Surviving The Holidays #3 -- Older People

It can be difficult to think of gifts for older people in your life -- whether friends or family -- but sometimes a little bit of thought will let you come up with all kinds of interesting ideas.

If they have trouble getting out you can give a box of assorted greeting cards (birthday, get well, anniversary, holiday) interesting address labels and some stamps.

A gift certificate for dinner at a nice restaurant is a thoughtful item. It's great if they're on a fixed budget and this is a treat for them and it can also be great if they are not on a budget but this gives them a chance to get out and try someplace new or even a reason to go to a place they just like to go to.

Try audiobooks or large print books or newspapers make a great gift. They may not want to admit, even to themselves, that it's not as easy to read as it one was.

Gift cards for a massage or manicure can be great as it gives them an opportunity for something they may not do for themselves.

If you live close by and want to do it give them the gift of your time. Offer to take them out to lunch, drive them to a doctor's appointment, take them for a drive in the country whatever would be different or a necessity that they might not manage for themselves.

If they are having trouble driving see if there is a taxi or car service in their area that you can get a gift certificate from. This can be a great boon, especially in bad weather. It also keeps people from feeling trapped.