Christmas Gifts for SeniorsGift Giving... A Joy or a Chore?Irene Dixie Williams, B.C. CanadaFor me, Xmas has always been a special time. A time to meet with family and friends, to feel the excitement of the seasons, the beautiful lights and decorations. One time in the year people make an attempt to be nice to each other. It always amazes me at how people complain about gift giving. Some don’t want to give anything but feel obligated to do so. Some say they have to give big or expensive gifts so the people won’t think them cheap. Some say they have to give more than l present so the child will have lots of presents and feel loved. Some just pick up anything because they can’t be bothered looking. I have always been known for giving different and unique presents. I do enjoy looking and buying them and want the recipients to feel it also. I often get people asking for advice or what to buy, sadly some say but it’s boring if there is only 2 of you... why bother? My advice on gift giving and boredom is this: I then went to Mrs. Woo Sing, thank goodness she spoke English as my Cantonese was not that good. I could ask if she’d been to the bathroom, was she finished eating or did she have pain, along with a few naughty phrases the Chinese Nurses had taught me. Strange how THOSE things we always remember. I asked what she’d like Santa to bring, oh some socks, red fluffy socks. My feet are always so cold, I used to have a pair of red ones but they’ve been gone a long time, they were my best friends. The jam was easy to find, but it took longer to find the red socks... but I kept looking and found them. I worked that Xmas Day, at lunch I knew Santa had just visited so I went to visit the ladies. Mrs. Thomas was clutching her jam, tears streaming down her face. We talked for a bit, she gave me a big hug and said: “thank you Santa”. Off I went to see Mrs Woo Sing. I asked what Santa had brought. She threw off the sheet and proudly displayed her feet with the red fluffy socks on. She gave me a hug, her bright eyes smiling and said: ”Bless you Santa”. As I went back to my ward, I felt such joy. For taking a little extra time and interest I’d made it a special day for these 2 elderly ladies... and me. Even if there is only 2 - 3 of you, do something to spice it up, it doesn’t have to be a boring time. I share a house with another Senior, she was one of the recipients of a Santa letter. Just seeing the excitement and joy on her face I knew it was a good choice. She never gets presents from: me and me and me, they are from: the birds, the cat or dog, garden friends. She has famous singers and artists she likes...so she might even get a present from them. There are many things you can do to make it different and rewarding... it is up to you. Start a new tradition, on Xmas Eve do lotto-scratchies, have each one write a poem about what is important to them. Just because we try to be happy doesn’t mean inside we really are... but you have to make an effort. My friend and I both have a great deal of pain from arthritis, it would be so easy to feel sorry for our selves and complain. YOU have to work at making it better. Nothing is as important in making an effort to feel the caring, sharing and joy of this special time of the year. Some people are not able to give anything but their love... the greatest gift of all. |
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