What are you giving your parents?

[GingerAndTheBiscuits]

Alternatively, if you are in your early to mid 50s what would you and/or your DH like to receive?

Budget anything up for £150 as I can get my siblings to go in on gift with me.

My dad is an avid golfer but already has a lot of the gear - golf watch, good shoes, etc. Mum knits and loves a good tv show. Both good cooks and very sociable. I was thinking a hamper full of naice food and drink bits plus maybe some kind of voucher for an experience/day out but better ideas are most welcome!

I'm in my fifties, and for the sort of budget you mention, I'd like something luxurious that I would feel a bit guilty about buying for myself, maybe something cashmere, or a Liberty print silk scarf, or very soft fur lined gloves. Tickets for a show or exhibition would be nice, as would top end smellies, maybe Jo Malone or similar ( not the candles, though,they are rubbish!)

I am thinking of giving them a voucher for a weekend outing. I guess they haven't had some quality time out of the house for a long time and was thinking of it all the time but never got a chance to give it to them. So this time I am going to gift them something where they can have some good time together.

Oh gosh... am feeling very stingy now. I'm getting my parents a little collection of locally produced beer/coffee/tea and a photo calendar of their grandchildren.

They are pushing their 70s and really just don't need more stuff cluttering up their house. (Or perhaps that's me projecting my own feelings about Christmas?!)

My dad is impossible. He doesn't like any sports. He doesn't really have any hobbies. He likes good food but is dieting. He tends to buy things he wants like kitchen gadgets hinself.

The only thing I can think of would be vouchers for Premier Inn or something as he travels round the UK a fair bit and that's his preferred hotel. But I can't afford enough to make it worthwhile.

My mum (parents divorced) is getting a handmade gift about women in History, which I hope she'll like as she's a feminist and interested in history. Will probably get something else too like a pretty calendar.

Both parents are aged early 60s.

Karkin14, I’d be interred in the customised print too!

So I googled the Star map thing as I was interested.

https://www.posterhaste.com/item/star-map/?gclid=CjwKCAjwmefOBRBJEiwAf7DstIAIwSkMwR6DJc2A-xx-DasYsk84Kv-c1p6MxvduKVJJfSIbae0BoCOE0QAvD_BwE

This one looks good

Interesting thread! I'm taking my parents & in laws to G4 Christmas in concert in our local minster in December, both of them really want to do that (as do I) so that's a winner &every Christmassy, will do fizz & nibbles at home first.

Plan to also buy some posh alpaca walking socks for DM &DF too, Perilla ones as they do lots of walking & these claim to only need washing once a week despite intense walking

For FIL &MIL (also buying for DB & a friend going travelling) might also buy a 'trace me' tracking system luggage tag for their trips abroad, but can only buy them 60 days before you want to register them so be careful but good for ppl who travel a lot, DB parted from his luggage twice this year!

As little presents for MIL & DM I have bought a 'pony wool depiler'.

Other ideas were a night BEd breakfast & dinner in a lovely b&b in nice walking countryside, newspaper subscription, cashmere jumper for MIL but DH & his siblings always do a present together so no point!

Pretty sure NotOnTheHighStreet do the star maps!

@Minster2012 those socks sound great. DH is doing a huge walking challenge next year so may get some for his stocking

I have this problem every year.

DM has a house full of stuff so no point in buying anything like ornaments. She still uses the same kitchen knife she had 25 years ago and doesn't trust any kitchen gadget invented in last 30years as they are too newfandangalled. She is allergic to a certain ingredient that is in some make up/lotion, no idea which ones so have to steer clear.

DF is even worse to buy for.

Thanks Glum I'd forgotten how much my Mum loves the Countryfile calendar. I'll add that to my list.

Ooh I love that luggage tag idea @Minster2012
I'm getting some great suggestions from this thread, strictly tickets are purchased!

Glad to help, I read about the trace me tags in the telegragh I think in the summer & jotted it down, you just have remember to register them & get them to register them again each year (think the tags are £12 which includes a year) then £8 per year? But i read it after DM lost his luggage so struck a nerve for a difficult person!

Also just noted a 'tile mate' (key/handbag & phone tracking) for my parents to buy my DH for his Nov birthday after he's lost his 2nd set of keys this year so maybe that will help , adding countryfile calendar to list for grandparents!

Reminds me I need to investigate a metal thing for getting rid of garlic smells on hands someone on the bargain thread suggested!

& just got an email from Perilla with free shipping for orders over £30 with FREESHIPOCT for the alpaca socks

Mine generally have all the "stuff" they want, so we give theatre vouchers, restaurant vouchers, tickets for trips, National Trust membership - things that they can use to go somewhere/do something.

Good thread - though I'm more in your age range, OP - my parents are late 70s/early 80s. I love to be given books and CDs /music downloads by people who know my tastes as they often pick something I wouldn't have thought of trying. I also love to be given cook books :)

My DPs are getting this cold frame (and also my time to assemble it )

For those whose DPs are into walking, one of my biggest hits ever was a pair of hiking boot bags like these for them to keep in the boot of the car.

I have just bought a Buy a Gift Smartbox. They are activity vouchers for pamper / experience / meals / tea for two etc that come in a presentation box with a book showing all the things they can do. I got a few hard to buy for friends one too.

The start at about £30 and go up to hundreds but you have massive choice. I bought the Christmas Box.

they sent me a link that gives me and a friend £10 off so if anyone wants the link let me know in a pm and i will sent you the link and we both get a a bonus

I have no freaking idea! My dad is almost impossible to buy for and also helpfully has a November birthday. He normally ends up with interesting books, or socks
My mum is easier to buy for as she has lots of interests. The best thing I ever got for her was an idea I found on MN - a nest box camera. She rigged it up to a TV in her kitchen and watched the baby bluetits. A total hit!

Tiger apparently have some yarn bowls in at the moment and they look really pretty. I may treat myself...

Is tiger the same as flying tiger. We have flying tiger and I went yesterday to get yarn bowl for my DM but they didn’t have any

I have given up this year and resigned myself to getting Dad a nice bottle of whisky and a box of 15 John Smiths which I now he will drink.
Mum is another question I always get her the Yours Annual and the friends. She likes toffees and a few other things I think I will get her some of the little things and do her a small sweetie hamper. I really give up they are so ungrateful .

@sadik that's a great idea, I'm adding that with the walking socks, thanks! And that's me done!!

Those interested in giving a few similar small things might like this article Pinterest suggested to me today about packaging them in a jar with a themed label. Making the thoughtful presents a coherent single present IYSWIM.

Disclaimer: some of the ideas in the article are crap.

My dad is 62 I'm getting him a vinyl record which he collects

Mum I'm getting a perfume set

Can't afford to splurge this year baby due end of November. We as a family never splurge anyway tbh we 'll just enjoy each others company and a lovely roast

I'll loving this thread Thank you! Lots of great ideas.
My mum loved her fitbit type thing last year. Dad liked homemade chocolate mint creams.