When my Grandma Patty turned 98 years old, she had a party to celebrate her big day and feasted on angel food cake, soup and breadsticks. She was, and I quote, “tickled” by the whole day and the great turnout. She kept saying to our family, “Can you believe I am 98 years old?!”
Nope Grandma, we can’t.
My grandma is almost an entire century old, but she still gets dressed up like she’s headed to church, is mindful of what she eats, avoids sugary sweets, gets her hair done once a week and still gets as giddy as a five-year-old when she sees a present headed her way.
As far as gift-giving goes, buying gifts for Grandma Patty can be tricky. There’s nothing she needs per se, yet there are things she would like to have, but space is a bit limited in her downsized living arrangement.
We found a few great gifts for seniors that are expertly suggested and Grandma Patty-approved. See below for affordable items, finds for the foodie and more.
Inexpensive gifts for older men and women
No more having to pass your bottle to a friend to get it open! We’ve all come across that tricky bottle lid. With these bottle openers, you won’t have to worry about them anymore. They are a quality (and affordable) stocking stuffer and come in a pack of three, so they don’t have worry about misplacing one.
With prompted pages asking Grandma simple questions like if she’s a morning or night person or if she has a lucky number to more questions relating to her childhood, this booklet is loved by reviewers because it’s sentimental and perfect for bonding. There’s also a version for grandpas if he wants to join in on the introspective fun.
Practicality with a modern twist! The Smartish Wallet Slayer Vol. 1 puts your phone where your money is — or is it your money where your phone is? Either way, this durable and sleek phone case doesn’t just keep your phone safe, it also keeps your cards and cash close and protected with its built-in card holder. The case holds up to three credit cards plus cash and is available for most iPhone devices.
With over 10,000 verified five-star ratings, this mug is a favorite item for those looking for an easy way to keep their morning java just how they like it. It’s heat- and fire-resistant, according to the brand, and has an auto shut off function after four hours. It also comes in multiple colors.
Play into their sweet tooth with these sugar-free mini peanut butter cups that combines milk chocolate with peanut butter to create a savory, delicious treat.
Whether they think that store-bought is fine or strive to impress with their dishes even during a random Tuesday dinner, Ina Garten’s comforting (and bestselling) cookbook is here to help. With 85 recipes transforming nostalgic bites into new-fashioned staples, we’re sure they’ll be dog-earing several pages in this read.
Shop TODAY senior partnerships editor Francesca Cocchi Zabloudil, who has covered food as a writer and editor for years, also vouches for this pick. “This cookbook has been in my regular rotation since it came out in 2020. I love to cook, and Ina’s recipes never steer me wrong, thanks to her rigorous standards and testing,” she said. “Her books make wonderful gifts for any home cook who loves finding new inspiration for entertaining or even just weeknight dinners.”
Shopping for a tea lover? They’re sure to adore these animal-shaped loose-leaf tea infusers. Each silicone infuser has a hollow body for tea along with arms that latch onto the rim of the cup (except for the owl, which has a tea bag-inspired string attached). They’re dishwasher-safe, too, which is a plus.
Associate editor Sierra Hoeger recently gifted these to her grandparents after receiving them at work. The insulated tumblers keep coffee hot for up to an hour and a half or wine chilled for up to two hours, according to the brand.
Useful gifts for older men and women
An excellent accompanying gift to a Read With Jenna page-turner or to any dinner menu in a dimly lit restaurant is this ultra bright LED page magnifier. This page magnifier enhances the viewing area by 500%. Light to carry and easy to hold, the MagniPros Page Magnifier features three lighting modes and, better yet, features only one button to control it all.
This pick made our 2025 Gifts We Love list for a number of reasons, but we love that it is designed to make life easier with just the press of a button. It can open up to 60 cans on a single charge, according to the brand.
One of the biggest gripes we have with winter is the way it makes everything cold and how much of a chore regular daily activities become. This nifty device helps make one daily task (putting on lotion) a much easier and more enjoyable experience. Add your lotion of choice inside and it will warm it up within minutes and easily dispense to their liking.
Editor Vivien Moon has one and says the device can hold “a whole jar” of her favorite moisturizer and that the lotion warmer heats up the lotion to the perfect temperature making it a joy to stay moisturized. She will also be gifting one to her parents so they can enjoy it too.
Warm, fuzzy and comfortable for the senior who is on the move or relaxing on the couch, these Dearfoams Moccasin slippers are designed with memory foam insoles, feature wick-away fabric and are sure to keep your senior feeling cozy and stylish all season long.
