• Seniors usually appreciate simple, thoughtful gifts.senior fisherman image by Pix by Marti from Fotolia.com
  
  The best birthday gifts reflect a great deal of thought and time. For a 60th birthday, since the majority of people this age have accumulated most of their household necessities, consider a gift that the recipient might simply enjoy. Investigating the birthday guy or gay's hobbies, places of interest or favorite pastimes is a great start to finding a thoughtful birthday gift.
  
  

Charitable Donations

• If the recipient has a favorite charity or volunteers frequently, he may appreciate a charitable donation (to the organization of his choice) made in his name. Making a charitable donation on behalf of the recipient is a thoughtful way to assist an important cause while also recognizing his work for and/or support of the organization. Many charities offer commemorations of donations with a plaque, certificate or other notice.
  
  

Travel

• The gift of travel needn't be expensive or elaborate. An airline gift card can provide a boost for someone's go-see-the-grandkids fund or just allow her to get away for the weekend. If she prefers not to fly, look into bus or train fares, or even rental cars. If your gift budget is small, consider a day trip to a local spa for some pampering for her (added bonus: pay for a friend to go too). If you've got more to spend, investigate a weekend or weeklong trip. He might enjoy renting a cabin and fishing for a few days. She might prefer to sit on a beach and read. You can add spending money, theater tickets, dinners out or any other specific activities the recipient might enjoy during his or her getaway to personalize the experience.
  
  

Classes

• No matter what the birthday lady or gentleman is interested in, there are options available for her or him to learn more about a favorite topic. If she loves to cook, classes in French cooking may be the ticket. If he's always been a hands-on guy, a class in woodworking could be appropriate. Classes also allow one to try new things. If he's always wanted to hike the Inca Trail, a survival training course could be a fine substitute. She may have dreamed of being a decorator; if so, a community college course in interior design might be a useful creative outlet. Language classes are suitable for both genders and also for couples.
  
  

Favors

• At 60, most people have worked hard for two or more decades and are nearing retirement. Their agility and energy may have decreased. A very thoughtful gift idea is to give your time; say, washing her car or helping him clean out the garage. You could volunteer to do her grocery shopping, pick up her dry cleaning or take heavy boxes down from the attic. Maybe he could use some help mowing the lawn or organizing his workroom. Any time spent to help someone else is always remembered and valued. Try creating a coupon booklet of favors you're willing to do (or that he needs someone to to). Ideas for a booklet include a coupon for one day of errand-running or a coupon for five house cleanings. If you fear your gift ideas will sound a little too commercial, pick two or three favors and handwrite them in a birthday card as part of your birthday message.