Can think of nothing at all for parents this year.

[Paintedunicorn]

Help!
They are in their early 70s. Usually I buy them tickets for something, a couple of nights away, a gift experience for something - but this year that clearly cannot happen.

Budget is about £250 - not each, for both.
They don’t want ornaments, they don’t like gardening, they aren’t particularly into food or drink... they both have newish phones. My mom is allergic to most beauty products, they don’t really read much. I am drawing a blank.

Any ideas gratefully received.

Nowhere near your budget, but do they use tablet computers? Mine have asked for iBeanies to hold their tablets

My mum loved the heated blanket I got her last year.

Are they interested in family history? - if so, you could sign them up to a website to build and research your family tree.

Do they go walking ? A book of local walks to try?
Nice dressing gown?
Subscription to a magazine?

I know you said they aren't into food but perhaps there are some treats they particularly like or upgrades on their usual stuff and you could make up a small hamper e.g. local comb honey, posh shortbread, posh chocolates (Fortnum & Mason do lovely old fashioned rose and violet creams and fondants made by Audrey's in Hove), orange pekoe tea, luxury fruit cake etc.
I often do this sort of thing for my dad as there is nothing he really needs.

My MIL really liked a lovely Avoca pure wool/ cashmere blanket/throw I got her one year. My old aunts always liked a bit of cashmere - scarf, socks, cardi etc.

You could give something smaller/cheaper than usual this year and an IOU to do something a bit grander( e.g. a longer break away) later in the year when things are more settled.

If they got phone upgrades perhaps they'd like airbuds or a wireless charging mat.

Membership to something like the fine arts society or similar?

Do they have a tablet? The new Samsung tablet is just over £200. It's enough for Skype, Netflix etc. I am asking for one this year as I'm expecting a baby and want to have more face to face calls with my parents when baby arrives.

You could gift them this with the same idea in mind, as lockdown means we all don't see each other as much as we would like.

You could get them theatre vouchers - an experience type gift to be redeemed when things are back to normal. (Hopefully soon!)

Ancestry DNA kit & subscription
Le Creuset stuff
Now TV/Movies subscription if they don’t have Sky
Tartan Blanket co throw
Facebook Portal TV camera
Alexa/Google Home and smart plugs - useful for Christmas lights, lamps, kettle etc
Hive/Nest for heating

I think the tablet idea mentioned is a good one

Membership passes to somewhere near them they would visit
Netflix subscription
Craft Gin subscription
Bird Feeder
Cashmere scarf/socks
Kindle

I've bought my mum a Ring doorbell
Another idea could be one of those Facebook Portal things for video calls

Maybe get them some nice things for home? Like aroma candles (if they aren't allergic to them) or blankets or a calendar to put on the wall? There are websites like www.shutterfly.com that do calendars with pictures of your choice, or even calendar making programs like photo-calendar-software.com/ so you can stay withing your budget. Subscriptions to science or arts&crafts magazines could also be an option if they are into that.
You've also said they got newish phones, so maybe some accessories? Like screen protectors or shockproof/waterproof cases?

Subscription- Willoughby book club, magazines, coffee, cookery, flowers, cheese.

Restaurant at home box (Rick Stein’s is amazing). You could pair this with a dvd of a show for a DIY theatre and dinner experience.

Something to do at home (jigsaw/ airfix for my dad, puzzle books for my mum.

Freshly cooked Christmas Dinner delivered to their door on Christina day?

Or alternatively on Christmas day if they don't celebrate Christinas?

A coffee machine
Monthly subscription of a favourite food, magazine, drink.
A kindle
A massage chair?

Parents are the hardest to buy for, mine are both single and live on their own which makes it a bit more tricky

My mums getting a manicure set we’re putting together and an online manicure evening with us on Skype.