6 Holiday Gift Ideas to Simplify Seniors' Lives

Online Cooking Classes

Looking for a gift for a senior who loves good food? Try gifting them an online cooking class. Fans of popular cooking shows might enjoy courses like Gordon Ramsay’s Masterclass or Top Chef University. Or, you could give them a way to experience new cultures by following along with live lessons taught by chefs from around the world. The best part is, they can learn something new without ever leaving home. And maybe the next time you come to visit, they’ll cook you up a meal that could become your new favorite.

A Robot Vacuum

In the ‘60s, The Jetsons’ Rosey the Robot was how we imagined the future of chores. While today’s cleaning robots may not be as personable, they get the job done. It’s likely your senior has done more than their fair share of boring chores in their life. Now it’s time to let them kick up their feet and let a robot vacuum do the hard work so they have more time to spend with the ones they love. There are a range of brands to choose from with varying price tags, which you can find anywhere from Walmart to Amazon.

A Smart Mug

It seems like everything is smart these days, and that includes coffee mugs. If your loved one likes to get together for coffee or tea, they’ll probably enjoy a mug that always keeps their favorite drink hot. Upgrade the beloved mug they’ve used for years with an electric mug warmer. If you want to splurge, the Ember temperature control mug will help keep their drink exactly the way they like it down to the degree and can be controlled via smartphone.

A High-Tech Record Player 

Seniors love to reminisce with friends and family about the good old days of music. Give them a reason to dust off their records and bring back memories with some new technology, like a Bluetooth-enabled turntable or a record player with built-in speakers. There are options for every level of sound quality and budget — here are just a few  great record players for seniors. 

Smart Plugs

Simplify your favorite senior’s day with a little automation. Smart plugs adapt to standard outlets to help make it easy to turn on lights and appliances with a smartphone or voice assistant, which can be especially helpful for seniors with limited mobility. Some even come with timers and schedules, which can help keep their daily routines consistent. Be sure your loved one has a smart speaker or phone that’s compatible with the plug you choose, so they can make the most out of it with the least effort.

Key and Wallet Trackers

No matter what age you are, keys always seem to get lost. But with these handy key and wallet trackers, your senior no longer has an excuse not to visit — and has one less thing to remember every day. These small devices connect with a smartphone so that they can sound an alarm to help locate lost items. And there’s a bonus: they can then use their key or wallet to find their phone if it’s been misplaced. No more digging through the couch cushions.