10 Awesome Gifts for Your Older Parents

…And my older parents as well since my dad is now 86 and mom 84.  That being the case, I know how difficult it can be to shop for older parents as one looks for a nice mix of practical and, dare I say, “fun” gifts.  As I researched for this article, as I do for all the posts I write regarding gift-giving, I purchased a few of the gifts I was researching…the death of two proverbial birds with a single stone: writing of the post and completing my holiday shopping for my parents.

Since you aren’t required to write a blog post, I hope this article helps you at least “eliminate” one of those “birds” on your holiday list.  So here they are, my 15 favorite gifts for your older parents.  I hope you find one, at a minimum, that works for you and your parents.

• Customized “My Hometown” map puzzle. Yes, you can simply visit Google Maps for an image of your hometown, alma mater, place of birth, favorite vacation spot, or sports venue, but your parents will complete this image with their own two hands.  You just tell the manufacturer what address you would like for the center of your puzzle and they do the rest.  More details here.
• Temperature controlled smart mug. Since there is no ice cube which keeps your coffee, tea, or hot chocolate warm, this smart mug serves that purpose.  It permits the user to set their hot beverage to whatever temperature they desire through their smartphone.  Check out the travel and in-home versions here.
• Heated mattress pad. These things work sooooo much better than a tired electric blanket.  The heat radiates up from below placing your aging parent in a cocoon of soothing warmth.  Yes, I bought this last year for my dad, hence the ringing endorsement you just read.  Shop for them here. 
• An on-line class to learn a new skill such as a language, painting, how to play a musical instrument or any other class that engages their brain in some new way. Study after study states that the brain is similar to our muscles…the more you use it, the more efficient it becomes.
• Literary glass. These bar glasses have short literary passages from classic novels etched onto them.  Choose from Jane Austin’s Pride and Prejudice, Victor Hugo’s Les Miserables, Arthur Conan Doyle’s Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, Shakespeare’s Hamlet, or Alexandre Dumas’ The Count of Monte Cristo or buy all five.  Drink them in here.
• Big button universal TV remote. Let’s face it, TV remotes have gotten far too complex even for a child genius let alone an elderly person simply looking for an old episode of Murder, She Wrote.  These wonderful tools simplify the whole process.  Choose one which best suits your parents here.
• Sunrise natural alarm clock. These alarm clocks will awaken your parents gradually, naturally, and non-alarmingly with simulated sunlight and natural sounds.  It’s almost as if you’re waking up outside on a glorious June morning everyday.  Make your selection here.
• Wine of the Month. Whether your parents enjoy a nice pinot noir, shiraz, or sauvignon blanc, you can purchase them here and have them delivered every month for as long as you and/or they like.  As Cousin Eddie said in Christmas Vacation, “It’s the gift that keeps on giving.”  However, he was referring to the Jelly of the Month Club that Clark Griswold had just been enrolled in.  Imbibe here.
• Herbal warming slippers. How about a pair of slippers that are stuffed with soothing herbs that can be microwaved and then placed on your feet?  Yep, I think my mom would love them.  Pick them up here.  And who doesn’t love a site called the Warming Store?
• Keurig K-café. When a coffee maker just isn’t enough, here’s a machine that produces individual servings of latte and cappuccino as well.  A little pricey, but often times convenience is worth it.   Order it here.

Hopefully there’s something on the above list that will cause your parents to love you even more, if that’s possible.