shoe box lined with tissue paper works well. You might bake muffins, cookies and bread for great additions! Add a jar of jam made from only fruit. A nice warm quilt or throw would be a cheery welcome on cold winter evenings as well.
Often elderly people living alone in their homes do not eat well, because they don't feel like cooking for just one or two people, and they will appreciate their favorite foods being ready to eat in an instant. You could prepare several of their favorite dishes in multiple small portions and give to them already frozen, to use as needed. Examples might be soups, casseroles, quick breads, muffins, mini meatloaves, chicken, mashed potatoes or mashed sweet potatoes. Package several of the same food items together in a larger freezer bag.
Prepare a book of stories, memories and pictures for your parents or grandparents. They will cherish that for sure! Have all the grandchildren together to make a musical cassette tape for the grandparents. They can sing some hymns and other songs. I know grandparents would appreciate this gift for a long time to come. Give coupons -- one for each month -- for something you will do for them. A back rub, foot rub, clean the bathrooms or the entire house, cook a meal in their home, offer to set up and take down some Christmas decorations for them, bake some cookies or muffins while you visit with them, give a piano concert just for them, give a foot massage, watch a Gaither Homecoming video with them, read a book to them, listen to their own childhood stories, help them to write checks and keep records, etc. Many older people don't get nearly enough hugs and tender touching as they need, so a good back rub would be so appreciated.
An aquatic garden with a Betta fish, or a bird feeder with black oil sunflower seed would provide hours of entertainment and enjoyment. Or how about a butterfly kit? You could have it all sent to your own home, and deliver your gift in person to the home of an elderly person for them to enjoy. A kit includes several butterfly pupae, food and a butterfly house. They will be fascinated as they watch the changes and ultimate beauty as the caterpillars turn into beautiful butterflies right before their eyes! If they live in an assisted living facility, they may have lots of visitors as well, to join in on the excitement!
Give a "Reacher," or "Grabber," a long-handled instrument used for picking up things from the floor without bending or for reaching things on a high shelf without climbing up on a stool or chair (about $10). Give a long handled sponge for applying lotion to the back, without the help of another person. (about $6) How about a heating pad? The previous three items can be found at most drug stores.
If your loved one is living in an assisted living facility or nursing home, a nice wreath for their door would be a welcome gift. Be sure to also provide a wreath hanger. An even better idea would be to change out their wreath to keep it seasonal. Since they have limited space to store things, offer to store wreaths from other seasons for them in your home. A good radio / CD player would be a very welcome gift, along with CD's of hymns and music they would enjoy. A calendar with scripture verses or family pictures would be enjoyed all year long. Calling cards are wonderful so they can keep in touch with friends and family on their own schedule. Even assisted living residents are fed three meals a day in the facility, snacks would be a welcome treat. Take them a single rose or a few roses in a vase for many fragrant sniffs and smiles of contentment, but since many roses today have no fragrance, be sure the ones you give do. If you enjoy sewing, ask if you could do any mending or special sewing for their room - make a pillow or dresser scarf.
Hopefully these ideas will be helpful for a birthday, as well as Valentine's Day, Mother's Day, Father's Day, Christmas or any time you want to bring extra happiness and joy to an elderly loved one or friend to let them know how much you care. Send cheery cards. If their sight is mostly gone, but their hearing is reasonable, send them a musical card. Tell them how much you love them and care about them. Above all else, faithfully pray for them, and let them know that you do.
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