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Meaningful Gift Ideas for Caregivers This Holiday

The holiday season is upon us! And as our homes are filled with loved ones, and our inboxes overflowing with gratitude emails, there are some who are so deserving of our care and gratitude this season—and all year. Our caregivers. 

Caregivers allow working families to thrive and subsequently allow for our entire economy to function. Their work is foundational for so many families around the country. Care providers, from prenatal to end of life are our heroes. Their jobs allow the world to work, and it’s so important for the caregivers in your life to know and understand the appreciation you have for them! 

If you’re looking to show a little extra care this holiday, here are some ideas in which you can show how much they mean to you and your family! 

Self Care & Relaxation Gifts 

Many caregivers are selfless people. They put their lives and care above others. Whether they’re caring for your children or aging parents, their thoughtfulness is both a part of their job and a gift to your family. Show the caregivers in your life appreciation through self-care and relaxations gifts. You know them, so decide what they would consider self-care. Here are some examples: 

  • Massage or spa package gift certificate 
  • A gift basket of self-care items like skincare products, blankets, and other relaxing products. 
  • Gift cards to a nice restaurant or shop 
  • Movie tickets to a dinner-and-a-movie theatre 
  • Candles, essential oils, or other relaxation products 
  • Gift certificate to pedicure or manicure 
  • Kindle gift certificate or book store gift card
  • Body massager, comfy pajamas, or slippers.

Helpful Gifts 

According to AARP, 4 out of 10 adults care for sick or elderly loved ones. That’s almost half of the adult population in the United States! Sometimes our idea of caregiver is a formal paid position, but often it looks like help from a loved one. Showing your appreciation for them is equally important. 

If your caregiver is a family member, practical gifts can be a thoughtful option for you. Here are some examples: 

  • Hire a cleaning service, or clean the house for an extended amount of time. 
  • Cook them meals, bonus points if you can cook them meals they can freeze, for a nice home-cooked meal when they’re overwhelmed. 
  • Hire backup care so they can have a break. 
  • Write a thoughtful card about how much they mean to you. 

Practical Gifts 

If the caregivers in your life are more practical people, they may appreciate gifts that will help them with their caregiving over other types of gifts. Practical gifts can include any type of gift that is reliable and useful for them, whether that’s in their job or at home. Here are some examples: 

  • Whiteboard or corkboard for keeping track of tasks and other notes. 
  • Video monitors to help with caregiving when they’re not in the room. 
  • Amazon Prime membership for them to order anything they’d like. 
  • Meal service membership like Hello Fresh or eMeals
  • Calendar, label makers, and other stationery gifts that can be helpful for caregivers on the go. 
  • Coffee mugs or water bottles with thoughtful messages. 

Monetary Gifts 

Cash is king, as they say. Sometimes the best way to show someone you appreciate them is through good ‘ole cash. But there are ways in which you can be creative when gifting cash to your caregivers. Consider these options: 

  • Add a holiday bonus to their paycheck 
  • Offer to pay for some expenses for them, like meals, gas, or other bills that could alleviate some holiday stress. 
  • Send a donation to their favorite nonprofit in their honor. 

Don’t Limit Appreciation to the Holidays 

The holidays are a great annual reminder that we need to show love and appreciation for the important people in our lives, but don’t limit this to just the end of the year! Continue your caregiver appreciation all year long, make sure they know how much they mean to you!

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