GenX & Boomer women will love these holiday gifts
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When you reach a certain age, there are only so many coffee mugs, picture frames, and pajamas you need. The Precious Moments figurine ship has definitely sailed, and if you need more holiday decorations, you want to pick them out yourself to be sure they fit your space and décor.
But it’s still nice to get a thoughtful gift from your loved ones. Something useful, meaningful, and memorable. It doesn’t have to be pricey. Just heartfelt. We polled real-life moms and grandmas in their 50s and 60s to find out what they really want to find under the tree this year.
Inspiration: Stories of those 50+ doing extraordinary things
Shopping: Holiday Gift Guides from Nifty 50+
The overall sentiment? Things they wouldn’t splurge on for themselves, travel accessories for retirement bucket-list vacations or those trips to see the grandkids, and anything “cozy.”
Put these ideas on your own wish list or use it to help kickstart your holiday shopping for your hard-to-buy-for parents.
Created by a woman entrepreneur after retirement, the Conmigo ULTI travel bag is uniquely designed to meet the needs of travelers in their 50s and beyond. The lightweight, easy-to-clean bag features a padded, pull-out cushion, perfect for airport seats or the bleachers at your grandchild’s sporting event. The TSA-compliant bag fits neatly under your airline seat. Plenty of pockets hold everything you need for vacations or day trips.
You may not need more photos of the grandkids, but digital photo frames are always a big hit around the holidays. The Nixplay 10-inch frame in Classic Black is an industry leader for several years running, with secure, US-based cloud storage and an easy-to-use interface. With one click, cast photos and videos from the app to your smart TV.
MetalPex Home Décor: Family Tree Design
Custom wall art can be the exact gift that makes retirees feel right at home in a new space or spruce up an older home. MetalPlex makes premium aluminum signs that you can customize for a gift to be treasured for years. The lightweight signs hang easily with the included heavy-duty 3M double-sided wall tape, which means no nails or screws. Handmade in Austin, TX, from recycled materials, choose from a variety of designs anyone your list is sure to love.
Caytrail Inflatable Massage Travel Pillow
Grandmas on-the-go will love this inflatable massage travel pillow with six massage modes and 15 intensity levels for relaxation and restoration. The micro-velvet fabric makes the pillow super lightweight for easy carrying inside the included drawstring bag. The pillow inflates easily thanks to the built-in battery that charges in 1.5 hours via USB-C for up to 20 hours of use.
Many grandmas said they’d love treats they wouldn’t buy for themselves – and that includes high-quality organic coffee. Sapphire Coffee comes from some of the finest coffee beans from the Manizales in Colombia. The 100% sustainably sourced Arabica beans, certified by the Rainforest Alliance and Fair Trade, create a smooth, medium-roasted flavor, perfect for specialty coffees or your morning cup.
Nextmug Self-Heating Coffee Mug
How many decades have you been reheating your coffee in the microwave after you let it get cold taking care of everyone else? Old habits die hard. Whether you’re chasing the grandkids or just got caught up in the latest chapter of your novel, there’s an easy fix to the perpetual cold coffee problem: a self-heating mug.
The coffee mug anyone on your list would love to receive, the Nextmug comes in an array of colors to match any kitchen decor. It allows you to set the temperature of your beverage to “warm,” “hot” or “piping” through onboard controls, no app required.
Passionate Penny Pincher Recipe Cards
Juggling meals when you aren’t working may be easier, but retirement doesn’t mean an end to the question of “What’s for dinner?” This set of 72 recipes, each requiring five main ingredients or less, can help. The set also includes 12 grocery lists for planning ahead. The sturdy box and wipe-clean cards make this a kitchen staple you can use for years and pass on to your children.
At some point, the hot flashes stop and many women find themselves cold as their perimenopausal 50s fade into memories. The Bedsure heated throw blanket features six heat settings and four time settings, plus three-hour auto shutoff, for safety. Choose from an array of colors, from classic cream to trendy tartan and even seasonal designs. This Good Housekeeping-approved blanket is an Amazon’s Choice bestseller and should be on virtually everyone’s wish list.
Picture curling up under that heated blanket with a cozy, humorous bestseller written by a mother-daughter team. (Note: Read our interview with co-author Margie Zable Fisher here.) The Cabernet Club is a classic beach read for the over-50 set, chronicling the life, love and adventures of retiree Debbie Gordon after she moves from her lifelong home in New England to South Florida. Through persistence, a positive attitude and the support of a network of new friends, the book’s heroine proves you’re never too old to start over.
