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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To ask what you buy your parents for Christmas

118 replies

HappyDaze90 · 04/12/2020 20:07

My mum and her partner are so difficult to buy for. Usually my mum will say “don’t bother getting me anything” or she’ll ask for something for the house.

This year she has categorically said not to buy her anything (like I’ll listen) I would usually get them a gift card for M&S or Debenhams so they could both buy something they liked each. But she’s said not to get anyone gift cards this year due to how things are. I was looking at Afternoon Tea experiences, but again, it may be a risky choice.

I just haven’t a clue. She has so much lovely jewellery, an abundance of perfumes and the house is cluttered with random things us kids have bought in the past 😂

For background, mum is 55 and step dad 65. It’s been a difficult year financially and we have a baby on the way, so trying not to spend too much.

So what are you getting your lovely parents (if that’s not cheeky to ask)

OP posts:
RandomUsernameHere · 04/12/2020 23:15

Gloves for DMum, slippers for DDad and a hamper for them to share.

MrsMiaWallis · 04/12/2020 23:19

Leather gloves for my mum. Cashmere scarf for dad

moolady1977 · 04/12/2020 23:28

For my parents and in law's they have both got a Scottish goodie hamper ,the parents because they were meant to go on holiday there and couldn't and the in laws well mil is Scottish and keeps saying she would love a visit

TroysMammy · 04/12/2020 23:28

A sewing machine for my DM. I lent her mine during the first lockdown and recently she's hinted at borrowing it again. She obviously has a need for one after her ancient one blew up.
My DF is having a cage and ground feeder for small birds which will stop the greedy pigeons getting the food first.

AlwaysLatte · 04/12/2020 23:35

My mum is 80, Dad 79. Both have health issues and shielding. I've got for Dad:
A concertina (he's always wanted to play one!)
Heated electric pad
Bottle of rum
Hamper with his favourite goodies
For Mum:
Hamper
4 jigsaw puzzles (she's housebound)
Micro Hifi player that takes CDs but also tapes 😬 that was fun to find...
Couple of newly released CDs

WaltzForDebbie · 04/12/2020 23:36

I normally take my Mum out for the day (buy her lunch and theatre tickets etc).. this year we can't do it but she still wants her present to be to go out for the day together once we can do it.

Proudboomer · 04/12/2020 23:41

A bird table, a sack of bird seed and a gist box of fat balls.

Proudboomer · 04/12/2020 23:41

Gist = giant

FraughtwithGin · 04/12/2020 23:50

I asked my mother what she wanted and she told me, a bit. So she got a v neck jumper in cashmere, she did not specify the wool. She even wore it!

Muminho · 05/12/2020 00:23

Maybe she really doesn't want anything? Why not respect that? God knows we consume enough pointless crap without foisting stuff on people who actively don't want it!

Londonmummy66 · 05/12/2020 00:27

I've bought a Private Eye subscription for my father as I think he will enjoy it.

If your mum has a particular interest then a magazine subscription. Also some florists and cake delivery companies do subscriptions.

ShakeaHettyFeather · 05/12/2020 00:32

A few paperback books each, all but 1 from charity shops. Some cheese for dad and a particular toiletry for mum.

They don't want junk and have more money than us to buy what they want, so just a token of thought and getting back to enjoying relaxing and eating together (and dad will read new book when it gets too much).

ILs will get whatever item needs replacing that they stubbornly won't, eg a safe radio for the bathroom so they stop using extension leads, or a cooker where the gas lights properly rather than gassing everyone half the time...

lazylump72 · 05/12/2020 08:10

I bought my mum a footstool ! She needs to put her feet up way more than she does! Its a novelty elephant one ..don;t judge but you know what its like after a glass of wine or two and you enter that delerious state and decide to look on ebay!!! She will love it though!

DianeChambers · 05/12/2020 08:13

We usually get MIL a bag of mealworms. (Along with other things)

WhoseThatGirl · 05/12/2020 08:22

Consumables - bottle of booze, box of fancy biscuits, cheeses etc. Higher end stuff than they normally get.

Vanessashanessajenkins2 · 05/12/2020 08:22

My parents are muslim so don't celebrate Christmas but my in laws do and so do I. This year, we've bought my mother in law a bath tray with accessories so she can read a book in the bath, have a glass of wine and a snack. I've also got her a calendar and a warm scarf for winter. My father in law is so hard to buy for but I snapped up a coffee machine for him at a bargain price (£28.00)!

mrsnec · 05/12/2020 08:22

My parents never do much in the way of decorations so I sent them a mini real tree. The mini treats one from Bloom & Wild and I sent them a book each as a present to put under it. The Andrew Marr one for DSF and the new Victoria Hislop for DM

We bought a Portal thingy for the in-laws so spent about 60 quid on each set of parents.

katienana · 05/12/2020 08:26

Mum is getting a sweatshirt to wear with leggings on walks. She requested this. I've added a This Works sleep set as a surprise. Dad is getting a long sleeved polo shirt from Autograph and a graphic novel.
In laws I've already sent flowers and I've made them a photobook which I need to post. They are harder to buy for.

EyelinerRocks · 05/12/2020 08:28

I bought my mum PJs , bath bombs , high end make up set .
Stepdad - rugby top and items for his shed
Dad - bike stuff
Stepmom - PJs , bath bomb

I’ve not had as much money this year , I’d really like to buy them more but I’m absolutely done now with my budget.

madcatladyforever · 05/12/2020 08:43

My parents expect big gifts, they don't buy us anything anymore they give us money which to be honest i don't feel comfortable with.
I work full time for the NHS, I'm 60 and absolutely exhausted with all the extra work involved with coronavirus, really exhausted. All I want is to just sit back and have a rest.
I don't live anywhere near any big shops, I'm very rural so it means driving hours to the nearest big shopping centre and trawling round all day trying to find something they haven't got already.
They don't want cheap stuff.
I wish they would just cut me some slack this year, I just can't face it.
They lived abroad all of my adult life so I don't even feel close to them.

reluctantbrit · 05/12/2020 08:50

My mum gets a book, chocolates and handcream.

My PIL are getting some new tupperware containers.

TheNationsFavourite · 05/12/2020 09:09

They've mentioned an afternoon tea which they've done before so I've found a lovely cottage restaurant near us that offers one. I'm a good baker and I make a cake for them every week so I'm going to make them a Christmas cake. Also home made chutney (by me) a brownie treat box (same) and a calendar for my dad, produced by the village he grew up in, in the West of Ireland.

TheNationsFavourite · 05/12/2020 09:10

OK I'm still reeling that your mother is a few years younger than me (and I still have kids in school)

I'm the same age and I have one in middle school!

Ponoka7 · 05/12/2020 09:14

As asked, why can't you respect her wishes? Does she disrespect yours? Will she babysit and how happy will you be if she ignores what you say?

It took a lot to stop my eldest DD and my Sister from buying gifts. I had to be bloody rude, but then no ruder than them. My middle and youngest DD were relieved that we stopped doing adult presents.

If you must give her something then make it luxury food/drink. Unless she does her nails herself and then it could be high end nail care/polish. There's cuticle creams that I've always wanted to try but don't want to pay out for. I'd quite like a barrel hair roller.

'Gift for Mum' isn't helpful in the title because I buy and want what my DD's want.