Tips on what to give an elderly loved one for Christmas.

"Christmas, my child, is love in action. ... Every time we love, every time we give, it's Christmas."

-- Dale Evans Rogers

I've seen some presents go terribly wrong! 

The worst example of an unworkable unthoughful gift to an elderly friend is all mine. Shame on me, I did it!

I bought a small plastic travel size bottle of cologne bath gel for an elderly man. He still could manuever around quite well. He was still coherant so I thought he would enjoy it.  A couple of days later, I started to notice a rash on his face. "Must be from shaving." he said. The rash became worse until his face was all itchy and welts started to appear. "What happened to your face?" I asked. "My son came and threw away that shaving gel you gave me. He said I shouldn't have used it on my face."
"Oops!" (I'm certain his son wondered what goof ball woman gave his father that gift! ) I felt terrible.

Tips on what to NOT give an elderly loved one for Christmas.

• If you bring something to eat, make sure to find out if they can chew, swallow and enjoy it.  
• If your gift is something for them to wear, make sure it's wash and wear and can be put on with ease.. Don't give them anything that’s too difficult to put over their head! Something with a large V-neck or an easy snap or button down is better. Socks that are soft and easy to put on.
• I'm certain you love grandma but don't give a turtle neck sweater to a woman who only gets her hair done once a week at the facility's beauty parlor. 
• Notice the size of the small bathroom cabinets and drawers that are available. Don’t bring a lifetime size (or let’s just say the rest of their lifetime) bottle of lotion or bubble bath. I’ve seen visitors with loving intentions give huge gallon jugs of lotion they must have bought at Sam’s or Costco. Bring something that fits in their drawer for goodness sake!     

Here's  useful tips on what an elderly loved one really desires for Christmas? It's easier to buy them something but if you really want to make them happy, this is what they would say!

I'd like you to come and visit me. You need to have understanding kind eyes and sit down. Stay as long as my energy lasts and that's not very long. I'd like you to listen to me and not be in a hurry. (Everyone I see every day is working and busy.)

ü  I'd like to tell you about how my life is going without you trying to fix it. (I know you can't.) 

ü  I'd like you to bring in a child to see me. A child with bright eyes and an innocent heart. It's great if it's one of my grandkids or family but it really doesn't matter to me. It's just so nice to see people that age. (It helps me remember when I was younger. It reminds me of when my kids were younger. I miss that time in my life.) 

ü  I’d like you to bring in a dog or a cat for a visit! I want to see it, love it, run my fingers through its hair and look in its eyes. I want to talk silly to it like I always used to talk to my pet.  (I miss my loving family pet and the time in my life when I could have pets.) 

ü  Forgive them! You know good and well who I'm talking about! They mean a lot to me! They are most likely in our family. It could be your brother, your sister, your mother, your father, your cousin, your aunt or uncle. Just forgive them, let them know about it and tell me that you did! They don't have to change in order for you to forgive them. They don't have to say they are sorry first. (I don't want to die being worried that you never forgave them and that stubborn, stinkin ugly, bitterness continue as an example for future generations). It's the most difficult gift I ever ask for. Isn’t it!

ü  I'd like you to be cheerful and loving toward me, no matter how grumpy I am. Hug me and kiss me!  Tell me how much you appreciate me and how much I have always meant to you. 

That's the best gift ever! Be it Christmas or any other day of the year!

"It came without ribbons. It came without tags. It came without packages, boxes, or bags. 

The the Grinch thought of something he hadn't before.

Maybe Christmas doesn't come from a store. Maybe Christmas... 

He thought  ...means a little bit more."

MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY HOLIDAYS FROM MY FAMILY TO YOURS!

 I appreciate the followers of this blog so much  and how much you love my mother Nancy Wright and /or how much you love and care for the elderly folks in your family. Thanks for your support and understanding!  Love, Ramona Ann Thompson