The Best Gift Boxes for Older Women and How to Build Your Own

Gifts for the holiday season are often frustrating, especially when you’re shopping for older women, perhaps your aging parents or grandparents. After all, they’ve had a lifetime to shop for themselves and might have very different tastes to you. 

Sure, you could go present-free this Christmas. Many families do that. But gifts are more than just trinkets. They often act as an illustration of love and affection as well – a feature that’s especially relevant to seniors who live alone. 

Gift boxes for older women can be a perfect solution. With these, you’re not just looking for a single perfect gift.  Instead, you get to choose a collection of items that perfectly suit your family member. The items don’t need to be expensive either. As long as you put thought into the box, it’s certain to be well-received. 

Plus, when you’re giving an aging woman a selection of gifts, it doesn’t matter if there are some ‘misses’ in the mix. 

To help you along the way, we’re going to talk about our favorite pre-made gift boxes, along with items you might put in your own gift box or gift basket and how to make your gift look good. The pre-made boxes we discuss might give you ideas for your own as well.

Our Favorite Ideas and Gift Boxes for Older Women

For the Gentle Spirit

There are endless gift options for women who love being gentle and slow.

Pre-Made Boxes and Subscriptions

TheraBox is promoted as a self-care subscription and it’s our favorite gift box in this field. Each box includes seven wellness products and one activity designed to promote happiness.

Each month has a different theme, like the Autumn Splendor box, the Dreamland box, and the Seas the Day box. The themes help ensure that the boxes don’t feel at all repetitive. While this is designed as a subscription, you can order a single box as a gift if you prefer. That’s true for most boxes.  

Other interesting boxes to consider include:

• Bath Bevy. This focuses on bath products, like bubble baths and bath bombs. The company also has a Tubless box. This follows a similar theme, except that the products are suitable for showers instead.
• Simplicity Teas. What’s more relaxing than sitting down with a cup of tea? This simple gift box sends out high-quality loose leaf teas and a reusable infuser.
• Hopebox. This is another self-care box, but also includes messages of hope and inspiring items. It’s perfect for women who aren’t feeling very happy.  
• Teatime Temptations Gourmet Gift. This one-off customizable gift includes a teapot, tea bags, cookies, and more.

Products to Consider

If you want to make your own gift box, here are some products to get you started. 

• Mindful Coloring Book for Adults. Coupled with the right pens or colored pencils, this would be a great way to introduce a senior to adult coloring books.
• Herbal teas, as these are always relaxing. Look for unusual blends and companies, so your loved one isn’t just getting something they could buy locally.
• Pens or journals are always popular, even for seniors who don’t keep a diary.  
• Bath items, shower items, and body care. Look for styles and scents that your family member loves. Don’t forget about homemade items too. These make the gift even more personal.   

For the Quirky One

Some people just break the mold, so why not find them a gift that’s just as unique?

Pre-Made Boxes and Subscriptions

The Smartass & Sass box really doubles down on the idea of quirky and sassy. It offers between five and nine full sized products each month, with the goal of making recipients laugh.

The style and product selection make this box a wonderful choice for some women and an awful choice for others. Be sure to look closely at their past box images to determine whether the box is the right choice.

There’s also the Blend Box, which focuses on unique and engaging products. Customers can pre-approve themes to make the box even more personalized.

Products to Consider

There aren’t many good quirky gift boxes for older women, so you’ll probably need to build your own. Doing so also allows you to tailor the box and ensure it matches her personality.

Here are some suggestions:

• Adult Swear Words Coloring Book. For the right recipient, this swear word laden coloring book could be hilarious and a lot of fun.
• Unique Candles. I especially love these candles from JD and Kate Industries (on Etsy), as they are truly unusual. There’s a lump of coal candle, along with candles to commemorate specific occasions, like the War of 1812 and the Boston Tea Party. There’s even a Dinosaur Tar Pit scented candle.
• Outlaw Soap. This company produces soap and related items with names like Calamity Jane, Hair of the Dog, and Spring on the Mountain. Their products are great for women who don’t enjoy the classic floral scents.  
• Novelty items. There are novelty shirts, socks, mugs, hats, and plenty of other products. Etsy is an amazing place to look, as the items are homemade and different than you’ll find anywhere else.

For the Thinker

Some people love to be constantly challenged and to think outside the box. So, why not incorporate some of those elements into a gift box?

