How to Buy a Christmas Present for a Single, Elderly Man

Older single men are often very difficult to buy for. Either they often seem to have what they want or there are space and privacy issues to deal with. Answering a few questions and keeping your eyes open will often give you clues to the particular person's needs and wants.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

1. Begin always by thinking about the person you're buying for. What's his lifestyle like? Can he drive? Is he in his own home or a rest home or assisted living facility? What are his finances like--generally? How old is he? What did and/or does he enjoy to do? Look around his living space. How much room does he have? What kinds of things does he have - what colors what collectibles? Notice things that may need replacing or sprucing up. Write your answers down and get started.
2. Start with what seems to define him best. Is he a salty old fisherman? a gentle bookworm? a social butterfly or a hermit? Does he always wear blue? Does he usually have the radio or stereo on? Is he always cooking something good? Does he have a lady friend? Does he love to read the Bible and go to church? Now-what did he do when he was younger? Go camping?-biking?-plant lovely gardens?-ride horses?-play hockey? Answer all these and you'll be halfway there.
3. Get his present with him in mind. If he's the man who has everything and then some, try having a lovely picture of his family or his old fishing buddies enlarged and framed. Make a collage of old army memorabilia if those were his glory days.
4. Do some research and put together a package of information on what happened the year he turned 16. The hot songs, hit movies, big stars, the baseball or football stats for his favorite team, some pictures of the fashions, the big headlines, the popular cars of the day. If you aren't sure where to start, go to a research librarian at the local library or just type exactly what you want into a search engine. Try "movies" or 'top stories or headlines" or "clothing styles" and then type in "of 1932." You'll be amazed at how much information there is even from that long ago.
5. Give out of his need. Make a food basket if he's really short of cash. Keeping in mind any dietary restrictions he may have, fill a basket with fresh fruit, a small ham, some sweet potatoes, rolls, and a couple of vegetables. Don't forget dessert - even if it's sugar free. Do his shirt sleeves seem frayed or his shoes seem worn out? Get him a gift certificate to a reasonably priced clothing store. Tuck it into a basket with a few pieces each of fresh fruit, tea bags, coffee samplers and candy.
6. Think about his hobbies. A birdwatcher would love a pair of good binoculars, a nice birdhouse or a big colorful book on identifying bird species. A reader would love a membership in a book club where he can choose one book free a month. A sports addict might love a sports magazine or tickets to a game (if he has no one to invite, don't give him this unless you want to go with him). Make sure he has the space and the ability to use whatever it is you get him. IF his eyes are bad, try large print books or audio books for example.
7. Give gifts that fit his surroundings. What would someone in a rest home with no privacy and no space want? They miss being with family - bringing them home for Christmas and other major holidays would be a wonderful gift if they're still able to get out. How about a home cooked meal or takeout from his favorite restaurant once a month or once a week? Can he have a VCR or a radio in his room? Would he like some games to play with other residents - bingo, backgammon, checkers and chess may be hits with him. Remember if you're bringing cookies or candy and he's sharing a room, it's only kind to bring enough for his roommate. A lot of people in rest homes miss being able to be generous, so giving him a stash of goodies he can share may really brighten up his day.
8. Remember that most older folks who live alone or in an institution with other older people miss the laughter of children, cuddling pets, and, above all else, spending time with people they love. Bring the children to visit, bring the new kitten with permission from the home, and visit.Being there is the best gift you can give him this Christmas. Life for older folks becomes less and less about things and more and more about people. No present gift can ever compete in importance with your presence.