There are so many practical gift ideas (and creativity is not absent here)...
What is he running out of? (An elderly relative on a fixed income might like to be taken out to dinner, but what he really needs might be a roll of stamps, or a case of cat food.)
What needs to be repaired? (A single mom in her own house would like the popcorn balls, sure - but what she really needs is to have her plumbing fixed!)
What needs replacing? (An author might indeed appreciate the offer to weed his flower beds, but what he really needs is a new thesaurus because his - from 1960 - is falling apart.)
What does she need help with? (If her unbalanced checkbook preys on her mind, give her a coupon for a monthly balancing act! The elderly often rather desperately need help with housework... give a coupon for your own work, or perhaps you can afford to hire it done monthly for a year?)
Your sensitivity to what someone really needs will be greatly appreciated (assuming your offering isn’t too private or likely to be seen as patronizing). Remember, it’s not what you think she needs that matters... If she feels she needs a night at the opera more than a new nightgown, take her to the opera!
Think how great an impact your gift of pet health insurance could have for an elderly pet owner on a pension (or simply get a gift certificate to the critter’s vet).
A friend of mine gives me the gift of proofing what I write - it’s fabulous.
Then you may know someone with such a deep need for uplift that a Twelve Gifts of Christmas effort is in order... Possibly your family or a group of friends would like to do this, for someone who is depressed, grieving, facing a severe illness or disappointment: On the first day of Christmas (i.e., 11 days prior to the 24th), leave a single gift on the doorstep (or have someone unknown to the recipient deliver the present - if possible, singing the first line of the song!: "...my good friends gave to me, a [whatever the gift is]!"). The next day, deliver two gifts; etc. Each gift idea will be different depending on the person's personality and situation; none have to be expensive; at least occasional humor helps. ...And the expectation of all 12 days' treats is uplifting in itself! No one will forget this year...
Or find someone in great need of financial and/or other help and round up friends or family to be that person's "secret Santa" for the holidays, providing necessities in advance of Christmas - like cash, so that the person can purchase gifts for others. Other options would be pre-wrapped gifts (or gifts plus wrapping paper) for the person's kids/grandkids, gift certificates to stores or restaurants, frozen cookie dough, stamps and Christmas cards, even sending over prepaid repair or yard cleanup people as needed. Again, you can have someone unknown to the recipient deliver the gift package if you'd like to remain anonymous. Either way, this is the kind of present that tends to get passed on in some fashion - so the gift is even bigger than you might think.
