The 9 Best Christmas Gifts for Seniors in 2020
December 12, 2019
Reviewed and Updated by Troy Frink,
Finding Christmas gifts for seniors may seem difficult. You may not know what to get, and you may run into the seniors in your life saying, “I don’t want anything.” That doesn’t make matters easier. We’ve put together a list of fun and useful gifts that the seniors in your life are sure to love.
1. Electric Tea Kettle
Electric tea kettles are easy-to-use and they can come with safety features such as automatic shut-off and cool handles. Automatic shut-off makes it so your favorite senior doesn’t need to remember to turn the kettle off after the water boils — the kettle does that for you. A cool handle means that you don’t have to worry about using hot pads when you’re pouring a cup.
Pro tip: Arthritic hands will do better with a small tea kettle. Large tea kettles are too heavy when they’re full of hot water.
2. Autobiographical Journals
Journals are a great way to preserve memories. With some journals, your loved one doesn’t have to worry about formatting. Some journals have questions that are organized into life sections such as past, present, and family history. The questions serve as a way to jog your loved one’s memory.
A journal is also a gift for you because you get to learn about your loved one’s experiences if they choose to share.
3. Book of the Month Subscriptions
This is the perfect gift for bookworms. With subscription services like bookofthemonth.com, your loved one gets to choose what books they want to read, and how often they want to receive new reading material.
When you log onto the website, you can browse the books of the month, which are separated by genre. The best part? You don’t have to ask a bookstore employee or browse online reviews for recommendations. The subscription service puts it all together and gives a synopsis of each title.
4. Smart Speakers
A smart speaker is a voice-activated device that can play music, answer questions, and give recipes. Many smart speakers such as the Amazon Echo, Apple HomePod, and Sonos One are easy-to-use and your loved one may enjoy the added sense of security that a smart speaker can bring. You can also use many smart speakers to make emergency calls.
5. Phone Case
According to PEW Research, 42 percent of seniors 65 and older have smartphones, and it makes sense. Smartphones are a great way to communicate with your friends and family, navigate to new locations, and take pictures & videos of grandchildren.
Mobile apps can even make your loved one’s life easier. You can find pill reminder apps, tools for dementia support, and even to monitor blood glucose levels.
With all of the great features smartphones have, you’ll probably want to keep it in good shape. It can be extremely expensive to replace damaged parts if you drop your phone. For example, it can cost $279 to replace an iPhone 11 screen. A durable, protective case can help protect your loved one’s phone from damage. Look for a case with your loved one’s favorite pattern (camouflage, hound’s tooth, etc.) or their favorite sports team for a personalized touch.
6. Supplies for Your Loved One’s Favorite Hobby
Whether your loved one loves gardening, painting, or yoga, you can find supplies so they can keep up with their favorite activities. If your loved one enjoys spending time in the garden, look for gardening tool kits with trowels, spades, and clippers in a sturdy carrying case. See if you can locate brushes and paints for the artist in your life or a yoga mat for your favorite senior yogi.
These are just examples. Today’s seniors are active and they enjoy taking fitness classes, attending dance classes at their local senior centers, and traveling. The best Christmas gifts for seniors can be just about anything, depending on what they’re into!
7. A Tablet or E-Reader
An e-reader is a device that allows you to have an entire library of reading material in one spot. When you give your loved one an e-reader, you give them the opportunity to subscribe to their favorite periodicals and purchase new books from the comfort of their home.
Some seniors will want more features than e-readers provide such as browsing the internet, playing games, and watching videos. Those people will be better off with a tablet like an iPad. You can still purchase and store books and periodicals with a tablet, but you also get additional features.
8. Jigsaw Puzzles & Puzzle Books
Puzzles are a great hobby for seniors, especially for those who live alone. Not only are puzzle books and jigsaw puzzles a great way to pass the time, but mental games like sudoku and crossword puzzles can help delay the onset of dementia symptoms.
Your loved one may enjoy the challenge of completing a daily puzzle from a book or they might want to frame their favorite 1000-piece jigsaw puzzle. You can even buy a custom photo puzzle with pictures of their grandkids or pets!
9. Great Experiences
Your favorite senior may have every material thing they could ever want or need. If that’s the case, get them tickets to a show, a sporting event, or a gift certificate to their favorite restaurant.
Alternatively, you can book a spa day so your loved one can relax. Some spas even offer geriatric massages! If you live close, go to the event with your loved one. Quality time can be worth much more than the price of admission.
The Best Christmas Gifts for Seniors Come From the Heart
Sometimes it really is the thought behind a gift that means the most. Your loved one will appreciate the time and effort you spent making sure that their Christmas is special. Check out our blog for more holiday health tips including healthy recipes and meal tips.
