If you are not yet a senior yourself, there are a lot of things about that era of life that can be a mystery to the younger generations. In fact, there is some real truth to not fully understanding something until you experience it for yourself, and humanity proves again and again that this rule is a fundamental pillar of life.
However, this inability to put yourself entirely in someone else's shoes can make some things in life, such as choosing a gift, extremely difficult. A gift is one way that we can show other people in our lives that we are thinking about them, listening to them, and that we care about their needs and wants.
Thankfully, with a few helpful tips and by thinking carefully on how we can best serve the senior generation, this task does not have to be tiresome and stressful. Instead, it can be a fun way to reach out to your senior friends and family, whether it is for a birthday, a holiday such as Christmas, or even for no official reason at all other than you expressing that you care.
Put Yourself in Senior Shoes
First and foremost, it is essential to understand seniors on a general level, but it is even more important to understand the senior you have in mind on a more detailed level. And remember, not all gifts will work for all seniors, so some thought in this department is required.
Consider your senior's lifestyle: Do they try to be active and fit, or are they happiest when watching the latest episode of Wheel of Fortune? Their daily activities and ways they have fun reveal a lot about what they like and things that could make them happy.
You can also take into account their relationship with technology. For younger generations, we don't mind if technology, buttons, and computers are present into almost any gadget or product, but the same truth isn't true for many seniors.
Finally, consider aspects of their life that could be greatly improved based on needs, instead of just wants. Think about how your senior gets food and eats their meals, cleans their living space, and even if and when they interact with their own loved ones.
Choosing Your Senior's Gift
Now that you have a little bit of background information on your senior, you get to take the leap forward and begin picking out the actual gift you will be giving them. Try to picture the delight on their face as you sift through the options, and keep in mind their level of physical activity, technology capabilities, and needs as well.
The best way to keep these things in mind is to write down a short list of facts you know about the Senior. Consider this a brainstorming session, and write down everything that comes to mind, even if you don't think it's necessarily important right away, as these little things can lead to larger patterns that will help you to discover the perfect gift.
Great Gift Ideas for Seniors
No matter how you choose to pick out a gift, sometimes the sheer options out there can be overwhelming. If you are having trouble coming up with ideas, or just don't know where to start, we have compiled a list of excellent gift options to get you started on your search.
Even if your senior doesn't like technology, there are plenty of things out there that use it intuitively and the result can be majorly beneficial to many seniors. For example, a tablet can connect your senior to video chat with other family members, allow them to read e-books anytime, and even assist in managing their medication, all with large icons and easy-to-use swiping screens.
If the senior in question likes to think and solve mysteries, then you might choose an activity that includes puzzles or games. This can vary widely from a classic puzzle they can put together with their hands, to a unique puzzle box they may have not seen before, or even a board game they can play with their family and friends.
Some seniors are always looking for ways to keep their bodies as fit as possible, and they would probably appreciate fitness classes and workout gear, while others might not be physically capable and would greatly appreciate a food delivery service instead.
Finally, if nothing seems to fit quite right, you can always choose a gift card instead, which encourages your senior to have the fun of buying themselves something new without feeling obligated to spend cold cash on necessities like bills or food. Some gift cards, such as this free Amazon gift card, can be earned at minimal cost to you as well.
Gift-Giving is Fun Again
Buying gifts for seniors doesn't have to be stressful or a mystery. Instead, it can be a fun journey of discover that leads to happy results by both you and your senior, as long as you put a little directed thought into their personality and lifestyle.
