The holiday season has started to land, with gift-giving a potential consideration on many people’s minds. This year, when not everyone will be able to travel to see loved ones due to limitations from COVID-19, sending small tokens of love and appreciation might be even more important for some families.

If you’re wondering what you could send a loved one at The Gardens assisted living community in Springfield, MO, we’ve got a few suggestions below. Remember that personal gifts that indicate you thought about the person and care for them are often the best options, so use our senior gift guide as a starting point for your own shopping list.

Items for Assisted Living Apartments

While the floor plans for the assisted living apartments in The Gardens community make it possible for seniors to live a comfortable, enjoyable lifestyle, they’re still small spaces when compared to many family homes. With that in mind, you don’t want to gift a senior with something that might clutter up their space unduly. If you’re giving items for an apartment, try to choose space-saving options or those that do double duty.

Some options in a variety of price ranges include:

•             Cozy throws that can decorate the bed but also work when the senior wants to curl up with a good book or movie on a loveseat or recliner.

•             Battery-operated LED candles* that provide cheerful flickering and a bit of ambient light at night.

•             Picture frames already filled with pictures of the grandkids or other loved ones.

•             Digital picture frames that cycle through many pictures.

•             Items you know someone specifically needs, such as a new favorite coffee mug after one broke.

Personal Care Items to Pamper Seniors

You might want to give a gift that helps a senior pamper themselves this holiday season. Remember that many people have specific preferences for personal items, so you do want to ensure you know the person well if you’re going to buy some of these items. But others are fairly easy to buy for almost anyone.

•             Warm socks or slippers can be a fun gift for anyone to receive, especially if the person is regularly cold. Make sure you purchase options with non-slip soles for safety.

•             A luxe bathrobe might be a good purchase. A new robe looks decent enough to answer the door in, and it can also provide a warm hug for a senior as they’re lounging in their apartment.

•             Favorite bath or shower products, especially if you know exactly what your older relative prefers to use. If someone really likes a more expensive brand, they might not buy it for themselves regularly and this can be a special treat for them.

•             Articles of clothing can also be a good gift idea, especially if you know the senior has worn out a favorite sweater or pair of pants. If you’re not sure where to shop, consider browsing the selection at retailers that cater to senior clothing needs.

Gifts for Seniors Who Like to Keep Busy

If you know an active senior who never seems to stop or has a lot of hobbies, you might gift them with the supplies or tools they need to keep up with their own lifestyle. Some options include:

•             Calendars or planners. Planner enthusiasts of all ages typically have a lot to say about their planners, so if you know an older adult already uses one, consider talking to them about their planner wish list. They might want a certain one or be eyeing some fun planner stickers or other accessories.

•             Notebooks, journals or other stationery items. From a pen that writes smoothly and decreases finger fatigue to adorable notecards to be sent to friends, a senior that likes to record their own thoughts or send messages to others might enjoy a replenishment of their stock.

•             Hobby supplies or accessories. If your loved one enjoys crocheting, you might create a basket of yarn. If they paint, some new paints, brushes or paper might be ideal gifts. And if you know your loved one creates, but you really don’t know much about their chosen artform, a gift card to a store such as Michaels, Hobby Lobby or Amazon might be appreciated. Even during COVID-19, your loved one can shop online or for curbside delivery.

Entertainment Accessories and Media

Winter months can keep everyone indoors, and with COVID-19 concerns, your loved one may not want to take advantage of trips to local stores or events. The assisted living calendar is typically filled with plenty of options for all types of interests, but gifting entertainment options to your loved one can help them make the most of any time they spend in their own apartments. Some options include:

•             If you know what your loved one likes to read, you can buy books or e-books for them. Consider any vision issues when you do this; you may need to look for large editions or audiobooks for someone who is having trouble reading regular print.

•             Buy DVD or Blu-ray movies for a loved one who already has a player. Or, if an older adult in your life is already on the streaming bandwagon, consider funding a subscription to a new service for a few months or the year.

•             New CDs, a CD player, or a well-stocked MP3 player with all their favorite music can also be a nice gift for a loved one in an assisted living community.