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Something I’ve noticed as I get older is that the gifts I receive tend to be more useful, and less fun. This year, I say it’s time to rebalance the scales and give the older adults in your life a gift that checks both boxes.
Smart tech is a great way to do this. There are a lot of gadgets out there that can provide a light assist and some added fun for your parents or grandparents as they pursue their hobbies or around-the-house activities. Here’s what I’d pick for my own parents.
A smart bird feeder
You don’t typically sell someone on the concept of a birdfeeder by talking about the feeder itself, but when people see the photos and videos a smart feeder can deliver, they become instant evangelists. Given that many older folks already love birdwatching, a good smart bird feeder is aperfect gift.
The concept isn’t any different from a regular bird feeder. Smart feeders come in different formats for hummingbirds and songbirds, and depending on which you choose, you put different food into them. In either case, the feeder delivers notifications when birds are eating, as well as a daily summary of how many visitors you got. The cameras capture images and video that will make anyone giggle.
While there are many smart bird feeders on the market, I recommend going with a Bird Buddy feeder. While they are a little tricky to pair with Bluetooth the first time, once up and running, they work great. I recommend getting a feeder with solar panels, so you don’t have to worry about batteries, and I think the hummingbird feeder is particularly well designed—I’ve been evjoying the videos mine captures every day.
A TV-mounted smart camera for better video calls
At this point, most people have a smart TV, and most smart TVs have the ability to add a webcam. If you do, you can make Zoom, Google Meet, and other video calls from your TV. The benefit here is that you don’t have to stare up grandpa’s nostrils when he picks up your call on his smartphone. Instead, Gramps and Nana can settle in on the living room couch and see their whole family on the TV, while you can enjoy a conversation in which you can actually see them both.
You’ll need to check that their TV has the ability to add a webcam and offers apps like Zoom or Google Meet. After that, it’s as simple as plugging the webcam into a USB port on the TV and going through the setup process.
A smart picture frame you can load from afar
Wifi-enabled frames are nothing new. However, in the past few years, a rush of brands come to market with highly stylized smart frames that have accompanying apps so you can add pictures from anywhere. While Aura frames have earned top marks, I’ve been using one from Skylight for the last year to trade photos with friends. I appreciate that there are both low-fi methods for sending photos (via email), and an app for more tech-savvy folks.
Given that all my friends with kids have bought one of these frames for the grandparents, I think it’s worth buying them in pairs. Get one for the grandparents and one for yourselves, so they can send their own photos back to you. It’s a fun, tech-y way for them to interact with you and the grandkids.
A smart telescope for easy stargazing
I’ve toyed with telescopes over the years and given up when they’ve been too heavy to lug around hard to use without submitting to a steep learning curve. This year, I tried a smart telescope—it’s small, fitting in a bag smaller than most camera bags. It mounts to a standard tripod, and from the moment you turn it on, the app helps you find and identify stars. It is tremendously satisfying and far less intimidating than a “real” telescope. Unfortunately, they are pricey, starting at $500 and climbing over $1500.
If you’re in the market for a larger gift for an aging stargazer, though, the Celestron is a good middle ground model. For $639, it gives you a number of computerized controls that make finding and tracking what you see in the sky easier. It’s still small, though not as small and sleek as more expensive models, and easy to set up.
Permanent outdoor smart lights
I know outdoor lights don’t scream “fun,” but hear me out. The new take on holidays lights are permanent, so you never take them down, and you can change the entire color scheme from your phone. This means that far beyond the holiday season, your parents can tinker with the light scheme for any holiday that arrives. Valentines, St. Patty’s, Arbor Day, et al can provide a new outlet for their creativity.
The lights are certifiably fun to play with. You create programs on your phone and send them off to the lights, which change instantly. An added benefit: This also means your parents won’t need to go climbing all over the roof each holiday season to put up and take down their lighting. Another win, as far as I’m concerned.
The best gifts come with support from the kids
Depending on the savviness of the parent you’re gifting these tech-y items to, you may want to consider setting them up for them (perhaps during your holiday visit). Pairing Bluetooth devices can occasionally take a few tries, but while most products are relatively easy to get online, setting up the gift together can become a multi-generational family activity.
