58 Amazing Gifts for Elderly Parents That Go Far Beyond the Ordinary (2024)

Weighted blankets have become incredibly popular for comfort and security. They’re not just for people with conditions like anxiety either – they can be helpful for anyone.

This popular weighted blanket uses glass beads for weight and bamboo fabric, so it won’t make them overheat. There are plenty of sizes, colors, and weights to choose from too.

How about some nostalgia? This electric kettle looks amazing and still has all the modern safety features that you’d expect, including fast boiling, boil-dry protection, and an auto shut-off.

There's also a LED light that makes it easy to see when the kettle is turned on.

Here’s a fantastic gift for anyone who loves gardening, but wants to do so indoors. The box is 10.5 by 6 inches and has a grow lamp, making it easy to grow up to six plants simultaneously.

There’s a control panel to remind the user when to feed their plants and water them. The system even includes a seed kit with 6 different herbs like mint, curly parsley, and thyme.

While we’re on the topic of plants, here’s another option to consider. This one is a subscription box that includes live plants, planting instructions, containers, tools, and more.

Many of the plants are suitable for indoor growing, but some outdoor ones may be included too, making sure there’s something for everyone in the mix.

Lift Coffee Table

Here’s a more unusual choice. The top of this coffee table lifts out, making it fantastic for anyone using a laptop or crafting while sitting on the couch.

The style also provides a hidden compartment for storage. There are two sizes and five colors to choose from, making it easy to find a version that suits your parent’s home.

Habitation Box

As gifts for elderly parents go, what could be better than this? Habitation Box is curated by an interior designer. The subscription provides your parent with four to six different home décor items each month.

There’s even an elite version that’s more extravagant still, giving your parent seven to nine products each month. The creators of the box do an exceptional job, as the subscription consistently gets excellent reviews (even though people vary so much in the décor they like).

BloomsyBox

Flowers are a fantastic way to brighten up anyone’s day. BloomsyBox takes the idea one step further by shipping out a fresh bouquet weekly, biweekly, or monthly. This could be just what your parent needs as a pick me up. Plus, the bouquets always look amazing.

Large Print Computer Keyboard

Computers have become critical for entertainment and even social connection – and many seniors are getting involved. There are plenty of tricks for making computers more accessible, like increasing the font size on the screen and using screen reader software.

This keyboard helps too, making it much easier for users to find the right buttons. Not only are the letters themselves larger, but the yellow buttons create a much clearer contrast.

Floor Magnifying Lamp

This tool acts as both a lamp and a magnifier, making it easy to read regardless of the light. It also has a 17-inch gooseneck and the lamp's height is adjustable, making it possible to work at almost any angle (sitting or standing).

This lamp isn’t just for reading. It’s suitable for any fine work, including painting and crocheting. It’s the perfect tool for making sure that seniors can still practice the hobbies they love.

LoVision Playing Cards

These instantly familiar playing cards mean that your family can still easily enjoy game night. The low version versions don’t just have large print either. The suits are also different colors, making them easier to distinguish.

If the different colors make things confusing, the same brand does offer a large print version. Those cards keep to the classic colors and simply show the suit and card type in large print.

Toilet Bowl Night Light

While this product is a little gimmicky, it’s also very practical – as it makes the toilet easier to use at night. The light uses motion sensing, so there’s no need to turn it on and off.

Plus, it can light up in rainbow colors. It could be a great gift for a senior with a sense of humor. Who knows? They might even use it.

Relish Dementia Games and Puzzles

Relish produces high-quality games for dementia patients. They can exercise their mind with fun circuit and marble mazes, try their luck at Bingo, or even set up mini golf in their home.

The puzzles are beautifully designed and specific for dementia, and a manageable number of pieces. The puzzles come in different shapes, high-contrast colors, and nostalgic images. The puzzle comes in a box with the image on the inner lid, so your parent can see the image as they work on the puzzle.

Relish has plenty of other dementia games and gifts. They also provide details about which activities are best for different dementia stages.

Fidget Blanket

Products like this fidget blanket are fantastic for the later stages of dementia. They give your parent something to do with their hands, which can be calming.

The various activities help to improve hand dexterity as well. That’s a fantastic effect for seniors who are spending most of their time sitting down.

Twiddle Sensory Toy

Here’s another gift that follows the fidget and sensation idea. There are four styles to choose from, two of which are shaped like animals.

