What do you buy for your parents? How much to spend? Joint or individual gifts?

[Flingmoo]

I never know what to buy for my parents.

They always spend £100+ on me so I always feel like I need to get them something fairly decent in return, especially as DH and I are doing well financially I'd feel tight if I bought them a cheap gift.

What do you normally get your parents, if they're still around?

[Lilaclily]

I spend about 30 pounds

They don't want me to spend more than that

They usually ask for books, cds or dvd that they have read a review of in the paper

Or gardener smelly stuff, or white company candles for my mum, crab tree and Evelyn stuff she likes, she told me she hates cath kidston

[MrsAukerman]

Normally 2 small gifts each. One of around £15 and another around £5-10. So total of £40-50 between the two of them.
This year I'm getting them a £50 gift voucher for a local restaurant that they'd like to try plus new salt and pepper mills for mum £20 and posh socks for dad - £16 for two pairs. So total of £86. I'm having a decent time money-wise and they've been lovely the last 12 months and even started to get used to looking after their gc alone so deserve it!

[blueskyinmarch]

I spend about £30 on them. They would be horrified if I spent more. For my dad I got a polo shirt and a jigsaw. For my mum I scored some bargains so she is getting a scarf and matching gloves, cosy socks and a small make up bag for carrying her medication in her handbag. They will be delighted with these gifts.

[snowgirl1]

DB and I are clubbing together to buy tickets to a West End show for DF and his wife. My contribution is £50 for each ticket. They don't really want 'stuff' and seem to much prefer 'experiences'.

[LeMesmer]

Mine are no longer around but when they were, no set budget really (although nothing outrageously expensive) -
Dad - always a book, but a good book, not bargain books type thing. He really enjoyed political biographies or a good sports biography. Also a good bottle of whiskey and a couple of very nice cigars.

Mum- expensive perfume she really like but would never buy for herself, occasionally clothes, nice cardigan or scarf.

Sometimes a joint present, e.g., a weekend away, we once paid for a trip to Paris to see the Prix de l'Arc race meeting, something they'd always enjoyed watching. The really liked that and not as expensive as it sounds.

Generally things they would like but wouldn't buy for themselves.

[mylittlephoney]

Just spent £70 getting them tickets to an an Elbow gig. Normally budget £ 15 each but he's wanted to see them for ages so its a pleasure to do so.

[wobblywonderwoman]

I used to spend a lot (150 quid vouchers) but now - usually 40 each max

[IneedAqueenMortificadoNickname]

I spend about £30 each on mum and dad. Then 10-15 on step mum and step dad.

I'd love to spend more but can't afford it :(

[MountainDweller]

About 30-40 pounds each. Often I buy clothes. I bought my mum an Autograph wrap last year and she loved it. My dad often gets a shirt. Or jewellery for my mum and posh shaving stuff for my dad. These days I reckon they spend about the same on me.

[AndNoneForGretchenWieners]

Depends. This year my sister and I have bought a joint gift for our dad (a nice watch) but I will also buy some smaller things to accompany it from my husband and son. I spent about £150 on my mum last year but won't do this year as all she wants is a purse and a magazine subscription. So about £75 for her.

[Pengweng]

Normally about £50 on my mum but she is getting a juicer this year so that's a joint christmas and birthday present as her birthday is early jan. Also doing her stocking as she is coming to mine this year so prob about £100 ish. Pil normally get a joint present like theatre ticket vouchers but this year mil is getting a fit bit (joint present with bil) and fil is getting a new hiking rucksack. Everyone also gets a small present from the kids such as slippers or a book etc.

[Carneddai]

Food hampers or local produce

[elQuintoConyo]

It depends in the gift. This year i'm making df and step-m a tablecloth and 9 serviettes (fabric a bit costly). My dm is getting a lovely piece of amethyst which is her favourite stone.

They are difficult to buy for - particularly my dm, so i usually ask or shop around until something jumps out. It could be £10 or £40, but never more than £40 as we aren't rolling in it. They are, and dm just bought my son a small Minion figure for his 5th birthday not bitter ds has barely looked at it in days.

[atticusclaw2]

About £50 each. This year mine asked for a decent slow cooker. DH's will be tricky. I have absolutely no ideas

[Snog]

£80 to £100 on my mum which includes her stocking

[Amithenormalone]

This year they are getting a joint present of our dc a crystal with a picture of dcs laser cut into it £40. My dad's getting 6 books and my mum and toasted sandwich maker (it's what she wanted) of me and dh which came to £40 so £80 this year I don't set a budget just buy what I know they will like

[36plusandtrying]

Going for a joint gift - they are coming to visit us for 6 weeks in march (we live in oz) so going for an experience gift. Dinner, weekend away, flights or trip to winery.

[Blueredballoon]

Not too much really- prob about £20 each. My parents are quite well off and specifically tell us not to spend too much on them (we're not well off! ).

I usually get something like a book, nice scarf or a plant for their garden. My parents also love handmade stuff from their grandchildren, so are very easily pleased with some toddler homemade mince pies or something!

[Ragwort]

Some time ago my parents and I decided to stop exchanging 'expensive' gifts - we now have a rule that gifts must be under £5 and just something fun from a charity shop. This year the rule is that it is a book (again, from a charity shop - there are some fabulous bargains to be had amongst second hand hard back books).

My parents are at the age (80+) where they really don't want or need anything - they are fortunate to have very good pensions and a very comfortable lifestyle (and they are very generous to us).

We are lucky in that we can have an 'honest' discussion about present expectations.

Some years I have given them a charity gift which they like as well. They usually treat us to a meal out - as others have said - an 'experience' is often better than an actual present.

[TheLionQueen]

I rarely do a joint gift but last year bought them a trip away which went down well. DB chipped in too so it wasn't bad.
This year I'm going to get DF a new flat cap as his has seen better days and a big box of biscuits that he likes. Got DM a lovely wrap, Monty Don book she has hinted at, cd and some foot cream etc.
Don't think I've finished yet (they spoilt me rotten last year and I was so skint I barely got them anything and still feel bad).

[TheLionQueen]

Trip away was year before! Last year DM got welly socks and DF got a book

[ShanghaiDiva]

I spend about 200 on my mum for Xmas and birthday (her birthday is 2 weeks before Xmas) and buy things she would not buy for herself - perfume, flowers, nice toiletries and face creams etc. This year bought the M&S advent calendar as part of her gift.
My dad died in 2000, so she doesn't have anyone to spoil her and I want her to feel loved and appreciated.
Pils decided 8 years ago that they didn't want to exchange presents anymore and preferred to give our dcs money for Xmas and birthday. Prior to this we bought joint presents for them - theatre vouchers, cinema vouchers, day trip on Orient Express for mils 60th birthday etc.

[Budgiebonbon]

My sister and I have gone joint for both of them, a magazine subscription each and theatre tickets. So about £150 between them from both of us.

MIL & FiL I still haven't sorted

[AmaDablam]

I spend £30-40 on each, always separate gifts. Clothing is always my "go to" gift for them, if they haven't asked for anything specific as I know it's always appreciated and used. This year a shirt for dad and blouse for mum, both from M&S. I'm also doing them a stocking this year as we're spending Christmas with them for first time since having dd (3) and I know she'll love us all hanging them up on Christmas Eve. So I've probably spent an extra £8 or so each on a cup, book and hat for those.

[SquedgieBeckenheim]

Mine get a homemade Christmas cake (it's what they ask for), I've never calculated the cost of making it, but it's not cheap!
DH's parents we spend about £20-30 each on. This year FIL is getting a hamper of chutneys etc and MIL is getting a fancy candle and holder.