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28 Thoughtful Gifts for Seniors They'll Actually Want

This mix of practical and sentimental picks is just right.

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im not old im classic ball cap custom pet portrait cloud slippers
Good Housekeeping

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The older you get, the more a gift can mean. It’s a physical reminder that you are loved, thought of, and celebrated by others, especially those you don’t see every day. But selecting the perfect gift idea that ticks all of those boxes can be daunting.

With the help of our Good Housekeeping Institute experts, readers, and reviewers, we put together a list of the best gifts for seniors that’ll not only make them feel special but also hit on their hobbies and interests too. There’s a hummingbird feeder for the bird enthusiast, a puzzle mat for the master solver, a Masterclass subscription for the lifelong learner, and so much more.

1

My Life Story - So Far Journal

My Life Story - So Far Journal

If they love sharing stories of their youth, gift them this prompted journal, so they can put their favorite memories to paper for future generations to read and enjoy. The book features adhesive corners, allowing writers to add photos, tickets, and other memorabilia to the journal.

2
Nearly 20,000 Five-Star Reviews

Freshcut Paper Sunflowers Pop Up Card

Sunflowers Pop Up Card

More unique than a traditional card, she'll love this pop-up sunflower bouquet. It's perfect for any occasion, made of recyclable paper, and comes in an additional succulent design (if she's not a fan of florals).

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Up their nighttime routine with this cooling, weighted eye mask that's filled with lavender buds and flax seeds for a relaxing, aromatic night's sleep. Reviewers rave about the mask's light-blocking capabilities and customization, as wearers can remove the cooling gel mask or aromatic muslin bag for a lighter feel.

4

Wooden Birthday Calendar

Amazon’s Choice
Wooden Birthday Calendar

Here's a sweet way to help them keep track of family birthdays. The wooden sign comes with 100 blank tokens for them to write on and hook on the correct month. One Amazon shopper shared: "I got the Wooden Calendar for my aging mother, and she loves it! She’s been having trouble keeping track of everyone’s birthdays, anniversaries, and special dates, so this was the perfect solution."

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5
Best Overall Shower Steamers

CLEVERFY Aromatherapy Shower Steamers

On Sale
Aromatherapy Shower Steamers

Not everyone is a fan of baths, but that doesn't mean they should miss out on the aromatherapy of a bath bomb. These shower steamers offer a similar experience. They can pop one of the six scented tablets onto the floor of their shower to release its aromatic properties, for a relaxing, rejuvenating, or energizing shower.

RELATED: Best Shower Steamers

6

Brouk & Co Eyewear & Jewelry Case

Oprah’s Favorite Things
Eyewear & Jewelry Case

If she spends much of her retirement days travelling for friends, family, or fun, she's sure to appreciate this foldable five-piece case, which is suited to fit two eyeglasses, earrings, bracelets/necklaces, and rings. The compact carrier even topped Oprah's Favorite Things List last year!

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7

Masterclass Annual Membership

Annual Membership

If they're retired and struggle with boredom, a Masterclass subscription is going to be a helpful tool. They can take classes from experts across a wide range of fields to learn about everything from photography to creative writing to poker strategies and more. Familiar teachers on the site include Neil deGrasse Tyson, Gordon Ramsey, James Patterson, and Martin Scorsese.

8
Over 11,000 Five-Star Reviews

Becko US Puzzle Mat Roll Up

Puzzle Mat Roll Up

Puzzles can be a relaxing, brain-engaging activity, but if they're not the type to finish in one sitting, the puzzle can become a nuisance. Instead of occupying valuable table space for days on end, they can roll up their half-finished puzzle in this felt mat storage bag to move until they are ready to solve again.

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9

Funny Retirement Hat

On Sale
Funny Retirement Hat

For the grandpa with a sense of humor, this ball cap is a cheeky gift idea. He can stick to wearing it around family or venture out into the world for laughs along the way. The embroidered cap comes in five colors.

RELATED: Hilarious Gag Gifts

10

'The New York Times' Custom Birthday Book

'The New York Times' Custom Birthday Book

They likely grew up reading The New York Times, so a custom birthday book featuring its famous front pages throughout history—on their special day—might be just the perfect gift. It contains between 52 and 110 pages, depending on the selected date.

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While this gift might seem a little boring, it's actually an extremely thoughtful idea for seniors. The long shoe horn will keep them from having to bend forward, protecting their achy back and knees.

