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Holiday gift giving isn’t always easy when you’re buying for the boomers in your life. Finding just the right gift for parents and older relatives often brings younger shoppers to the edge of the generation gap, especially when shopping for boomers who say they don’t want or need anything (but who might secretly hope for something special for the holidays).
Boomers appreciate a well-thought-out gift as much as younger generations do: you just have to understand how your older relatives think and focus on meaningful or practical gifts. Below are some possible gifts for boomers, along with why each gift is ideal for your older relatives and friends.
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Understanding Boomer Preferences
Boomers, as a generation, tend to be self-assured and individualistic. They grew up amid the Civil Rights Movement, the Vietnam War, and the Summer of Love, which helped shape their collective identity. Boomers were there for the dawn of the internet, and are often comfortable with technology, although not to the extent of younger generations. Depending on the individual, you may be dealing with a technical whiz or someone who needs your help to troubleshoot slow internet connections.
As a very general rule, boomers prefer functionality over flash and quality over quantity. Many are aging in place and value tools that help them remain independent. They have a sentimental side too, so many love personalized items and nostalgic gifts that bring back memories. They also value experiences, so tickets to events, classes, and family trips are often more appreciated than a physical gift.
With all that said, here are our recommended gifts for boomers:
Life-Improving Tech
Boomers love easy-to-use technology that makes their lives easier or more interesting. Consider the following possibilities this holiday season:
- Voice-activated assistants like Alexa and Google Nest. Boomers can use voice assistants to create medication reminders, schedule appointments, add items to shopping lists, and more.
- Digital photo frames that connect to Wi-Fi let you upload pictures of the grandkids from anywhere with an internet connection and help keep boomers connected with distant friends and family. The Nixplay and Pix-Star frames are boomer-friendly, with synced albums that automatically update when you add new photos.
- Wearable Health Monitors such as Fitbits, Apple Watches, and Oura Rings help boomers monitor heart rate, sleep patterns, and activity levels. For boomers with health problems, choose a monitor that offers fall detection and emergency alerts.
- E-readers such as Amazon Kindle and Kobo let boomers access their favorite authors online and link their device to virtual library collections.
- Smart Displays like the Amazon Echo Show, Google Nest Hub, and JBL Link View support video calling, allowing boomers to stay in touch with distant family and friends. CallGenie is a simple device that lets users make video calls from their televisions.
Remember that for optimum performance, these devices require a reliable internet connection. If your boomer lives in the country, you may have to help them find better rural internet options.
Comfort & Wellness Essentials
Boomers lead active lifestyles, but that doesn’t mean they neglect their comfort. Health and wellness are important to them, so show you understand with these comfort-conscious gifts:
- Weighted blankets for stress relief and relaxation.
- Ergonomic office or reading chairs.
- High-quality slippers, a plush robe, or both.
- A white noise machine to improve sleep.
- Weighted eye pillows.
- Personalized, reusable travel mugs or water bottles.
- A care package of homemade snacks.
- Aromatherapy diffusers to create a relaxing atmosphere.
- An at-home spa gift basket with scented candles, soaps, and bath bombs.
- Noise-cancelling headphones.
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Experience-Based Gifts
One of the most significant challenges in gift-buying is finding the perfect gift for the person who has everything. Boomers have had decades to set up their home and life just the way they like it, so it’s sometimes hard to find a gift they don’t already own. No worries — not all gifts for boomers need to be physical objects. Instead, give a gift that creates memories instead of clutter:
- Travel vouchers or Airbnb credits.
- Tickets to concerts, plays, or festivals.
- Subscriptions to an online learning platform like MasterClass.
- Cooking or art classes.
- Food tours or wine-tasting events.
- Escape rooms with the grandkids.
- A hot air balloon ride.
- A weekend spa retreat.
A reliable internet provider greatly increases your options when looking for experience-based gifts for boomers, so they can stream virtual concerts, take online classes, or book a getaway if you give them travel vouchers. Add value to your gift by taking part in the activity with them, so you all come out of the experience with new shared memories.
Sentimental or Nostalgic Items
Some of the best gifts for boomers are those that help them relive enjoyable moments from their past. These don’t have to be large, expensive gifts. What matters more is that they’re thoughtful and show you understand the gift recipient and their life experiences.
Some popular sentimental gifts for boomers include:
- Custom photo albums or framed family prints. Pictures from their youth are often treasured.
- Personalized playlists of nostalgic songs.
- A record player and a collection of their favorite vinyl.
- Retro games, kitchen tools, or pop culture items from yesteryear.
- A subscription to a genealogy service.
- Holiday ornaments with personal touches.
- Favorite books.
Source: YAKOBCHUK VIACHESLAV/Shutterstock.com
Practical Gifts and Upgrades
If the boomer in your life prefers practicality over nostalgia, try one of these functional gifts designed to make life easier:
- Streaming video subscriptions make it easy to find their favorite shows.
- A subscription to HelloFresh, EveryPlate, or Home Chef.
- An Audible or Libro.fm subscription so they can enjoy their favorite authors. Throw in a set of noise-canceling headphones for an extra-special gift.
- Smart home tools like a Roomba, smart lights, or a Wi-Fi-enabled security system.
- A 12-month subscription to a maid service, landscaper, or tech support.
The Best Gifts for Boomers Show You Care
Instead of another knick-knack, boomers need to find space for, choose gifts that emphasize connection, comfort, and usefulness. Whether it’s a cozy comfort, a trip down memory lane, or an upgrade to fiber internet, show the boomers in your life that you’re not just giving for the sake of giving, you’re sensitive to the gift recipient’s specific needs and chose the perfect gift for them.
Reviewed and edited by Albert Fang.
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Article Title: 5 Gifts Boomers Secretly Want This Year
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