Are you planning to buy a gift for a senior, but you’re struggling because you don’t know what to get them? You want to get them something they will love but you don’t feel they really need anything?
Don’t worry, there are a lot of things you can consider getting. With that said, here are the top gifts you can get for seniors who actually don’t need anything, and reasons why they make for great gifts.
Recommended Gifts for Seniors Who Don’t Need Anything
Zeba – Revolutionary New Hands-Free Sneakers
Zeba’s fashionable sneakers are a great choice for seniors because of their patented no-tie system. Instead of dealing with fasteners, they slip right on even from a standing position. This reduces the chance of you losing your balance because you won’t need to bend over to tie your shoes!
Orthofeet Asheville & Charlotte Orthopedic Slippers for Men & Women
These Podiatrist-approved slippers for men and women feature a roomy and wide toe box with built-in orthotic insoles. Designed to improve the ease of walking and alleviate pain on the heel and ball of the foot from numerous conditions. These are a great choice for older adults who need arch support without sacrificing style.
The Horti Box: Happy Plants Subscription Box
My next recommendation is designed for older adults who want to learn to care for plants and build their confidence in their green thumb.
Each box contains a hardy plant along with well-researched instructions on how to care for that month’s selection. They even offer a friendly customer service line to answer your plant growing questions.
There are pet-friendly subscriptions and your recipient receive only one or several plants each month. They even have a plant resurrection guarantee if you lose one!
Like an idea like this? You can see more subscription box gifts for seniors here.
Manly Indulgence Scented Candles
Candles don’t have to be feminine or use only floral scents. The Manly Indulgence line of candles from Colonial Candle includes more masculine scents like Bachelor Pad, Fresh Shave, 5 O’Clock Shadow, or Mahogany Leather. Choose from their Adventure, Rebel, or Sophisticated Collections.
WoolFit® Taiga Ankle High Felt Slippers
Looking for a nice pair of supportive slippers that look good too? Take a look at these Taiga wool felt slipper boots from German Slippers.
They sent me a pair to try for myself and I am very happy with them! They have many of the features I recommend in my post about safe slippers for seniors: stretch opening for swollen feet, support for the heel, and non-skid rubber soles.
Plus your feet literally sink into the wool insoles while also giving you good arch support. If you like to keep things “green” they are also sustainably sourced with a zero waste policy. Would you believe they even smell good?!?
Snug Safety – Free Daily Check-In Service
Looking for a unique gift idea for a senior or elderly person who lives alone? Here is a great alternative to expensive medical alert systems.
Snug is a free – and friendly – check in service for people living alone. It works via an app on a mobile phone and alerts a senior’s emergency contacts if they don’t check in by their assigned time.
There are free and paid subscription plans available. The free plan sends text messages to the emergency contacts while the paid Dispatch plan takes additional steps including phone calls to make sure the person is safe. If they can’t reach anyone, they will request a Wellness Check to the cell phone’s last location.
The Dispatch Plan is $9.99 per month but Graying With Grace readers can save 15% by using my discount code GWG15 or the button below.
Stylish & High Quality Reading Glasses from LOOK OPTIC
Look Optic’s reading glasses aren’t your typical drug store readers. They are lightweight, stylish, with crystal-clear prescription quality lenses. I personally have a pair of their “Bond” frames that I use instead of my progressive bifocals when working because I can see better with them. And without the awkward head tilting too.
I personally like their “Cosmo” line best for women and the “Bond” line best for men. But, they have so many styles and color choices you are sure to find a pair that you or your senior gift recipient will love. Their 90 day risk-free trial guarantees it!
Portable Bluetooth Touch Screen MP3 Player with Clip | Amazon
This MP3 player offers an easy to use touch screen interface and has built-in speakers – no headphones are required. This multifunction device is also an FM radio receiver, video player, e-book player, and voice recorder.
Decade Candy Gift Box | OldTimeCandy.com
This cool gift box features 2 lbs of candy that was popular in your selected decade packed into a gift box. Decade options include the 1950s, 1960s, 1970s, 1980s, and the 1990s.
For the true candy lover, there is a 4 lb choice as well as a monthly subscription box option to keep the candy coming on a regular basis.
