Get ready to unwrap 100 gift ideas for independent adults

Gifts for empty nesters, retirees and anyone who is prioritizing their freedom and independence should ease the challenges of life without reminding anyone they are "old"!

We have curated our favorite gift ideas for this holiday season and placed them on our Linktree site, which you can find by clicking the "Shop Now" button to the right.  But before you start shopping, here is a review of some of what you will find and why we think these ideas are golden. 


First stop, Kitchen & Dining. Because nothing says “I care” like helping someone avoid a third-degree burn or a severed digit while multitasking pasta and garlic bread. Think tableware that can survive a drop without shattering into a thousand regrets, OXO easy-grip tools that don’t require a wrestling match and small appliances, like Instant Pot, that allow you to step away for that important scene on TV because they have timers and automatic shutoff.


Don't overlook Tech Gadgets. Even golden adults want to stay connected and current.  We’re talking smart, simple, sanity-saving tech. An Echo Show that can call friends and family or turn on the lights. An Apple Watch that tracks steps and heartbeats (and sends reminders to stand up every once in a while). AirTags to find the keys that like to play hide-and-seek. And more.  If your loved one doesn't have a cell phone or doesn't feel confident with mobile apps, offer to load controls of these tech devices onto your phone.  It would be a great help and a reason to call every once in a while! 


Consider signing your loved one up for Subscriptions & Services, because sometimes the best gift is convenience. Audible for those that enjoy a narrator, Kindle Unlimited for the page-turners, and Amazon Prime for the “I need it right away” crowd. Toss in a grocery delivery service and you’ve just gifted someone a day free from shopping and a chance to binge read War and Peace!


Retirement doesn’t mean you stop moving, it just means you move smarter, so consider one of our Fitness gift ideas to support your loved one's fitness goals. Gaiam Stretch bands that don’t snap like rubber chickens and exercise mats that cushion aging joints, and Owala water bottles that actually keep water cold. Bonus points if you gift ankle and wrist weights that can turn any everyday activity into a fitness routine.


Don't just consider exercise for the body, Books & Games are necessary to challenge your loved one's brain too.  Whether it’s a Kindle Paperwhite for the avid reader, puzzle books for the Sudoku savants, or Hasbro classic board games that spark nostalgia, and maybe even some healthy competitiveness, these gifts keep minds sharp and fit. And these activities are good for the soul too!  Whether they socialize over a board game or share a review of a new favorite novel with a friend, gifting books or games helps your loved one stay connected and confident as they age.


There is a shift with Clothes & Shoes as we head through retirement. Our gift ideas focus on comfy, easy-care and durable fabrics, slippers that don’t slip, and sweaters that feel like hugs. But we don't redo the whole closet.  Our gift ideas are focused on pjs that really help sleep, indoor and outdoor layers to stay warm or protect from the sun and pockets! to minimize reaching for the keys or the remote.


Our Home & Bath gift ideas are all about safety and ease. Cordless lamps that don’t trip you up, electric scrubbers that make cleaning feel like a power move, and Dyson cordless stick vacuums that make cleaning a breeze. Acrylic storage bins? Yes, please. They’re clear, sturdy, and stylish.


Sleep. Glorious, uninterrupted sleep is quite a gift. Consider a sound machine that whispers ocean waves, a weighted blanket that helps you feel snug, and Tempur-Pedic pillows that don’t flatten into pancakes. Add a lavender reed diffuser and you’ve basically gifted a spa night every night.


Some older adults still like playing in the dirt.  Our gift ideas for the Yard & Garden include solar lights that make the yard magical, kneelers that save knees, and rolling carts that carry tools, snacks, and maybe a small dog. Non-slip grip tools are a must for an avid gardener. And if you can't get your loved one out of the snow, consider a snow blower, if you're willing to splurge.


And last, but certainly not least, we have gift ideas to get your loved one out of the house and out of town.  Because retirement isn’t the end of the road, it’s the beginning of a thousand scenic detours. Our Travel and Adventure gift ideas include easy glid Away luggage, packing cubes that organize, and foldable walking sticks that say, “Let’s get going!” Reusable hand warmers? Yes. Water sling? Absolutely. Toss in our suggested Fodors Bucket List USA book to trigger some inspiration.


We are so excited to share our detailed gift list with you in our Linktree which you can find at the "shop now" button.  You'll find over 100 gift ideas that go beyond the usual socks and scented candles. Whether you’re shopping for a parent, grandparent, friend, or yourself (hey, we always support treating yourself!), these gifts are about comfort, joy, and making everyday life a little easier, and a lot more fun.

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  • Yellow yoga mat rolled up on a wooden floor.

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  • Hand holding a smartphone displaying social media apps: Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, etc.

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  • Kitchen utensils hanging on a metal bar: spatula, whisk, tongs, ladle, and pasta server.

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  • Pile of light-colored dominoes with black dots, scattered on a wooden surface.

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  • Person in light gray robe with hand in pocket, black background.

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  • Person potting plants with gardening tools and soil.

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  • Person packing luggage; hands holding open travel cube with rolled socks.

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  • Gray pull-out kitchen drawer with clear containers, mostly white lids, inside a white cabinet.

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  • Close-up of three playing cards: Jack of Spades, Queen of Spades, and King of Spades.

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  • Lit, white smart LED lightbulb with a Wi-Fi symbol.

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  • Christmas tree, decorated with ornaments, lights, and garland.

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  • Yellow pillow on gray sofa with a small lamp on a glass table in front of stairs.

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  • Silver Ring video doorbell mounted on a textured, gray wall.

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  • Ring security system base station with a glowing blue ring on a dark surface.

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  • Two small gray dumbbells and a gray ankle weight on a blue mat.

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  • Blue aroma diffuser with reeds on a white countertop.

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  • Navy blue pajama set with white piping on a bed with a coral print.

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  • A packaged red fire blanket on a white table in a well-lit room.

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  • Bedroom with wooden bed, desk, art, macrame, and plants; neutral tones.

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  • Gold Christmas ornaments on white fluff, with string lights and blurred background.

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  • Food steamer on a white counter with two black containers and a measuring cup.

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  • Keys with purple Apple AirTag on a wooden surface.

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  • Open notebook with blue pen on a weathered wooden surface.

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  • Man with gray hair and beard exercising with resistance band on a track.

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  • White smart display showing weather forecast, sitting on a black surface next to a small white device.

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  • Solar path lights illuminate a stone walkway beside a house and shrubbery at night.

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  • Black and brown Leki folding trekking pole set on a light-colored countertop.

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  • Brown cardigan sweater with buttons, hanging on a hanger against an orange backdrop.

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  • Silver Instant Pot on a white countertop in a kitchen with wood cabinets.

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  • White quilted pillow on a bed with orange quilt and wooden headboard.

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Find links to all gift ideas at our Linktree site

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