To ask how you choose what gifts to buy your parents?

[WaterBird]

This is a general question, for next Christmas, birthdays etc.
My parents both insist that they don't really need any material items, but I still like to get them something to show I appreciate them. As a result it can be difficult to know what to get them that they would really like.
As an example, we are all avid readers, though our styles are different. I brought DM a book I thought she would like, based on other reads, and she was very polite but I could tell she didn't care for it.
Anyone else face this problem when buying for their parents?

Rather than material gifts, how about theatre tickets or an experience voucher or paying for a nice meal out?
Do you have DC? Framed photos/calendars/mugs with pictures of the DC are always a hit with parents ime

Thank you so much. No DC yet but love the idea of a theatre ticket/meal out.

My DM always tells me not to get her anything and to save my money. I like to get a gift regardless.

Experience vouchers - DM likes a particular restaurant and I bought gift vouchers so that she and her partner could go out for a meal there. Dsis buys afternoon tea vouchers from groupon, which also goes down well.

Practical everyday gifts - stuff that they enjoy, but I know will get used. For example, my mum uses a particular skincare range and so I will buy her a couple of the items that I know she uses. Likewise, her partner enjoys a morning Starbucks, so I will buy gift voucher.

If your parents enjoy reading, I would just buy a book token so they can choose their own book.

I struggle with buying for my parents, my dad doesn’t have any hobbies as such and my mum keeps quite a minimalist home so doesn’t like a lot of ‘stuff’.

I tend to get them nice things they will use but wouldn’t buy themselves. My mum likes dressing up and doing her face for nights out but only buys high st make up, so I tend to get her fancier make up as a treat. This year for Xmas I got her a high end MAC set. I also get her fancy bath stuff too.

My dad travels a lot and likes travel books rather than looking things up online (not a tech fan) so I get him lonely planet guides for places he has upcoming trips to. I’ll also get him a few notes in that currency too so him and his partner can have a few drinks when they’re there.

We gave them experience presents, cinema vouchers (which I wrapped up with a bag of popcorn and a bag of chocolate), voucher to local pub next door to the cinema and an afternoon tea at a local hotel voucher. We also bought them a couple of bottles of prosecco and a box of chocolate each and the traditional photo calendar which they love

I tend to take my mum and dad out to do things they enjoy. For example for my mum, I normally take her for lunch and a trip to something she enjoys.

For the last few tears my brother and I ha e clubbed together for experience gifts. A couple of nights in a hotel, afternoon tea, cinema vouchers, London three palace pass.

My DPs go to our local Toby once a week, so this year I got them a voucher for there.
My grandfather is also difficult to buy for because he doesn’t need anything, this year at the Christmas fayre our school gave us the opportunity to sponsor a tree that would be planted in the school grounds. He was made up with his certificate for an oak tree and even more happy when he found out that my DS has planted it. You could try the woodland trust to sponsor a tree on their behalf.

We have been doing experiences, and them for us. Next year we are thinking of suggesting a mini break (we treated them this year for a big birthday) and just pay our own way each - they get time with us and we have fun!

When my dad was still alive I’d go for things like theatre vouchers so they could treat themselves to a show. Now my DM is alone I listen out for ideas. For example, two years ago she used to have this thick memory foam type cushion that she was lent by a homecare team but she was sad when it had to be returned so I bought her her own one and she loved it (uses it constantly). If it’s for your DM and DF together then experience vouchers like cinema, theatre, National trust etc are always good, or a voucher to go for a meal or afternoon tea.

If I notice they need anything close to Christmas ( new washbag/hairdryer/ coffee machine) or see something related to their interests I will pick it up during the year.