Aria Me Personalized Hearing Enhanced Headphones
The best thing about these headphones is that they customize themselves to give you the best hearing experience possible – even for people with mild to moderate hearing loss. Plus, they are comfortable and lightweight which makes them easy to wear for hours and hours. Easily adapted for use with TV, Bluetooth devices, computers, and more. Read My Full Review
Pizza of the Month Club | GreatClubs.com
The fan of Chicago-style deep dish pizza (or any pizza lover, really) will love this gift. They’ll get 3 pizza each month with handmade crust and fresh ingredients pus a newsletter and personalized gift letter from you. 2,3,4,6,and 12 month options.
Vive Health Mach V Fitness Tracker Watch
This fitness watch from Vive Health is a comprehensive activity and sleep tracker. It even tracks heart rate and blood pressure throughout the day to promote good cardiovascular health.
It has an easy to use interface with a screen that is bright, clear and easy for most older adults to read. It last 7 days between charges and recharges in fully in less than 2 hours using a simple magnetic charger.
Finally, it is water-resistant and can be worn in the shower or while washing hands so you don’t have to worry about it getting misplaced. 2 color options and a 60 day satisfaction guarantee.
TheraBox – Self Care Subscription Box | CrateJoy.com
For lonely seniors, check out Crate Joy’s TheraBox Self Care Box. Each box has healthy ways to spend your time by concentrating on your self and your own care. You get a happiness activity and several self care wellness products to try out. The best part? Each box’s selections are chose by therapists! See More Subscription Boxes for Seniors Here.
Audiobooks.com Monthly Audiobook Club
Many seniors can benefit from an Audiobooks.com subscriptions: from active seniors who like to exercise to elderly people who are homebound or even bedridden. Audiobooks provide hours of entertainment, education and enlightenment. Plus, they keep seniors minds busy as they pass the time. See Audiobook Players for Seniors
The 1Password You Need to Remember
This probably seems like an odd choice, but stick with me for a minute. Seniors are using more tech than ever which means tons of passwords to remember! With this service, they only have to remember one. If set-up is a problem, just have one of the grandkids come over.
Good for You Tea Gift Sampler – Adagio Teas
This selection of loose teas was specifically chosen for their anti-inflammatory benefits and are loaded with anti-oxidants. Oh, and they are delicious too. Varieties included: Turmeric Bliss, Happy Belly, Skinny Tea, and Tea-Tox. A great choice for seniors with arthritis or who just enjoy warming themselves with a cup of tea.
On The Go Snack Cups
This useful snack cup is a great gift for seniors who are on the go or like to snack throughout the day. The best part? It keeps the wet and dry ingredients separate until you are ready. No soggy cereal or granola! BPA-free and dishwasher safe. Multiple color choices.
Briggs and Riley Deluxe Wearable Blanket
Always feel cold when traveling? This travel blanket is here to help. Tucks away a fraction of it’s original size yet is cozy, soft, fleecy and lightweight. Wear it like a poncho for all-over warmth. Includes travel case.
Unforgettable Senior Moments Desk Calendar
This calendar gives a full page to each day with full-color images and humorous examples of real life “senior moments” throughout history. Not for the easily offended! 6″ x 5″ with 365 days.
The Crème Liqueur Collection Premium Chocolate Box | Ethel M
This box features luxurious chocolates filled with fondant cremes with premium spirits of Meyer’s Dark RUm, Bailey’s Irish Cream, Knob Creek Bourbon, Herradura Tequila, and Grand Marnier. 12 pieces in a premium gift box.
Be A Friend To GreaterGood
When you make donations through GreaterGood stores, either directly or via one of our Gifts That Give More™ programs, we pass 100% of the funds to our charity partners. We do not collect any portion of your donation to cover the transaction costs necessary to process the contribution. These transaction fees can amount to tens of thousands of dollars annually.
USDA Prime Steak Burgers | Chicago Steak Company
For the burger lover, consider this gift of 8 half pound USDA Prime steak burgers mage from steak trimmings and aged perfectly. Only 2-3% of beef qualifies to be labeled USDA Prime! Individually packaged and vacuum sealed and delivered in a black and gold gift box.
