Gift suggestions for a senior?

[lovesbabysquirmy]

So my team decided to participate in an "adopt a senior" program and as usual, the dear fellow did not give us much to work with. 

His wishlist included:
photo album, large print books -suspense or mystery, transit tickets, blanket, socks, winter hat

Oh goodness gracious, make it really easy sir!   

So I am asking y'all for suggestions, if anyone has done these sorts of charity things before...

Thanks in advance!

[rosierjay]

another good option aside from just books are audio books.
since you already know the genre he likes.
(they have alot of them at half prices books)

or if you want to go to another extreme, get an easy to understand mp3 player from a pawn shop or other second hand (cheaper) load a bunch of audio books from the library and viola.
but more expensive and alot of work.

but i'm a book nut, so that's my favorite default gift
various health issue can make food gifts difficult...
hmmm. i know my Grandpa always like chocolate, but was otherwise impossible to buy for.
always said. "if i really want something badly enough i'll just go buy it."
home made gifts are always good too.

[Eviecorn]

The only thing I can think of that's not a utility item (maybe just a nice extra present) ... do you have a service like Dinners Delivered around?  Maybe a gift certificate so he can order a meal from a restaurant of his choosing and have it delivered?  I'm drawing a blank otherwise. 

[HelloGoodbye]

Since he likes books, I would go with that. I'd be hesitant about audio books simply because not everyone likes them.  I'm an extremely avid reader, but I personally dislike audio books, and I know of other people who do, too, and then, of course, some people who only like them.  You could always go to the library and ask the librarian for some suggestions for some good large print books in the genre he likes, and then go pick them up at the book store. 

You could always try to color coordinate the hat, blanket, and socks.  That would make for a cute package, and would be a nice thoughtful gift.  Maybe you could even grab a photo album that matches?  That would accomplish a lot in his list.

At my church, we do the same thing but for kids. They tend to be very specific, though, for the most part.  That can be both a blessing and a curse, though, because some kids have a list of very specific and expensive items, and it doesn't give us a lot of wiggle room if we need to sub in something less pricey since we have a limited budget and a bunch of kids to shop for.  So sometimes being a little vague is a good thing!  It is much easier to get something for a kid who simply wants "Barbies" as opposed to one who wants "The Super Deluxe Barbie Vacation  Dream House" (or something) that is literally triple the budget per kid  that we have to spend.

[kaoskat]

Maybe like a scrapbook with some nice pages?

[melodys_angel]

I wonder if hes a crafter?  Might be fin to have all the elements already assembled for making a scrap book or album

[shockponie]

That's like shopping for my brother-in-laws for Secret Santa. They always ask for boring & practical items like "white crew socks." I just try to think of creative wrapping ideas. I think I'd just split up the list & each buy something from it. You guys could take a team photo and put it in a Merry Christmas clip art frame, then print that up & put it in the album?

[lovesbabysquirmy]

Thanks!  I think we have a restaurant-of-your-choice gift card for this city...    I have to check with my coworkers but GREAT suggestions.  Thank you! 

[tulagirl]

I think when a guy gives you a list no matter how plain, he really wants on the list.  It may not seem like much to you, but if he asked for certain things... I would go for those things first.  Try to avoid thinking off of his list and stick with what he asked for. My Opinion.

Obviously transit may be a financial issue for him and that would really help him.  I think his list is very good and can be worked with.  As far as photo books...he just wants a book to put photos of his friends in. 

 But, he may really need the hat, the blanket is easy the socks are easy.  If you don't get him anything on his list it may be sad for him. I have learned this the hard way about guys.  Maybe he likes a particular sports team and you could find a blanket that has that team logo on it and the hat too.

I do charity every year and I never ever buy anything that was not asked for.    Quite often people really need simple things in life and those as gifts are quite meaningful and useful to them.  Giving is really about what that person wants.

