The smell of Christmas cookies baking in the oven for Santa, trying to peek at presents under the Christmas tree, not being able to sleep all night because Christmas morning couldn’t come soon enough- All of these fond memories of our childhood remind us of all the preparation our parents put into the Holiday season.  Now as many of us have become parents we realize all the hard work that goes into making the holidays just right.  Like our parents, we find ourselves making homemade fruit pies that bubble over in the oven, fighting strands of Christmas lights outside in the bitter cold and saving up for all of those extra presents under the Christmas tree. These Holiday memories have a special place in our heart as we continue to make new ones.

So what should I buy my retired parents for Christmas? The following is a list of the top 10 things to buy seniors for Christmas of 2018. 

Home Care

 Create a home-care account for Mom and Dad and share their account with the rest of the family so that everyone can chip in too.  Finding home help is easy.  There are dozens of agencies in every city that send out home helpers to Mom and Dad’s house to assist them with groceries, laundry, meal preparation, light house-keeping, transportation, laundry, hygiene and much more! Visit Carenade to shop and compare agencies and pricing in your area.  Carenade also has the family share tool.  Non-medical home care is in the range of $20-30 an hour.   Use coupon code FREECARE to get 4 free home care hours with any Carenade partner.   

 Amazon Echo Show

 This device gives you the ability to drop in on Mom or Dad any time of day.  The Echo Show can simply be controlled by voice.  There are no confusing buttons or screens to navigate.  You can drop in on Mom or Dad without them even having to say anything. This device has multiples usages. You can set up medication reminders by simply saying, “Alexa remind me to take my medicine at 8 AM every day.” The echo plays music, radio and audiobooks.  It’s as easy as saying, “Alexa, play popular songs from the ’50s.”  The echo delivers the news, makes phone calls, controls smart home devices and so much more!  Amazon echo Show with 7” screen, $229.99.

The Apple iPad

  This will become Mom or Dad’s new best friend.  Technology isn’t just for the younger generations.  Even if your Mom or Dad has never used a computer, most seniors do very well with the iPad because of its easy to use touch screen. As eyesight fades and it becomes more difficult to see the printed page, iPad users can expand the type to whatever size is most comfortable.  The iPad offers the ability to make Facetime video calls.  It is portable and can be taken anywhere in the home for video calls, which has a special advantage over the Echo Show.  Other features include easy access to the internet, news, Facebook, email, videos, photos, eBooks and so much more! The Apple iPad is in a wide price range from $129.99- $899.99 for some of latest models.

Vizio 55 ” 4K Television. 

Retired seniors have a little extra time on their hands to watch television.  A large new television will make their viewing experience more enjoyable.  The holiday season is the perfect time to buy a new TV.  Consumer Reports noted that TV prices decrease in the fall.  Half a year after their introduction in January, the notable new TVs of 2018 all pretty much on sale now.  $599.99.

Food / Snack Subscription Boxes

 These make excellent gifts because there are just so many to choose from. They also cater to the unique taste buds and food preferences of modern families.  Subscription boxes are delivered fresh to your doorstep.  There are all sorts of meal options like Vegan, Paleo, Low Carb, Sugar-Free, Gluten-Free, Ketogenic, Mediterranian, Low-Sodium, Organic and much more!  You can also opt to buy a one time healthy starter kit or basket for any diet type.  These are in the range of $20- $60 a month or you can buy a one time starter kit to encourage your loved ones to eat well. 

Meal subscription Boxes.

 Meal subscription boxes deliver fresh ingredients and recipes straight to your doorstep every week. With HelloFresh, meals start at $9.90 per person (including shipping). Hello Fresh also offers a vegetarian plan starting at $9.08 per meal and a family plan starting at $8.75 per meal.  Check out their latest promotion.  $40 discount on your first two boxes, plus free delivery.  

Read more at: https://www.moneyunder30.com/meal-delivery-comparison

Popular companies:

• HelloFresh.
• Blue Apron.
• Marley Spoon.
• Freshly.
• Green Chef.
• Dinnerly.
• Plated.
• Home Chef.

Corelle Dinnerware

  The original break and chip resistant glass dinnerware. This dinnerware is made of Vitrelle, a  tempered glass product consisting of two types of glass laminated into three layers, which makes it almost break-proof.  It is also very lightweight making it a must-have for those suffering from ailments such as arthritis, osteoporosis or just the common ails of getting older.  Ordinary plates get heavy when piled with food and these plates are a winner for the senior populations, as well any age group.  In terms of durability, Corelle dinnerware is five stars.  Corelle Winter Frost White Dinnerware Set (18 Piece, Service for 6) $51.99.  

The Fire TV Stick 4K

Retired folks love their regular full cable television packages but a great addition would be the ability to watch thousands of free movies with an $8.99 Netflix subscription.  The Fire TV Stick 4K gives you even more. In addition, the Fire stick 4K allows you to enjoy a more complete 4K Ultra HD streaming experience.  It has the all-new Alexa voice remote. Finding 4K Ultra HD content has never been easier on Fire TV—just press and ask, “Alexa, find 4K movies,” or browse recommendations on your home screen.   

Now you can control your compatible TV, sound bar, and receiver with new power, volume, and mute buttons. Just press and ask to easily find, launch, and control movies and TV shows.

Connect to all of the following:

The Fire Stick 4 K with all- new Alexa Voice Remote, $34.99.  

The Echo Connect

The Echo connect provides the ability to call 911 by simply speaking out loud.  Along with Echo Connect and a compatible Alexa-enabled device, you can ask Alexa to call anyone using your home phone service—all you have to do is ask. Because Echo Connect uses your home phone number, either landline or VoIP, friends and family recognize the call. Answer your home phone on your Echo from across the room, so you can easily talk to anyone hands-free when you’re busy making dinner or not near the phone. When you receive a call from someone in your list of contacts, Alexa will announce who is calling. Echo Connect works with your compatible Alexa-enabled devices.   You must use this device along with one of the other devices listed below and a land line or VoIP.  $24.49.

Echo Connect – requires compatible Alexa-enabled device and home phone service

Medical Alert Device

If you are noticing that Mom or Dad is having difficulty getting around the home, then a medical alert device may be a great option.  The alert device is extremely lightweight (less than half an ounce) and can be worn around neck or wrist. It never needs to be charged.  You don’t necessarily need a land line if you get service through companies like, LifeStation’s In Home Medical Alert.  The best part is that you can opt for fall detection.  The fall detection sensor notifies the emergency center when it detects a fall.  It comes with free medical alert equipment, a free emergency button and 24/7 monitoring from certified and UL listed care specialists.  Standard packages start at $19.95 a month.