by Lynn Jordan

Created on: November 30, 2007   Last Updated: July 09, 2008

Your senior friends and relatives can be the toughest people to buy for on your gift list. I once had a friend who told her children, "If I can't wear it, eat it, or go to it, I don't want it." I'm beginning to understand how she felt. With that in mind, here are a few things you might think about for the seniors on your list.

Gift certificates for food
You could get a gift certificate to their favorite restaurant or arrange to have food delivered to their home. There are businesses that provide delivery service from a variety of local restaurants. You can also find people who will come to the house and cook meals that your recipient selects.

Donation to a favorite charity
Make a donation to their favorite charity. If they are an animal lover, you could adopt an endangered animal in their name. They will receive a certificate and a picture of their animal. Other charities will send an acknowledgment to them.

Membership to a zoo, museum, aquarium, garden or other local attraction
Giving a membership to a local attraction can let them visit as much as they like. These visits are something they might deny themselves. When you know their passion, the selection is easy.

Tickets to a concert, conference or tour
Provide tickets to an event they would enjoy. This can be as simple as a concert or as elaborate as attendance to a national convention of their favorite organization. Arrange a tour of local attractions that locals never visit or provide a tour of far away places that they've only dreamed of.

Handyman services
Give them a certificate for the services of a local handyman. They can have someone else do those little nagging chores that always need to be done but that they don't want to do.

Family memories
Put together a photo album or a photo collage of family members. Have their pictures, slides, or movies transferred to CDs or DVDs. Interview family members and record the stories. Make an audio CD of family members and friends talking about the memories of the past and good times together.

The gift of yourself and your time
Give a certificate for your time. Do chores for them. Find out what they need done and schedule a time to take care of it. Take them out for meals or cook for them in their home. If you live far away, promise to send them a letter each week, or each month. If they use a computer, schedule a regular time for chats.

Whatever you choose, the seniors on your list will appreciate your gift. For them, it really is the thought that counts.

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