Last Minute Gift Ideas for the Elderly--Themed Gift Baskets

So it's almost Christmas, and you still need a gift for that special senior on your shopping list. Or maybe you just heard that an elderly neighbor in the community is in need of a little holiday cheer.

It's not always easy to buy for the elderly. They often won't say what they really want, and will claim to have everything they need. That doesn't mean they won't appreciate a thoughtful gift!

One of the easiest last-minute gift ideas is a gift basket. There are so many different ways to fill one, and they always look lovely. While you can fill them with just about anything, some of the nicest baskets are ones that are "themed"--meaning all the stuff inside (and sometimes the container too) go together.

As a bonus, gift baskets you fill yourself can have a perfect balance of practical items, items that can get used up, and "fun" things. This means they won't be overwhelmed with small cluttery objects (especially if they live in small spaces, such as in nursing homes) but the gifts aren't ALL boring and practical either.

To get you started, here are a few gift basket ideas to bring a smile to someone's face.




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NOTE! Before shopping for supplies, take time to make a few notes about the individual who will be receiving the gift.

Think about how and where they live (do they live independently in their own home, with family, or in any sort of home?  Do they have physical or cognitive issues that need to be considered for the sake of safety? (Is it safe for them to have items such as candles, for instance?)  Do you know if they have certain health issues that would change the type of gift they could receive (for example, are they diabetic?)

When you can't know for sure just use your best judgement when collecting items to fill the gift basket.


1. Self Care Basket 

Everyone needs a little self pampering from time to time, and a self care basket is one of the easiest to assemble, and can be customized for either women or men.  Here are few items to put in a self care basket:

• Lip balm
• Hand lotion/foot cream
• Nice bar soap
• Bath brush, pouf or face cloth
• Travel size toiletries
• Heating pad or rice bag
• Nail polish
• Fun emery board
• Perfume or body spray
• Face mask 
• Large print puzzle book or novel
• Scented candle or plug in room freshener 
• Massager 
• Blanket
• Socks

Container idea: 

Instead of filling a cheap flimsy basket that just becomes clutter, consider using a sturdy plastic tub or canvas bin that can be used as storage somewhere in the house. 

2. Kitchen Basket 

For the senior who lives independently and still likes to whip things up in the kitchen, how about a kitchen themed gift basket? Almost everyone needs replacements for worn out kitchen items from time to time. Here are some things to fill a container: 

• Potholder set
• Kitchen towels
• Dishrags or bar mops
• Nice soap dispenser
• A set of wooden spoons
• A small cast iron skillet 
• Trivets and hot pads
• Jars of spices 
• Sturdy basic utensils 
• Small gourmet coffee or flavored teas
• Candy or other snacks
• Engraved rolling pin
• Kitchen calendar

Container Idea: 

Use a large plastic canister, dishpan or other item that can be reused in the kitchen. 

3. Hobby Basket 

If you know what sort of hobbies and interest a person enjoys, a basket filled with supplies can be a welcome gift. You might need to do some sleuthing to find out what they need, or what they might want, but here are some basics: 

• Books
• Jigsaw puzzles
• Model sets
• Ergonomic crochet hooks or knitting needles. 
• Scissors
• Threads or yarns
• Paints
• Drawing supplies
• Blank wooden shapes to decorate
• Fabric bundles 
• Gardening supplies (seeds, hand tools, knee pads, etc. to use when spring comes) 
• Plastic canvas
• Scrapbook papers 

Note: Before giving certain hobby tools and supplies to someone living in a nursing facility, please check with staff first to make sure it is okay! 

Container Idea: 

Preferably something suitable for holding the supplies or storing the finished project afterwards. For example, a sewing box for sewing supplies, a sturdy canvas or plastic bin/basket for threads and yarns. ) 

4. A Pet Basket

Know someone who is elderly with a pet? Often that pet is their pride and joy! It might seem strange to buy a gift for the pet rather than the owner, but you would be amazed at how happy this can make someone. Plus, pet supplies can be costly, and many elders live on small budgets.  Here are some things both a senior and their best friend might appreciate: 

• Nice leash and harness/collar set
• A personalized name tag
• New feeding bowls 
• A plastic or rubber mat to go under dishes
• A blanket (can be a small lap blanket from the dollar store!) 
• Milk bones or other edible treats
• A brush
• Toys (bells, balls, ropes, discs, squeaky toys, etc.) 
• A shirt or sweater
• Bottle of pet odor neutralizer 
• Small sack of dried food
• Canned food 
• Framed photo of their pet, or just the frame for them to use. 

(If you have a photo of their pet, you can go to sites like Zazzle and make any number of personalized items with that photo on it. Things like coffee cups, magnets, and keychains!) 

Of course, they may have a pet that is  not a dog or cat. For birds, fish, and other pets you can still use food, treats, toys, cuttle bones, aquarium decorations (or supplies), and even bedding. 

Container Idea: 

A small plastic bin to store the toys in is good. But you could be extra awesome and use a pet bed as the container base! 

5. Office/ Stationery Basket 

Giving office supplies and stationery is really overlooked when it comes to senior citizens. Some of the most requested items seniors asked for when I worked in a nursing facility were blank cards, stamps, and pens so they could mail cards and letters to friends and family. However, this idea works for seniors living at home as well. Everyone can use a book of stamps, right? Here are some ideas: 

• Stamps
• Notepads 
• Letter paper
• Notebooks or journals (we had two residents that journaled daily!) 
• Envelopes 
• Blank greeting cards
• Blank Thank You cards
• Post-It notes 
• Return address labels
• Nice pens
• An electric sharpener (much easier to use with arthritis or grip issues) 
• Calendar
• Small planner 
• Checkbook cover (many seniors still use checks frequently, and a bright colored cover can make the book easier to find.) 

Container Ideas: 

For someone living at home, any sort of bin or organizer that can be used on a desk or somewhere in the house. For a facility resident who probably doesn't have a desk, consider a plastic , three-drawer organizer that saves space and keeps all their supplies in one place. 

This will make it much less frustrating for them or the staff to find something when it's needed. You can even include labels for the drawers! 

So Many Ideas! 

Those are just a few gift baskets to get you started. There are dozens of themes you could use. You could assemble a basket that is all edible treats, or go with a movie box that includes some favorite-genre DVDs and popcorn. You could use an all religious theme, or one based on a favorite flower or animal. 

You might want to  check out some of my other gift giving posts for extra inspiration: 

20 Great Gift Ideas for Senior Citizens

12 Awesome Gift Ideas For Seniors In Nursing Homes 

Care Baskets for the Elderly---Life Essentials

Senior Citizen Gift Guide