Mid-50s parents - Christmas hamper ideas help!

[GingerAndTheBiscuits]

Between myself and siblings so budget is a couple of hundred, maybe a smidge more (they have good incomes and no kids ). We’d usually book them a weekend away or buy one “big ticket” item between us but they have everything and obviously getting away for a weekend or booking tickets for an event carries too much uncertainty at the moment. So instead I was thinking a hamper of assorted gifts. We’ve done it before but I feel a bit devoid of ideas this year. I have a handful already - books, nice socks, posh chocolates, some earrings for DM and thermals for DDad as he works a lot outdoors. Perhaps some booze?

If you were a recipient of such a gift, what would you love to find inside?! They are both very easy-going but don’t really have any hobbies or specific interests to speak of.

OMG, I'm that age have I really reached an age where hampers are suitable present?

From my DC I'd like some of your time please. I don't want you to spend your money on me, I'd like a long walk and a picnic or for you to cook me dinner and clear up or a family games evening or...anything that takes a bit of thought and time but not cash wasted on buying a present just for the sake of it.

it’s more that they have everything - a couple of things I’ve hinted at haven’t been met with enthusiasm so I’m out of ideas. We live quite far away but are hoping to be there over Christmas where I always cook a few meals and we usually have lots of long walks by the sea! But I would like something for them to open/enjoy on Christmas Day (especially if it ends up that we can’t travel to be with them :( )

I'm 51 and I would love a hamper! Pyjamas, bed socks, moisturiser, lovely candle, bath oils, favourite perfume, liquorice, photograph frame, diffuser, definitely books as you said, chocolates yes, no alcohol for me but hot chocolate luxury mix, maybe a lovely mug.

That is a bit older than me and if anyone suggested "posh chocs" or "posh hot choc" I would be rolling my eyes so far in my head.
If you know your parents would like it, carry on, but otherwise why cant you buy presents for your mother, presents for your father and wine/champagne for them to have over Christmas? No need to stick it in a wicker basket and pad it out with stuff for the sake of it.

Are you sure there’s nothing they actually would like? I’m 51 and my DC claim I’m hard to buy for.

I’m really not, it’s just they don’t necessarily like getting what I would like as think it’s boring and done it before eg. Garden stuff. I could rustle up a list if anyone asks me . My Dad did and I got on quite a roll once I started!

@Takethewinefromtheswine

That is a bit older than me and if anyone suggested "posh chocs" or "posh hot choc" I would be rolling my eyes so far in my head. If you know your parents would like it, carry on, but otherwise why cant you buy presents for your mother, presents for your father and wine/champagne for them to have over Christmas? No need to stick it in a wicker basket and pad it out with stuff for the sake of it.

This, I'd just want a bottle gin or lovely Champagne, no need to fluff it up for the sake of it

Are you sure there’s nothing they actually would like?

I’ve asked them both: “We just want you all here for Christmas” - unfortunately I can’t guarantee that one. And DM especially goes mad at Christmas buying lots of little things for us all. So I’m keen for them to have something more to look at than potentially just our faces on a WhatsApp video on Christmas Day. Siblings have zero ideas to contribute despite one still living at home! When we did the “hamper” thing a few years ago the main present inside was a photo printer (because my dad got a really nice digital camera the year before but never got around to printing pictures off) and then a selection of other bits and pieces we thought they would like (and they did - or they put on a very good show of it ). But they are in a very lucky position of being able to buy the things they want, so trying to thing of extra things they might enjoy but don’t think to buy for themselves is quite difficult. In previous years we’ve done flight vouchers with a guide to European cities, or a spa/golf weekend but those feel a bit risky this year as they may not get to use them before they expire. My mum is gifted lots and lots of booze through her work at Christmas (which we all do very well out of!)

Anyway, I hadn’t realised hampers were so passé so I may have to rethink 😆

@Takethewinefromtheswine

That is a bit older than me and if anyone suggested "posh chocs" or "posh hot choc" I would be rolling my eyes so far in my head. If you know your parents would like it, carry on, but otherwise why cant you buy presents for your mother, presents for your father and wine/champagne for them to have over Christmas? No need to stick it in a wicker basket and pad it out with stuff for the sake of it.

Yep!

Hmm definitely no to a hamper. An upgrade on things I normally like or use, so vintage champagne, really good wine, soap or shower gel or body lotion to go with my favourite fragrance ( Chanel soap is absolutely wonderful) etc.
A Rick Stein or Hawksmoor delivery
A flower or coffee subscription
My tastes haven't changed that much since my 30s, my Mum in her mid 80s is only now wanting that kind of thing.