Both this and the previous item work well towards the late stages of dementia. Patients in earlier stages are likely to find them a bit boring.

Joy For All Companion Pets

Joy For All has an interesting set of products. They’re essentially stuffed toys, but they’re designed to be as realistic as possible.

So, the fur on this tabby cat feels surprisingly close to the real thing. It even purrs in a way that both sounds and feels real. Sensors in the toy mean that it reacts to touch.

The pet is particularly good for someone with dementia, who may even think it is real. Even if they don’t, the toy can provide a surprising amount of comfort, an effect that many family members have reported on.

Digital Photo Frame

Taking photos has never been easier, given that most of us carry smartphones with us almost all the time. Yet, we’re not printing those photos, so our families don’t get to see.

Digital photo frames get around the issue, making it easy to showcase all your photos. If your parent is tech-savvy, they could set up the frame themselves and choose whatever photos they’re interested in. If not, you could set it up for them and make the photos part of your gift.

Amazon Echo Dot

The combination of Echo and Alexa allows your parents to control their music using their voice. Alexa can be an assistant too, helping to answer questions, read the news, set alarms, and more.

It’s even possible to smart control the house by combining Alexa with compatible devices, like the Kasa Smart Plug. While Alexa may seem like a strange idea to aging parents, many of them pick it up very quickly.

Bluetooth Headphones

Bluetooth headphones are a fantastic way to listen to music (or audiobooks!). They give your parent the chance to move around freely. They’re fantastic for seniors with hearing loss too, as they can turn the volume up without bothering anyone else.

You can buy earbud-style headphones as well, but the over-the-ear ones like these are often more comfortable. This particular brand isn’t too expensive and there are multiple colors to choose from.

Sunrise Alarm Clock

Alarm clocks aren’t a traditional gift, but you might need to make an exception for this one. The main feature is that it simulates a sunrise, starting off at low light and gradually increasing, while also playing natural sounds.

The goal is to wake up slowly and naturally, rather than the sudden start that a traditional alarm clock provides. It can also be used as a bedside lamp or for reading at night.

A Tablet

Tablets are amazing. They give seniors access to a large selection of apps, including games and productivity apps, along with ones for watching videos, reading books, listening to audiobooks, and more.

These features apply to a smartphone too, but tablets are often more powerful and have larger screens. The screen size is particularly relevant for seniors, making the device easier to use.

A MasterClass Subscription

If your parent loves learning and growing, MasterClass could be perfect. This online service allows users to learn from experts, like cooking from Gordon Ramsay, mindfulness from Jon Kabat-Zinn, and scientific thinking from Neil deGrasse Tyson.

Some of the speakers are more famous than others, but they all have interesting information to offer. If you’re interested in the idea too, you could purchase a duo membership, which allows you and your parent to share a profile.

Fitbit Inspire 2

Health trackers like Fitbit make fantastic gifts for elderly parents. They allow your parent to keep an eye on their vitals and push themselves to exercise more.

The Inspire 2 is an excellent choice as it includes a heart rate monitor, isn’t too large, and is reasonably priced. There is even a sleep monitoring feature to help your parents get a good night’s rest.

Nordic Poles

Nordic walking might not seem like much, but it’s a powerful way of getting more out of your exercise. The right pole makes a huge difference, and these ones are well worth trying for yourself.

Crossbody Sling Backpack

This backpack could be perfect for people who like to get out and moving regularly. The small size and crossbody style makes the bag easy to carry. Yet, there are still plenty of pockets for everything that’s needed.

The backpack comes in 12 different colors too, so there’s a version for everyone.

Wild Woman Box

This subscription aims to encourage women to get moving and be more active. The products cover a variety of areas, including snacks, inspirational items, outdoor products, and body products.

Many of the items would be perfect for parents who like to go for walks in nature or even hikes regularly.

Mirakel Neck Massager

This product acts as a heating pad and a massager, providing instant pain relief. The long arms make it easy for the user to keep gentle pressure on their neck for maximum benefits.

The massager can be used in other ways too like for abdominal pain.

Leg Air Massager

This product is all but essential for elderly parents with circulation problems. It can help to relieve aches and pains and is easily adjustable.

There are three levels of intensity to choose from, along with two different modes.

