What have you got your mum and dad?

[christmasconnundrums]

Mum mid 70s dresses well .. needs nothing! Likes crafts is v good at knitting etc. Likes reading but not kindle, likes jigsaws, birds, gardening, grandson

Possilbly makeup stuff or mirror as struggles to see to put makeup on

Dad .. late 70s .. loves jazz, steam trains, transport, grandson, food, real ale,

I quite fancy experiences as they make memories rather than things

Any ideas?

Thanks

Theatre tickets, hotel vouchers. Afternoon tea, wine tasting, restaurant voucher or anything along those lines, me and dh are in our 60s and we've told kids not to buy us anything, spend it on their families but if they did these are the things we would prefer.

For the past few years I've got my folks a voucher for our local independent cinema, they do a special film & dine voucher. They love it, they're pensioners and although not hard up, see it as a real treat!
What interests do your parents have? I've also got them a carluccios voucher in the past, they loved that!

What's your budget?

You can get an afternoon tea for two on a steam train in a number of areas in the country.

In laws, new placemats with a Cornish scene. Dad a ugears perpetual calendar. It's a kit that you put together. No mum anymore😓

Mum nothing

Dad liquorice torpedos (which I've just realised he won't be able to eat).

(They're separated and my family don't do presents once you're over 16. DH there is the annual exchange of boxes of shortbread which go into work in January or to the back of the cupboard to reemrge in a year or so...)

National Trust or RSPB membership might be good for an experience gift. So far I've got my Mum a heated throw, so need to think of a couple of other things.

I got my dad the latest (last) Stephen Hawkins book, some more books about war stories (he's a book nerd) and a jigsaw with a classic mini on it as my parents always have a puzzle on the go and my dad has 3 minis.

I got my mum "the Bletchley circle" on dvd as I know she'll love it but she doesn't have any tv other than free view! Some old lady perfume (which she asked for) and a really hard puzzle because I'm mean!

They'll also have kids school photos and a calendar.

Oh I forgot I've bought them a cheese and preserves hamper too.

I won't see them at xmas so I've bought extra!

For my in-laws I got mil turtle doves recycled cashmere hat and neck warmer.

Fil we got a monocular with compass (he's a sailing race officer)

They've also got some posh chocs a calendar and school photos

I got them a personalised painting of their home. Cost £40. I can give the artists name, but last time I did that Mumsnet deleted my account! So let me know if you'd want it...

I got my dad a guitar magazine subscription, my mam a voucher for a facial or a massage, MIL & FIL subscription to country file magazine and a hamper

Vineyard Tour and Wine Tasting Experience. I went on one in the summer and am buying one for my parents. It was really interesting.

This year I've ended up getting my mum loads and not much for my dad. Mum is getting a camera, some bath stuff and her favourite chocolates. Dad is getting some chocolates and a donation to a charity he has requested. Fil is getting an ornament and a bottle of gin, mil is in a care home and is getting new socks and a top plus chocolate (she has late stage dementia so not much you can get her)

Mum- Scarf

Dad- leather gloves

FIL- giving half towards a cheap smart phone ( BIL paying other half)

Step MIL- currently a toiletries set. May get her something else too

Flights for their January holiday.

I have got my mum a cook book, some posh body lotion and some fortnum and mason glacé fruits.
I have got my dad a nice jumper from fat face and merino buff and a magnum sized bottle of real ale from John Lewis.

For my mum - a nice leather purse and some lindor chocolates.

My Dad- a movie night hamper (2 x 3d dvds, popcorn, jelly beans and Turkish delight).

Mum 80 - micro-fleece thermal nightie, got her exactly the same last year on spec and she's asked for the exact same one this year 😂, TBF we live 'up North'. French language paperback books, homemade Christmas Cake which DF will share. DF 82 a book,The moon in 3D by Dr Brian May. My DF worked for over 20 years in Space Physics as a technician.
I'm aware I am so lucky to still have both my darling parents who always say "please don't spend a lot on us, you can't afford it" (I'm in a minimum wage role)💗

Mam: face wash & powder she wanted, new pjs, candle, scratch map, charm for her bracelet and fancy lip balm.

Dad: gift voucher, a shirt, a top, leather gloves and new scarf.

MIL: engraved charm for her bracelet, slippers, dressing gown, cook book.

FIL: whiskey, new glasses and a coat.

A wildlife camera

What about a subscription to Netflix?

Dad - nice aftershave and some pre-mixed cans of Rum and Coke.

Mum - fancy age defying haircare products
and box of Seashell chocs.

Mum - The Crown on DVD - she loved episode 1 when she was at my house but doesn't have Netflix.

Dad - a fancy garden broom! Yes, really, that's what he was adamant he wanted. My kids think it's the worst present ever .

I'll get them some nice chocolatea and wine too, but I've been ordered not to get anything more than that.

the past few years I've bought my parents Ticketmaster gift cards, which they've used to go towards theatre or concert tickets. they're all about experiences over stuff, which suits me perfectly.

Mum - L’Occitane goodies
Dad - Old English Whiskey

Mum - subscription to woman and home (previously gardening magazine)

Dad - subscription to computing magazine

In-laws - amazon Echo