DEEBOT U2 – ECOVACS
This helpful little home gadget can vacuum AND mop an entire home on one charge. Works well with pet hair and features a hard floor mode. Automatic mode to always keep a home spotless.
Garmin vívofit® 4 | Fitness Activity Tracker
The vivofit 4 fitness tracker is a great choice for active seniors who work hard on their health. Track steps, distance, and calories burned. The always-on color display features large, easy to read numbers. It is easy to operate too!
Hello Fresh Meal Kit Delivery Service
Hello Fresh Meal Kits are a great way to provide meals for seniors and the elderly – especially if they enjoy cooking or have a caregiver to help. Choose from a variety of menus and healthy food plans. Weekly meal box deliveries.
Hunt A Killer – Do You Have What It Takes?
Enjoy a good mystery? Can’t put down an Agatha Christie novel once you get started? Then HuntAKiller.com may be just the subscription service for you.
Each month you get a box of clues to help you solve a murder. These monthly boxes are laid out like an episode of a TV show and they tell a bigger story. Six episodes complete a season. There are puzzles and ciphers to solve too for the puzzle lover.
Each box takes between 90 min and 3 hours to complete and can be used as a group experience too. Worried about content? The boxes are “PG-13” because some clues may be graphic (autopsy reports and such).
Coffee Bundle Gift – Beautiful Taste Inspirations – illy Shop
This Coffee Lover’s Bundle includes This bundle includes 1 Coffee Inspirations recipe book, 1 12oz Latte Art Frothing Pitcher, 1 Pack of 6 illy Logo Embossed Spoons, 1 illy Logo mug, 1 illy Cappuccino cup, & 1 illy Logo Espresso cup.
Loot Crate Subscription and Gift Boxes
This is the perfect gift for more hip seniors (or those that think they are!) Choose from a general pop culture box or themed boxes like gaming, clothing, comics and more. Can be a one-time gift or a monthly subscription box.
Gourmet Cheese of the Month Club | MonthlyClubs.com
Enjoy hand-selected, artisanal cheeses from all over the world. Each selection has been hand-cut and professionally-selected. You also get detailed tasting notes, a cheesemaker profile, and a personalized gift message.
Personalizable M&M’s Candy Bags
Every senior seems to love having snacks and sweet treats on hand. Did you know that personalized M&M candies are a real thing? And, they make a great gift that is truly unique. Choose the message, the color, and even the graphics on the bag.
PartyLite Classics Jar Sampler
This candle sampler has welcome fruit-filled fall scents in a trio of mini jar candles. PartyLite’s Harvest Fruits Sampler contains autumnal aromas that stir warm seasonal memories, including Autumn Glow, Juicy Red Apple and Cranberry. 34-45 hours of burn time in each candle!
Senior Home Meal Delivery | Silver Cuisine by bistroMD
This senior meal delivery service send chef-prepared meals from doctor-designed diets straight to the door. Simply select your meals from a menu online or via phone and set your delivery schedule. Rest assured knowing your loved one is easting well.
Create Simple Wall Tile Pictures From Photos | StoryBoards
Storyboards are a great way to keep seniors updated with photos of their family and your lives. Simply upload photos and they will be converted to 8X8 photo boards that can be stuck to the wall. The best part? They don’t leave any marks on the wall when removed so they should be nursing home or assisted living approved!
Story of My Life: A Workbook for Preserving Your Legacy | Amazon.com
Sadly, when our senior loved ones leave us, their stories and history goes with them. This workbook encourages them to share this history with your and provides a place to record memories through a series of questions and prompts. It will quickly become a treasured heirloom for the family.
Teabloom Stovetop & Microwave Safe Glass Teapot | Amazon.com
If your gift recipient’s a tea lover, get them a high quality set of tea accessories including a beautiful, but functional, teapot, a tea infuser, and a set of flavors you think she’ll enjoy. She may have been using the same teapot for decades now, so she’ll appreciate the upgrade.
A digital photo album is a fun way to load up and display family, vacation, and travel photos. Rather than having space for just one or two happy photos, you can add or change the pictures by uploading them from your phone to the frame when you come to visit. It can also be updated via WiFi too! For fun the senior could even use a camera to take some of the photos themselves.
