It is really difficult sometimes to find a gift for an older adult or senior citizens. Usually these individuals have everything they need or want. They probably have all the fragrant soaps, powders and perfumes that they will need for the rest of their lives. So what do you get the older person who has everything? Many older individuals will appreciate your friendship over material gifts. You might be able to pick something from this list or it might inspire you to come up with your own ideas.

Take them out for a meal

Bring a meal and stay and share it

Go to the latest exhibit at the Museum

Take a multi-generational trip and picnic to the zoo

Visit the Botanical Garden in your community

Take them to a lecture or free concert at the local college or university

Spend a morning working in the garden with them

Do a jigsaw puzzle with them while you chat

Take them to volunteer with you at your local animal shelter

Volunteer with them to read at pre-school reading day at the library

Start an inter-generational book group with them

Clean out gutters, drain the sprinkler system, rake the yard

Tote and Lift things around the house that need to be toted and lifted

Decorate for the holidays - hang lights and ornaments

Rearrange furniture

Clean out cupboards or other annual cleaning tasks

Plant something in their yard

Wash windows

Repair something that needs repairing

Change the batteries in their smoke alarms

Take a class together

Make individual meals for the freezer

Go fishing together and ask them about their childhood

Go antiquing and listen to the stories they will tell as you go

Look at their photo albums with them

Ask them to teach you something - knitting, fly tying, bread making, canning, wood carving

Detail their car

Go to the local farmers market together

Sit in the park with them and watch children play

Go to the library and check out music from their era and listen to it with them

Plan a potluck with them and invite all the neighbors

Feed the ducks at the local park

Make a cookbook together using their favorite recipes

Paint a room for them

Replace burnt out light bulbs

Tour the capital building in your state capital

Go to a movie together

Get a unique designer coloring book and color with them

Ride a carousel at the amusement park

Go to the state fair

Go to a free concert in the park

Visit and tour an historical building in your community

Go to a wine and cheese tasting event

Make Christmas gifts together for the neighbors

Service their car - check the oil, tire pressure, washer fluid, lights

There are seniors in many different stages of health, ability and interests. Be sure to be sensitive to the individual needs and capabilities of your friend. Have fun, be patient and kind, relax and listen.