Gift guide for caregivers

Whether it’s for a holiday, a special milestone, or just any other Tuesday, giving a gift to a caregiver in your life is a great way to say, “I appreciate everything you do.” 

Giving a gift doesn’t have to be expensive or elaborate. It’s the thought that counts. There are a lot of great gift ideas to choose from. Here’s a helpful guide that can help you choose a gift that’s thoughtful, practical, and supportive.

Caregivers give so much of their time, love, and energy, and a gift can be a great way to recognize that. As the gift giver, where do you begin?  

Well, for starters, the fact that you want to show your appreciation will mean a lot. 

Here are some questions to ask yourself as you brainstorm caregiver gift ideas: 

• What do they seem to need most right now? 

• What are their personal interests or hobbies outside of caregiving? 

• What would make them feel seen, appreciated, or valued for what they do? 

These questions can help get the wheels in your head turning, but let’s go one step further and look at some tangible and meaningful gift ideas: 

Caregiving can range from a few dedicated hours a week to round-the-clock care. Whatever the situation, providing care can require a lot of emotional and physical energy. Giving the gift of time off can be one of the most meaningful gifts you can give. A break from their duties, for a weekend, a day, or a few hours, can give the caregiver in your life the chance to rest and recharge.  

Food never fails. Remember the last time someone made you a meal? It’s one of the best (and tastiest) ways to tell someone “thank you.” 

If you love being in the kitchen, great — get cooking. To everyone else who might only be comfortable boiling water for ramen noodles — don’t worry. You can always order food from a restaurant or team up with a friend or relative who enjoys cooking.

Caregiving may be a meaningful part of a caregiver’s identity, but it’s only one part of who they are. Supporting their hobbies, interests, or something they’d like to try shows you see them for all of who they are. 

You can get pretty creative with gifts for someone’s hobbies. All that is important is thinking of things they like to do. Maybe gifting a book because they love to read, an at home fitness subscription because they love to work out, or a pottery making class because they have always wanted to try it.

There are a lot of great tools out there for caregivers that can make great gifts and also simplify someone’s life. These can include: 

• Digital calendars and planners 

• Medication trackers 

• Smart watches 

• In-home monitoring devices 

If you’re gifting technology, consider helping with setup. Sometimes the real gift is being the “tech support.”

Who doesn’t love getting a box of goodies? There are two great avenues you can go here:  

Make a care package 

What does the caregiver in your life love? Chocolate? Scented candles? High-end pens and pencils? Putting together a care package can be one of the best ways to let a professional caregiver know you appreciate them and all that they do. 

Subscription box 

You can give the gift that keeps on giving with a subscription box. There are all kinds of boxes you can sign up for with different treats and themes, such as snacks from Japan, self-care items, artisanal meats, mystery games, and more. 

Some services allow you to send a single box, while others can be scheduled over the course of several months. 

A gift card can give the caregiver in your life the freedom to choose something that works for them. You might want to consider gift cards to: 

• Grocery stores 

• Coffee shops 

• Gas stations  

• Cleaning services 

• Meal delivery or takeout

Not all gifts have to come in a box or a card. A great way to support the caregiver in your life is to offer a helping hand. You can offer: 

• Household chores (cleaning, lawn maintenance) 

• Driving the older adult they care for to appointments or events 

• Shovel snow (depending on your location) 

• Car detailing 

Caregiving can make everyday tasks pile up. Having a person lift even one of those responsibilities can make all the difference. 

Here are some helpful tips to use when you give a gift to a caregiver:

Many caregivers can be so used to providing care that it might be hard for them to ask for help or even feel comfortable accepting it when it’s offered.  

Instead of asking “what do you need?” or “can I help?” try offering something specific paired with a clear option to accept. For example, you can ask: “I’d like to drop off dinner this week — would Tuesday or Wednesday work better for you?” or “I’m free on Thursday. Can I sit with your dad for a while so you can have some time for yourself?” 

This approach is respectful, but also proactive. It makes clear you want to do something nice for them and gives them the ability to accept help without feeling like a burden. 

You might not always get a “yes,” and that’s OK. Just remember you can always follow up with another offer to help out another time. 

While tickets to a show or a gift card to a spa are great gifts, it’s not always easy for caregivers to take time off so, if appropriate, try to couple the gift with an offer to spend time with the older adult they care for. 

Checking in can mean a lot to a caregiver. Whether it’s a text or a phone call, supporting a caregiver can be as simple as asking “how are you doing?” It might also give you an idea of other ways you can support them. 

Caregiving takes heart, strength, and more unseen effort than people might realize. A thoughtful gift on a special day or for no occasion at all can remind a caregiver that they’re appreciated, they’re supported, and they’re not alone. 

Whether you’re gifting time, a meal, or a heartfelt message, what matters most is letting the caregiver in your life know they deserve care too.