Editor’s Note: Consider current Covid regulations before purchasing any travel or event related gifts.

Giving and receiving Christmas gifts is a great source of pleasure. I know I like offering gifts as much as I enjoy getting them.

It’s never been easier to do purchases online and have them delivered to your door or directly shipped to the person you are gifting. This year especially has had many of us turn to online shopping, even for groceries and basic necessities.

So, if spending hours in a shopping mall a few weeks prior to Christmas is stressing you out, don’t hesitate to shop online. So many businesses have made it simple and hassle-free to buy on their websites.

If you’re like me, receiving a bunch of trinkets and things that will create clutter in your home isn’t fun. Think of gifts that have more meaning and that will enhance your family member or friend’s life. More like giving the gift of experiences instead of things.

So, what do women want for Christmas? Read on for suggestions if you’re at a loss about what to get the special women in your life this Christmas. If you’re looking for a gift for your wife, explore our ideas here.

Great Christmas Gift Ideas for Older Women

Event Tickets

We all have our favorite types of events that we enjoy attending. Some may like to go to sporting events, others to theater or opera nights, and others may like to see live music. Whatever it is, we often don’t splurge on ourselves in regards to entertainment.

How about buying tickets to her favorite event? Get one for yourself as well if you want to join her. Otherwise, get her 2 tickets and she can invite a favorite person.

Seeing a live performance is a great way to create and share memories. She can save the ticket stub as a reminder of the great Christmas gift she got.

Online Courses

Taking online courses has become very trendy these days. It’s never been easier to join a Zoom classroom and learn something new or browse videos at our own pace.

Does this special woman in your life like to do yoga? Does she have an interest in photography? Do you think she wants to learn how to make Italian pasta? The sky’s the limit when it comes to learning online.

Whatever her interests, there are loads of courses out there to choose from. Websites like Master Class offer thousands of video courses given by masters in a variety of fields. She can learn creative writing from Margaret Atwood herself, or learn all about conservation from Dr. Jane Goodall.

You can purchase a one-year subscription, and she can gain access to numerous classes that she can take at her own pace throughout the year.

Websites like Udemy and LinkedIn Learning are other great places where you can choose from thousands of online video courses.

We’re never too old to learn new things. I learned Spanish in my late 40s, and it was a very enriching experience. I also learned how to macramé from a local woman who gives private classes online.

Check your local teachers, many of them have turned to online teaching this year. They usually will accept PayPal or direct deposit payments.

Trips

Who doesn’t love to go on a vacation! Getting plane tickets to a fabulous destination is definitely on the top of my wish list for Christmas. Maybe she would enjoy a cruise she could take next year? Maybe she would enjoy a day-trip to a local winery?

Trips don’t have to be extravagant, expensive, or long. Making a reservation for a weekend get-away nearby is just as exciting. And given the circumstances this year, it may be wise to keep travel plans locally.

One Christmas several years ago, my parents bought us all a 1-week all-expense paid trip to Disneyland. The grandchildren got to spend a wonderful week with their grandparents, and we created memories that can’t ever be replaced.

Also, if she’s a traveler, she probably likes to receive travel related items like luggage, packing cubes, and cool personalized luggage tags.

*Due to the ongoing global pandemic, always check travel advisories and health risks before booking any international travels.

Donations

How about making a donation to her favorite cause in her name? This can be a monetary donation to an international fundraising event or a donation of needed items to a local women’s shelter.

Websites like Global Giving help to connect nonprofits to donors in almost every country in the world. Choose a cause and donate as much as you want.

I first saw this at a friend’s wedding a few years ago. Instead of the typical wedding bonbonniere that guests are given they had a donation from every table at the reception made to WWF, their favorite climate and animal welfare organization.

That same year I used the same concept for my Christmas gift-giving. It feels good to know you are helping those in need.

Restaurant Voucher

Do you know what her favorite restaurant is? Has she told you about a new restaurant that she would like to try?

Given the global situation, many restaurants are struggling at the moment, and some of them are now offering vouchers that people can enjoy at a later date. This way, you can be supporting a local business and providing a nice meal experience for your special woman.

Gift Cards

Some may think that offering a gift card can be slightly impersonal. Honestly, though, I enjoy receiving gift cards to my favorite store and heading out to get exactly what I want and need.

Does she like to do crafts? Is she a fashionista? Make a day of it if you enjoy shopping as well. Go with her on her shopping spree.

Also, she can get to take advantage of the after-Christmas sales!

Something Homemade

There’s something special about receiving something that someone made with their own hands just for you. This can be a freshly baked batch of Christmas cookies, a knitted scarf, or a creative card.

No matter what it is, it’s sure to put a smile on her face.

Something Handmade

Now, if you’re not creative and not a good baker, you can always purchase something that someone else made by hand.

Etsy is a great website that offers artistic people the opportunity to sell their handmade items online. You can find household items, fashion goods, skincare products, and so much more, all while supporting independent sellers.

An Experience

Do you know of something that is on her bucket list that you can provide her with? Has she always wanted to go for a helicopter ride? Does she dream of going skydiving?

This is for the more adventurous women out there. Make sure that she really wants to go skydiving before you get her a ticket to go jump out of an airplane.

Local Arts and Crafts

Many communities hold Christmas fairs and events just before the holidays (but, unfortunately, this year may be different).

This is a place where artisans go to sell and promote their art. You can purchase something unique or you can make contacts with artists that can create an exclusive and personalized gift for her. How about a painted family portrait?

Personalized Gifts

Nothing says thoughtful more than a personalized gift. Perhaps she loves jewelry and would appreciate a personalized necklace. It could be personalized with her name, or the name of a special person to her. If she’s a foodie, a personalized apron or set of chopsticks could make the perfect gift. Almost anything these days can be personalized with a name or special message.

Share these Gift Ideas for Women

You can forward this article to your partner or family members if you think that they are struggling with ideas about what to get you for Christmas.

Do you like any of these ideas? Do you have any to add? What’s your idea of the perfect gift for older women? Have you ever gotten a gift that you didn’t like at all? What was it? Let’s have a conversation!