13 Unexpected Gift Ideas for Women Over 60

I’ll be the first to admit that finding gift ideas for women over 60 is tough – even when you’re one yourself! As I’ve gotten a little older, I’ve started to notice that buying presents for my friends has become more difficult. Maybe women over 60 place less value on material things. Or, maybe our tastes simply change as we age.

1. A New Experience – Women over 60 are more adventurous than society wants us to think. How about offering a gift that will provide a new adventure?
2. Give the Gift of Beauty & Style – A gift card to her favorite store is a good idea if she loves to shop. Let her go pick out what she truly wants.
3. Give Her the Gift of Healthy Exploration – A park pass to explore and hike our national parks is a great gift that will get her out in nature.
4. Give Her a New Skill – Offer her a monthly subscription to online learning. She can learn cooking skills with professional chefs and creative writing with award-winning authors, and so much more.
5. Give Something a Little Risqué – We are never too old for a little spice in our lives. Gift her an erotica book or a personalized perfume.

Keep reading to discover the full list of gift ideas for women over 60.

What Are the Best Gift Ideas for Women Over 60, Really?

Fortunately, as the founder of Sixty and Me, a community of over 600,000 women over 60, I have plenty of people to turn to for ideas. So, to help you choose the perfect gift for the women over 60 in your life, I asked the other members of the community what they considered to be the best gifts.

Many of their answers were unexpected, and I hope that the information here helps you to choose a gift that your older friend, mother, sister, or grandmother will love.

Looking for the best birthday gifts for a woman over 70? See: 50 Gift Ideas for 70th Birthday.

Also, read WHAT ARE THE BEST GIFTS FOR GRANDMA… ACCORDING TO GRANDMAS?

First, a Few Words of Gift-Buying Advice

There’s a saying in medicine to “first do no harm,” and the same can be said for choosing presents for “older women.”

One of the worst things that you can do is to choose a gift based on aging stereotypes or, worse, “anti-aging” messages. So, before you start searching for cookware, skin cream, bath salts, or knitting wool, take the time to understand the unique personality of the special woman in your life.

Speaking of which, women over 60 want to own things that reflect their interests and personality. After six decades of gathering “stuff,” many of us are downsizing our lives and only have time for objects which we, in the words of William Morris: “know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful.” The last thing we want is more clutter around the house, just at a time when we’re trying to get organized.

So, if more “stuff” isn’t the answer, what is? Our passions. Most women over 60 have at least one or two things that they are crazy about. Some of us are collectors. Others have hobbies or activities that they couldn’t live without.

If you want to impress us, take the time to understand what is important in our lives.

When you do, you will give us two presents – the experience or object that you choose and the knowledge that you care enough to see us as people, not as a demographic.

One final piece of advice before I share some specific ideas – don’t feel like you need to spend a lot of money on gifts for women over 60. More than any other group, most of us appreciate the thought behind a gift. When in doubt, creating something that shows your love and attention will always make us happy.

So, all that said, here are a few unexpected gift ideas for women over 60:

Give Her a New Experience

Most women over 60 are more adventurous than you think. We’re certainly more adventurous than we are portrayed in the movies! While we still appreciate objects that are “useful or beautiful,” most of us are interested in filling our lives with as many experiences as we can.

Think about the special older woman in your life. Is there a unique place that she would love to go? Perhaps you could buy her a bus pass to go on a day trip or weekend adventure. Or, how about a massage, helicopter ride, or boat cruise?

30 Minute Private Luxury Helicopter Sightseeing Tour of Miami

I’m not saying that all women over 60 would love to take a helicopter ride. That’s not the point!

I’m simply saying that you shouldn’t eliminate adventurous options without thinking about her unique personality and interests first.

If you are looking for inspiration, check out Tinggly, an “experience” gift site. They offer a variety of unexpected “experiential” gift ideas, and there are plenty of similar sites throughout the world.

How about a walking food tour of New York City?

New York Private Walking Food Tour With Secret Food Tours

Or a food, wine, and history walking tour in Sonoma, California? 

#1 Sonoma Walking Food, Wine & History Tour (Small Groups)

Give the Gift of Beauty & Style

Despite what the many aging stereotypes might suggest, many women over 60 still love style and beauty products. Most of us love to present our unique personalities to the world through makeup and the clothes that we wear every day.

Once again, since women over 60 are as different as the stars in the sky, it’s difficult to suggest specific stores or products for you to purchase items or a gift certificate from. Some women love classical styles, while others have embraced vintage clothing.

Your best bet is to casually ask her where she loves to shop and present her with a gift card she can use in-store (if she prefers to go to a physical location) or online.

Need some clothing store inspiration? See: Best Clothing Stores for Women Over 50.

If she loves beauty products why not think of gifting her a subscription to a beauty box? Beauty boxes are monthly deliveries that are filled with new beauty products and cosmetics to try. It’s the gift that keeps on giving.

Read 5 BEST BEAUTY BOX SUBSCRIPTIONS FOR WOMEN OVER 50.

You can also get a gift card at a beauty megastore like Sephora or Ulta.

Give Her the Gift of Healthy Exploration

Nothing is more important after 60 than staying healthy. When you feel good in your body, you are more likely to stay social, explore, and pursue your passions.

At the same time, many women in their 60s find the idea of going to the gym about as exciting as the prospect of spending time in the dentist’s chair.

Fortunately, there are plenty of healthy gift options that don’t involve weights or running machines!

Consider getting her a National Parks Senior Pass – with 62 officially protected National Parks in 29 states providing hiking trails, picnic spots, camping spots and guided tours.