Electric Hand Massager

Continuing on the massage theme, here’s a simple hand massager. It’s surprisingly powerful, offering six levels of pressure point therapy. It’s specifically designed for carpal tunnel syndrome and arthritis, although it can also help with other hand pain.

The massager is battery powered and charged through USB, so you can easily use it wherever you go.

Village Naturals Therapy Lotion

While lotion is a simple gift, this product is surprisingly effective. It relies on natural ingredients, like aloe vera extract and shea butter. There is also menthol and eucalyptus, which both help with muscle pain.

Therapy Mittens

These therapy mittens are a little like wheat bags that people can use on their hands. They’re simply heated in the microwave and contain flax seeds, lavender, and clay beads.

They’re a natural way to reduce pain and keep your loved one’s hands warm, while the lavender also helps them to relax.

Hopebox

Hopebox is promoted as a self-care box, one that’s particularly good for anxiety. Honestly though, it’s a great feel-good box for almost anyone.

It’s also an incredibly popular box that gets exceptional reviews. It sells out fast too, so it’s best to order early to avoid disappointment.

TheraBox

TheraBox focuses on a similar idea to Hopebox, although the product selection is a little different. Here, you’ll find more skincare and pamper items, along with journals, pens, books, and workbooks.

Diffuser Bracelet and Oils

This simple bracelet is an excellent way to enjoy essential oils. It comes with felt pads that you can place a few drops of essential oil on. It’s a simple way to keep the scent of your favorite oil at hand all day.

The diffuser comes with four bottles of essential oil: tea tree, peppermint, orange, and peppermint. You could also swap these out and use higher quality essential oils instead.

CBD Pillow

This pillow uses CBD-infused fabric to promote better relaxation and sleep at night. It’s thought to be more powerful than other CBD approaches, as you’re getting microdoses of the CBD throughout the night.

There’s only one version of the pillow, but you can unzip it and remove some filling to create a thinner pillow if you need one.

Therapy Dough

Therapy dough is based on the idea that keeping your hands occupied can be calming and reduces tension. The dough also includes subtle scents, which can relax users still further.

Don’t be fooled by the simplicity of the dough. Tools like this can be surprisingly powerful.

Vintage Teacup Club Duo

This gift combines a few themes. Each month your parent gets a vintage teacup and saucer set, plus some tea and biscuits.

These are vintage cups rather than reproductions, so they’re never new – but they’re always excellent quality. While there are no guarantees about the types of cups that will be shipped, you can email the company to make requests.

Chef’s Vision Knives

These knives are perfect for budding chefs, as they’re beautiful and also functional. They’re also unlike anything you’ll find in a local store. That’s got to be a good thing.

The pictured version is the company’s Masterpiece Series. There are others too, including a Cosmos Series, Wildlife Series, and Landscape Series.

Wood Smoked Barbecue Grilling Kit

This grilling kit comes with a smoker box, three types of wood chips, a meat thermometer, smoked sea salt, a grill scraper and bottle opener, and instructions. It’s everything you need to get started with meat smoking.

Parents who already own an electric smoker won’t need the smoker box, but could still use the rest of the tools.

Personal Pizza Maker

This small pizza oven is designed to be used on top of a grill, allowing your parents to make homemade authentic pizza, without needing a full pizza oven.

It may take some trial and error to get the pizzas exactly right, but that’s half the fun.

Urthbox

There are many snack subscription services out there, but Urthbox remains one of the best. It ships out from 7, 14, 21, or 28 snacks per month (depending on the size you choose). You can choose between the Classic, Gluten Free, Diet, or Vegan versions.

The snacks are always full sized and there’s an emphasis on healthy, organic, and GMO-free products. You might see some familiar products in the mix, along with many new and exciting ones.

Shaker & Spoon

Getting older shouldn’t mean giving up on the pleasures of youth. This subscription is ideal for elderly parents who love the idea of co*cktails. Each month provides three recipes and the ingredients needed to make four servings of each.

The recipient gets everything but the alcohol. They can use their own supply of spirits to make the co*cktails or purchase their favorite type.

Tea Runners

Tea Runners takes a different approach entirely, but is no less appealing. The subscription box contains four packets of loose leaf tea every month. You can choose between an All Black Tea Box, Pure Tea Box, Herbal Tea Box, or Original Box (this combines all types of tea).

The service is a great way for your parent to experiment with teas that they wouldn’t have tried otherwise.

