Found the perfect gift for elderly people!

[Grumpy's Gal]

This worked out really well so hopefully this helps someone plan for next year.

For this couple, age 90 and 88, we gave them a basket on Nov 30.

It's full of small wrapped presents. Starting on Dec 1, we told them they get to open ONE gift a day. All gifts are to be shared. I talked to her this morning and they are LOVING it. I think picking the package is the highlight of their day!

I can't remember all the things we got but some were: microwave popcorn, hot choc mix, tea bags, a pkg of Christmas napkins, big can of soup, cornbread mix, box of bandaids, fancy chocolates, holiday cookies, fancy holiday notepad, jelly, ornament, etc

It really has gone over so much better than I anticipated. They decide which present to open right after breakfast. They take turns.

Edit to clarify: there are 24 presents in the basket. I know it sounds like a lot but I split this with one other person so I had to come up with twelve gifts.

 

[Diznotyzed]

This is such a great idea! Might have to try this (next year) for my MIL who will be 91 then. Thanks for sharing!

 

[Mizzoufan]

cute idea. I think I'd rather do it for them after Christmas that way it still gives them something to look forward to after the holiday.

 

[Grumpy's Gal]

cute idea. I think I'd rather do it for them after Christmas that way it still gives them something to look forward to after the holiday.

That's an idea but wouldn't work for this particular couple. We're hoping they both make it thru December. So far, so good!

 

[MIGrandma]

What a thoughtful and wonderful idea!

 

[Swimnoid]

My aunt used to do this for my family when we were kids but I LOVE this idea for an older couple! So much fun!

 

[akl432]

How thoughtful. It must mean so much to them! Thanks for sharing!

 

[moniqueand2]

Thanks. I'll keep this in mind for next year!

 

[TheFloatingBear]

That's such a thoughtful idea! I might have to suggest it to my siblings for my dad next year!

We do something similar...besides our "regular" gifts to him, we each contribute a few gifts each to his "stocking" (it's more of a giant gift bag). There are five of us, so it's ends up being a lot of small things like some of the items you mentioned and things like gift cards to local coffee shops and such. It's fun when we sit and watch him open it. All the gifts are wrapped since we're all traveling, so we like to guess who contributed what based upon our personalities. One of my sister is very practical, and she always gives him some little gadget!

Anyway, it could be fun to switch it up and get it organized by Thanksgiving and give it to him them to open throughout December!

 

[pookybean]

This is a really great idea. I care for an elderly couple part time, they are 96 and 94, and their days just blend in together at this point. They are both able to slowly get around and mostly have their minds...but still they are in their 90's! This really would give them something to look forward to each day. Thank you for the suggestion!

 

[quandrea]

Love this idea. My mil is a widow and struggles with finding the joy in her days. This might be a nice little something to do for her next year. I might also try it for mother’s day. Maybe a month of gifts?

 

[WebmasterMaryJo]

This worked out really well so hopefully this helps someone plan for next year.

For this couple, age 90 and 88, we gave them a basket on Nov 30.

It's full of small wrapped presents. Starting on Dec 1, we told them they get to open ONE gift a day. All gifts are to be shared. I talked to her this morning and they are LOVING it. I think picking the package is the highlight of their day!

I can't remember all the things we got but some were: microwave popcorn, hot choc mix, tea bags, a pkg of Christmas napkins, big can of soup, cornbread mix, box of bandaids, fancy chocolates, holiday cookies, fancy holiday notepad, jelly, ornament, etc

It really has gone over so much better than I anticipated. They decide which present to open right after breakfast. They take turns.

Edit to clarify: there are 24 presents in the basket. I know it sounds like a lot but I split this with one other person so I had to come up with twelve gifts.

What a lovely idea!

 

[AquamarineSteph]

This worked out really well so hopefully this helps someone plan for next year.

For this couple, age 90 and 88, we gave them a basket on Nov 30.

It's full of small wrapped presents. Starting on Dec 1, we told them they get to open ONE gift a day. All gifts are to be shared. I talked to her this morning and they are LOVING it. I think picking the package is the highlight of their day!

I can't remember all the things we got but some were: microwave popcorn, hot choc mix, tea bags, a pkg of Christmas napkins, big can of soup, cornbread mix, box of bandaids, fancy chocolates, holiday cookies, fancy holiday notepad, jelly, ornament, etc

It really has gone over so much better than I anticipated. They decide which present to open right after breakfast. They take turns.

Edit to clarify: there are 24 presents in the basket. I know it sounds like a lot but I split this with one other person so I had to come up with twelve gifts.

That's a BRILLIANT idea! Thanks for sharing!!!

 

[crjack]

What a nice gift! Over the years I have helped to care for many seniors so I thought I would add in a few possible suggestions:

postage stamps
assortment of cards for birthday, baby, sympathy, etc
small photo frames (my mil would get so many school photos of grandchildren each year so this made it easy for her to frame them if they didn't come that way)
Drug store items that often need to be replenished.
supermarket gift cards
renewed subscriptions to local newspaper or favorite magazine

One other gift that has worked out well, but isn't really something for this type of basket, is we have ordered a newspaper that was published on the day someone was born. We recently attended an 80th b-day party and this was passed around and viewed by many people so I was very happy we ordered it. Several places offer them if you look online and will try and get a paper that is tied to a specific city or region if possible.

It is fascinating to see what was happening on that date years ago. You could also give it as a special anniversary gift such as a 50th.