To ask what you buy your parents for Christmas

[HappyDaze90]

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)

Perfume and aftershave.

I hope people are buying ethical cashmere. The treatment and deaths of goats in the cashmere industry, is horrific.

@RedElephants

Nothing for my lovely dad. He died in May.

Mum..." she's asked for a full Length Velour, buttoned, dressing gown.
In purple.

There doesn't seem to be one 🤷‍♀️😮🥺

www.witt-international.co.uk/products/velour-dressing-gown/_/A-B68981_26?PFM_rsn=browse&PFM_ref=false&PFM_psp=own&PFM_lpn=1

That one is sort of purple!

My side of the family do a secret Santa for the adults so I only need to get a token gift from my kids to parents. This year it's a nice jumper for grandad and perfume gift set for grandma.

I’ve got my mum
Calendar with family pics on
Top from Debenhams
Estée Lauder perfume
Posh shampoo and conditioner that she’d never buy for herself
The kids have got her a personalised tea spoon that says ‘best grandma’ stamped on it and a set of happy spatulas.

Lovely ideas here. I’m sure all your parents will be super happy with these gifts.

I’m going to get them some lovely fudge to share and some fancier than usual wines. I’m lucky enough to be able to go see them for a couple of days before Christmas so if places are open, I’m going to take them out to lunch as well.

@madcatladyforever

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.

I’m sorry to hear this. Can’t you explain that with everything that’s happened this year, you just haven’t got it in you... especially having to go shopping centres during this madness!

Magazine subscription, something for the garden or i would make them a lovely hamper

Mil is getting a calendar with pictures of the family, Alexa & a year subscription to spotify so she can have her favorite music & podcasts on demand.

@Daisy829- I went out today and got them loads of nice goodies from little local businesses for a hamper.

@Maskedcrusader- Spotify is such a good idea. My mum shares mine at the moment.

Is there an age where a calendar become a gift?

Those who don't have a phone?

@madcatladyforever this has been an odd year all round so what better time to ring in the changes and just tell them you won't be buying big gifts this year. Put a stop to this controlling nonsense and enjoy your well deserved break

My parents and step parents are similar ages to yours so if it helps I've got them:

DM Garden wellies, hair products, wine glasses and chocolates
DSD Airfix kit, port and new reading glasses
DDad Shoes, a cool thong bracelet and chocs
DSM Earrings, candles and chocs

@madcatladyforever

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.

Lovely, in the nicest possible way this is crazy.

Our family are totally cutting down this year - my gifts have been purchased either from Etsy or our town centre, or a supermarket - either supporting little businesses or picked up when I've been shopping.

I've done buying £200 of garden centre gift vouchers, laptops, TVs etc for both sets of parents in previous years and they've always been so grateful and thrilled but they've never expected or demanded these gifts.
We've all agreed we're cutting back this year and you should too.

Sorry you feel under that pressure, you're my DMs age and you truly shouldn't feel that way.

A framed photo of you and your partner or a photo of you and your parents . That’s what I’ve asked my adult children for

Nothing. They’re Jehovah’s witnesses and regard Xmas as a personal insult

However if I COULD I’d get nice versions of consumables they like, biscuits hand soap that sort of thing?

Thanks for all the great suggestions. I’ve made this hamper for them as well as a cook book for my mum ☺️

I generally do some baking and put it in nice tins for them. Cheese stars, lemon shortbread, gingerbread, chocolate fudge etc.

Cheese, pâté and wine hamper, plus a chocolate hamper. All nice stuff my mum will eat but wouldn’t buy for herself. She knows to get me consumables too.