Confused - how can they have no kids?!

Ah do you mean your siblings have no kids OP?

I'm in my 50s. Good coffee and good wine, please. No biscuits or such crap because I really can't eat them. Hoping that gets better once I'm properly old.

Well I am that age range and would love a hamper. DH and I are very lucky in that we can buy whatever we want/need so I guess from that perspective our DCs would also say we are hard to buy for! Hampers receive very mixed responses on MN as you are seeing on this thread. I don't think they are passé at all, just that some people don't like them. You know your parents, we don't so I'm sure if you've come up with that idea you must think that they would enjoy it. Booze definitely would be appreciated here - wine, Prosecco or gin please!
This year in particular I am trying to support local businesses, for example I am going to buy the men in my family beer from a local microbrewery and I'm keeping an eye on a local FB group where local
artisans are advertising their wares. A little more expensive than the big stores but more worthwhile.

@EternalOptimist7

Confused - how can they have no kids?!

My siblings sorry, I wasn’t very clear! One lives at home gratis so can afford to contribute a bit to a nice gift because lord knows he owes them a few!

Coffee sub
Flower sub
Marvellous stuff from L'occitane
Champagne

or send them the damart catalogue

@Defiantly41

Hmm definitely no to a hamper. An upgrade on things I normally like or use, so vintage champagne, really good wine, soap or shower gel or body lotion to go with my favourite fragrance ( Chanel soap is absolutely wonderful) etc. A Rick Stein or Hawksmoor delivery A flower or coffee subscription My tastes haven't changed that much since my 30s, my Mum in her mid 80s is only now wanting that kind of thing.

These are kind of thing I was thinking of (not sure if the meal kits do vouchers so they could choose their own at a time to suit but will look into it). Thank you for the mention of them as I hadn’t heard of either.

Maybe it’s just the wicker basket part MN objects to?!

@RockingMyFiftiesNot I was hoping to pick up some local bits too, and throw a bit less at Amazon than usual

No personal care products thanks. I think that's a weird gift from anyone.
I'm in my late 50s, but my kids are school age. But of I had adult kids I'd love something really fancy that I'd never buy myself - caviar and really excellent wine, top notch smoked salmon and other charcuterie and such. Don't need to put it in a hamper, though that does make the presentation nice.

Lots of calls for good wine. I don’t drink it and DH’s view of “good wine” is whatever is on offer in the corner shop... I’m going to need to do a bit of research!

Do they like cooking? Do they have a favourite cuisine?

I made my BIL a box of Spanish delicacies after he had a trip to Spain and raved about the food. I found a shop that specialised in Spanish food, made a selection of things I thought he'd like to try, and boxed and decorated it myself.
The next Christmas I found a shelf of Japanese foods in M&S after my niece returned from visiting Japan, and did something similar. They both seemed genuinely pleased with them and the thought that had gone into them.

Soo not your normal generic Christmas hamper, but themed to their interest, and only of things you know they would like/use.

That sounds great saraclara DDad’s favourite thing is cheese which we always buy locally from a really great cheese company and bring with us for Christmas. Clearly we already spoil them too much

I know it is hard, but I am 53 and am a bit at the idea of a hamper, but then I'm probably going to buy my mum a wheelbarrow for Christmas, as hers has died, and she will love it.

One serious comment though, do you realy know which soap/smellies they use and what they like to drink? I ahet being given smellies and the ones I will use ar every specific, and dh doesn't share them!
My mum doesn't really eat much choc and my dad much prefers dark choc, so unless you are sure of tastes, be careful.

I'm 51. I would say I didnt want anything at all and for you to keep your money.
However, if you insisted, I'd be secretly gutted at a hamper and be thrilled with a weekend away. You can still buy vouchers or maybe give them euros?

@GingerAndTheBiscuits

That sounds great saraclara DDad’s favourite thing is cheese which we always buy locally from a really great cheese company and bring with us for Christmas. Clearly we already spoil them too much

How about some really fancy accompaniments for cheese? Fig and nut wedges? Fancy fancy crackers (including some international style ones)? Quince jelly? Pickled walnuts?

www.finecheese.co.uk/crackers-and-accompaniments/accompaniments-for-cheese

penninewineandcheese.com/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=231

I can’t do smellies for my dad due to a severe allergy to a particular ingredient that pops up in quite a few. But for mum I have raided her perfume cupboard enough times to know what kind of scents she likes, so smellies are an option.

A really good bottle of red and white and a Rick Stein voucher may be the way to go, plus the books and other bits I had in mind for their stockings (yes I know, stockings... but my DCs insisted we all have one!)