Ideas for parents in their 60s

[bourbonqueen]

I'm stumped at what to get my parents for Christmas. They are not into much at all, in the past I would pick up a jumper some nice socks for my dad and some perfume/bodycare stuff for my mum but I feel that these go into the back of the cupboard never to be seen again even if it is Jo Malone I've tried giving them a few vouchers for weekends away but I never hear them mentioning them using them which makes me think they don't use them or give them away. My brother who is single and doesn't have a mortgage/kids buys them a new iPhone each year I cannot compete with this as me and DH have 3 kids a mortgage, childcare expenses and also his family to buy for too. I'm thinking of something like a cordless vacuum cleaner or an amazon echo but not sure whether these would be nice gifts to receive. Any one else got any ideas please? Parents are in their 60s. They don't like going out much not into shows/concerts and my mum isn't into spa days.

Do they read? A magazine or book club subscription?

What about an Amazon Fire tablet to use as a kindle or an Amazon fire stick to give extra TV channels. I had both last year as presents. The previous year I had new bedding/duvet cover in a colour to match my colour scheme. A voucher from M&S or Next or whichever clothes shop they like. Gardening stuff if they are into gardening. I previously had a lightweight cordless vacuum which is great. Can you ask for a present list - that's what we do.

Is there anything you could do with them? A day out that your family and they would enjoy altogether?

Without knowing a bit more about them it’s hard to say. Some of the gifts that went down well my my dps and pils in the same age bracket that have been:

Small stereo/cd player for the kitchen where they spend most of their time (they have a huge built in stereo in the living room) that rarely gets used and a huge cd collection.

Nespresso machine

Kneeler for garden with handles

Brushed cotton bedding (bit meh when they opened it and then got a call late one night weeks later when they finally tried it out and loved it)

Dual control electric blanket

Newspaper archive subscription

Over arm remote control organizer

Tickets for a show to attend with us

What about a voucher for a fancy restaurant nearby or one they enjoy? They could have a nice lunch/dinner.

What about making a hamper of all their favourite things? Wines, beers, spirits, cheeses and biscuits, chocolates, cakes, etc.

I am in your parents’ age group.

I have welcomed or would welcome:

-voucher for afternoon tea, or lunch or tapas - especially if it is somewhere we haven’t tried

-vouchers for garden centre or farm shop/cafe

-speciality teas and coffee

-silk scarf, nice gloves, cashmere pull on hat

-Virgin voucher to try an activity - e.g. ghost walk, guided tour

-handmade chocolate. Our local artisan shop does classes.

-pedometer watch - similar to Fitbit

• photobook of the GCs

-nice china mugs

-good quality scented candles

-nice pasta bowls

Suggest they set up an Amazon wish list?

My parents are slightly older, but have everything/have more money than us/etc.

I buy them a few novelty items for under the tree and invite them down for a few days. During their stay, I provide copious food, drink, grandchildren indulging time. It seems very unbalanced since they seem genuinely happy.

Just give them a photo of the kids in a frame.

Who on earth wants a new iPhone every year, I wouldn't!

National Trust membership
garden vouchers
cream tea

Have you asked them what they'd like? My Mum is in the same age group and always says she'd prefer to say what she'd like and get something that she loves than to receive a surprise! It's usually a Boden skirt or scarf!

It is hard.

Every year I get them a calendar with photos of all their GC. I get the format that they use (which is different to MIL).

Last year a hamper with very posh nice stuff went down well.

Whisky for my dad. Or a jumper that he chooses.

My mum is easier - nice earrings, scarf, perfume...

An iphone every year is very impersonal.

A surprising success with MIL was a mug with a photo of our DSes. She uses it every morning and says it cheers her up

I got my mil a personalised Emma Bridgewater mug that says ‘Grandma’. She uses it a lot. They also have a cities collection, birds, whatever, so they are nice gifts if they have associations with a city or like Garden birds or whatever.

What about an Amazon echo?

How about a preplanted tub for the garden ?
Got my dad a bird feeder once and he got a lot of pleasure from that
Subscription to a magazine?