Collecting mementos and memories in the form of photo books and scrapbooks is a tried-and-true way to preserve and cherish special moments, but have they ever had a video book? This page-turner captures videos that they can look back on time and time again. From surprise birthday parties to gender reveals, easily upload videos to the site, then send it to them to enjoy.
Cozy up with this heated polyester throw blanket lined with velvet material on one side and sherpa material on the other. It includes one easy-to-use controller with a large button to choose between four warmth settings. There are even foot (and hand!) pockets on the inside for added comfort while lounging.
A quality pair of readers is hard to find. Fortunately for Oprah and her team, they managed to find these anti-fog specs for their annual Favorite Things list with multiple hues and magnifications available.
“My grandma never wants or asks for anything, but she had been talking about air fryers for months since her toaster oven stopped working — and I’ve never seen her more excited about a gift when I brought her this one,” says associate partnerships editor Lauren Witonsky.
Witonsky adds, “The food icons on the touchscreen make it super easy for her to use, instead of having to figure out the time/temperature. And, since she doesn’t own a microwave, this gives her the option to heat up food quickly with 10 preset cooking programs. I’ve since received texts of her raving about how much she loves it and photos of her hot pastrami sandwiches!”
We all need a proper hand massage once in a while. This massager would be a great gift for a senior you know! It is easy to use, cordless and gives good compression while warming up their hands. They sure will be relaxed after using this.
Freshen the air of your senior’s home, courtesy of this powerful midsize wonder. This air purifier can clean up to a 853 square foot room in one hour flat, according to the brand. Said to have the strength to knock out 99% of airborne allergens and a proven track record in the reduction of everyday unpleasant household odors, this gift will be the gift that keeps on giving day in and day out.
For the bookworm: a page-turner that arrives every month like clockwork. Your senior will be able to choose from a selection of books each month, pick their favorite and voilà, it’s at their doorstep. Book of the Month subscriptions are available in three-, six- and 12-month intervals.
Shop TODAY associate editor Allison Wise is a big fan of this pick. “I love Book of the Month! I’ve been gifted it multiple times and it’s so fun to choose,” she says. After enjoying it so much when she received it, she’s considering gifting it to her own grandmother: “My grandma loves when I bring her books to read and she will read absolutely anything. I think she’d love the ability to pick from a selection of books and have it arrive on her doorstep. (And yes, my 91-year-old grandmother uses the internet.)”
For the bookworm who always has a book in their hand, have them try this Kindle that lets them read on the go and have access to thousands of books on one device.
Moon says this device is a "wireless version" of a popular pain relief ointment "and it starts working in seconds." She's gifted it to loved ones who frequently experience soreness around their shoulders or back and said that recipients like that you can place it practically anywhere for instant relief.
I shared this gift with my son’s grandma just last year and she loved it. Through the magic of technology, I am able to beam photos straight to my mom’s frame. She doesn’t miss a moment thanks to this no-fuss digital picture frame.
Cocchi Zabloudil has also loved gifting this frame. “My husband and I bought this frame for my mother-in-law. It’s one of those gifts that keeps on giving: We live in New Jersey and she lives in Illinois, so we love technology that helps us keep in touch,” she explained. “The app makes it easy for us (and other family members) to share pictures with her in real time. And as digital frames go, it’s very aesthetically pleasing — it looks more like decor than tech.”
This simple yet savvy gadget was designed with seniors in mind and is one of my grandma’s very favorite connectivity tools. With easy-to-use apps, a private family network and built-in 4G, the GrandPad makes it simple for seniors to scroll, shop, search and just say hello.
Cocchi Zabloudil also gifted this to another senior in her life. “My family went in on a GrandPad as a group gift for my 95-year-old grandma a few years ago, and it greatly improved her quality of life,” she says. “My grandma was living alone during the pandemic, but with the GrandPad we were able to keep in touch with her via the video call feature — calls that brightened lonely days. We also love using it to share family photos of her grandchildren and great-grand children. My grandma struggles with technology but this device truly is so user friendly, making it approachable for her.”
More gift ideas for older men and women
It's never too late to take a different path in life. Just take it from Hoda Kotb who took the leap from being at the TODAY co-anchor chair to starting her new venture, Joy101. Her latest book dives into all the unexpected joy that can come from pivotal decisions, with stories from herself and some of her other celebrity friends
If you’re shopping for someone who enjoys cooking, this cookbook stand could be helpful. Its slanted, kickstand design and metal page holder helps keep cookbooks upright and on an angle that makes it simple to read recipes in a busy kitchen. Plus, the chic wooden design is totally timeless.
Preserve puzzles to save for a rainy day with this felt accessory that rolls the pieces into a cardboard cylinder to keep them safe and sound.
