Presents for DPs

[housepants]

I found my DPs (60's/70s) so hard to buy presents for! They are relatively well-off, but unbelievably frugal. They love £ shops, Aldi, cheapest wine, charity shop clothes which is great obviously, until it comes to gifting! They are not sentimental, ruling out eg. most stuff on Not on the high street/prints etc, have no hobbies that lend themselves to gifts, don't enjoy meals out and actively hate anything even vaguely luxury!

I usually opt for the practical gift but they are now in the midst of downsizing and making it clear they have too much stuff already. thought books - but they'd need to choose(and they alreayd get book voucher from an aunt), or a class - again, their choice. Previous experience day type things haven't been great.

AIBU? Any ideas??

What about non-luxury consumables and a giftcard? I think there's a charity shop giftcard now, but I'm not sure which shops it can be used in. Or a Kindle if they're downsizing but read a lot. Or just ask them - I hate stuff for the sake of it, so I'd probably prefer to be asked what I might like.

A voucher for a meal out? A spa day?

Do they enjoy the theatre? A theatre voucher is a lovely present. Same with an afternoon tea in a local hotel.

If they are downsizing and will have a garden - how about a garden voucher?

Theatre vouchers is a good shout. Much smaller garden in new place sadly because that's been another rich seam over the years.

My elderly DM values our time over any gift
Its her birthday tomorrow so flowers - meal with us, huge balloon and birthday cake makes her happy

It may sound daft but my friends parents are like this and for a recent birthday she bought them there favourite coffee x a 12 month supply as whilst they loved that coffee they were buying a cheap own brand alternative

*Upgraded version of something they sort of ought to throw away but refuse to (Every few years I get my mum a new tea tray because she uses it all the time, it gets scratched and dented but she refuses to buy a new one herself!)

*Museum membership

*Day trip somewhere or on a steam train or river boat

*Ballroom dancing lessons

*Voucher for a deep clean for the house they are downsizing to

*Voucher for a handyman for a day of work putting up curtain rails or whatever at new house

*Voucher for a house clearing service of some wort to help them sort through everything before they downsize

(You may have to make some of those vouchers yourself!)

Could their bedding/towels do with upgrading? Maybe a new duvet with a new cover & pillowcases. Towels last for years & years so your parents probably won't replace them, but for their new house you could get them a lovely soft set.

Some lovely (but not luxury) consumable goodies. Biscuits, crackers, nice soft drinks. Or if you have the time then some homemade goodies. Your time with them is likely to be more precious and appreciated than any gift.

For our parents we have done National Trust membership, Spotify premium, audible subscription, private eye and other magazine subscription, coffee subscription. Trip to theatre, music, sporting event with you.