Dynotag SuperAlert Medical ID Tags | Dynotag
With these medical tags, it’s easy for first responders to get essential information about a patient. The tags are laminated and completely weatherproof, which means they’ll be in great shape for years. The set includes both a keychain tag and a wallet card. It’s a wonderful way to protect the people you love most.
Vive Neck and Back Shiatsu Massager with Heat
Perfect for heating, massaging, and relaxing sore back and neck muscles, this is a great gift that can provide much needed relief to muscle soreness, muscle tightness, or even pain resulting from these issues. All without having to book an appointment, go across town, and deal with the uncomfortable aspects of getting a massage from a professional.
All-New Echo Dot (4th Gen) | Smart speaker with Alexa | Amazon.com
This is probably one of the most useful gifts for any senior. Alexa Echo will tell them the time, date, weather forecast, play them their favorite songs, and also remind them to have their medicines. However, you may need to set it up for them.
AncestryDNA® Kit
As we age, many of us begin to wonder where we came from and where our roots begin. AncestryDNA® now offers even more ways for aging adults to discover their family story. Help them begin their journey with an AncestryDNA® Collection Kit.
Mahabis Curve Supportive Slippers for Men and Women
Mahabis Curve slippers feature a flexible and grippy rubber sole with a luxurious Italian wool lining. They are made to be durable and easy to care for. Plus, they have the neoprene heel cup to make sure they say secure on your feet reducing the chance of a fall. Available in multiple colors and men’s and women’s sizing.
General Gifting Advice for Seniors Who Don’t Need Anything
1. Gourmet Coffee
Many seniors enjoy having a cup of coffee and start their day at the coffee maker, so it makes sense to buy it as a gift. However, you don’t have to purchase regular coffee that they already drink regularly. Instead, you can surprise them with gourmet coffee. This is an idea gift because it tastes great, doesn’t cost much money and it’s something useful. Here’s a tip, buy a few different types of gourmet coffees to create a gourmet coffee gift box.
If the senior you’re buying a gift for isn’t a coffee drinker, then no worries. You can opt for tea. Like coffee, tea is available in an array of flavors, so feel free to mix and match them.
2. Audio Books and Audio Book Players
As seniors age, they often have difficulties seeing and this means they have trouble reading traditional books. Whether the person you’re buying a gift for has a bad eyesight or not, you should consider getting them an audio book player. Find out what their favorite types of books to read are or make a list of books you know they will love.
After you have an idea of what to look for, go buy those books in audio book form. If the person enjoys all kinds of books, then this makes it easier. Audiobooks.com has a subscription service where they can get new titles every month. They can then browse as many audio books as possible before deciding which ones to get themselves.
3. Personalized Items
Does the senior have grandchildren or do they have a favorite pet? If so, then order a customized blanket with them on it. It doesn’t have to be those, as you can create any kind of design or include anything that has special meaning to the senior. Even if they don’t use the blanket, the chances are they’ll keep it somewhere they can see it regularly.
Blankets aren’t the only items that can be customized. Just about anything can, including dishes, coffee/tea cups, calendars, clothing and the list goes on. With virtually endless possibilities, you can bet there is something they will love.
4. Chocolate Basket
Seniors who don’t need anything often love receiving some sort of snack as a gift, which is exactly why chocolate makes for the perfect gift. You can opt for gourmet chocolate or whatever their favorite type of chocolate is. There are chocolate gift baskets you can buy or you can create your own from scratch.
Furthermore, you can customize the packaging. If you want, you can have a photo of their loved ones placed right on the wrapper. This will impress them and it will take them by surprise because it’s a truly thoughtful gift.
5. Hygiene Products
Hygiene products are useful, but you should buy products that they might not use everyday. This includes high-end luxury soap or a gift basket for seniors that contains dental care products.
Many seniors enjoy being independent or they try to be as independent as possible. Having access to hygiene products allows them to maintain their independence to an extent, but what you decide to include in your hygiene product basket is up completely up to you.
Wrapping Up
Those are the top gift ideas to consider for those older loved ones who don’t need anything. All you have to do now is think about which idea you like the most. The good news is you can’t go wrong with any of the above.
