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Christmas

From present ideas to party food, find all your Christmas inspiration here.

Original poster

Please can you help me with your suggestions for what to get for my dad and mum who need/want nothing and are not at all forthcoming with ideas.

40 replies

cadeauxbury · 12/12/2006 16:41

Have got mum a handbag for work (she made that suggestion with a lot of prompting) but I have no other ideas (have another £10 or so to spend on her).

My Dad is even more difficult. I have got the Take That album for him (he's a fan) but have no other ideas.

Arrrrrrrrggggghhhh, this is sooooooooo difficult.

Please can you give me some ideas?

OP posts:
bctmum · 12/12/2006 23:36

cinema outing for them or tickets for an exhibition

robinpud · 12/12/2006 23:41

Make a calendar for them on photobox if you feel they must have something tangible to unwrap. Like all the charity gifts myself.

Stockingsofdinosaurs · 13/12/2006 09:52

This is good for mums, sold out on Amazon but you can get it in Waterstones. (My mum wrote it btw!)

MerrilyTooBuzzi · 13/12/2006 09:59

Unusual gifts at oxfam unwrapped

pefect pressies You can get a card sent to you to show what you have bought and send it to your parents.

Leslaki · 13/12/2006 20:28

this is usually me stuck for ideas for my parents but this year I've struck gold with inspired ideas and db hates me cos he can't think of anything!
I've got them an annual ammebership of the national trust for scotland - they always like going places and take the kids so it costs them a fortune - now it will be free!!
Also a voucher for the Waverley - paddle steamer that goes round the Clyde whch they love. So feel all chuffed that I've got them some useful pressies - hope they might insipre you! Senior joint membership for the NT for Scotland was only about £30 so presume it would be similar for England and Wales.

DimpledThighs · 13/12/2006 21:02

wow - how cool must it be to have a dad that likes take that! Get him a t-shirt of them so everyone will know how cool he is!!!!

Original poster
cadeauxbury · 14/12/2006 13:55

hehehehehe dimpledthighs - I'll tell him you think so. He does have a great taste in music and I feel like I've been brought up well (musically, anyway) as a result.

We have gone down the calendar route with Snapfish - think it will be lovely. Am still wondering about something else small for them but have a chance to go to town on Tuesday so . . . hopefully, inspiration will strike there.

Some great ideas here though. Thankyou all for your suggestions.

OP posts:
Original poster
cadeauxbury · 15/12/2006 12:58

We just got the calendar back - it looks fab, and ready in ultra quick time too. Even the photos we were dubious about look great. Thanks so much for that suggestion.

OP posts:
Paddlechick666 · 15/12/2006 13:25

hi,

i did the same from truprint who're the same as snapfish i understand.

the pic quality is great and i love them but 2 of them are very poorly bound.

we ordered 10 as all the grandparents, aunts and uncles etc are getting them.

were you completely happy with yours?

i've also taken dd to the local pottery cafe and made some mugs with her footprints on.

LOL, dh is also getting a memory book of her first year.

dunno what i'll do for inspiration next year!!!

skye24 · 15/12/2006 13:40

why not make xmas cards with lo paint their feet gold place upside down on card, next paint silver place otherway touching gold one draw head above heel on gold one, tinsel halo and hey presto a angel card. (Im a childminder and do this for all my parents for babys first xmas, they love them and its something to keep forever.)

MrsWaggsnapps · 15/12/2006 13:56

I'd suggest Oxfam too, a friend of DHs works in one and told him the thing they most need but that doesn't get bought often is latrines (bogs), they are £30 for two and you get a little photo and a card and so on - it would make an amusing joint present, I'd have thought (my MIL loved it!).

ragazza · 16/12/2006 18:53

Charity accepting used toy donations?

Our family has just done a pre-Christmas clearout of toys that we've outgrown. I'd like to find a place to donate them. Can anyone suggest a place that is collecting them next week. Northwest London would be best -- but I would be willing to go further if need be.

Boleyn · 16/12/2006 19:09

My parents are just the same. I buy a joint Oxfam gift and then soemthing between them (eg food) or a book for my Mum (who reads a lot) and some food for my Dad (who doesn't)

chocolateshoes · 16/12/2006 19:13

could you enrol them or one of them on a course or a 1 day taster course. I've got my dad a 1 day of dry stone walling from his local college. Or for your Mum vouchers for manicure or facial? Or theatre / cinemas vouchers? For DPs parents we have got vouchers for a local restaurant - any good?

Tinker · 16/12/2006 19:15

Why do you have to buy them anything else if you've already bought them something and they don't really want for anything?

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