Valentines for Seniors
Valentine’s Day usually means chocolates and roses to say “I Love You”---in a romantic setting. Or it means giggly cards to give to schoolmates and eating tons of those little candy hearts with sayings stamped on them. But all of that may mean leaving out people who are very loved and who are an important part of our families and society: our seniors. Grandma, Grandpa, good old Uncle Jake, or maybe an elderly gentleman who never gets any visitors at an assisted living facility, or that kindly neighbor lady across the street who always looks after your cat while you are on vacation.
Cards with romantic sentiments, or even humorous sentiments, may just not be the most appropriate thing to give a senior, and many seniors have restricted diets that don’t include candy or may have medical problems that are irritated by live flowers (or may be in a facility where flowers aren’t appropriate). How can you say “Happy Valentine’s Day” to them, just to let them know that they are thought about and have a place in your life…and your heart?
Of course the best way to say it is to go to visit them! An hour of your time is probably the most precious “gift” you can give to any senior, whether that senior is a parent, another relative, the sweet old lady across the hall from your grandmother’s room at the retirement villa, or an older neighbor who always smiles and waves from his porch when you drive by.
However, no matter how old you are, it’s always wonderful to open a card or a small gift. So if you want to take something to give as a small gift, then take something that suits the person you are visiting!
Using Mom’s BreakValentine free printables, you can print and make small Valentine gift bags that are just perfect for a whole range of “small gifts.” Is your senior a tea drinker? Then put in a few individually wrapped teabags of various types (like Earl Grey, Chamomile, or perhaps something exotic like Red Rooibos). Maybe your senior enjoys scented candles, so put a nicely scented votive in a little gift bag (and include a pack of matches!). Does Uncle George like to fish? Then slip in a fishing fly or other small fishing tackle box item. Little gift bags are also perfect for giving gift cards (the “credit card” type gift cards that are now available for just about every restaurant, department store, and specialty shop).
Remember that the best gift you can give a senior is your time and attention...but you’ll enjoy the smiles when Aunt Jessica opens up that little bag with a scented closet sachet in it!
To see some of these ideas for Valentines for Seniors, along with a sample gift bag, go to: http://readingroom.janktheproofer.com/seniorvalgiftbag.htm
Jan K., The Proofer is a freelance copyeditor and proofreader. Visit Jan’s Portal (http://www.jansportal.com) for more information about Jan’s free crafts, recipes, tutorials, other resource sites, and free content articles, as well as Jan’s business services. Be sure to visit Mom’s Break (http://www.momsbreak.com/) for free printable crafts and projects. © Copyright 2005 to present. All rights reserved.