Holiday Gift Ideas for Grandparents, Senior Citizens, and the Elderly

Christmas and Hanukkah are almost here and many people are scrambling to find last-minute gift ideas for grandparents, seniors, or elderly people. As a person on a budget who has to purchase a lot of gifts for many people, I tried to keep these at $10 or under, so the budget conscious and those that like to mix and match can do so, as well as keeping the items of relevance for any person's interests. The following suggestions are some quick, useful, and easy-to-find gift Christmas and Hanukkah gift ideas that are $10 and under; which seniors will surely love.

Plants and bushes - Does your senior love to garden? Perhaps a plant or bush would add some color to their home or yard. This is a great gift because, with proper care, it will last for many years. Take into consideration a person's yard (full shade or partial shade) and whether or not they live in a place with a yard, terrace, or porch, as sizes vary from hanging baskets to large potted trees.

Tasty treats - Many seniors (and other people too) love coffee and cookies. A tastefully arranged gift basket with coffee, tea, and cookies is another great idea. Be sure to remember if your senior likes coffee or tea (regular or decaf) and if they have any special medical conditions (allergies or diabetes) when selecting cookies.

Pets -For seniors who may live on their own and have pets, they are their most trusted companions. If possible, a treat or toy for their pets is another great idea too!

Book lovers - Will definitely appreciate a book from their favourite author. Older people can also appreciate large-print titles if they are available. Unsure if your recipient already has a book? No problem, all of the major book retailers (Books A Million, Barnes and Noble, Borders, and Amazon.com) all offer either gift cards or e-gift certificates.

Music lovers - While it is tricky to purchase someone's favourite CD (in case they already have it), an e-gift certificate from Amazon.com will allow your gift recipient to wait until an artist has a new release and they can pre-order it using the code that was in the gift certificate. Also, if something is missing from their collection, the recipient can immediately place an order for that missing piece to add to their collection. Amazon.com e-gift certificates are definitely one of the hottest and most desired gift certificates around due to their vast coverage of many different items.

Whatever gift(s) you choose, always be sure to ask yourself if the person you gift it too will really use it. It is a shame that so many gifts are tossed to the side or given away because it is of no use or desire to the recipient. As a person who counts her pennies, this is my main focus when I purchase a gift, as I would hate to see my money tossed aside.