12

Digital Picture Frame

On Sale
Digital Picture Frame

This digital picture frame makes for a lovely sentimental gift, even if they're not the most tech-savvy. It's compatible with both Android and iPhone devices and displays photos in portrait or landscape mode. "Bought this product for my grandma because all of her grandchildren were off to college and with her struggles with texting, I thought this could be a great gift for her. She loves it and it is very easy to use, even without understanding technology well," one Amazon buyer shares.

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13

Auto Cane

Amazon’s Choice
Auto Cane

This aluminum cane, available in blue, red, or purple, will come in handy for senior drivers. The grab bar fits perfectly into the hook of the car door, providing support as they enter and exit. "Works really well, especially when exiting the car. My mom's physical therapist recommended we try it and it worked so well that I bought two," one Amazon reviewer writes.

14
Best Value Cloud Slides

rosyclo Cloud Slippers

On Sale
Cloud Slippers
Now 20% Off
Credit: rosyclo

If they've complained about foot pain, bring them some relief with these unisex EVA foam slippers. Amazon reviewers describe the feeling of wearing them as "walking on clouds." These slippers also come in a ton of fun colors, so you can pick their favorite.

RELATED: Best Pillow Cloud Slides That TikTok Cannot Get Enough Of

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15

I Wrote a Book About You

I Wrote a Book About You

Over 18,000 Amazon reviewers have purchased this sweet fill-in-the-blank book, which includes thoughtful prompts that you can write in to tell them just how much they're loved. The best part? It's a gift that works for any occasion.

16

Glass Hummingbird Feeder

Amazon’s Choice
Glass Hummingbird Feeder
Now 29% Off
Credit: Muse Garden

Nana will love looking out her window at this beautiful glass hummingbird feeder, complete with a metal base and gasket to prevent nectar from leaking. Amazon reviewers are calling it "giftable" and a "good value" for the money, as it's lead-free and comes with a hanging mount.

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17

Candle Warmer Lamp

On Sale
Candle Warmer Lamp

With this elegant candle warmer lamp, she won't have to worry about flames. She can safely enjoy all of her favorite candles, whether she's partial to florals, gourmand scents, or tropical picks. Plus, she can easily adjust the brightness level or put it on a timer.

RELATED: Best Candle Warmers for a Cozy Feel Without the Flame

18

Hand Exercise Balls for Arthritis

Hand Exercise Balls for Arthritis

A thoughtful gift that will soothe achy hands, these silicone exercise balls come in extra soft, soft, medium, and hard to help strengthen their grip. The kit also comes with a booklet featuring 16 different exercises.

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19
Gift Under $20

Microwave Heating Pad

On Sale
Microwave Heating Pad

For the dedicated cat parent who also suffers from sore muscles, this microwaveable heating pad will be a hit. It's filled with flaxseed and lavender to put them at ease. One review writes: "I absolutely love this heating pad. I bought it to use after surgery. It definitely did the job & well!!! Also love that it's a little bit weighted."

RELATED: Best Heating Pads

20

Solar Outdoor Garden Statue

On Sale
Solar Outdoor Garden Statue

If their garden is their pride and joy, this solar statue will make a great addition. It'll charge up in the sun during the day to create beautiful mood lighting at night (it should remain lit for at least 8 hours once it's fully charged). Bonus points if they're obsessed with turtles!

Headshot of Cailey Lindberg
Cailey Lindberg
Commerce Editor, Gifts & Lifestyle

Cailey Lindberg (she/her) is a writer and editor with over a decade of experience covering products, lifestyle, entertainment and food. Before joining Good Housekeeping in 2022, she was a staff writer at USA Today's shopping network, Reviewed.com. 

Headshot of Kate Franke
Kate Franke
Editorial Assistant

Kate Franke (she/her) is an editorial assistant in the Hearst Lifestyle Group, covering for Woman's Day and Good Housekeeping. She loves all things lifestyle, home, and market related. Kate has a BAJMC in Magazine Media and BA in Writing from Drake University. She is a proud ASME alum whose work has appeared in Food Network Magazine, The Pioneer Woman Magazine, Better Homes & Gardens, Modern Farmhouse Style, Beautiful Kitchens & Baths, and more. Next to writing, Kate’s two favorite things are chai lattes and pumpkin bread!

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im not old im classic ball cap custom pet portrait cloud slippers
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