Christmas gift ideas for people with dementia

Not sure what to buy for somebody who is living with dementia? Read our guide to the best Christmas gifts in our online shop.

A selection of gifts, including cards, a hamper and baubles

When you buy a Christmas gift from our online shop, you’re helping to make a difference to the lives of people living with dementia.

100% of profits from our online shop go towards our work supporting people affected by dementia. So, whether you're buying for somebody living with the condition or other family and friends, your purchase can support all those who need our help.

People living with dementia and people purchasing on their behalf can buy many helpful products VAT free – a saving of 20%. And there is no VAT charged on books. Find out more about getting products VAT free.

Read our top present ideas below, and buy a gift with a difference this Christmas.

Rosebud Reminder Clock

Image of Rosebud reminder clock displaying the words 'It's now Thursday afternoon'

Developed with input from people living with dementia and their carers, the Rosebud Reminder Clock is a simple prompt for people living with dementia.

With four display screen options and 17 in-built alarms, the clock can be programmed to remind the person about regular tasks that happen each day. It helps relieve stress and anxiety that builds up for some when unknown events occur.

Relish Radio and Music Player

The Relish Radio and Music Player is guaranteed to get the feet tapping and hands clapping this Christmas!

It has been designed to enable people living with dementia to listen to the music that they want independently. With three buttons to pre-set to favourite stations, and a fourth for music and playlists.

Music can have an amazing impact on people living with dementia, and this easy music player helps make sure people living with dementia can continue to listen to their favourite tunes at Christmas and all year round.

Looking Back at the Beatles

Illustration of the Beatles in Sgt Pepper uniform below text saying Looking back at The Beatles

Take a rhyming Magical Mystery Tour with The Beatles, tracking their early days performing in Hamburg, right through to their eventual breakup, all whilst creating some of the most popular music in history. Each purchase includes a free audio download, read by Bill Nighy.

Looking Back at The Beatles is a Cognitive Book that everyone can enjoy and is suitable for people living with dementia or other cognitive difficulties. Cognitive Books worked with Alzheimer’s Society to involve people living with dementia – and their supporters – in the development of this book.  

Also available is Looking Back at the 1966 World Cup and coming in time for Christmas is Looking Back at Classic Coronation Street.

Brain Health Puzzle Book

Written by Dr. Tim Beanland, Head of Knowledge at Alzheimer's Society, the Brain Health Puzzle Book is an update of his bestselling Mind Games and makes a superb gift for puzzlers and game lovers alike.

But the Brain Health Puzzle book is more than just a collection of puzzles - this book will help create new habits to keep grey matter active and healthy. Dr. Tim provides expert insights into the science of brain health and the benefits of regular mental exercise. Also included is a 7-day programme, plus practical tips and advice to keep your mind active and engaged.

Curiosity Box

Wood box and fidget toys

A fun simple game designed to stimulate conversation.

The perfect gift for someone in the later stages of dementia. The timeless Curiosity Box with carry bag is the ultimate fidget activity that can be taken anywhere and recalls the intrigue of treasure chests and button tins.

With several items to be discovered on opening, the Curiosity Box can help entice inquisitiveness from the person with dementia. You can enjoy the box and it's contents together, to help prevent restlessness or boredom. All products come with simple hints and tips to allow anyone to use them.

Seaside Nostalgia 35 piece jigsaw puzzle

A lovely activity on a cold winter’s day, this cheerful seaside scene is packed with families enjoying sunshine, sandcastles and fish and chips. This beautiful puzzle will help stimulate memories and spark conversation with loved ones thanks to handy conversation prompts, and it has an image for reference.

The size and shape of each piece, the specific colours and unique backing board system have all been carefully designed and tested to help users of all abilities complete the puzzles unassisted, providing just the right balance of challenge, interest and engagement.

Top stocking fillers

Memory Calendar 2025

Val Horncastle, who had dementia for the last seven years of her life, developed the idea of the Memory Calendar with her husband Keith. Val wanted to know not just the day and date but also why the particular day was important to her.

Watch this video to hear their story in full. Keith Horncastle explains the development of the Memory Calendar and how important it is for those living with dementia.

Our successful Memory Calendar makes a thoughtful and practical Christmas gift as your loved ones go forward into the New Year. With a page per day showing the day’s date and ample space for personal reminders and notes, it allows the owner to record what is important to them on any particular day. 

With large, user-friendly type, the Memory Calendar 2025 is strong and self-supporting, can be laid flat or even carried in a bag.

Matching Memories game

A fun simple, interactive card game designed to stimulate conversation, and great for sharing memories at Christmas time. Matching memories is a great communication tool, icebreaker and conversation starter, whilst also being inclusive, companiable and enjoyable.

It offers a clear format, large cards with thought-provoking questions, with no complicated rules. The idea is simple, choose one of the 33 topics and ask a question. Topics and questions such as:

  • Collecting: 'What sort of things have you collected?'
  • Special days: 'Describe your perfect celebrations food and drink'
  • My working life: 'Did you enjoy every job you have had?'
  • Tennis: 'Who is the greatest ever tennis player?'

Have fun with the whole family with Matching Memories game

Little book of garden birds

book titled 'the little book of garden song birds' with small speaker and images of different birds

An illustrated book featuring live recordings of some of the UK’s favourite birds. Reconnect with nature and recollect the beauty of bird song with a series of stunning dementia friendly sound books.

