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.

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

No, it’s the selection of many generic gifts that I’m not going to use/eat/drink/wear.

It sounds like you are thinking about this a bit more deeply though. I work outside and always appreciate merino wool baselayers and wool rich boot socks.

It’s just a big Christmas stocking. What I want in mine at 62 is the same as I would have at 25.

I’d love some really luxurious food - lobster Thermidor, wagu steak. Proper champagne. Cashmere socks. A beautiful big coffee table book about interior design or gardening full of gardening porn photos.

If it was from my husband I’d like a new sex toy, but that’s probably not something I’d want from my kids. But if DH is listening...

Oh goodness!

So I too am an 'age' that requires special treatment or consideration?!

Oh dear.

A case of biodynamic red wine, please.

A specific item of jewellery from one particular designer.

A specific bottle of perfume ditto.

A really good new radio would be welcome.

Any books on my million strong Amazon list.

Hmm ... What else? I prefer to choose and buy my own food/tea/coffee, because I know what I like and prefer to do my own exploring for new sources.

I buy my own clothes (and don't generally say where they're from as my spending is my own business, so a voucher would be awkward ...).

Tickets for anything would probably cause annoying calendar clashes.

Nothing with the words 'nice' or 'posh' preceding the item, thank you.

I would love a hamper and posh chocs and hot chocolate. I wouldn't give a thank you for caviar, smoked salmon or champagne (or even good wine). It just shoes how different we all are. The things you've bought so far sound lovely, and you've had some good suggestions to add to it.

I agree with @PoulePouletteEternellement.
And definitely not toiletries - I know what works for my skin and what doesn’t!

I’m 57.

I would not want a hamper of any description.

Things l would like:
Tickets for gigs to see my favourite bands
More time with my dc
Shoes!!!
Stuff for my hobby
A MacBook.

But no way a hamper. I don’t want ‘luxury’ food or chocolate. There’s enough food circling round at Christmas.

I was thinking of doing a hamper for my brother and wife (mid 30s)!

This thread has made me question it but I was imagining them putting the baby to bed, getting out the hamper and enjoying the things they wouldn't have bought themselves - nice wine, interesting cheeses etc. Not a generic hamper, I would pick things I think they would genuinely like.

I would be really happy with this as a present! What I really want is a cordless hoover but obviously I wouldn't expect my brother to buy me one of those.

I am mid 50s and would not want a hamper, it would make me feel really old, somehow.

Does your mum do pyjamas OP? Jigsaw have some really nice posh ones, they come with their own little bag.

My ideal present as an old gimmer would be some boots from All Saints.

I am mid forties and would love a Fortnum & Mason hamper!

You could get them one of those and then wrap up the gifts you’ve already got separately.

And when lve had the odd small hamper, we ended up chucking most of it away. Don’t like chutneys or strange coloured items in strange coloured oils in little bottles.

I’d be insulted if my dc bought me a hamper tbh.

Pinkearedcow😂

Yeah my ideal present as an old gimmer would be some tickets to see my favourite indie bands

TheEmojiFormerlyKnownAsPrince I wonder if there will ever be gigs again? sigh

I love food, cooking, trying new things and most importantly chutney never goes unused, heh. So I guess I’m the target market for a great hamper!

But also I’m really picky about clothing/boots/bags/jewellery/books/everything, really, so I generally prefer to choose those for myself.

Personally I find in my 50s I've become allergic to rubbish. I would not want a ,£200 hamper but I like a good deli or farm shop. Things you can't buy in Tesco, support a local business . Good cheese, wine, coffee, chocolate, crackers, charcuterie. No tacky wicker basket pls. Reusable shopping bag if you must.

Pinkearedcow. But we are too old to go!

We should be at home crying into our unwanted hampers😁.

I’m still waiting to see a band that was due to play in March. They’ve postponed until Feb, but looks like they will have to postpone again😥

I was excoriated on another thread for saying my nearly nonagenarian parent wouldn't want cheap tat.

They wouldn't want a basket of stocking presents as a 'main' present, either!

That such a shame TheEmojiFormerlyKnownAsPrince. I have friends who are musicians and their business has been decimated, I don't know if they will ever recover. My heart breaks for them.

Anyway, bit of a derail there.

The wicker basket is my favourite bit! But we live in a big old house (well, big for us after several years of living in flats) and I always need another basket. Mind you I suppose I would prefer it not to have the huge F&M on the front...

Anyway OP how about a lock breaking kit for your dad? They were apparently very popular with DF/DP/DHs on the Christmas threads a couple of years ago. Just a bit of fun. Or maybe a Lego architect model. My DH loved the one I got for him a few years ago (a very realistic model of a Sopwith Camel). Although they are quite expensive. Or how about a build your own radio if he’s handy like that?

Your mum might appreciate a set of solid hand creams from the Edinburgh Natural Skincare Company - they come in a lovely little tin. I’d love that as a gift! What else...a piece of vintage jewellery if you know her style pretty well?

My mum and dad are hard to buy for but are older than yours, in their late 60s. Both are really active. I'm buying my mum a set of weights (she wants to strengthen her arms) and my dad a bird box camera. They will each also get a nice bottle of alcohol for their bar, and subscriptions - my dad for Ancestry and my mum for Good Food magazine.

HollyandIvyandallthingsYule ...

Are you sure the OP's mother wouldn't prefer the Lego or lockbreaking?

And her dad might be desperate for some hand cream ...

I am 58 and feel way too young for a hamper. But some of the separate components you mentioned sound fine, as long as wrapped individually.

The Ancestry thing is great.

True enough! I’m just speaking from my own preferences and/or what my DH likes. Although I also like Lego, being Danish! I actually kind of want the gingerbread house...

@GingerAndTheBiscuits you could put the gifts into a tasteful Christmas sack or bag for each of them instead, to avoid any unintended hamper offence.