Christmas Gift Ideas for Grandparents and Elderly Friends

Read to them if they have vision problems or if they just like hearing a voice in the room.  Reading is a good way to pass the time with a loved one who is bedridden. 

Inexpensive Christmas gift ideas could include a subscription of your town’s newspaper for delivery to the grandparents.  If you live in different towns, a subscription to your local newspaper can give the grandparents an idea of what is going on in your area, making for interesting conversation pieces.  Surprise them with a magazine subscription or book for something the grandparent or senior friend enjoys (or did enjoy if health is preventing them from partaking), like maybe grandpa enjoys collecting coins or woodworking, or grandma like roses.   Potpourri or a lavender sachet might be appreciated as a Christmas gift.

Give the grandparent or senior friend an IOU “Christmas gift certificate” for one month, several months or each month of the year.  The IOU Christmas gift ideas could be to return one month and:  take them out to dinner, to a movie or concert or zoo, whatever their health can handle; weed a flower garden; plant flowers along the sidewalk; rake leaves; or take them shopping.  The objective is to help them (or do for them) things they used to enjoy but can no longer do or would prefer to do with you.  The most important part is to remember that you presented the IOU Christmas gift certificate(s) and carry through by fulfilling it.

Christmas Gift Ideas From Children

Ask to look at old photograph albums with the grandparents.   Children will have fun seeing their parent as a child and the grandparents will enjoy the trip down memory lane.

If the grandparents are physically able, ask to go on a short walk with them, even if just around the block.

Take finger nail polish on a visit and offer to do grandma’s nails.  Leave the nail polish and some nail polish remover so she can remove/repair the polish if it chips or as her nails grow out.

Young children can draw, color or paint pictures of their favorite moments or things, even create their own Christmas card.  Handmade Christmas gifts are dearly appreciated.

Create a personalized IOU “Christmas gift certificate” for every month of the year for your grandparents.  IOU Christmas gift certificate ideas could be to:  call them on a specific day each month or every even month (like February 1, April 1, etc); write-yes, write-a letter every odd month (January, March, etc.) to tell them what you are doing; teach them how to use a computer.

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