It's never too early to shop for the holidays, and given the off-and-on efficiency of shipping services during the COVID-19 pandemic, being prepared ahead of time may be an especially good idea this year.
Loved ones with older relatives and friends in assisted living communities might wonder what would make a good gift this season — or for any special occasion. You also don't need to wait for a holiday or birthday to send someone a gift to show your love and appreciation for them. A small care package can be a great way to show an older adult that you're thinking about them.
For seniors of faith, a new Bible might be a wonderful gift. Here are some Bibles you might consider gifting an older loved one in your life, whether or not they've made the move to a senior living community.
Seniors Devotional Bible: NIV Paperback. This NIV Bible features large print, making it easier to read for those with minor vision challenges or who rely on progressive or bifocal/trifocal lenses. It also contains 52 weekly devotionals written with a senior worldview in mind, making it a great gift for someone in your life who likes to read through the Bible once a year. The paperback version makes the Bible lighter and easier to carry around than a hardback and also makes it a budget-friendly choice.
The Talking Bible. This electronic device can be used with or without headphones to listen to the ESV version of the Bible on audio. It's simple and straightforward to operate, and the audio can't be accidentally erased, recorded over or altered, making it a choice for older adults who have trouble seeing or reading the written word and who want a simple way to hear the Bible instead. You can find the Talking Bible in versions other than the ESV as well to suit personal preferences.
Journal the Word Bible. This NIV Bible has extra-wide margins where readers can jot down notes and devotional thoughts or create sketches and doodles while they study Scripture. You can find journal Bibles in all types of versions, and they make a great gift for someone who enjoys writing or drawing or just likes to make notes in their Bible.
The Beautiful Word Coloring Bible. This Bible also has wide margins for note-taking or drawing, but it's embellished with hundreds of verses presented in line art to be colored and decorated. This Bible also includes a ribbon marker and comes with thick pages to help reduce bleed-through of ink for note-taking and coloring. The one downside is that it has small 8-point font so that the entire NIV version of the Bible can fit in the book along with those extras.
Every Man's Bible. This NLT translation of the Bible comes in an elegant imitation leather binding and includes resources for study, such as charts, notes and introductions to each of the books. The notes are geared toward men and include profiles of men from Scripture and what the reader can learn from their stories.
There are literally thousands of Bibles on the market, and you can find one that might be meaningful for any Christian senior in your life. Start with the suggestions above and browse until you find something you think your loved one would enjoy using.
If your loved one already has enough Bibles to fill the shelves of their assisted living apartment or they're partial to a family Bible, you might consider gifting Bible study supplies instead. Some options include:
• A lighted magnifying glass reader. These devices help those with visual challenges read smaller print — which is common in Bibles. You can get handheld options or those that sit on a table above the book seniors are reading.
• Bible study writing instruments. Splurge on high-quality pens or highlighters that are designed specifically for writing in Bibles. They usually have ink that is less likely to bleed through the thin pages of many Bibles and come in a variety of colors so older adults can enjoy color-coding their thoughts as they read Scripture.
• Book of the Bible tabs. You can search on Amazon or Etsy for a variety of Bible tab sets. Choose items that match your loved one's personality or come in their favorite colors or themes. You can also browse Christian bookstores if you want to see the tabs in person before you buy them.
• Bible study journal. If you know your older loved one makes a lot of notes as they study the Bible, consider purchasing a nice notebook or journal for them. You can find journals with Scripture themes or just gorgeous notebooks that your friend or family member will enjoy using.
Whether you're buying a gift for an older adult of faith who lives with you or one who lives independently in their own home or an assisted living apartment, a Bible or Bible study supplies can be a great way to show you care.
