Include them in your lives. Take them to junior Little League game or daughter's piano recital. Invite them over for a bbq or Sunday dinner. Facetime, skype or talk to them several times a week. Send them mail. Mail them fun things.

To help our retired relatives who are on a fixed income:

- grocery store and gas gift cards
- gift certificates for personal services like hair cuts and to go to the movies or dinner
- gifting services around the house -- maintenance, yard work, cleaning
- long-distance computer help (hours on the phone walking them through email, etc.)

Curious. We don't have a ton of money, but want to help certain older or infirmed relatives, especially. We are not sure how to be helpful. They are not the type to actually ask or admit to needing help. We feel we are fortunate, and need to be helpful in a way we might be able to - to people who have been so kind, warm and loving to us. (Of course, we have our share of family that expect help - and we are not interested, frankly). Is there anything you have done, specifically, to show your appreciation, monetarily? Either helping out, or a nice gift, or something? We want them to know how special they are to us, and how much we appreciate them in our lives. We visit as often as we can, but it is not always possible. Ideas?