Some Practical Christmas Gifts For Older People

Here is another terrific article from wikiHow.com.  I ran across this while trying to get some ideas for Christmas gifts and thought I would share it with you.

How to Choose Practical Christmas Gifts That the Elderly Will Appreciate

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Choosing the best gift to give grandma and grandpa is a dilemma that faces all families at the holidays. They have everything, need nothing, have limited space, but love to feel that someone cares enough to take time to find the perfect gift for them. We have some suggestions for practical gifts for the elderly that will not be forgotten after the holidays. Although gift cards are a great gift for some people, quite honestly the older folks don't know how to use them or forget to use them, so we do not recommend gift cards for this generation.

 Steps

1.  PikStiks are one of the handiest tools ever invented, for both old and young. These reachers and grabbers come in a range of lengths and enable someone to retrieve items from the top shelf of a cupboard or closet, without standing on a chair or to pick up items that are on the floor, without having to get up from the sofa, and can even reach and grab objects that have fallen behind the washing machine. They are easy to use, even for people with arthritis or limited arm and hand movement.
   
2.  Sliding cabinet organizers are such a great addition to any kitchen, that we feel compelled to mention them as a holiday gift idea.  We know this may seem like a weird idea, but think about it for a while. These cabinet organizers come in a variety of sizes for a variety of uses and would help all older people with storing and retrieving cooking pots and cleaning supplies, without having to get on their hands and knees to try to find something in the back of the cabinet.  Of course, someone would have to help with the installation of these, but think how easy it would be for them to find and reach everything.
   
3.  Gardening items, such as a gardening stool with garden utensils, are always a perfect gift for those seniors who still have access to a yard or patio.  Whether your recipient has a vegetable or flower garden these are perfect gift ideas that will allow them to cultivate their garden with little or no concern for the needed tools and with a comfy place to sit while they work.
   
4.  Colorful, theme based, garden stakes are an easy and beautiful addition to any yard or garden. With low maintenance and easy set-up anyone can decorate their outdoor and indoor living areas with these cute and whimsical decorations. No tools or ladders are required to display these, making them senior-citizen friendly. Some nursing homes may allow these to be placed outside a resident's window.
   
5.  Shopping cart trolleys were originally designed for people who walk to the corner grocery store or frequent farmer's markets - like city folks and many Europeans. But they are not just for hauling groceries, they are perfect for transporting laundry to the laundry room or outdoors to the clothesline, for hauling groceries from the car to the house, and for moving a pile of stuff from one room to another.
   
6.  Sheepskin seat belt covers are usually not something you think of as a gift, but the comfort level of senior citizens is so improved that they will thank you over and over for these covers. Even if they do not drive, one of these on the passenger seat belt will make their travels more comfortable by keeping the belt from digging into their neck. While on sheepskin ideas, a sheepskin wheelchair pad is perfect for someone who is wheelchair bound, but these can also be used on a living room chair for extra comfort and warmth. Be forewarned that if they have small pets, the cats and dogs will probably claim the sheepskin pad as their official napping mat!
   
7.  Wall mounted ironing boards are not only a space saver, but a labor saver for the older generation, especially if they have had to downsize their living space. Plus, as we get older and wiser there is less and less items that we feel we have to iron. Putting up and taking down those large clumsy ironing boards, just to iron a collar on a shirt, is not easy.
   
8.  Fleece blanket throws are always an appreciated gift, especially when paired with a book or movie. A fleece blanket is lightweight, easy to fold, easy to wash, and will keep them warm and comfy on those long, lonely winter nights.
   
9.  Tag Tamers, which are soft attachable covers for clothing tags, are a wonderful gift for senior citizens as they will stop the itchiness and scratching caused by sewn-in garment tags  Yes, you could cut out the tags, but there is always a little left at the seam and that can be more irritating than the whole tag itself.
   
10.  A retractable clothes drying line is another idea that many people never think about. Again, these are great for those who have had to downsize their homes or who can't easily get outside to hang up items on the outdoor clothesline. These lines range from 8 to 40 feet of drying surface and the units mount in any small space, such as the laundry area, a mudroom,  even in the bathtub/shower.
    

Even though these suggestions are for gifts that will surely be appreciated by senior citizens, they could also be considered as practical gift ideas for anyone on your holiday list. Make this holiday gift giving season one that your family and friends will thank you for throughout the year.


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