Sometimes it’s hard to come up with unique gifts for senior women. What do you get for the 80-year-old woman who seems to have everything and does not want anything? The best gift is certainly your time and attention. If you want to send a gift because you can’t get there to make the holidays or a birthday more special, try to find a useful gift that won’t just provide extra clutter.
Heartwarming and Thoughtful Gifts for Senior Women Who Live Alone
The most important thing when buying a gift for a beloved octogenarian is to show your love and appreciation. Choosing the best gifts for senior women involves considering their interests, needs, and preferences. A genuine and caring approach will make any gift more meaningful to her. Many of these don’t cost a thing.
Handmade crafts
Create something special yourself, like a handmade card, a knitted scarf, or a painted picture.
Tea or coffee set
Gift her a beautiful tea or coffee set with her favorite flavors or blends.
Family photo album
Assemble a photo album with pictures of her family and loved ones, capturing precious memories.
A day out together
Plan a day trip to her favorite place, like a park, museum, or garden, and spend quality time together.
Homemade treats
Bake her favorite cookies or prepare a basket of homemade goodies. Make sure you find out first if she has any dietary restrictions!
Audiobooks or podcasts
Consider a subscription to audiobooks or podcasts on subjects she enjoys.
Gardening tools
If she loves gardening, get her some new tools or colorful planters.
Soft blankets or throws
Choose a soft and cozy blanket to keep her warm during chilly days.
Charitable donation
Donate to her favorite charity or cause in her name.
Aromatherapy diffuser
Provide her with a diffuser and a selection of essential oils for a relaxing and soothing ambiance.
Subscription box
Sign her up for a subscription box tailored to her interests, like a craft box or a monthly book delivery.
Music from her era
Create a playlist of songs from her youth or the music she enjoys.
Easy-to-read books
Opt for large-print books or books specifically designed for seniors to make reading more comfortable.
Paint and art supplies
If she’s into art, consider getting her some new paints, brushes, or sketchbooks.
Memory games
Choose games that challenge memory and cognitive abilities to keep her mentally engaged.
Recommendations for Gifts for Senior Women From Our Readers
Need specific gift ideas? Below is a list of wonderful gifts for senior women who live independently that make life easier, safer, and/or more fun. These gifts, personally suggested by those in our 50Plus community, won’t just take up space and get in the way.
KMRIPYU Essential Oil Diffuser and Ultrasonic Humidifier
This essential oil diffuser is one of our favorite gifts for senior women. It diffuses essential oils for up to five hours straight, and you can still smell them in the last hour so it diffuses them very evenly. Refilling the large-capacity water tank is easy because it has a clear plastic measuring cup. The changing colors transition slowly which is very calming, and they look even better in the dark! You can also select one specific color if you prefer. The light wood-looking base gives it a modern/Scandinavian feel and the honeycomb pattern is pretty. The super quiet ultrasonic technology won’t disturb you while sleeping or working. Simply plug in, add the essential oil you like, and heat it to release the enjoyable fragrance. Enjoy!
VENTIMI Heated Blanket Electric Throw with 10 Heating Levels & 1-12 Hours Auto Off
Does your favorite octogenarian complain that she’s always cold? With Ventimi’s electric heated blanket, she can turn down her thermostat and still relax in warmth and comfort. Made from extra soft and plush comfortable fabric, this fast-heating throw is machine washable and dryer safe. Made from premium flannel and Sherpa, this ETC-certified blanket provides therapeutic heat relief. The controller has three warming settings, includes a three-hour auto-off for convenience, and is easy to grip. The cord is long for flexible uses. Also, the unique design looks pretty draped over the chair or couch when not in use!
ALPHA ONE V2 Bidet Seat – Non-Electric Dual Nozzles
This may seem like a bizarre gift, one the recipient may not appreciate at first, but it’s one of the most thoughtful presents you can give! This sleek, modern bidet toilet seat requires no electricity and is easy to install. The retracting dual nozzles offer both front and rear cleansing, and the spray can be adjusted to provide different levels of water pressure from soothing to powerful. A bidet is a particularly wonderful present for someone with limited mobility as it allows for independence, which is so important as we age!
MagniPros Magnifying Glass with Dual Power Lens
This magnifying glass might be the best gift I bought ever for my 84-year-old mom. She has vision problems due to macular degeneration and some other issues, and this handy magnifier was exactly what she needed! Frustrated by her aging eyes (and before we found this wonderful solution), she stopped reading for a while. As books provide hours of entertainment which helps pass the time for her, I hated that she no longer could read comfortably. Other lenses she tried previously were problematic, but this product shaped the way people naturally read, and worked well for her.
The LED magnifier reduces eye strain because it magnifies up to 300% and provides light without glare. The roller dimmer allows you to easily adjust the brightness level, a feature most magnifiers do not include. Made out of optical grade acrylic, it is more lightweight, scratch-resistant, and shatterproof than glass, and provides great clarity. Another bonus, the lens covers a large viewing area without the need to move your hands all the time which is helpful as her hands are weaker now than when younger. Powered by triple-A batteries, the LEDs are made to last more than 100,000 hours!
