Need some ideas for nursing home resident gifts for Christmas.

Christmas socks, hand cream or lotion, coloring books

Try Making cloth bedside "pockets". These are about 1 1/2 ft long and about a foot wide. One end goes between the mattress and springs ( or whatever the mattress sits upon ) and the other end hangs down and has pockets. This allows them to keep things like a tv control or comb beside them in reach without being in the way. One important thing is to explain what this is. My mother loved these but had no idea what they were until shown.

Here are some ideas from residents who were asked at one facility:

What Do Seniors Want and Need?

Residents at the skilled nursing facility where my Mother and Auntie live were asked to fill out tags for their Christmas tree wish list. These were some of the top requests:

1. The gift of your time and a nice long visit, perhaps, to share a meal with them
2. Soft smelling lotions like Lubriderm; cologne spritzers
3. Fluffy socks and comfortable slippers, sweat suits, Santa hats
4. Personal cosmetic wipes, flush-able towelettes, air fresheners, Lysol
5. Mind Games like Scrabble, crossword puzzles, find-a-word and Sudoku puzzles
6. Homemade treats, candies, sugar free items, cookies
7. Bird Feeders and the seed to refill them
8. Compact discs of singers from their era (Frank Sinatra, Nat King Cole, Bing Crosby)
9. Photos of their loved ones, framed to hang on the wall (Surface space is limited).

Stuffed animals that remind them of beloved pets.

Large print books or puzzle books. Fun costume jewelry. Embroidered hankies. Shawls, lap quilts.

Make baskets with lotion,body wash ,shampoo,hand towels,bath sponges,a bath robe,slippers

Real cloth napkins, skin care, socks, manicures, hair cuts

I'd like to also suggest something to decorate their room that is not junk. For example, my granddaughter made me a quilling project that she did herself. What a great job! Who does quilling anymore? You could make a beautiful hand painted toilet paper roll painted flower on a fabric background. Look around for a unique pattern. Something bright and pretty that they will truly appreciate. If you've gotten to know them personally, you could tailor it to their likes. Other ideas include small hand painted scenery on canvas - if any of you can paint or follow a youtube.com lesson.

Something like these bottles painted and sprinkled with Epsom salts, then simple ' flowers ' coming out the top can be beautiful. Spray some ping-pong balls with silver paint and put them on a wire, chop stick or thin dowel will add beauty to the mix.

There are a few other really nice things on this page. In the box at the top lower right corner there is another painted bottle set. Look at how beautiful it looks with just the greens and a few red spikes. http://www.woohome.com/diy-2/45-budget-friendly-last-minute-diy-christmas-decorations

If you want to give personal care products, body wash is the one think they all need. Read this lady's story about how she gives them away to double the happiness. You could do this with anything.

https://www.southernplate.com/adoptnursinghomes/

I have been in a nursing home twice for rehab after hip surgeries. Call the facility(ies) and ask for suggestions.

Nice soap, lotion. Shower caps for ladies. Socks with no slip bottoms for males and females. Fancy hospital style gown for bed fast persons. Knit elastic waist pants. Nothing to sit, stand or clutter. Ask if they have DVD players - then old movies - with older stars. CDs if they have CD players in the facility, of 1940 big bands, Elvis, and 1950s music. Fancy lap robes

Here are several ideas that might help https://chascrazycreations.com/diys/re-purpose-up-cycle/gift-ideas/