Well, shortly after those of you south of the border have pushed away from the dinner table (and put on your stretchy pants..HA!!), it will be time to concentrate on what is really on your minds: Christmas shopping!! Now, I know you all (y'all) call it Black Friday down there, but if I was in on the action, they'd have to rename it, "In the RED Friday"!! Yep, as i've been told, it is quite a big day for those diehard shoppers!! Pushing and shoving and getting up with the birds to beat the crowds...why, it sounds so...festive!!!! I'm kidding, of course, and I'm certainly in no position to judge...all the adult female members of my family head out for the Boxing Day sales bright and early and have a strict set of rules that we all have to swear to abide by: no kids, no whining, and no dragging your feet!! No exceptions!!! I still shake my head when remembering that two years ago, in the midst of a major snowstorm, my mum, me, sister, and sister-in-law headed out in defiance. We weren't going to let (a lot of) snow stop us from our annual ritual. Or so we thought...thankfully one or a few of us gave our heads a good shake and decided dying in the pursuit of shopping is not a very noble way to go. We're MOTHERS for Pete's sake!! We turned back and nestled back in...zipping up coats and searching for stray mittens while our kids played in the snow. Besides, it's not as if we are ever really on the hunt for anything in particular. We simply love the break from all the togetherness with the kids all crammed into one spot, and we look forward to chatting as girls, and a lovely meal that doesn't involve turkey or washing dishes!!!
Which brings to mind some gift giving ideas that I wanted to pass on to you with regards to the seniors in our lives (and NO, I am not talking about you, Mum...you're way too young!!). I am thinking of our elderly loved ones who either live alone in their homes or in a nursing home. I worked as a nurse in a nursing home for a fair number of years, and would find myself groaning at some of the gifts some of the residents would receive from their well-meaning, if not misguided relatives. More boxes of candy roll through those facilities than you can shake a stick at, even though most would shatter their dentures trying to bite into the hard candies in their midst. Often, we'd have to take some of the boxes away to prevent choking mishaps, and they would inevitably get opened and enjoyed by the hard-working staff and visiting families. Other common, but unsuitable gifts would include large novels with tiny writing that the resident would not have the eyesight or patience to read. If you give these types of gifts to the seniors in your life, I am not picking on you. I know you mean well, but with my firsthand experience (hey, I knew my nursing degree would come in handy again!!), I offer up the following gift suggestions:- scratch tickets...who doesn't love the thrill of the unknown and the promise of instant wealth? Ttrust me, if you could see the excitement that Monday Night Bingo incites in a group of seniors, then you'd know what I'm talking about!
- magazines...ones that appeal to the individual's hobbies and interests, even if long given up. A subscription to a great magazine is the gift that keeps on giving...it is something to look forward to each month and it is always exciting to get something in the mail...If you do purchase books however, try to choose ones that have larger print and/or books on tape.
- a variety of greeting/birthday cards that are placed in stamped, addressed envelopes. If you're a family member, this is a fairly easy task. Your loved one then only has to write the recipient's name on the card and sign it and it is good to go. It is especially nice to include a small calendar with the dates of the special occasions circled in red, so the date won't be forgotten
- free electricity, cable, or heating for a month. You can't wrap it up in giftwrap, but paying your loved one's electricity bill for a month enables them to treat themselves to something that month without the worry of stretching their budget.
- A supply of bus tokens, a gift card to a favourite restaurant (especially one that delivers), a gift certificate to their local grocery store, etc. Again, anything to lighten their financial load. Many seniors are on a very fixed budget that doesn't allow for extras. They don't get Christmas bonuses like some of us do...
- On the same vein, a gift card to their local pharmacy or simply buying them their monthly medications. Many seniors do not have great drug plans and their medication needs are a huge drain on their budgets...
- Clothes that actually fit, reflect their taste, and are easy to fasten and zipper for those with mobility/dexterity challenges. Sometimes it is better to buy a gift card to the clothing store of their choice, but keep this in mind: do they need transportation to and from the store, or will they appreciate having you go woth them to offer your assistance with selecting the purchase? Everyone likes a second opinion when trying on clothing...
- Which brings me to this: a gift of your time and company.
If you are gifting your loved one with movie money or theatre tickets, keep in mind that your accompanying them may not only be desired, but necessary. Especially for those living in nursing homes or senior's complexes: they may not get out as much as they'd like and spending time with you doing a fun activity might be just what the doctor ordered. I'd often see too many able-bodied residents spending the entire Christmas Day with nary a visitor, but surrounded by scented soaps and candy they couldn't enjoy. If you can, pop in and visit your elderly loved ones over the holidays and beyond. It really is the best gift of all...and if you can bring them to your home for even a few hours, it will not go unappreciated, believe me. Giving of our time and love is something that costs nothing but lifts the spririts of those we love immensely...and you'll feel pretty good, too!!
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