These easy to read and beautifully illustrated books include live recordings of some of the UK’s favourite birds. A terrific trigger to help people with dementia and disabling memory loss recall and enjoy the sounds of the natural world.

The range of sound books come with beautifully curated, prolonged sound recordings to help identify the birds.

In addition to the easy-to-use sound bar, there is a general introduction to each bird that highlights its key characteristics, accompanied by an informative data profile and some surprising facts.

Also available in a Welsh language edition.

Aquapaint Garden Wonders

Aquapaints are reusable painting sets that allow people to create colourful pictures simply by brushing the page with water. As the water dries, the image fades, ready to be used time and time again.

They give a lovely balance of creative touch, sense of achievement and joy for people with dementia. There’s also a sense of tranquility that can come from watching the blank page transform into a vibrant scene, brushstroke by brushstroke.

Forget-me-not seedball box

This sweet matchbox containing forget-me-not seed balls makes a delightful stocking filler for family and friends alike so that they can enjoy the delicate beauty of forget-me-not flowers in the New Year.

The seeds are held in clay, peat-free compost and chilli powder, which protects them from birds and insects.

Best planted in spring or summer, the seeds will germinate with water. Shoots can be seen within 2-4 weeks, but will also bloom the following year, bringing lasting pleasure to the garden.

Top gifts for somebody special

Forget-me-not gifts

Forget-me-not birdbath

Forget-me-nots are wildflowers known for their masses of tiny vibrant blue flowers, symbolic of faithfulness and enduring love. This metal forget-me-not garden birdbath is made from recycled metals in Zimbabwe. Each flower stem is handmade and unique, painted in a striking blue with a yellow centre.

Forget-me-not bauble

People with dementia may experience memory loss, among other symptoms. This makes the forget-me-not the perfect flower to represent our cause.

Add the forget-me-not to your tree with our lovely ceramic bauble or give to someone as a gift.

Alcohol-free feast hamper

Hamper surrounded by snacks and drinks

Celebrate the festive season with this sumptuous array of delectable delights without the inclusion of alcohol. Hamper includes vanilla fudge, Christmas nuts, apple and pear cheeseboard chutney, sea salt & black pepper crisps, Cornish clotted cream shortbread, luxury mince pies, mini gourmet coconut and peanut bars, elderflower sparkle, decorated milk chocolate buttons, alcohol-free Christmas pudding, decorated chocolate cake, French almond nougat and delicious cheese straws.

Cards, wrapping paper and Christmas essentials

As well as gifts galore, our online shop is packed with all your Christmas essentials. From gift-wrap and tags, to Christmas crackers, cards and more.

We have so many different Christmas cards and essentials in our shop, but here are just some of our favourites.

Our exclusive Christmas cards come in a pack of 10 with envelopes, printed in the UK on recyclable FSC board with bio-degradable packaging. Get in the holiday spirit and spread joy through these beautiful cards:

Our gift guide was updated in November 2024. All prices were correct at the time of publishing.

Visit our shop for more Christmas gift ideas

11 comments

I read in the Dementia Guide about locator devices. My Brother-in-law is regularly putting his keys, "Puffa"(angina) and wallet down and forgetting where and getting very agitated because he cannot trace them.Apparently it is a small tag one can attach to the items and the locator can be clicked on and will bleep which will aid in finding the lost item. I would like to purchase this useful help , could you be so kind as to give me further details of where I can buy this locator and tags. pleasae help, would be most grateful, thank youi.
I have just come across this page while looking for ideas for a gift for a friend who's father has vascular dementia and saw your comment. If your brother-in-law uses an iPhone then an Apple AirTag might be worth looking at: https://www.apple.com/uk/airtag/ Alternatively you can get tags from "Tile" https://uk.tile.com/en or Samsung Galaxy SmartTag https://www.samsung.com/uk/mobile-accessories/galaxy-smarttag-black-ei-…
Any suggestions for a cup that doesn’t spill when dropped or turned upside down ?
Hello, I have bought a few items like this from the Parkinson's shop for my dad. They have some great products to prevent spills etc...
Tervis brand tumblers - also have coffee 'mugs' with handles - lids stay on tight
Hello. I have a friend with dementia. She keeps going off for a walk but forgets where she lives. Her husband follows her in the car but finds it difficult as he's a lot older. Is there a tracking device available please thanks julie
You can get an apple air tag which is good if you have/can use an iPhone. Alternatively you can look for a dog gps tracker on amazon. This is something I plan to do with my mum who has dementia. Obviously it relies on you being fairly tech savvy but you could always go into apple and have them help you set it up. sending love x
We bought my wife one of the more expensive cats, which purrs, miaows and moves a little. She is besotted with it!!
Can you please recommend a very simple mobile phone for someone with dementia and also sight loss?

Hi Sush, 

Thank you for getting in touch with us.

The Doro is one of the most popular phones, just allowing 3 contacts to be stored: https://shop.alzheimers.org.uk/collections/telephones/products/doro-780x-mobile-phone?variant=42367219007642

Another option is the Emporia, a smart phone that comes with a cover that can simplify calling and usage, but has lovely clear pictures and typeface: https://shop.alzheimers.org.uk/collections/telephones/products/emporia-smart-5-phone

However, all of the phones on our site have been built to consider people with dementia and low vision. You can look at all of the phones on our site here: https://shop.alzheimers.org.uk/collections/telephones

If you have any further questions, please all our Dementia Connect support line on 0333 150 3456.

We hope this helps,
Alzheimer's Society blog team

This is a wonderful web site. Thank you for all the information.