Gift Ideas for the Elderly During White Elephant or Secret Santa

8 Gifts for Elderly Friends to Exchange During a White Elephant or Secret Santa

White Elephant and Secret Santa gift exchanges can add fun to any holiday party, but knowing just what to get can be challenging. Not knowing the person whose name you draw very well or not knowing who will end up with your gift at all can make it even harder to find something your recipient will be likely to enjoy, but some gift ideas can be a good fit for most seniors. Here are eight versatile gift ideas for the elderly that can help you!

Cozy Gifts

Scented Candle

The calming scent of a flickering candle can add a relaxing touch to any room. You can try signature 3-wick candles from Bath and Body Works or other smaller options under $5. In fact, candles make great gift ideas for the elderly no matter the occasion.

Fleece Blanket

Whether you select a fun print, a neutral solid color that will match nearly anyone's decorating scheme, or an attractive faux fur design, a fleece blanket is a simple and practical gift that few seniors can have too many of.

Fun Gifts

Board Games

Playing board games is a common way for seniors to spend time with friends and neighbors near their own age. Adding a few newer options to a collection of classics can make get-togethers even more fun.

Puzzle Books

Crossword puzzles, Sudoku puzzles, word searches, and other word or number games are favorites among many seniors. What's more, adding a pack of colorful pens or markers can make this gift even more fun!

Practical Gifts

Coffee Mug Warmer

Few seniors haven't gotten several coffee mugs as gifts over the years. Morning drinks often get cold much faster than anyone wants them to. A coffee mug warmer is a heated coaster that makes keeping drinks hot and delicious easier than ever.

Reusable Shopping Bag

These compact nylon bags fold down to nearly nothing. This also makes them easy to tuck in a purse, backpack, or glove compartment to always have extra space for groceries or other purchases available. Each colorful, reinforced bag holds up to 50 pounds, making them a practical and eco-friendly alternative to other types of shopping bags.

Gifts Under $10

Quality Chocolates

Even many health-conscious seniors enjoy a treat from time to time. In fact, you can find a surprisingly high amount of quality chocolate at a low price during the holiday season. From a bag of seasonal Lindt truffles to a box of assorted Russell Stover chocolates, this is one of the tasty gift ideas for the elderly that are sure to be a favorite.

Book Light

Reading during the evening or in bed can be challenging, especially during the winter months that do not provide light for as long as you would like them to. This simple tool can add a bit of extra light near your book if a lamp is too dim to read comfortably.

Senior Helpers Can Make Holidays Better

At Senior Helpers of Eastern Long Island, we know that choosing just the right white elephant gifts can go a long way toward making holiday parties memorable for seniors in the Patchogue, Riverhead, Shirley, Suffolk County, Medford, and Mastic areas.