Phivi French Macaron Box

Here’s one for parents who love elegant gifts (and macarons!). The monthly boxes contain 10 hand-baked French Macarons, with 5 different flavors each month.

Some of the flavors will be familiar, while others are unusual and trendy ones that few other companies offer. If your parent isn’t a fan of macarons, the same company also offers a box of cookies and brownies and one that contains artisanal desserts.

BroBasket

BroBasket focuses on gifts for men, although many women would love them as well. Many of the baskets contain alcohol, like the pictured one that comes with Johnny Walker Black Label Scotch, a cigar, a coaster, chocolate, whiskey stones, and a glass.

There’s an incredible range to choose from. There is even a handful of non-alcoholic baskets, like their Junk Foodie Care Package and Barbecue Party Gift Basket. Or you can customize your own basket and make it exactly how you want.

Outlaw’s Best

There are plenty of soap and body care collections out there, but this one from Outlaw shines above the rest. It’s a great choice for fathers, given that there’s a distinct masculine focus.

The only problem is that the collection sometimes sells out. If this happens, try buying their products individually or looking at their handmade soap sample set.

Beard Grooming Set

Speaking of masculine gifts, check out this impressive beard grooming set. It’s a great choice when you’re on a budget, as you get a surprising array of items for the price you pay.

The Man Can

This gift really does come in a can (well, a plastic one). All the products come from Plum Island Soap Co. and appear to be of good quality.

Honestly, the packaging is half the fun with this gift. It’s certain to impress and great if you’re looking for something a little bit different.

Not A Day Over Fabulous

The “not a day over fabulous” tumbler in this collection makes it a perfect gift for a birthday. Honestly, though, the collection would work well for almost any occasion.

Monthly Mercantile Box

This subscription box focuses on high-quality Appalachian goods, including foods, crafts, and items for the home. It’s a really cook subscription for parents who like refined products.

Plus, these aren’t things they could pick up locally, making for a fantastic surprise.

DNA Testing Kit

Genetic testing has become increasingly popular. It gives you the chance to learn more about your ancestry and how your genetics might influence your health.

A testing kit, like this one from 23andMe, gives your parent the chance to learn more about themselves and their family. It could even kickstart a fascination with family history.

Ancestry.com Membership

Ancestry.com is a great alternative or addition to a genetic test. The site allows you to trace back your family records for generation, providing a huge database of historical and geographical insights to help you along the way.

Membership could be a fascinating gift for your parents and perhaps something your whole family can get involved in.

Jar of Smiles

Want to brighten someone’s day? This little jar could do the trick. It contains 31 quotes on love and friendship. Once your parent has gone through the 31 messages, you could easily refill the jar with your own notes.

Explore Local Box Monthly

This subscription box allows your parents to explore the culture of different cities through food and artisan products. The included items are always high quality and locally made. Each box also includes a watercolor map and facts about the city.

This box is a fantastic option during COVID times, when many parents will be itching to get out, but it isn’t safe to do so. The Explore Local Box isn’t quite the same as actually visiting the cities, of course, but it’s certainly better than nothing.

Smartass and Sass

This box is for parents with a sense of humor. The items stand out, with phrases like “you’re my lobster”, “that’s a horrible idea, what time?” and “I’ve had enough waking hours for one day”.

The box won’t appeal to everyone, that’s for sure, but the right parent is going to simply adore it.

Inverted Umbrella

Here’s a gift that’s both pretty and functional. The pattern is on the inside, which is actually useful, as you get to see it – perfect for brightening up a dreary day. There are plenty of designs to choose from too.

The ability to invert means that the umbrella will stand up on its own when you need it to, while keeping the wet part of the umbrella on the inside.

Finders Seekers Mysteries

This monthly subscription ships out an escape room game each month, where players work to solve puzzles. The game is one your parent can play on their own or it can be a whole family experience.

While the style of game may be unfamiliar, the subscription is incredibly popular. It’s worth trying at least once. Who knows? Your parent might love the games.

New York Times Birthday Book

The New York Times sells a custom birthday book (12” x 15”), which shows the front page of the New York Times on the day the recipient was born, then for every birthday after that.

You can order the book for any year from 1910 to 2011. The only exception is people born on February 29^th. Alternatively, you can order a Special Day book, which reproduces the entire New York Times from any day you choose (from 1851 onwards).