Thursday, May 8

Mother's Day Gift Ideas for Seniors

Finding the right Mother's Day gift can be challenging, especially when you're buying for a Mother that is a senior citizen - whose interests and activities differ greatly from yours. Whether your mother is still in the workforce or is enjoying a retirement lifestyle, there are plenty of great gift options for you to consider. Whether you purchase an item or come up with the perfect gift of your time and talents, considering her preferences and needs are the key to finding the perfect gift.

Gifts of Time
Your mother might find that having an opportunity to spend a bit more time with you more valuable than anything you could purchase. These gift ideas don't cost you anything but time, and they provide you with ways to help your Mother while also spending time with her.

Scanning and Preserving Photos 
Chances are mom has albums or drawers full of photographs she's collected over the years. If she also has a computer, scanning them in and showing her how to view the digital images is a great gift idea. Assuming that you own a scanner, this won't cost you any money and will provide you with an opportunity to spend several memorable hours bonding with her over family memories.

Social Media Tutoring 
Help your Mom set up a Facebook profile and teaching her how to use it can also be a thoughtful (and free!) gift idea. This will provide her with an outlet to get - and stay - connected with loved ones and old friends. She'll even be able to put some of the photos you scanned for her to good use! Be sure, though, that the lessons you provide also include information on Internet safety and privacy.

Honey Do List
There are likely some regular chores that your Mother would rather not have to do any more. Devote a certain amount of time each month to doing whatever tasks she'd like to delegate to you. Let her pick what you do each time - deep cleaning, yard work, house organizing, car detailing, errand running, moving furniture around, changing light bulbs or cleaning out the attic. Whatever she needs done - this is a great idea.

Three Homemade Gifts
Homemade gifts can be more meaningful than items purchased in the store. Consider one of these simple and inexpensive ideas when you want to ensure that your Mom feels extra-special on Mother's Day.

Memory Jar 
Create a memory jar. You'll need a nice jar, several small pieces of paper and time to reflect. On each piece of paper, write down a different memory of a wonderful time that you have shared with your Mother. Fold the pieces of paper and place them in the jar so she can enjoy them over time.

Photo Bouquet 
Instead of giving a bouquet of flowers that will last only a few days, consider creating a bouquet of meaningful photographs. Cut flower shapes from construction paper and glue some of her favorite photo cut-outs in the center of each flower. Have color copies made of original photos if you're using images of childhood memories, or simply take and print new digital images.

Freezer Meals 
If your mother is starting to think about downsizing her home or simplifying her surroundings, she might prefer not to receive trinkets as a gift. However, not all homemade gifts take up space on the shelves. Instead of making something for her to display, consider putting together a collection of freezer casseroles or other freezer-friendly meals for her. This really is the ideal gift for someone who has everything. This will help her save time and money, as well as provide nutritious meals for the days she doesn't have dinner plans or time to cook.

Three Gifts To Purchase
There are also plenty of great options you can buy that Moms who are seniors are sure to appreciate greatly. Just be sure that you're considering what the recipient would really enjoy instead of your own preferences when shopping.

Meal Delivery Service 
If you like the idea of providing meals as a Mother's Day gift but you don't like to cook or don't live close enough to drop off an array of casseroles, consider investing in a meal delivery service for your mother. There are a number of options with nationwide delivery. Examples include: SendAMeal.com has a Meal-of-the-Month club that you can purchase for three months (around $220), six months (around $430) or twelve months (around $770). DineWise.com offers options especially designed for the dietary needs of seniors. A seven-day package of 14 meals costs around $160. Individual meals ranging from $10 to $15 each are available, as well as gift certificates. Fantastic idea!

Earphones 
Even if your mom has jumped on the technology bandwagon with a smartphone, tablet or iPod, she might not like modern earbuds. A lot of people find them annoying, especially those who grew up using listening devices that fit over their ears rather than nestling inside them. While it's harder to find earphones than earbuds these days, it is still possible to do so - and chances are your mother will strongly prefer them to earbuds.The Urban Ears Plattan model is a good choice. It has received positive reviews on a number of sites, including TechNoodling. They are lightweight, comfortable and very simple to use. They cost around $60 and come in 12 fashionable colors.

Cooling Pillow 
Hot flashes and night sweats often go hand-in-hand with peri-menopause and menopause, so cooling pillows can be great gift ideas for senior moms. There are options in all price ranges, starting at less than $15 for a Chillow. Listed as one of the top 12 ways to cool hot flashes by More magazine, Chillow is an add-on to a traditional pillow. Simply fill it with water and, if desired, cool it in the refrigerator or freezer, then place it on your pillow (above or below the pillowcase). If you have a larger budget, you my want to consider buying her a memory foam pillow with built-in cooling technology. They are really comfortable with good cooling qualities. The Sensorpedic pillow retails from $60 to $80 for jumbo or king size respectively, while the Comfort Revolution pillow comes in standard size and costs about $40.

There are, of course, many more gift ideas for you to select among. Fashion items, a spa weekend trip together, take a hobby class with her, mani/pedi, or organize all of her recipes - so many things to choose from and more. If you're shopping for an older senior, the suggestions in Gift Ideas for the Elderly may be good items for you to consider. What matters most is that mom knows you love her and that you took the time to really think about her needs when choosing a gift. She will appreciate you for the time you spent thinking of her.



Mother's Day gifts, senior, elderly, thoughtful, ideas, cooling pillow, meal delivery, freezer meals, photo bouquet, memory jar, honey do list, social media, scanning, preserving photos


4 comments:

  1. These were all great & varied gift ideas for Senior Moms (and other Moms too for that matter) ! Thanks for sharing.

    ReplyDelete
  2. So crazy loving post you brought before us. There is no word as sweet as "Mother" in the world and I am sure this post will make proud all the mothers of the world. Indeed the mother day gift ideas you discovered was tremendously loving and adorable. I appreciate your great job. the gifts of time, social media tutoring (helping mom to set up a facebook profile), taking care of mom's honey Do List', photo bouquet, freezer meals, meal delivery service, earphones, cooling pillow, three homemade gifts and 3 gifts to purchase- all the gift ideas and details were so so sweet and worth to follow for our moms' Love you noble post.

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