This is mom's first year in assisted living. How do you handle Christmas gifts - did you just stop cold turkey? (Mom has 7 children with spouses and over 25 grandchildren. She used to buy for them all. Last year, I purchased gift cards for her seven children/spouses and bought a few toys for the grandchildren who lived beside her.)
If she wants to and can afford it, maybe sitting down with her at a computer and shopping at someplace that has a huge variety of things, such as Amazon, would allow her to participate in picking things out.
If she needs to cut back but still wants to do something, maybe she could give everyone -- adults and kids -- a silly pair of holiday socks, or each household a nice calendar.
If gift-giving really is no longer practical, stopping cold-turkey is perfectly acceptable.
gift giving by the caregiving child.
I did the gift giving my dad had established through his 93rd yr but really it didn't make sense. He wanted to continue but guess who had to factor in
gift giving, running to the bank for funds on top of caring for him and decorating the house which he did enjoy. He loved Christmas. He had enough money to give the gifts so I did comply but it was an added burden which took up much need time.
Perhaps a compromise, give nice Hallmark Christmas cards and small gift certificates to some place nearby?? Do whatever you can to keep it simple.
Being a caregiver, your time is so important you can't afford to run from store to store--continue some shopping online with direct delivery to the gifted person. (You can't be standing in post office lines while running up a home health aide bill on the home front).
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