Q. I am at a loss for what to get my grandmother this year for the holidays. I typically give her something for her home, such as tea towels or candles. However, she moved to an assisted living community last January and no longer can use my go-to gifts. I’m not fortunate to live nearby. When I am in town, I can’t take my little ones to see her due to the current visitor restrictions set in place by the facility. Do you have any gift suggestions that could help me out?
A. Shopping for our loved ones can be fun, but it can also be stressful. Here are a few of my favorite gift ideas for older adults. I’ve included gifts in a variety of price ranges, in hopes of helping other readers facing the same dilemma.
My favorite gifts for older adults are personalized ones. Consider creating a family calendar that she can hang in her apartment and keep track of family birthdays. Order a personalized blanket with photos of your little ones so she can “wrap” herself in their hugs. Surprise her with a custom photo book. She’ll love having a physical album filled with family photos that she can share with her new friends.
If you want to really impress her, consider purchasing a digital photo album. Look for one that specifically lets you add photos from your phone. You can surprise her year-round by sending photos of your little ones to the frame.
Another great gift idea for those living in an assisted living community is something to help keep her warm. Your grandma might not have complete control over the temperatures in the hallways or common spaces. She’ll welcome a gift that can help keep her warm as she walks the halls. Consider a light-weight sweater or cardigan that she can layer, or a small throw blanket she can wrap over her legs.
Does she like coffee or tea? Consider gifting an electric tea kettle or coffee maker, along with tea bags or coffee grounds. If her facility provides warm drinks, she may not always want to walk to the dining room just for a cup of coffee or tea.
Tissues, hand soaps, lotions, and other skin-care products also make wonderful gifts. Along the same lines are gifts of notecards, pens, stamps, and envelopes. Replenishing everyday items makes a very thoughtful gift, especially for older adults who may not be able to go shopping.
Many older adults suffer from insomnia. Consider gifts that will help her get back to sleep and stay asleep all night long. Purchase an essential oil diffuser with chamomile oils. Get her sleepy-time tea and lotion infused with lavender. If it’s too quiet or too noisy for her, a sound machine might be the perfect gift.
A gift related to her favorite hobbies could give her something do during downtime. She might appreciate new adult coloring books, journals, devotionals, word puzzles, or books. Monthly subscription boxes are also fun and would give her something to look forward to throughout the year.
Finally, the simplest gifts are often the best gifts. Take a few moments to write a letter of appreciation. Share your favorite memories and tell her how she’s shaped your life. You could always frame the letter so she can display it.
Have a question for our angel correspondent? You can send our angel an email to apetersen@visitingangels.com, or send your question via mail to Ask An Angel, 65 Woodbury St., South Elgin, IL 60177.
