If you have a friend or family member who spends the majority of their time caring for a loved one, then you know just how important they are, and it is only natural for you to want to give them a gift during the holiday season that will make an impact. While gift giving seems like a very daunting task, it doesn’t have to be, especially when you have our handy guide to help you out. If you are a caregiver, and you find this article helpful, feel free to share it with friends and family!
Celebrate the holidays, family, and all of the things that are important to you by shopping for gifts that make the family caregiver in your life know they’re supported.
Give the Gift of Breaks!
When a family caregiver spends the majority of their time caring for someone else, it can be very taxing. The stress often impacts caregivers both mentally and physically, this makes breaks very important. These breaks give them time to rest, relax, recharge, and prioritize themselves for a while. So, give the caregiver in your life the gift of a break by committing to helping with a specific task on a regular basis.
An example might be, “I’ll take over grocery shopping once a month.” No matter how much time you have to give, it will be appreciated. If you live farther away, or you can’t find a way to help in person, consider a gift card to help pay for in-home care or respite care for your loved one so the main caregiver can still have some time off each week.
Make it a Date!
Family caregivers can often feel lonely, isolated, and unappreciated. If there is a caregiver in your life who spends the majority of their free time with a loved one, chances are they don’t have much time for a social life. The issue is that maintaining relationships outside of the caregiving environment is very important! So, give the gift of a friendly coffee date. This can include gift cards to their favorite coffee shop, and FaceTime or Zoom calls each week to make sure that the caregiver you care about is still getting in some conversation that is meaningful.
Deep Relaxation!
Family caregivers are often in a stressful situation, which makes relaxation more important than anything else. If you’re ready to give the family caregiver in your life the gift of deep relaxation, you may consider making a spa date or gifting them a massage gift certificate.
If you don’t want your certificate to go to waste though, you may consider ensuring that they have the time to go to the spa or get a massage by volunteering to stay with your loved one while they go, or by including a gift card that pays for a day of adult day-care or in-home help so that they can feel free to leave and relax.
Comfort Food!
Are you a meal prep guru? Often family caregivers go many hours before feeding themselves because they’re so busy trying to get everything taken care of for their loved ones. Often times the inability to eat well can cause caregivers extra stress because they lack the vitamins and minerals, they need to do their job well. If you want a gift that is simple and easy to do, load up their freezer with amazing nutritious meals that they can easily re-heat in the microwave. Taking meal-prep off your caregiver’s list of things to do is the wonderful gift that goes beyond nutrition, it saves them time, and brings them comfort.
Speaking of Food…
If the family caregiver in your life is overwhelmed, they may not have much time for themselves, let alone their spouse, children, or friends. If meal-prep is not your forte, then you may consider getting the caregiver in your life a nice night out with their friends or family. Combine a gift card for their favorite restaurant with a gift card for in-home care that allows them an evening to themselves. You might be amazed at what an evening out can do to help them feel cherished and appreciated.
Hopefully, this guide helps you with some great ideas for the caregiver in your life who does so much for their loved ones. If you still feel like you need more ideas, don’t forget that Homewatch CareGivers of Ellicott City is here for you. It is always a privilege to provide our clients and community with compassionate and professional assistance. Don’t hesitate to contact us today if you have more questions or keep browsing our website for more information.