Pre-Made Boxes and Subscriptions

For those that love puzzles and figuring things out, the best gift boxes are a little unusual. The three we’re featuring here all follow a puzzle/escape room style.

Each box contains a variety of mysteries and puzzles to solve, often relating to an overall scenario. Most games can be completed by a single person or a group, making them perfect for family game nights.

• Finders Seekers. This mystery game has players exploring different cities and cultures. There’s no violence or murder, making the puzzles suitable for all ages.  
• Deadbolt Mystery Society. With this subscription, you’re solving a crime every month and having a lot of fun along the way.
• Escape the Crate. This subscription is based on the idea of an escape room and each box contains a complete story, filled with puzzles. The entire box often takes between two and three hours to complete and uses chapters, so it is easy to pause your play and come back to it later.

Products to Consider

• Activity books. These come in many styles and difficulty levels, so look for one that matches the gift recipient’s interests.
• A Curiosity Stream gift card. Curiosity Stream offers a large selection of educational shows that many women will love. You could easily include a physical gift card for the company among a selection of other gift basket goodies.
• An interesting book. The book What If? Serious Scientific Answers to Absurd Hypothetical Questions is a fun option to try. If not, there are plenty of other fascinating books out there.

For the Crafty One

Pre-Made Boxes and Subscriptions

When shopping for crafters, you’ll need to think about the type of craft they’re interested in (or could be interested in), plus the items they actually need.

The following boxes are interesting options.

• The Adults & Crafts Crate. This subscription is an intro to crafting, offering different types of projects each month. It’s a great way for women to work out which crafts they might want to pursue.
• Penspiration and Planning. This box is designed for people who enjoy stationary and pens, which are surprisingly popular passions.
• Craft in Style. This subscription focuses mostly on materials, allowing subscribers to create their own crafts. The same company also has a painting box and an adult coloring box.  

Products to Consider

A craft gift basket will likely focus on materials for the recipient’s chosen craft. This could include brushes, paints, canvases, yarn, needles, beads, or other items.

But… it’s important to make sure the items you choose match the recipient. For example, a painter might prefer some types of brush or only use a specific brand of canvas. Similarly, someone who crochets may only want some colors or styles of yarn.   

If you’re unsure, try seeking someone involved in the same craft (preferably at a similar skill level). They can help you understand what items are likely to be well-received.

For the Reader

Buying for readers can be surprisingly difficult. You know they love books, but which ones? It’s hard to guess what someone will like. Thankfully, there are some ways to make things easier. 

Pre-Made Boxes and Subscriptions

The best book boxes allow you to choose the genre you’re interested in and offer various other products. This way, the recipient should still love the gift even if the book isn’t a perfect fit.

• Unplugged Adult Fiction. This subscription features a book, self-care items, and related goodies. Sometimes, members even get exclusives from the author themselves.
• Peace & Pages. This subscription has a similar self-care focus as the previous and focuses on items from small businesses.
• Once Upon a Book Club. These boxes are designed to provide an interactive reading experience, so the products directly relate to the book itself. The items are even wrapped and labeled with page numbers, so you open them as you get to a particular point in the book.  

Products to Consider

• Bookstore gift cards. While gift cards are boring on their own, they’re fantastic as a subscription box addition.
• Book from a favorite author/series. If you know an author or series she enjoys, why not buy a book? She may enjoy having it in her collection even if she’s read it before.
• A special version. Are any books particularly special to her? If so, you might be able to find a first edition or an illustrated version – like this impressive version of Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland (which I own myself).
• Themed items. Once you find a book, the rest of the gift box could consist of related items. For example, with an Alice in Wonderland book, playing cards, a tea cup, chess pieces, and figurines are all options.  
• Reading-related items. Instead of theming your box around your chosen book, why not look for products that go with reading instead? Possible items include herbal tea, a blanket to snuggle in, a hot water bottle, bookmarks, a tiny reading lamp, or a book-related piece of jewelry. There are even book-related candles, like this Pemberly Scented Candle from Pride and Prejudice.

For the Foodie

There’s an endless selection of gifts for foodies, which should make them easy to buy for. But, finding decent gifts is a different story, especially as seniors can easily buy food for themselves.

Pre-Made Boxes and Subscriptions

• Gourmet Cheese & Pasta Gift Set. This gift box comes from Yorkville’s and features tools for the kitchen, a wooden chopping board, pasta, cheese, and pasta sauce.
• Zingerman’s Ultimate Gift Basket. This basket, shown in the video above, is truly impressive. It features savory snacks, various baked products, some sweet treats, and even coffee.
• Taste Italy. Not surprisingly, this basket focuses on Italian treats. It offers a combination of sweet and savory items that are designed to complement one another.

