Please no pajamas for Christmas

I know pajamas are one of the first items you think about when you want to buy something for your mom or dad or grandparents for Christmas, isn’t it? Sure, it is. We all need pajamas, don’t we? Nope, we don’t.

A quick story: my delightful mother-in-law asked me to get her some very specific pajamas for her one Christmas. I bought exactly what she wanted, even her favorite color, pink. When she opened the box she said, and I quote, “I hope you saved the receipt; I don’t wear this kind.” We pointed out that she had on the exact pair that she requested. So, it is not always easy to please grandma or grandpa, is it?

So, what to get a Senior for the holidays?

Even asking them what they want won’t necessarily get you the answer. They most likely will say they don’t need anything, and they are partially right! What they want is time with you, not “stuff”.

Try the list below for some ideas. They are at least a place to start.

• Books; ask them about their favorite authors. Do they need large print?

• Magazine subscriptions; again, ask.

• Writing paper and stamps; yes, you read that right. A lot of seniors still prefer “snail mail”. Don’t completely reject this idea. And remember they love to receive mail.

• Handheld magnifying glass. They might not tell you they need one, but we could all use it for medicine bottles….admit it! Share with them that you bought one for both of you! (If they live in a community situation, be sure you put their name on it in large letters).

• Take them to holiday programs, musicals, movies.

• Pay for a craft or education class. Check out the local rec centers and libraries as well as Adult Education.

• Have a younger person spend time with the senior and help with the computer. We always need that! Plus, we get to spend time with a grandchild. Just remember to go SLOWLY.

• Help them write holiday cards, bake cookies together. Help deliver them to friends.

• A bird feeder, bird seed, a bird ID book and binoculars.

• Depending on the senior, maybe adult coloring books, drawing papers, pens. Do it together.

• My granddaughter gave me the gift of teaching me to knit. She taught me! But I taught her to garden. Loved every minute of both.

Be patient, slow down, accept your parents’ limitations as well as your own. Don’t try to do everything. Keep in mind that they were YOUR first teachers.

Sometimes the best “togetherness” is just watching a favorite movie, playing cards, looking at old pictures (I guarantee they have some somewhere), chatting or watching the grandkids in their school play.

As I have said before, time goes very fast. When my friend Ginny turned 80, she said, “where did those 80 years go?” Indeed. Don’t waste a single holiday! And don’t buy pajamas!

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!