In addition to coping with the ongoing pandemic, Americans have been confronted this year with empty shelves, out of stock products and long waiting times for some purchases. Many feared that the holidays would even be ‘canceled’ because of merchandise stuck on container ships and unable to make its way to retailers.
While gift giving is a wonderful tradition that people of all ages enjoy, it may be a good time to broaden our thinking about gifts – it’s fun to open lots of packages, but experiences can be great gifts too because they provide an opportunity to make lasting memories.
The truth is that most of us already have more ‘stuff’ than we need. As an alternative, here are some ideas for gifts that don’t take up a lot of space but that can be remembered long after the holiday is over. Remember: fun celebrations or events can be created inside or outside the home, near or far.
- Take in performances – Depending upon your loved one’s level of mobility, they may enjoy attending a musical concert, play or theater performance in the community. You might get tickets to movies currently in theaters or you can plan a movie night at home with lots of popcorn and sodas.
- Try out local events – Search your local paper for ideas on creative things to do as a family, such as wine tastings, cooking classes or happenings at nearby venues. Think outside the box! One Georgia farm has craft classes and interactive experiences with alpacas!
- Hire a cleaning or professional organizing service – If your senior is still in their home, it could be a great gift to have someone deep clean their house. Seniors also can benefit from a session with a professional organizer who specializes in elder moves and clutter reduction. A decluttered home is safer, and your loved one can organize their belongings if a move becomes necessary.
- Utilize entertainment services – A Netflix or Apple Music subscription, for example, or technology such as an Amazon Echo Dot/Alexa or a new tablet could be useful. If your loved one can’t physically make it to church or the symphony, plan a Facebook watch party for a special religious service, concert or other event that the whole family can enjoy at home on the big screen.\
- Plan travel – Depending on your senior’s abilities, gifting a trip is a nice option. A cruise, beach trip, trip to Disney or even travel abroad would be exciting to look forward to and create wonderful family memories. When family members cannot physically travel, you might still enjoy travel experiences together by visiting Rick Steve’s travel classroom.
- Enjoy meals or flowers – Perhaps a basket of their favorite goodies or a special meal at a great restaurant (or delivered via UberEats) would hit the spot. Fresh flowers are always a cheery addition to a senior’s environment.
- Make a family keepsake book, video or cookbook. Children can interview grandparents via iPhone and create their own movies or a memory book. Gather cherished recipes to make a personalized cookbook and get in the kitchen to try them out.
Your loved one’s ability to engage in experiences will, of course, depend on their health and stamina. But the opportunity to create warm memories is an inviting option to consider. At Kadan Homecare, we wish you and your family the happiest of holidays!