Products to Consider

• Charcuterie board items. You can buy pre-made charcuterie board gift boxes (like this one from Harry & David), but why not make your own instead? Most ingredients are easily found at local stores and it doesn’t take much to make the gift look stunning.
• Spices. Raw Spice Bar offers some amazing spice blends that make homecooked meals taste so much better. You can buy spices individually or sign up for a subscription that ships out a new spice blend each month (the subscription can be easily set up as a gift).  
• High quality ingredients always work well. Imported ingredients are even better, as these may not be easy to find locally.  
• Chef knives or other kitchen tools. The right tools make cooking easier and more enjoyable. Yet, many people can’t afford these or have never purchased them. So, why not include some in a gift basket?  

For the Chocolate Lover

Then there are the gifts for those who love chocolates and sweet treats.

Pre-Made Boxes and Subscriptions

There’s no end of gift boxes, baskets, and subscriptions for chocolate. So, we’re going to feature two places to begin your search.

The first is Harry & David. This site offers an extensive array of gifts, including a Deluxe Chest of Chocolate and a Premium Chocolate Collection. These are seriously impressive collections of chocolate, ones that also happen to taste good.

Then there’s Hazelton’s, another site focusing on gifts. Their Distinctive Chocolate Pear Gift Basket is an excellent place to begin, but this is one of many

Products to Consider

You could make a gift box that consists of chocolate and little else. However, that style can be overwhelming for the recipient, providing them with far too much sugar.

It’s often better to focus on a smaller amount of high-quality chocolate instead. Think about items your loved one will truly appreciate, like Godiva Chocolate. You could also look for unusual items, like some of the products from Dylan’s Candy Bar.

You’ll probably need some other items to bulk out the gift basket. Fresh fruit works well, offering a nice contrast to the chocolate.

You could also try other items that are often associated with chocolate. For some recipients, a bottle of sparkling wine or some whisky might work well, while others might lean towards coffee or tea.

For the Sophisticate

Here we’re talking about the women who love elegance or simply the finer things in life. You might also use this type of box when you want to give your loved one something truly special.

Pre-Made Boxes and Subscriptions

• Gourmet Gift Barrel with Champagne. Why focus on a gift box when you can go with a gift barrel instead? This one comes with sparkling wine, cheese, salami, pretzels, cookies, and more. It can also be upgraded to include even more treats.
• Monthly Thrift Box. This unique subscription sources outfits from thrift stores, carefully chosen to match the style and desires of subscribers. Customers can provide many style details, which helps the boxes to be a truly good fit.
• Monthly Mocktail Box. Mocktails offer all the elegance of cocktails without any alcohol. This subscription box is a great way to introduce seniors to the idea. The box includes the ingredients need for the drink, plus one piece of barware or a garnish each month.
• Shaker & Spoon Cocktail Club. Then there’s this club. It ships out the ingredients and instructions needed to make three different types of cocktail each month. You’ll need to buy the alcohol separately, unless your loved one has a well-stocked liquor cabinet.

Products to Consider

• Jewelry can be an excellent option. Plus, there are so many prices and styles, so you can find something suitable for every budget. Just be sure to get a sense of her preferences before purchasing.
• Sheets, blankets, and the like. High quality home items make surprisingly good gifts for people who appreciate the finer things in life.
• Sparkling wine always suggests celebration. It can be even better when matched with high quality chocolates and some beautiful glassware. If the recipient doesn’t drink sparkling wine, you could look for their favorite liquor instead or perhaps an elegant alcohol-free product.  

For the Animal Lover

Pre-Made Boxes and Subscriptions

Dog Mom Box is one of the main options for animal lovers. The subscription comes through Cratejoy and includes dog treats, a dog toy, and items for the dog mom. It’s a fun way to support the gift recipient and their canine companion.

There are also other subscriptions that just focus on pets, like BarkBox.

Mutts & Mousers is worth considering too. They have gift baskets for cats, dogs, cat owners, and dog owners. The pet owner baskets vary in style. Some of them only focus on human treats, while others offer a combination of pet and human items.

Products to Consider

There are two angles here – products for the woman and products for the pet. You can choose which area you want to focus on.

