Frugal Imaginative Gifts for Seniors

by Susan Sundall

Chances are you have at least one elderly loved one on your holiday gift-giving list who isn’t easy to buy for. Here are some frugal gift ideas your senior will love.

For almost everyone who gives gifts at Christmas, there’s one or two people who are elderly.

Many of them seem not to need or want more “stuff” in their lives. Finding the right gift is even tougher if your friend or relative is confined to a senior residence or home. In this situation, space for things is often an issue.

So what’s a gift giver to do? Here are 10 unusual and frugal ideas that will bring a smile to even the most over-stuffed senior.

1. Ergonomic Kitchen Tools

Years ago, a friend gave me a potato peeler with an ergonomic handle, and I haven’t stopped using it since. It’s one of the best Christmas gifts I ever got.

Jar openers, spatulas, corn peelers, etc., can be found in most discount department stores or viewed and ordered online. Your friend with arthritis in her thumbs, like me, will love you for it! (For some ideas for ergonomic tools, see Managing Your Arthritis With Affordable Low Tech Devices.)

2. Recordable Greeting Card

These are so cool. Try a karaoke card and record your own voice singing old-time favorites. Jokes? Even better.

Drug stores, card shops, and supermarkets carry them.

3. Stuffed Calendars

Purchase a calendar with a motif your friend or family member will love and then go through and mark important dates, such as birthdays of friends and family, upcoming events, and anniversaries. Pre-marking them for your gift recipient will show your thoughtfulness and maybe help remind you, too!

If your recipient appreciates the lost art of letter writing, you can also gift them some stationery and postage stamps for sending birthday, anniversary and holiday greetings.

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4. Trip Back in Time

Gather some old photos of your senior, perhaps from an event like a wedding or an important birthday. Tape one to the cover of a pretty tin filled with old-time candies, like Necco Wafers or Mary Janes. Place the remaining photos in a Christmas card.

Crank it up a notch with a subscription to Good Old Days. I did this for my own Mom for years and she looked forward to every issue.

5. Deck of Cards

Either Poker or Pinochle will do, and get a new scorepad and some sharpened pencils. Add a few coupons for card games with you!

6. Digital Photo Frame

A digital photo frame can allow you to have hundreds of pictures displayed rather than just one print photo. Many of today’s digital photo frames come with an app enabling you or other family members to upload new photos to your loved one’s frame from afar.

7. A Streaming Device

If your loved one loves television, why not gift them with access to additional channels? You can get them a streaming device, such as a Roku Box or Amazon Fire Stick and load it with free streaming apps such as the Roku Channel or Freevee. (See 7 Simple Ways To Save on Streaming Services.)

8. Unlimited Books and Games

If you have an Amazon Prime membership, you can get your loved one a Kindle Fire Tablet and upload some of their favorite card games and teach them how to check out ebooks from Prime Reading. Prime Video has a ton of old TV shows and movies they might like to re-watch.

9. Grandparents’ Dream

You’ve seen the books that allow Grandma to record a story for the grandchildren. Why not reverse it?

Have the grandchildren record a story, either a book or their own daily doings, and wrap it up along with current pictures of the kids. School portraits are good, but random shots of everyday life are better!

10. Yourself

Almost nothing beats a visit from you, especially if your senior is homebound. Make a commitment to them in your heart and do it. Your thoughtfulness will shine through and you’ll benefit as much or more than they will.

Schedule your gift delivery day and call ahead to make sure it’s convenient. Put a bow in your hair or wear a red tie. Let your senior know you love them and care about how they celebrate the holidays. Jingle Bells at the top of your voice would not be inappropriate!

Reviewed November 2023