It’s that time of year again; the weather is getting colder, the little ones are writing their lists, and people up and down the country are starting their Christmas shopping. Although the festive period will definitely be very different this year, lots of us will be having the same panic over presents! Buying Christmas presents can be stressful, especially for your older relatives and friends.
With older people, it isn’t as simple as popping down to your nearest toy shop or buying the latest video game. The sentiment behind the gift might be far more important than a flashy brand or hefty price tag.
In today’s article, we’re sharing 10 great Christmas presents for older people, to give you some inspiration. Starting your Christmas shopping early is one of the best ways to reduce your stress as we head into the festive period. What’s more, it will spread out the costs over several weeks, making less of a dramatic dent in your bank account.
Top 10 Christmas Presents for Older People
10. Flowers
As we mentioned, a thoughtful gift is a surefire way to put a smile on your older loved one’s face. Flowers are therefore an excellent choice. There aren’t many people out there who don’t appreciate a bunch of flowers.
New research has also shown that flowers can also benefit your mental health, which is an added bonus.
There are plenty of flowers to choose from, so if you’re struggling to find your favourites you need to see our Top 5 list of flowers to give this Christmas.
9. Magazine Subscriptions
Despite the internet’s best attempts, lots of people still prefer a physical book, magazine, or newspaper. There are still plenty of magazines and newspapers to enjoy. In fact, there are magazines available for pretty much every hobby and interest out there, so you’re bound to find the right one for your loved ones.
For example, if your loved one is a huge fan of cars, why not get them a subscription to the Top Gear magazine? Or if they’ve got green thumbs, perhaps a subscription to Modern Gardens is a good idea.
There is a magazine out there for everybody!
8. Gifts to Keep them Warm
The festive period and the months that follow can be extremely cold. Besides being generally unpleasant, the low temperatures can also put older people at risk. (Click here for our article on staying safe in cold weather.)
Help your loved ones out this Christmas by giving them cosy presents such as an electric blanket or hot water bottles for their bed. Or perhaps a comfy jumper or some thick, Christmas-themed socks would be well-received?
Looking after older people during the winter is really important for their health. Buying these types of Christmas presents would be a great way to show you care.
7. Golf Masterclass with a PGA Pro & Lunch
If your loved one is a fan of golf, or is looking for a new hobby, then this great gift from Red Letter Days will go down a treat. They will begin their day of golf with a two and a half-hour lesson, covering all aspects of the set-up, swing techniques and a short game which involves a brief performance analysis.
In the afternoon, your loved one will head out onto the golf course for a game, under the supervision of a PGA professional player. There are a number of golf courses to choose from, and a free lunch is also included.
Remember, golf also has a number of health benefits too!
6. A Trip Away
Lots of us like to get out and visit new parts of the country. Popular examples would include a day trip to London to see all of the sights of the capital, or maybe a trip to the coast to enjoy the sunshine.
There are so many interesting and unique places to visit here in the UK and it’s high time that we go and explore them! We’ve all spent lots of time stuck indoors this year, and older people have been particularly affected by local and national lockdowns. Booking a trip away for the summertime will give your loved one something to look forward to. It can also help older people to combat loneliness and to improve their social lives.
5. Small Indulgence
So often we hear people say “I don’t need anything for Christmas.” But Christmas is a great time to give someone a present they would really like and enjoy, not just something they need. Luxury toiletries, make-up, fragrances, DVDs or video games, or some classic fancy chocolates are just a few ideas for luxurious Christmas presents.
4. Make It Yourself
Lots of us have had to tighten our pursestrings this year. Christmas is a joyful time of year, but it often comes with a fair bit of stress, especially when it comes to money. A home-made gift is the ultimate thoughtful Christmas present, which won’t break the bank. Make something yourself! Create a piece of art for your loved one’s home, knit or crochet them a scarf or blanket, or whip up some simple chocolate truffles.
Handmade Christmas presents are truly special; you’ll be just as happy seeing your relative unwrap your handiwork as they will be to receive it!
3. Board Games & Puzzles
Nothing gets the brain working better than a good jigsaw puzzle or board game. In fact, jigsaw puzzles have made a huge comeback this year, for people of all ages. Jigsaw puzzles are great entertainment for long days stuck inside, and they have lots of benefits for older people too.
As board games are social activities, they will also bring the family together for some game time! Remember, it’s important for older people to keep their social network active in order to avoid feeling lonely. Keeping an active mind can also help ward off dementia.
2. Kindle or Tablet
Technology continues to improve year after year, and older people are more tech-savvy than ever before. According to Ofcom’s Media Use and Attitudes report, more than a quarter (27%) of people over the age of 75 now use tablets – an increase of 15% from 2015. The same report found that 41% of people aged over 75 have a social media account.
With this in mind, maybe a new tablet or Kindle device would go down a treat. A tablet allows you to access the internet, play games and use social media to interact with friends and family. Meanwhile, a Kindle is a great way to read your favourite books without ever losing your place! Perfect for bookworms who are running out of room on their shelves.
Find out more about the benefits of older people using tablets.
1. Personal Alarm
Give the gift of safety and peace of mind this year with a personal alarm system from LifeConnect24. If you worry about your elderly loved ones for any reason, perhaps due to their health or the fact that they live alone, a personal alarm is the perfect solution.
We offer a range of simple, reliable alarms to suit every lifestyle and need. Our standard Lifeline Vi Alarm comes with a waterproof MyAmie pendant. We also offer a Fall Detector pendant which can raise the alarm automatically if it detects a fall. Our alarm pendants are discreet and comfortable, with a choice of wearing attachments and an impressive, long-lasting battery life.
If your loved one has a fall or feels unwell, they simply need to push their pendant button. This will instantly make an alert call to our 24-hour Response Team, who will respond immediately over the system’s loudspeaker. The Response Team will reassure the alarm user and arrange help quickly. They will contact the user’s chosen emergency contacts, as well as the emergency services if they’re needed.
What ideas do you have for Christmas presents this year? Share your ideas in the comments below!
Editor’s Note: This article was updated on 9th November 2020 to reflect current information. Originally published December 2017.
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