Pet shops are an excellent starting point for shopping, as they offer a large range of pet products. Don’t forget about Etsy either. There are many creative geniuses on the site. Some Etsy creators even make personalized products based the pet, like a pet pillow or a drawing of the pet on a t-shirt. Such gifts go the extra mile.

For the Traveler

Pre-Made Boxes and Subscriptions

Explore Local is a fantastic option for experiencing new things. The box features a different US city each month and ships out locally made food and artisan products. There is also a watercolor map of the city and some facts to keep recipients entertained.

There’s also a Getaway Gift Box. This one features different locations around the world, including Paris and Maui. Here, you can choose individual boxes, rather than signing up for a subscription. The boxes can also be sent as a gift, without any pricing information.  

Products to Consider

A travel gift box might be focused on traveling in general, in which case you could include practical items that can help. Or, you could theme it based on a specific destination. Also consider whether the gift recipient plans to travel or is simply interested in exotic locations. This distinction will help you decide which products to include.

• A travel bag, like one from WANDRD or Kodiak Leather. You could even place the rest of the items in the bag, rather than using a traditional gift basket.
• Guide books and trivia books are fantastic. These could be themed around a planned vacation or simply a country that your recipient is interested in.
• Fiction books work well too, as do movies. Look for ones that focus on the location in question, ideally ones that also have feel good elements too them.
• Imported foods and drinks. These can give the recipient a sense of what to expect.

How to Build Your Own Gift Boxes (or Baskets!)

While we’ve featured some fantastic gift boxes, building your own is often better. Doing so is often cheaper and helps you make the box even more personal. So, how do you make the gift box truly stand out? 

Decide on a Theme

Themed gift boxes are easier to build and look better than a random collection of items. 

The question is, what theme will you use? Below are some suggestions to get you started. In all cases, you’ll need to do a little planning before you get started, to ensure there are enough related items to fill the box.  

• Use a color theme. You would often use two or three complementary colors here, like purple and silver or black and gold.  
• Focus on a favorite activity. Hobbies like gardening, knitting, and upcycling are great themes for gift boxes. However, it’s important to choose items that are relevant and the senior wouldn’t buy for themselves. If you’re unsure – ask someone of a similar skill level who practices that hobby.
• Or a new activity. The gift box could also be a way to branch out, like providing the older woman with the tools for painting or for a family game night. If the gift is from a romantic partner, then a date night might work too.
• Try self-care. Self-care boxes are becoming increasingly popular. They generally focus on slow, gentle, and sometimes sensual items, things that will make the recipient feel good.
• Match the season. In the cool months, you could experiment with a movie night box or one that focuses on hot chocolate. In the warmer months, perhaps a picnic gift box or one that focuses on flowers.
• Think about their passions. Passions are a great source of inspiration too. The gift box could be themed around family or grandkids. Or, you might theme it around a particular movie that the older woman loves.

As you can probably imagine, there’s no end of possible box themes. If you’re still unsure, why not talk to your loved one? You don’t need to ask them what they want. Instead, just get them talking about the things that light them up and how they enjoy spending their time. Such conversations are likely to give you plenty of insights.

Look for Different Sizes, Colors, and Textures

Gift baskets are boring if all the items in them are a similar size or shape. So, mix it up. Look for different sizes and try to get some unusual shapes in the mix.

Varying the texture can help too. For example, if most of your items are in boxes, you might include some glasses and a soft toy to make things more interesting. You can even repackage some items to make the gift box more interesting.

Choose Unusual Items

It’s okay to have some familiar items in a gift box or basket, like your mother’s favorite chocolate or a candle from a local store.

But, please don’t simply assemble a gift basket using cheap and familiar items from your local Dollar Tree. Gift baskets using such products tend to look incredibly low quality.

This doesn’t mean you need to go all out and focus on luxury gifts. You can still keep the costs low by choosing carefully. Why not include a few handmade items or trawl thrift stores for something very special?

If you’re really stuck, you could turn to customizable gift baskets online, like those from Design it Yourself Gift Baskets. This way, much of the work has already been completed, but you can still make it very personal.  

Add Some Height

If you’re giving the gift in person, rather than sending it in the post, try adding height to your gift. This is especially true for gift baskets. These don’t look nearly as good when the items are all sitting at the same level. 

For shallow containers, you’ll often simply be able to add tissue paper or basket filler around items to help bring the basket up. You can also consider using boxes in the base of the basket, especially if it is a deep one.