What to buy my parents who dislike everything you ever buy them

[whatisthepointofatoering]

Just that, both 70, no real hobbies, they do like drinking wine, but that just seems a cope out unless something amazing and I know nothing about wine, they drink red. I have previously bought them a grape vine.

They always complain about gifts or give them away. But I will see them Xmas day I need something

Last year I did a winter plant hamper, with some chocolates and wine, they didn't crack a smile. I can't bare wasting my money on them 😬

Damn Boris .. could of stayed lockdown for Xmas 😉

Could you do almost a pick and mix box of wine if that’s what they really like? I’m like you too, I don’t drink and I no absolutely nothing about wine but a lot of good wine merchants will help you put a case together if you can find out a couple of bits they already like? If you felt like it then you could do an additional box of bits and pieces to match the wines - olives, cheeses, chocolates etc

Magazine subscription ? Birdhouse ? Book of history / photographs from where they can from ? Photo Mosaic ? Afternoon Tea delivery / vouchers ?

If they are so rude about the gifts you gave them in the past then why bother trying to please them with something unique just get them a bottle of red or nothing at all.

A tin of Quality Street. They don't need anything, they don't want anything, you can't buy a moon on a stick, make it token.

Have you tried ...gasp... asking them what they'd like for Christmas?

Voucher for local independent wine shop and they can choose their own ?

Seriously don't waste your money. Go in with v low expectations, bottle of wine that you grabbed off the shelf and random box of chocs. Job done.

Although we scored a winner one year with MIL, committed Waitrose shopper. We were fed up and bought her some Lidl chocs. Lidl Christmas is v nice and she was convinced that Bellarom or whatever it was, was some exotic and expensive brand.

We kept quiet

Just buy them wine. They like it. Job done.

Subscription to a wine club (if one exists) that sends you out a bottle each month to try?

I know you can do that for gin so I presume there’s a wine one?!

A mirror

Nothing.

My MIL is like this. I got her flowers once and she left them in the sink in the utility room.
This year I have got her a Calendar with pictures of the grandkids and some Marks and Sparks biscuits and I’m planning to get some cheeses from a local place closer to the time.

Oxfam goat

They won’t like it but at least someone will

how about a goat for a poor family in east Africa, bought in their name.
make just make them think. or maybe not.
but i bet that family will be very grateful for the goat.

great minds think alike.
or fools seldom differ ?

They like wine. How is buying them wine a cop out? You know nothing about it but presumably they have bottles in their house.You can write down the wine they like from the labels then go to a good wine shop & ask for some suggestions that tie in.

They can’t just like wine... surely?
I love drinking but I have a liver to consider..
Ok, if they just want wine, get them wine.
My parents in law and my father are exactly the same. (Not wine but really fucking hard to please).
Could you ask what they’d like?
If. It, I say make a donation to a favourite charity and say you’ve done it.
Do they get you gifts?

At home wine tasting kit?

Yeah, ask them. If they say they don't want anything, then don't get them anything! Donate it to charity of their choice or something?

Nothing. Or if you feel you must, wine.

Wine accessories? Like below?

Otherwise sod it, give them each a membership for AA .

I was going to suggest an Oxfam gift too. My DH bought me one that pays for men to have lessons in how to support the family domestically so that women's time is freed up for education and setting up their own businesses.

If you know that you'll be met with disapproval regardless, you might as well get something that will benefit someone else.

If they didn't appreciate your thoughtful hamper gift they certainly won't appreciate any wine you get them, it's bound to be the wrong vintage or grape variety.
Make a charity donation on their behalf, how about giving to Water Aid? You could contribute to a well and tell your parents you've turned their wine into water! The unknown recipients will appreciate it even if your parents don't.

Either nothing or one of those Charity gifts that aren't really a gift. Either way, tell them why.