National Park Service

Give Her a New Skill

Women over 60 love to learn. Is there something that she has always wanted to do? Perhaps she keeps talking about learning how to cook a certain cuisine? Or, maybe she has always wanted to take an art class? Whether she is interested in sushi or oil painting, learning a new skill will be a gift that she will remember forever.

Master Class offers a variety of classes with professionals in numerous fields. A cooking class with Gordon Ramsey? Photography tips and tricks from Annie Leibovitz? Let her choose her new skill.

Read 3 SMART REASONS WHY LIFELONG LEARNING SUPPORTS LIVING A LONG AND SATISFYING LIFE.

Also, by offering an Apple App Store gift card (if she has an Apple phone) or a Google Play gift card (if she has an Android phone) she can download all the apps she wants. 

Read 10 GAME APPS FOR WOMEN OVER 60, 5 BEST AUDIOBOOK APPS, and 5 LANGUAGE APPS FOR WOMEN OVER 60.

Give Something a Little Risqué

If you are dating or married to this woman, she might appreciate a gift that touches on the sensual side. After all, another myth about older women is that they no longer care about sex or being desirable. Nothing could be further from the truth.

So, why not nourish her sensual side by giving her some fun lingerie or a risqué book like Fifty Shades of Grey, Sexy Shorts, or classic erotica like Delta of Venus by Anais Nin.

See also: Lingerie Guide for Older Women.

A slightly tamer, but no less sensual option, is to create a custom perfume just for her. Check out The Greatest Smell Ever for more details on how to create a customized perfume. These gift ideas for women over 60 aren’t for everyone, but you’ll know whether it makes sense.

Give Something Creative

The first step to choosing an “unexpected” gift is to abandon the tired stereotypes about what “older women” want. Once you take the time to truly understand her passions and personality, it’s time to apply your creative skills to choosing the perfect gift.

Can you give her a memory that she will keep with her for years to come? Don’t go for the lazy option. Even a hand-written card or homemade gift is better than a gift based on a tired cliché.

Also, think about taking an online art class with her. Stores like Michael’s offer in-store/online events and craft classes.

Get creative!

Read THE JOY OF HOMEMADE GIFTS AND CARDS.

Also read 45 BEST GIFTS FOR CRAFTERS.

Give Something Inspirational

Women in their 60s are often going through a particular challenge in life, whether it’s a divorce, the end of a career, or unexpected health problems. These women would be particularly appreciative of your love and support.

If she is going through a transition in her life, consider buying an inspirational book by authors such as Pema Chodron, Deepak Chopra, Tony Robbins, the Dalai Lama, Thích Nhất Hạnh, or Elizabeth Gilbert. 

How about an e-reader for the avid reader birthday girl?

Add a personalized hand-made candle to the package for women who like to meditate.

Once again, the physical gift is just a small part of the present. Giving the perfect gift is all about showing that you care!

Offer her wall art or art blocks to remind her daily how beautiful and loved she is.

Give Her the Gift of Music

Music has the power to evoke memories and provide comfort. Consider giving her a high-quality Bluetooth speaker or a subscription to a music streaming service like Spotify or Apple Music. If she has a favorite artist or genre, you could also gift her a vinyl record or CD collection. For those who love live music, tickets to a concert or a local music festival can be a wonderful gift.

Give Her the Gift of Personalized Jewelry

Personalized jewelry can be a deeply meaningful and cherished gift. Consider a piece of jewelry engraved with her initials, a special date, or a meaningful quote. Options like a birthstone necklace, a charm bracelet, or a custom-made ring can add a personal touch that she will treasure for years to come. Websites like Etsy offer a wide range of customizable jewelry options.

Give Her the Gift of Travel

For the travel enthusiast, consider gifts that make travel more comfortable or exciting. This could include a stylish and durable travel bag, a travel journal for her next destination, or a travel experience voucher. A membership to a travel club or a personalized travel map where she can mark her adventures can also be great gifts.

Read 5 BEST ANTI-THEFT TRAVEL BAGS FOR OLDER WOMEN.

Also read BEST WAY TO USE PACKING CUBES – YOU’LL NEVER TRAVEL WITHOUT THEM AGAIN!

Give Her a Digital Photo Frame Preloaded with Memories

Upload family photos, travel shots, or special memories to a digital photo frame before gifting it. It’s especially meaningful if she’s not tech-savvy. Set it up ahead of time so all she has to do is plug it in. Some models let you update photos remotely, so she gets surprise new moments added by loved ones throughout the year.

Give Her a Plant or Garden Subscription

Instead of traditional flowers, opt for something that keeps growing. A plant subscription box like The Sill or My Garden Box sends monthly greenery with care tips. If she has outdoor space, consider a raised herb garden kit or a curated seed collection tailored for her climate. Tending to plants has been shown to reduce stress and increase joy, especially when the results are delicious or beautiful.

Give the Gift of Volunteering

Many women over 60 find meaning through giving back. Offer to join her for a day of volunteering together at an animal shelter, food bank, or local library. Or give her a donation made in her name to a cause she’s passionate about. You could even arrange a “volunteer vacation” experience if she’s feeling adventurous and wants to combine travel with purpose.

Read more: Volunteer Travel for the over 50’s – Giving Back While Seeing the World.

There are many gift ideas for women over 60. Just remember to make your choice personal, creative, and insightful. When you take the time to pick something personal, you show how much you really care. And, at the end of the day, that’s all that women over 60 want!

Read WHAT ARE THE BEST NEW GRANDMA GIFTS? YOU MAY BE SURPRISED!

Also read WHAT ARE THE BEST 50TH BIRTHDAY GIFTS FOR WOMEN?

Let’s Have a Conversation:

What do you think are the best gift ideas for women over 60? What’s the best gift you’ve received recently? Please leave a comment below and let us know.