4th of July

Celebrating the 4th of July with a senior citizen should be a relaxed day, full of family fun. Set out a pretty picnic with easy summer fare such as hamburgers and hot dogs. I used to take particular care to fix my parents their favorite breakfasts on the 4th of July – Dad got pickled herring (yes, really) and Mom had coffee, toast and eggs served to her in bed on a pretty melamine tray.

Since the 4th of July and Memorial Day are both red, white and blue themed, you’ll find many more gifts for the elderly on my Memorial Day post. But, here’s some additional gifts I found on Amazon.com that will bring your favorite senior citizen into the 4th of July spirit.

4th of July Grilling Gift Baskets: My Dad used to love to grill – he’d grill anything and everything. Each year, I’d give him a gift basket made especially for a griller. Dad loved the Jim and Jack together basket as he owned a bar/liquor store (Town Hall Liquors in College Park, MD) and appreciated the Jack Daniel’s barbecue items.

 Jim & Jack Together At Last Grilling Gift Basket Art of Appreciation Gift Baskets Billy Joes Grilling on the Go Barbeque Basket Jack of All Trades Gourmet Grilling Basket Lynchburg Tennessee Whiskey BBQ & Grilling Sampler ‘Hit the Sauce’ Gourmet Gift Basket for Thrilling Grilling

Meal Protectors

As helpful as a cloth meal protector is (please don’t call them ‘bibs’ in front of the elderly), it was hard to get my Mom to buy into the idea as it was, well, a bib. Until I found a cute meal protector on Amazon.com. All of a sudden, she was the hit of the party!

If you have an elderly loved one who is resisting the idea of wearing a meal protector while eating that 4th of July barbecue, this might be the exact right time to introduce one. If it were me, I’d buy a bunch of the napkin clips and the cloth napkins and ask everyone to wear one. That way, your elderly loved one will not be the only one standing out in the crowd. Hopefully, he or she will find the pleasure in finishing a messy meal and finding themselves still clean. Hey, couldn’t hurt to try!

You can check out my accompanying article – Adult Mealtime Protectors – for more ideas.

 JustCare Adult Bib Protector Waterproof Backing & Optional Crumb Catcher (3 Pack) Bluecell Pack of 2 Adjustable Napkin Clip Lanyard Neck Strap for Elderly/adult/baby Adult Bibs, 100% Cotton, 3-Pack (18X30, Blue) Black Adult Bib with Fancy Faux Pearl Necklace “One Cool Dude” Adult Bib for “Cool” Seniors Granny Jo Products Clothing Protector (Pink Zinnias)

Misting Fans Cool Your Elderly Loved One

John bought me one a misting fan for use with my travel trailer but, in hindsight, a misting fan would have been great to have when I was caring for my elderly Mom. We spent many wonderful hours on the back deck, but, when it was too hot out, even with the umbrella shading Mom, in we would go. A misting fan would have dropped the ambient temperature by as much as 20 degrees and kept us both comfortable.

I prefer the misting fans that are self contained and have their own water reservoir; otherwise, you’ll need to have a water hookup nearby. That’s fine for outdoor use but, if you want to use a misting fan in, say, an elderly loved one’s bedroom, the mister should be self contained.

 iEGrow Handheld USB Mini Misting Fan with Personal Cooling Humidifier(Blue) SPT SF-241WM Personal Hand-Held Misting Fan, Set of 2 Lasko 7050 Misto Outdoor Misting Fan SKNBC® Carabiner Water Misting Fan Portable Mini Fan 3 Piece Set Soleus Air MT1-19-32, Humidibreeze Portable Misting System O2Cool Deluxe Misting Fan, Transparent Purple

Patriotic Jewelry for Mom or Grandma

Jewelry is always a fun gift to give and receive and these 4th of July themed brackets, earrings, and necklaces are sure to bring a smile to the face of the receiver.

 cocojewelry USA American Flag Patriotic Red Blue Rectangle Stud Earrings Jewelry USA American Flag Stars Patriotic 4th of July Independence Day Pendant Necklace & Dangle Earrings Set American Heart 4th of July Star Spangled Red White and Blue Flag Stud Earrings in Heart Shape- Rhinestone Crystals with Red & White Enamel Stripes, Blue Stars USA American Flag Heart Patriotic 4th of July Independence Day Pendant Necklace & Dangle Earrings Set Linpeng Fiona Hand Painted Glass Beads Stretch Bracelet, USA Flag Linpeng E-24/25 Fiona Hand Painted USA Flag Patriotic Glass Beads Earrings, 2-Pair

Patriotic Hats

Keep the sun off your elderly loved one’s head and turn them into a party decoration at the same time with one of these patriotic themed hats.

 American Flag Fedora Hat, Patriotic Summer Cap w/ Stars and Stripes Design HDE USA American Flag Stingy Short Brim Trilby Fedora Hat Cap Fun Express FX IN-15/432-1 Patriotic Sequin Cowboy Hat tiara marabou patriotic HAT TOP PATRIOTIC FANCY Uncle Sam Hat – Stars & Stripes Stove Pipe Design – Keeps Shape – Celebrate USA

American Bow Ties and Suspenders

Before giving this gift to your elderly father or grandfather, make sure they’re ok with wearing the American flag. Some of our elderly think that the flag is sacred and should only be flown. Regardless, I love these patriotic suspenders!

 FBT-FLAG – Red – White – Blue – American Flag Self Tie Bow Tie Custom LeatherCraft 110USA Heavy Duty USA Flag Elastic Suspender American Flag Men’s Bow Tie USA Patriotic BOWTIE

Put some Goody bags together with treats for Grandpa and his friends

Add some sugar-free candy (that covers everyone), a few little American flags, or whatever else you can fit inside these patriotic goody bags as party favors at your 4th of July party.

 Patriotic Goody Bag Assortment (3 dz) Patriotic Cellophane Bags Paper Fireworks Patriotic Treat Bags – 1 Dozen – 4th of July Independance Day U.S. Toy Fourth of July Patriotic 12 Packs 6pc Favor Bags Red White Blue

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