What are some good gifts to give to elders? Some people think buying gifts for elders is a boring and difficult task, believing that older people don't have any particular desires for a better life. They might even only use keywords like "middle-aged and elderly," or "elders" when searching for gifts on e-commerce platforms. To be honest, this reflects a bit of a stereotype. Why can't the gifts you want yourself be the ones your elders would prefer and need? Therefore, there are actually many types of gifts you can give. Through gift-giving, you can show your elders what you care about and what new trends are emerging.
However, everyone has different preferences, and people with different personalities will certainly like different gifts. Some elders are very fashionable and pay attention to their appearance, some like wellness products, and others enjoy the outdoors and sports, etc. To meet the needs of more people, this article will provide recommendations in two main categories: general gifts and personalized gifts. These suggestions are suitable for giving to elderly family members, including grandparents, parents, and parents-in-law, on birthdays or holidays.
General and Popular Gifts
Wine
While giving wine as a gift might seem a bit cliché, it's one of the safest and most reliable gift options. Especially for elderly relatives who enjoy drinking, two bottles of good wine will surely make them very happy and add to the festive atmosphere. Simply choose a brand and type that suits their personal taste and your budget.
Health Checkup
For the health of your elderly loved ones, it's recommended that they have a health checkup at least once a year, including dental checkups. You can buy a comprehensive health checkup package for your elders, letting them know that their health is the best gift they can give you in return.
Back Support Belt
Lower back pain is a common problem for many middle-aged and elderly people, such as lumbar muscle strain and herniated discs. If a massage device isn't convenient, consider a back support belt. It can be worn while moving around, without affecting daily life. It's especially comfortable to wear in cold weather. This gift isn't expensive, but it's very thoughtful.
Cordless Vacuum Cleaner / Steam Mop / Electric Mop / Robot Vacuum Cleaner
As elderly people age, they find it increasingly difficult to perform physically demanding tasks like sweeping and mopping, which require frequent bending. Many elderly people are also very clean and sweep and mop every day. While this provides some exercise, it's very hard on their backs. The products mentioned above can significantly reduce their housework burden and help them clean hard-to-reach corners. A clean and tidy living environment will also improve their mood.
Smart Bracelet
For us young people, a smart bracelet might just be an electronic device for making calls and tracking our exercise. But for our elderly parents, it's a thoughtful gift that can monitor their heart rate and blood pressure, remind them to move after sitting for too long, and monitor their sleep health. Some smartwatches on the market even have GPS functionality, alleviating worries about not being able to contact elderly parents when they go out.
Smart Speaker
A smart speaker is like a little personal assistant. It can make voice calls, remind elderly people to take their medication on time, measure blood pressure, provide weather forecasts, and more. If there are any questions in daily life, elderly people don't need to type anything; they can simply ask, and the smart speaker will automatically search for and provide the answer. If your elderly loved one enjoys listening to audiobooks or FM radio, then this smart speaker would be an even more perfect gift.
Family Photo Album
If there is anything in the world that can freeze time, it must be photographs. For our elders, those cherished old photos are likely looked at every few days because they hold so many memories. Buy a beautiful photo album, preferably one that can hold many photos, and collect all the family photos and old pictures scattered around. Then print some heartwarming moments of the family together from recent years. One album can connect the happy memories of several generations.
Pillow
As people age, their sleep quality often declines, and pillows are a major factor affecting sleep. A pillow is indeed a thoughtful gift, but choosing the right pillow for an elderly person can be difficult. If your loved one is used to sleeping on a firm pillow, even the best latex pillow might not please them. Therefore, it's essential to understand their preferences and habits beforehand.
Scarf/Belt/Tie
Scarves and belts are essential accessories in daily life. A scarf can greatly enhance a mother's elegance. You can choose scarves of different colors, patterns, materials, and styles according to your mother's preferences, bringing her different surprises. For fathers, belts and ties are excellent choices, as they can effectively showcase a man's temperament and taste.
These everyday accessories may seem common, but if chosen at the right time and in the right style, they can be truly outstanding gifts.
Personalized and Creative Gifts
Smart Cane
To be honest, I haven't used this product myself, but I was truly amazed by the numerous features described on the product details page. It has functions such as a radio, fall alarm, flashlight, and MP3 player, and the design also looks more user-friendly than traditional canes. It's definitely suitable for elderly people who need a cane.
Smart Electronic Pill Box
Elderly people often forget things, especially when it comes to taking medication on time, which is something that cannot be overlooked. Forgetting to take medication once or twice might not be a big deal, but the concern is that due to poor memory, they might mix up medications or take them repeatedly. This is where the "smart pill box" comes in handy. Prepare the medications in advance, place them in the smart electronic pill box, set the time, and it will automatically remind the elderly person.
Mental Stimulation and Entertainment
Whether it's cooking, cross-stitching, gardening, photography, or traveling, help your elders find and integrate into these communities. These are all relatively healthy recreational activities that are beneficial to their physical and mental health. The goal is to encourage parents to live happier lives and discover the joys of life in their free time.
Folding Shower Stool/Bathroom Anti-Slip Grab Bar
As our elders get older, especially those over 50, it's even more important to prevent falls and slips. Being prepared is key; the bathroom is the most common place for slips and falls. Installing an anti-slip grab bar can make it easier for them to use the toilet. Adding a shower stool under the showerhead will also make showering much easier.
Hiking Shoes
Taking a walk after meals is a good habit, but many worry about elderly family members walking too long, which can be bad for their joints. A pair of well-fitting and supportive hiking shoes can provide peace of mind during their outings. And if your elders enjoy traveling, a pair of high-quality hiking shoes would be a very practical gift.
Electric Nail Clippers
Many elderly people have presbyopia, and watching them squint while using scissors to cut their nails is frightening; they might even injure themselves because they can't see clearly. Therefore, I think giving a safe and convenient electric nail clipper as a gift is very necessary! This gift is suitable for both parents and older relatives. It combines cutting and filing; simply place your fingernail in the groove, and the blade inside will cut or file your nails. The groove is only large enough for a fingernail, so there's no need to worry about the blade cutting the skin, making it very easy to use. This design is especially friendly to elderly people with poor eyesight and has a high safety factor! Some models even have a small built-in light, so elders don't have to worry about not being able to see clearly at night or in low light.
Fresh Farm Produce
I've given my elders many gifts, from huge bouquets of roses to macaron sets, but none of them impressed them. What finally touched her was a box of freshly picked grapes from a rural farm. This kind of green, pollution-free fresh fruit and vegetables, if you have access to an orchard or farm, would be a very special gift.
Of course, our concern for our elders shouldn't only be expressed through gifts. For the elderly, the most desired gift is always: their children and companionship! So, no matter how busy you are at work, remember to visit home often! Pay more attention to and help improve the details of their daily lives. For example, regularly check if the food in the refrigerator is expired, if the non-slip mats are worn out, if the blankets are warm enough, and if the lights are bright enough. The thoughtful companionship and patient reassurance of their children are equally important, helping elders build a fulfilling and happy inner world.