Then after tackling his list if you want to add a food card consider his age. I think a fast food card is probably better.  Kids this age hang out in those places more often than in sit down restaurants. Well, in the USA they do.  When school lets out over here its like a sea of kids headed for all the burger joints down the street.  I smile because I did the same thing.  You are in Canada so, maybe things are different there.  I always hated gifts cards for eating because people never got the place right and I am not fond of eating out so, it was always wasted money on their part.

[lovesbabysquirmy]

Oh totally, TulaGirl, I completely agree! 

Usually when people write these, they really do mean what they are asking for.  They typically aren't thinking with too many "wishes" in mind.   

I take the public transit system here, too, so I understand the need for bus tickets!  I'll probably get him a month's worth as that is a HUGE help with living expenses in this city.  My coworkers are all about handmade things from craft markets so I am sure we will all go shopping soon and pick out a super snuggly warm winter set.  And there are probably more than 100 bookstores in Calgary so gift cards to any of them is not hard!  But if you are taking transit there, it's hard to know which place to buy a gift card FOR. 

It just seems like the list is "too easy", if you know what I mean?  I know that sounds weird but...    I like being creative and doing that extra something!

[tulagirl]

LOL yea but isn't that how so many guys are?  They just like the simple things.  Especially in his situation it would take a lot for him to ask for an extravagant gift in the hope someone would actually buy it lol. Kind of embarrassing.  I think he might have been playing it safe.  Who knows for sure..he just may be a lot like my DH. I get simple plain lists like that for him and I always get that stuff and about every other year or so I surprise him with a game system or something amazing I know he will love lol.

[Galactica]

Honestly- I'd stick to his wishlist.  Those are all the things my grandad liked best when he still had his mind- and he STILL tries to read "large print mysteries"  You know- like Dan Brown kinda stuff.   

Also-  the oldsters in my city have a lot of free time on their hand and not a lotta cash- so a loaded bus card would actually be a fantastic thing.



Oop- looks like I should have read the comments first-  lots of people are saying the same kinda thing, lol

Post Merge: November 15, 2013, 02:53:12 AM

Oooh- I had a thought-  do you live somewhere cold?

I noticed he had "blanket" on his list-

Well, my sister got us a serious soft/thick 100% Alpaca blanket one year for Christmas-  I think it has been one of my most favorite gifts of all time! The downside is that it appears to be magnetic to cats-  but the upside is that it is much much warmer and softer than any wool blanket

Also a little pricey- so definitely not something he'd get for himself.

[Ayalah]

I'm with the gang that says stick to the list! I know when I make out a wish list I really HOPE I get what's on it! I know people mean well when they get me things they just think are better/more exciting, but I usually have a reason!

Maybe take all those plain things and wrap them up in a fun way!

[Sugar]

What a beautiful thing to be doing!

His list is a good one... But if he's asking for such basics, I'm wondering if a Safeway gift card might not be a bad add-on?  Maybe a stout set of mittens and scarf, too?  It gets so cold out where you are!

The older set I buy gifts for also appreciate those search-a-word puzzle books... I seem to recall seeing them in large (-er) print versions, too.

[Talismarr]

What a great idea! ^_^ I like tulagirl's suggestions, especially about a sports team for the hat or blanket? I remember my papa (my mom's dad) really loved hockey (Toronto Maple Leafs!), so maybe the man you're shopping for has a favorite team too! A nice throw blanket or a toque with their logo might be appreciated. You can never have too many blankets in Canada!

Tulagirl I find it interesting that you don't really like gift cards for restaurants, I love going out to eat ^_^ It's like a fun date night or night out, but everyone is different! I know some seniors just like to take it easy, so books, puzzles, stuff like that, they often like. My papa (who I mentioned already) actually enjoyed knitting/crocheting, so that was one of his hobbies. The transit tickets are a good idea too. Sometimes basic things like that are appreciated as gifts, it can make day to day life a little bit easier!