Some of us are “stumped” when it comes to getting a gift for one of our elderly relatives or friends. I remember, after my grandfather died years ago, unpacking many unopened plastic-wrapped pajamas and shirts, brand new items that my grandfather had been given – and at 89, still hadn’t opened. Let’s try and come up with some gifts that will be sure to be useful. We would appreciate comments and suggestions from readers, too.

• Gift cards for grocery stores and/or the pharmacy used by the senior

• Postage stamps and a box of note cards or assortment of other cards

• Restaurant gift cards if your recipient goes out to eat

• Salon or barbershop gift cards

• Depending on their dietary requirements, cookies, fruit, breads or other treats

• Photo albums and photos of grandchildren

• Hand towels, wash cloths, soaps, lotions

• Books, magazine or newspaper subscriptions

• An herbal wreath or other door decoration that will last

• A box of household usefuls: detergent, dish towels, etc.

No doubt, readers can think of many other ideas – we’d love to hear them!

At the Senior Center
In other news this week, Lakes Region Senior Center at Little Falls, Gorham, will be closed on Friday, Dec. 23, and Monday, Dec. 26. Please mark your calendars.

December events scheduled at the drop-in center include a six-week ceramics class taught by Windham sculptor Anne Alexander in January and February. Participants will learn to model and construct functional objects out of clay, which will then be painted with beautiful glazes. Call Blanche at 892-5604 to sign up and to get more information. There is a $15 charge for the entire class for supplies.

Stop in daily for coffee, tea, socializing, puzzle table or another fun activity of your choice. On Mondays at 9:30 a.m., Mahjong players welcome beginners; for more information, call Diane at 892-9529. On Tuesdays, bring your craft projects or play cards or games at 10 a.m.; for more information, call Avis at 892-0298. On the second and fourth Wednesdays, the Memoir Group meets at 10 a.m.; call David at 892-5604; Thursdays feature table games at 10 a.m. and the Art Workshop begins at 9 a.m. on Fridays; call Liz at 892-0299 for more on those.

Christmas party
On Monday, Dec. 12, the Lakes Region Senior Center Christmas Party will be held at Windham Veterans Center from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Lunch is $5 for members and $8 for non-members. Join others for a catered meal, gifts, music and entertainment. And bring along a non-perishable food item for donation to the Windham and Gorham food pantries.

A reminder to local veterans that the American Legion Auxiliary Unit 148 will be providing free gift wrapping to all veterans on Sunday, Dec. 18, from 2-4 p.m. at the Windham Veterans Center, behind Hannaford in Windham. This is a free service for veterans only. The auxiliary will provide all gift wrap, ribbons, bows, boxes – and refreshments, too.