Wellness Herbal Heated Microwavable Foot Booties
These fabulous weighted heat therapy slippers deliver soothing lasting penetrating hot therapy. These foot booties are perfect for specific pain, or for just relaxing and relieving stress or anxiety. The lucky recipient will love the heat emanating from the mix of herbs, including lavender, peppermint, and many others. You can heat it in the microwave in just minutes. Need cold therapy instead? They chill quickly in the freezer too. Made with love, it’s the perfect wellness gift!
iRobot Roomba 692 Robot Vacuum
Farberware Hands-Free Automatic Can Opener
A can opener may not seem like a fabulous gift, but for those with arthritic hands or shoulder problems, this compact little gadget is wonderful! It opens any size easily and stores easily. The technology allows for seamless opening, which decreases the hazards of dangerous sharp edges that are sometimes a problem with other can openers. Easy to clean with a wet towel, it makes life easier for seniors – or anyone!
Battery Operated Stainless Steel Electric Salt and Pepper Grinder Pack Mill with Light
At first glance, these grinders might not seem special despite their elegant appearance. What makes them great for an older woman living alone besides that they beautify the kitchen, These battery-operated tall sleek grinders are easy to use with convenient one-hand operation. For women who have weakness or arthritis in their hands, this gift is extremely helpful. In addition, the stunning gift box makes this set an amazing present for your favorite senior. With the outside made from high-quality stainless steel and BPA-free acrylic glass, the rustproof ceramic core ensures a smooth and easy grind.
BloomsyBox Tropical Bouquet Treasure
Fresh flowers definitely can brighten anyone’s day. One of our most popular suggestions, we find women absolutely love these beautiful tropical flowers. Each bouquet is carefully curated to provide a unique and vibrant assortment of tropical flowers. From the bright heliconias to the delicate pink ginger and lush greenery, this flower arrangement offers a stunning array of colors and textures. These flowers are RAINFOREST ALLIANCE CERTIFIED, and each bouquet includes sustainably grown flowers and eco-friendly packaging materials.
Large Screen Digital Clock with Time, Day, and Date
Many find it increasingly more difficult to keep track of days, dates, and times as they age. Your favorite senior may need to keep track of medications or appointments. Or maybe they just have a busy social calendar! The large display makes this digital clock an ideal gift because of the easy-to-read face that spells out the time, the day, the date, and whether or not it’s morning or night. This clock is helpful for anyone but is particularly beneficial for people with dementia or macular degeneration. With lots of frame options to choose from, you can easily match it to their decor. I recently bought this clock for my mom. She put it on a shelf in the kitchen and looks at it all the time – it’s very helpful!
Oversized Hoodie Blanket Sweatshirt with Hoody
This comfy and wearable blanket keeps you warm & cozy while you lounge at home, watch TV, participate in Zoom calls, or attend a concert! Pull your legs into the plush fluffy sherpa to cover yourself completely on the couch, roll the sleeves up to make yourself a snack, & move around freely while taking your warmth wherever you go. Don’t worry about slipping or sliding sleeves. It doesn’t drag on the floor either. This item washes well and is sized one size fits most. Great gift idea!
100% Pure Egyptian Cotton Sheets Sets, Cooling Bed Sheets 600 Thread Count
100% pure Egyptian Cotton (all natural) sheets are a luxury most of us don’t buy for ourselves, but what a great gift for a loved one! These fabulous sheets are cozy and soft! They also are healthy as, unlike artificial microfiber that absorbs heat, traps dust, and builds static, these sheets keep you feeling cool and fresh. Individually tailored, measured, and checked piece by piece for quality, these sensitive skin sheets are of superior quality. The gift of a good night’s sleep will be greatly appreciated!
Duxtop 1800W Portable Induction Cooktop Countertop Burner
If your favorite 80-year-old still likes to cook, you may worry she might burn her fingers or hands. Induction stoves are a good solution. This awesome induction model from Secura sits on the countertop and plugs into any outlet. The technology used for induction stoves allows food to heat up quickly, and the burner stays cool while the pan heats up. We love that it’s also easy to clean. Keep in mind if you decide to purchase a portable induction stove, she will need some induction-compatible cookware to go with it. Other family members looking for gift ideas might want to contribute the cookware so your loved one has the complete gift!
The Bottom Line
As you select a gift for your favorite 80-year-old woman who lives alone, remember the importance of love, companionship, and comfort. Choose a gift that shows you care to brighten her day and let her know she is well-loved!
Leslie Farin is the Publisher and Founder of 50PlusToday. She is an experienced communications and marketing professional passionate about working with older adults and their families. She works with a team of writers to provide essential and cutting-edge information related to the 50Plus community.