8 Tips and Tricks to Buying Gifts for Senior Loved Ones

It’s not always easy to buying gifts for senior loved ones. You may find you are shopping for a person who has already spent many years acquiring a lot of things, has developed very specific tastes and opinions about what they do like and don’t like, and may insist that they don’t need or want anything.

Let’s look at tips and tricks to help you discover what your senior needs or wants. We will explore sources for gift ideas and ways to make sure your gift is delivered safely and on time.

How to Find Out What They Need or Want

The primary goal, and the most difficult one to successfully achieve, is to determine what your senior would like to have.

Here are eight tips and tricks for choosing the best gifts for senior loved ones:

1. Observe and listen – and start early.

Don’t wait a week before you need to purchase a gift to then try and remember what Mom or Dad said they liked or needed. Make notes about what they say they would like or could use, even if the occasion isn’t for weeks or months.

2. What sorts of items do your seniors buy?

Do they like books? If so, what is their favorite subject? Who is their favorite author? What books have they already read and which ones have they expressed an interest in reading?

3. Use hobbies and interests as inspiration for gifts for senior loved ones.

Does Mom or Dad spend time with crafts or enjoy listening to a particular genre of music? If they like to create art, consider art supplies. If they love to cook, buy a cook book with recipes that interest them. There are also all sorts of craft classes. Creative Bug offers online video arts and crafts workshops and techniques.

4. How do they relax?

If they like movies, you may want to set them up with an online streaming service. If they like a glass of wine in the evening, enroll them in an online wine club.

5. Do they like to learn new things?

SeniorNet provides over 560 courses on subjects ranging from accounting to writing one’s own life story. And there are many other lifelong learning sites to choose from.

6. What have they talked about buying for themselves?

Is there something in the home that needs to be replaced, or have they expressed an interest in an item for themselves?

7. Do they have a favorite charity?

Supporting a cause they have contributed to and believe in could be a great gift.

8. Think of practical gifts for senior loved ones.

Maybe your senior would prefer everyday items they can use—a gift basket with lotions, shampoos, and soaps could be all they want. If this doesn’t sound like much, remember the gift is about what the person wants who is going to receive it. If this is what they request fill the basket, and maybe include some “coupons” your senior can redeem from you for lawn mowing, help with laundry, delivering meals, or visits.

What Gifts Are Out There?

Uncommon Goods offers a unique array of creative gifts for seniors; everything from Major League game-used baseball bats converted to bottle openers, gardener’s tool seats, teas from around the world, and butterfly houses.

Great Senior Living provides 75 gift ideas for seniors which are listed by categories, including fun and practical gifts; gifts for people who are visually, hearing, or cognitively impaired; or who have arthritis. They also have some gift ideas for people who have everything.

Getting Gifts Delivered Undamaged and on Time

After all the effort to find and purchase a great gift, you want it to arrive on time. Here are some recommendations:

• Ship early. This seems obvious, but the holidays tend to arrive more quickly than we anticipate.
• Pack for impact. If you are shipping the gift, use a sturdy container. Breakable items should be wrapped in bubble wrap. It is recommended that you do not use string, cord, twine, or paper overwrap to secure the outside of your package as they may get caught in package handling equipment.
• Create a duplicate label. You should use a waterproof marker for the sender and recipient information on the outside. A duplicate label on the inside of the package will aid in returning it to you if it is damaged or becomes undeliverable.
• Track your package: Package delivery services like UPS and FedEx offer real-time delivery updates with notifications on the status of your packages and when to expect delivery.
• Online Orders: When ordering online, pay attention to the cut-off dates. Online retailers will publish “purchase by” dates to ensure delivery times. Avoid back ordered items. You could be placed on a waiting list.

Find more tips for a happy, healthy holiday season with your senior loved one on our blog!