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.

Mouse House Hampers are great. I got ds1 one as he has his own house and loves fancy food. They come in a range of prices. They were recommended on here.

@pinkearedcow

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

This is my worry too - I know what they like because it’s very similar to my own music tastes (which maybe makes me an old gimmer too?!) but with so much being cancelled and the idea of socially distanced gigs being a big weird I’m hesitant to book anything.

@TheEmojiFormerlyKnownAsPrince

The Ancestry thing is great.

It would be a great one for my FIL actually. That’s another job off the list.

[quote HollyandIvyandallthingsYule]@GingerAndTheBiscuits you could put the gifts into a tasteful Christmas sack or bag for each of them instead, to avoid any unintended hamper offence. [/quote]
I’m going to end up scrapping it out for initialled B&M Christmas sacks with the rest of the Christmas board aren’t I?

@Crimblecrumble1990 I actually wanted to get them a robot hoover because I love ours so much but when I hinted at it to DM she said it would set the house alarm off and she didn’t see the point in having one running while they were home. Plus it feels a bit like if DH bought me an iron as a gift, which would not go down well with me. Although I did buy him one once!

I am older than your parents and would appreciate a case of decent red wine. The M&S Classic Red selection is good.

Rather than random groceries.

Or
Books that I actually want
A rucksack for my walks
Chilly bottle , ditto, if I didn’t already have one
One item of interesting contemporary jewellery
A fire pit

Oh no - you will skip all that by going to eBay and get beautifully handmade ones in a Scandi style, for not too much money!

I've made my MIL and mini hamper this year - it has fudge, truffles, a candle, hand cream and a mini bottle of prossecco.

If they would like jam/marmalade - M&S do Bucks fizz marmalade and champagne strawberry jam. They also do cherries in kirsch etc in posh looking jars. You could also put in aftershave/perfume and other nice toiletries. A hot chocolate or brandy coffee set. Coffee pods if they use them or ground coffee, fancy teabags. A nice tin of shortbread.

I’m your parents’ age and I think a hamper would be rather aging. A sort of “here’s something for the old dears” gift rather than something specific to them.

How about a Neal’s Yard cheese subscription? I’d be over the moon with that.

Oh yes you can get some lovely cheese and accompaniments hampers, with really good, unusual cheeses.

I'm 60 and would like cheese, crackers and chutney. Gin. Amarone. Chablis.
I hate the word " posh".

alot depends on what they are into

books
wrist warmer things for Mum and maybe thinsulate type things for Dad as an outside worker, decent chocolate and wine, but also maybe nice versions of things they normally have such as Jams and Chutneys or some new kitchen knives or decent mug set for tea etc, coasters maybe fun ones, guide to local walks perhaps, spice selection for say curry making at home and accompanying recipes/book, amazon or netflix credit, some new christmas decorations of some sort (if delivered a bit before christmas) or even a wreath etc.

Sadly I am in their age range which makes me feel old today

I'm that age with school age and older kids. Agree with pp that I don't think I'm hard to buy for but the kids claim I am because I don't want spa vouchers etc. And I really would prefer you keep your money. Parents who spend a lot do it because they can and want to not because they want anything back in return.

I wouldn't want more "stuff" in the house - no glasses, mugs, picture frames, reed diffusers, snow globes etc.

Random things I would like:
Latest Booker prize book
A subscription to a magazine I like
A bottle of a liqueur I'd drink - Cointreau
A voucher for a restaurant with a long expiry date - best gift I got the other year
Some simple art stuff to get me started
A fire pit would be nice but garden not ready for it

Hamper is just a way of presenting things to be honest. I like the idea of consumable gifts, and just because its a hamper doesn't mean it can't have funky gifts. My fav at the moment is my wireless headphones so that is perhaps another idea for individual gift

@RB68 if it’s any consolation they had me very young and I don’t consider them in any way old! Ages were given for context ;) You’ve reminded me how terrible their knives are - a really good knife set is definitely worth looking at.

Oh, also a outdoor infrared camera to film wildlife in the garden

And wireless headphones. Are you one of them RB68?!

I’m in my 30s and I’d love a hamper

Just read the thread - didn't realise a hamper could be so offensive! My DP used to make me one when I was in my 20s - it was my favourite present! It came in a cardboard box wrapped in Christmas paper that I would then give back the next year! But I'd love a wicker hamper - always need more storage boxes here!

Just had another thought GingerAndTheBiscuits Do your Mum and Dad live anywhere near any of the Marco Pierre White restaurants? Their current offer is £100 vouchers for £50, £50 vouchers for £25 etc. Might be nice to get lots of vouchers and then you can hopefully all get together for a meal when (and if!) Lockdown has lifted. I would love that if I had grown up DC.

I'm mid 50s.
DH gets a Xmas hamper every year from work. He acts indifferent, but I enjoy digging thru it.

I like charity gifts. Yes Oxfam goats. Those are great.
DH wants Bailey's, I like chocolate.
You are very generous & I'm sure your plan will be received well, OP.

I will take a look NotEnoughTime as that sounds like a bargain!

Doesn't it Ginger-I think I will treat DH to some vouchers for his Christmas present obviously he will have to take me with him.

I’m your mums age. What about a good bottle If port and a quarterly cheese subscription? Or the Booker shortlist and a diptique candle. All things I’d love but would buy myself so close to Christmas.

Something for my 4 year old, not me