As we approach the major gift-giving season, there are opportunities for special gift giving moments all year long. This brings us to the issue of gift giving and receiving in our silver and golden years.
So this year, THINK before you decide what to give your Mom and Dad (or your grandparents, siblings, dear friends!) When they have gone through the downsizing process or not, I can comfortably bet that 99.9% of the older adults out there do NOT need more “things” at this stage of their lives. Let me give you some gift ideas for the holidays, birthdays, anniversaries and house warmings.
1. Food and other Perishable Items Fill a basket with goodies or family favorites to add interest to meals and special occasions. Retrieve the basket since the recipients probably don’t need anything more to store and you can fill it again at a later date. Fresh flowers are always because they can be enjoyed and then thrown away.
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2. Professional Service You can use gift certificates for professional services to ease into the “harder” discussions of home safety, estate planning and legal documents. Professionals in all these fields will be delighted to work with family members to get the important issues addressed gracefully.
3. Travel Vouchers Giving a travel voucher so your folks can visit you or other family members or friends during the coming year. Spending time with family and friends is one of the greatest gifts.
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4. Service or Entertainment Gift Certificates Another wonderful idea is a gift certificate for some kind or service or form of entertainment that your parent(s) enjoy. Services might include a regular hair appointment, manicure, house cleaning or yard maintenance. Entertainment ideas include movie passes, theatre or symphony tickets or restaurant gift cards.
5. Gift Certificate for Replacement Items Take a look around and see if there are any items that need to be replaced like kitchen appliances, If your parents have gone through a downsixing move, then they might enjoy new bath or bedding items.
6. Your Time Consider giving your time this year. This might be time to help around the house or just companionship and a chance to share family memories.
7. Updated Pictures In our digital world, having a photograph to carry in a purse or wallet for sharing with friends, can make sharing so much easier. New pictures are also great ways to share with family and friends living far away.
8. Shared Subscription Consider a magazine of mutual interst so you can discuss the articles together. You can share the knowledge that you are “both on the same page”.
These are just a few gift suggestions. Think of the gifts that bring true meaning to both the recipient and you, as the giver.
Household Guardians is a firm that specializes in home fitness action plans for families to create the best possible “fit” for seniors to remain independent and safely in their own homes. We believe “there is no place like MY home”. You can contact them through www.householdguardians.com or by phone at 858.224.2299.
