A night on the town could be the ideal gift for seniors, especially those living on fixed incomes

Like it or not, the holiday shopping season is here, and legions of holiday shoppers are filling the nation’s malls in the hunt for that perfect gift.

When it comes to holiday shopping lists, many friends and family members are a breeze to shop for. Is there an ardent sports fan in the family? Tickets to a ballgame will likely be a homerun. Need to find something for the family film buff? A few of his or her favorites on DVD should suffice.

But as easy as some people are to shop for, there’s always a person or two who’s nearly impossible to find something for. One group that many people find particularly difficult to shop for is the elderly.

Unlike kids who would enjoy the newest video game or a gadget-crazy grownup who just wants the latest must-have tool or piece of tech gear, senior citizens are often more difficult to shop for.

Maybe they already “have everything” or just go out and get what they want or need. Here are a few ideas to help make the senior on your holiday list smile.

• Gift baskets. Holiday gift baskets are filled with goodies that nearly everyone loves. Cookies, coffees, fruits and even reusable items such as holiday candles are often good choices to put in gift baskets. Just make sure when giving a gift basket to include food grandma and grandpa can eat. For instance, many seniors have been told to give up caffeinated coffee, so include flavored decaffeinated coffee instead. In addition, pack the basket with low-fat, heart-healthy cookies, since many seniors are on low-fat diets.

• A night out on the town. Many seniors live on fixed incomes, which greatly reduces the amount of money they have available for nights out. That can make a night out on the town especially meaningful. Include dinner at a favorite restaurant and theater tickets, and include yourself in the night’s festivities if you haven’t been able to spend much time with Mom and Dad lately. For seniors, a special night out on the town is likely to be far more memorable than you might think.

• Gift cards or certificates. While some might think a gift certificate is a little “impersonal,” that doesn’t have to be the case. In fact, giving a senior a gift card to the local hair salon, grocery store, etc., and offering to go along is essentially giving them an afternoon or evening of your time. When giving a gift card to a nearby clothing store or other retailer, make a day of it and go shopping with that special senior citizen in your life. Reading, too, is often a favorite hobby of the elderly, so a gift certificate to a nearby bookstore could also be a perfect fit.

• A vacation. In many instances, Grandma and Grandpa live far away from their children and grandchildren, particularly these days, when families are spread out more than ever. Paying grandma and grandpa’s travel expenses so they can come visit the family could be a thoughtful gesture and it will give parents and their children a chance to spend more time with the family.
 
A night on the town could be the ideal gift for seniors, especially those living on fixed incomes

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