Christmas Gifts For Senior Parents

Ever ask your over 60 parents what they want for Christmas? Chances are they will tell you they don't want anything, leaving you feeling frustrated or annoyed. Why is it so hard to think of great presents for our senior parents? Why do they say they don't want anything? Because they probably already have everything they want and a lot they don't want. By the time we reach 60 most of us have far too much 'stuff' and have lost interest in acquiring any more of it. The more we have, the more we have to take care of. All those lovely presents need to be dusted, cleaned, or worse yet, we have to figure out how to use the darn things. Also they take up room, which some seniors may not have to spare.
Being over 60 myself, I know what I , and most other seniors, really feel about Christmas gifts. It's not that we don't want anything! We just want more practical things. We seldom want clothing, jewelry, gadgets, more appliances, or decorative items. We certainly don't want anything that requires maintenance. One thing most of us do want is Help!
Most of us would be very grateful to have some of the burden of maintaining our homes lifted. Find out what is most difficult for them, is it snow removal, washing windows, does their house need to be painted? Is something just becoming an eyesore? Or crying out for repairs? I can promise you that they will appreciate your help where it is really needed, whether you do it yourself or hire someone to do it.
Are your parents still healthy and active and easily managing their home but retired? Then they probably have a lot more time and a lot less money. This means that they might be bored . Here is a list of things that your parents might enjoy receiving as gifts:
NetFlix
Dinner Certificate
Gas Cards
Local Coupon Books ******
The Coupon Books are my favorite! This is a gift that keeps giving all year. Your parents can go out to lunch or dinner as often as they wish, and the variety of restaurants offering buy one /get one free is amazing. All price ranges are covered, starting with Burger King and going up to moderate priced to higher priced. Most coupon books also offer bargains on car washes, doughnuts, (get half dozen free when buying half dozen) ice cream places, (they'll enjoy going out for ice cream next summer) and much, much more. These usually cost about $20 - $25.
If you usually spend more for their gifts then get NetFlix too.
OK, I know you probably aren't comfortable handing your parents a small book or envelope with a certificate. Just doesn't seem like a gift. So, get creative. Your parents love movies, so you decided to get them NetFlix. Get a basket and fill it with popcorn or snacks you know they like to go with those movies. Pop the NetFlix certificate in that basket. Note: This is only for parents that have a computer.
Coupon Book - Wrap it attractively - put it in a gift bag along with an inexpensive, disposable camera and new photo album, ready for those pictures they will take while visiting the places in the coupon book. If you still feel the presentation of your gift isn't up to par keep adding things. Framed snapshots of your family, chocolates, fancy cookies, a toy or two for their pets. Most of these things are available at the dollar store so you can probably afford to easily stuff their gift bag to bursting. They will think it's fun and appreciate it if they are on a budget.
Think about what they really need and like. Listen to what they say and you will find yourself giving from the heart not the ego and that will ensure your parents the very best present possible.
Blessings, Gilly