to give my parents money

[RichardDawkinsAngel]

It is my parents wedding anniversary in a few weeks; a big one and I would like to get them something nice. We don't usually (anniversaries seem more 'between the couple' than birthdays) but, as I said, this is a round number one.

My sister lives in Australia and I know they are saving hard to visit her. This would be a LOT of money for my parents to spend and I know my Mum is doing extra shifts to try to save.

My husband and I could afford to contribute £500 and would love to help out. However, I am worried that they will just refuse to take the money or might be offended.

Vouchers for say, STA travel would restrict them but they would 'have' to take them. But I don't want to offend them - taking money from their child would, I think, seem very wrong to them, despite the fact that I am forty and in a good position financially.

They do so much for us, childcare every week, DIY, holidays in the past when we were young and broke...

They even took our kids to the coast for our anniversary this year so my husband and I could go away.

I would just like to help them fulfil their desire to visit my sister but am not sure how to go about it.

Thanks.

I'd try giving it to them in cash, not a cheque. Say what you said to them in your 5th paragraph above or maybe write it in a card with the money. How can they refuse!

Maybe give it in Ozzie dollars? Then it's more like a present, especially if you put it in a travel wallet, you sound lovely!

I hope they do take it. You sound like a lovely family.

I would buy them business class tickets, just do it, dont wait for their permisssion. Bon voyage Grandma, and Grandad!

Hmmm, hard one. My parents would be the same. They will need spending money, how about travellers cheques or oz dollars as someone else suggested? A little harder to refuse.

I would love to buy them tickets but we can't afford that! Anyway, they need to sort out the details and dates with my sister.

Spending money is a nice idea but my sister will only be there another eighteen months so there is a chance they won't raise the money for the tickets and would be unable therefore to use the dollars.

Hmmm.

I would buy them business class tickets

Ha ha yeah good one! The OP says they can afford £500 not £5000.

Give them the cash and explain everything you said in your post OP.

Lovely gesture.

Can you put the money to one side, and give them a token gesture as a gift.

Then do a little subtle digging to find out how far away they are from having their total to go and 'lend' them the money so they can go earlier than planned.

Then just tell them afterwards that you've decided that you don't want it and it's a thank you for everything they have done for you?

Ha ha ha ha business tickets - £500 won't get you very far

Give them cash in a lovely card and explain what it's for and that you had tried to get travel vouchers but cash will be easier for them. As it is for a specific thing I would have thought they would be more likely to accept it.

I would give them cash in a card. We've done similar things for my inlaws, though often an object like a TV. We did give them cash for something that they needed but couldn't afford though.

I'd try and give them the cash, I have done the same for my ils. Both sets of our parents have provided childcare in the past for us and it has been a real life saver. Maybe try and buy a koala/kangaroo teddy bear and put it in an envelope around its neck or something.

What about getting them one of those pretty pottery savings jars and putting the cash in there? You know the sort you have to break to get the money out - then they would HAVE to accept it

Oh that's a nice idea about the koala/kangaroo teddy bear.

You could make up a little 'wallet' like vouchers, plane tickets (used to) come in, saying Travel Vouchers, and put the money and explanatory note in that?

I think this is a gorgeous idea - would love to be able to do something like this for my parents. I think if you have an Oz themed little present or card/note they will be 'forced' to accept it. :)

I like the idea of the Aussie dollars - if all else fails then they can always change the money back at a bureau de change.

Aussie dollars are quite pretty and brightly coloured, so you could them look quite pretty and gift-like if you wrapped them up nicely.

I just hope my daughter grows up to be as sweet and generous as you! Cash is best, and I like the idea of Aussie dollars.

Only problem with Oz dollars is that they can't use them to put towards the tickets, wasn't that the point? Maybe a card saying '1/3 of tickets to Australia' or something? So they know that its not a 'cash' present but a part of the 'Fly to see DSis fund'

Tell them to keep a keen eye out for sales just after Christmas for flying to Australia, there tend to be some really good sales round then.

Thank you for all your lovely ideas. I think I am going to go for the cash and honesty idea - dressed up with a postcard or brochure. Crossed fingers that they accept :-)