Uncorking a wine bottle can be straining, but this electric wine opener from Rabbit makes it a lot easier. To quickly remove a cork (without pulling and twisting), simply hover the device around the top of a bottle neck and press the down arrow. That’s it.
For seniors hoping to upgrade their gardens, these plant labels can help. Each porcelain marker is handmade and painted, adding colorful accents to the greenery.
If you’re shopping for a senior who enjoys easygoing, bird-watching mornings, they’ll love this clear bird feeder. It’s shaped like a small, transparent house that adheres to any window with included suction cups. Plus, the base holds a decent amount of food for visiting birds.
Guessing Wordle in one go or achieving Queen Bee status in Spelling Bee is one of life's many joys for avid New York Times puzzlers, and now they can enjoy the same experience in physical book form with this recent publish. Along with all the games you know and love, there's also fun twists on the classics like Mega Crossword and Sudoku on Steroids.
Spicing up the Scrabble mix with three games in one, the Joy for All Scrabble Bingo brings vintage Scrabble to the game table, plus two new Scrabble family games: Scrabble Bingo and Scrabble Pass. Designed to include all members in your next family game night, this game features easy to read lettering, as well as larger to see and easier to manage tiles.
A new hobby deserves some new and ready to go equipment for your senior. Easy to grip and ready to play, this gift set includes two paddles, four outdoor/indoor pickleballs and one equipment bag.
If they love to doodle or paint, they'll love this watercolor set that is made in Japan. It comes with 12 unique watercolors that come in a box, so they can paint and be creative on the go. One reviewer says, "They are incredibly soft and blend beautifully, resulting in vibrant yet gentle colors even after they dry."
Deputy managing editor Jess Bender says this is a pick that is sure to please anyone looking for something "beautiful and warm for the holidays." The plush scarf offers a lot of coverage and even features fringe detailing for a little added oomph.
If they're a host at heart, this sweet treat is sure to please their tastebuds (and those of their guests). Editor Rebecca Brown says her mom enjoys trying new Panettone during the holidays and this cake is "so incredibly fluffy — not at all like what you might find at the grocery store."
For her mom, it beats a bouquet. "She sets it up on her counter and shows it off (while everyone picks at it, of course)" she said.
A luxurious gift for a coziness aficionado, this long PJ set is made with temperature regulating knit fabric, that fits and feels as good as it looks. Machine-washable and gentle on the skin, these jammies may wear fancy, but they launder easily.
Treating your senior is as easy as a slice of salami! Or is it pastrami? Doesn’t matter, because both meats are included in this delicious bundle from New York’s famous Katz Delicatessen. A perfect treat for family brunch, this package includes a pound of pastrami, a pound of corned beef, a pound of salami, a half loaf seedless rye bread, a quart of full sour pickles, six Katz’s frankfurters, 12 frankfurter buns, mustard, sauerkraut and six classic New York bagels.
What types of gifts should you buy older men and women?
When it comes to gifts for older men and women, it’s all about finding the right balance, according to Debbie Elson, LPN, and a long-term care nurse of nearly 40 years.
“Seniors want practical and fun gifts,” says Elson. “They would like things they actually need and will actually use.”
They appreciate creature comforts such as lotions, soaps, perfumes, nail care, comfortable shoes, small candies in a dish and small plants for their window sills, shares Elson.
Seniors would prefer not to receive overly extravagant or pricey gifts, she adds. They are also not huge fans of gift cards. “Absolutely no gift cards!” she emphasizes.
Something seniors do have plenty of room in their homes (and in their hearts) is a nice surprise from their families. They love a little touch of the unexpected and love it when their families go the extra mile. Elson has seen some of the families of her seniors unveil gifts with a pop-up card, a drop-by from the family pet or with a surprise visit from older grandchildren and/or great grandchildren.
Lastly, and certainly not least, when it comes to seniors and gifts, don’t just assume you know what your senior wants. At the retirement community where Elson works, seniors are already busy writing their lists, checking them twice and comparing them next to the Target circular.
As the experts and my Grandma Patty tell us, gifts with a bit of feeling, a little thought and a heap of practicality will always hit the right note when it comes to the folks who believe that growing older is inevitable, but growing up is optional.
How we chose the best gifts for older men and women
The Shop TODAY editors and writers scour the internet to find the best gifts for the seniors in your life. We interview expert sources and use our own personal experiences with the product and brand to make shopping easier for our readers.
Meet the expert
- Debbie Elson, LPN, is a long-term care nurse who has been caring for patients for more than 35 years.
Don’t forget to check out Shop TODAY’s other gift guides to find the perfect present for everyone on your list including gifts for grandpa, gifts for grandma, your mother-in-law, your father-in-law and everyone else on your list.
