Ten Easy Photo Gifts for Senior Citizens

Choosing gifts for senior citizens can be a difficult task because often senior Americans have almost everything. Selecting a gift that will be both treasured and appreciated takes thought and time but the perfect gift may just be a photograph. Family photographs are always a favorite of both young and old but senior citizens often delight in a new portrait of the grandchildren or other family members.

Idea number one is a new portrait of a favorite grandchild, all the grandchildren or a great-grandchild. Even a family portrait of an entire family group can be a delightful gift to unwrap during the holidays. It's a gift that will continue to be appreciated every day of the year and for years to come.

Another idea is to put together an album of selected snapshots. Gift shops, discount stores, drug stores, dollar stores, department stores, craft and hobby shops, and many other retailers offer a wide variety of photograph albums large and small to choose from. Build a special album with photographs of one grandchild and give it a unique title, something like "Brandon's Baseball Book" or "Tiffany's Treasures". Grandparents will delight in flipping through the pages again and again. The same gift can be a delight to other senior relatives as well.

A third option is to have a vintage style family photograph taken. These photographs can be found at specialty photographers in most major cities, at many theme parks, and in other areas. Look for a vintage photography studio that allows family members to dress in costumes of another age, everything from staid Victorian formal clothing to the flapper dresses of the Roaring Twenties! Senior citizens will love these pictures with a unique twist, especially when the finished photo is reminiscent of a decade that they remember well!

The fourth idea is to take a treasured snapshot from yesteryear and have a new, enlarged photograph made to present as a unique gift. Since many of today's senior citizens came of age during the Great Depression or World War II eras, studio family portraits are uncommon. Many families, however, posed for an impromptu portrait that someone took with an old Kodak Brownie camera. Find one in the family archives and have it restored, then enlarged and frame that print in the perfect frame. Mom, Dad, Grandma or Grandpa will be thrilled with an 8 x 20 glossy of their own family, their parents, or other beloved family members. These pictures bring back the memories and are sure to bring an emotional pleasure to any holiday.
If none of these options seem to fit, consider a postcard collage of the old hometown or other favorite places. Many seniors have a drawer or file filled with postcards from places visited on long ago vacations. Filch a few to create a colorful collage that can be framed and displayed for the memories. Another way to find old postcards is to visit local flea markets or antique shops. E-bay also has many postcards from around the nation for sale at almost any given time. The cost of most postcards is nominal but a collection that features a favorite family destination, the town where that special senior grew up, or a place that was once home can be a wonderful present.

Another idea is to find a framed photograph taken by a professional photographer that focuses on something special to that individual. Someone who loves the sea will be happy to receive a framed photo of a sea shot. Animal lovers may delight in a framed picture of playing puppies or curious cats. The options are endless - landscapes, seascapes, national monuments, and much more are all available with a little shopping.

Put together a photo collage of special snapshots, school pictures, post cards, memorabilia like old letters or greeting cards, and more. Choose a theme like grandchildren, school years, courtship or marriage and then put together a collection that focus on the event or individual. The finished effect can be very artsy and attractive, something to brag about and show guests who visit.

Arrange for a multi-generational family portrait to be taken. Gather three, four or even five generations together for a group shot that will be treasured today and for many years to come. Prints of the special family portrait can be added to the family history archives. Many newspapers will even print a multi-generational shot. It's also something that can be shared with other extended family members who want to see just how the family has grown over the years!

Frame a photograph of the old home place, the original family farm, or the starter home where the family began. If an old photograph isn't available, consider taking a new shot of the old house to enlarge and frame. Most people will love the nostalgia of a former home especially if it is one that has deep roots within the family. Or, do the same with a picture of a special car - that old Hudson Hornet or that special '57 Chevy that was Grandpa's pride and joy!

Last but far from least, consider giving a senior citizen a gift certificate at a local photography studio. A self-portrait can be a source of pride and it is also something that the entire family will hold dear in years to come. Let Nana or Papa have a portrait taken now that they can display with pride but can also be inherited by the grandchildren someday as a special keepsake!!!