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 😬

Just ask them. A voucher is prob best. If they don't want a voucher either, do a charity gift.

Money and then they can choose what to spend it on, and if they complain tell them you won't give them anything next year as they always complain.

Why not agree not to do gifts anymore - that way you give them the gift of not receiving something they don't want, and not having to shop for you.

What do they give you as with some people I find this a clue to what they themselves like (not always though )

What about a lovely glass decanter for them to pour their red wine into before drinking? You can get some beautiful glass ones.

I'd just ask them.

If they like wine, buy them wine. Why does that make them hard to please? I like wine. I don't want plants, hampers, birdhouses, magazine subscriptions or, god forbid, a photo mosaic, whatever that is. A good bottle of red, rather better than I'd buy for myself, would make my day.

Wine
Wine magazine subscription
Voucher to local restaurant known for their wine list
Something to eat that goes with wine

And if they don’t like it that’s on them. You have tried and gift recipients are supposed to be gracious no matter what.

I am a wine person. I would be happy with a bottle of wine.

I'd get them wine.

How very ungrateful of them!

Brats.

A fancy corkscrew/ sommelier kit from John Lewis plus a gift receipt. They can then return it or exchange for something they want.

Membership to the Wine Society. My dad said it was the best present ever.

I've tried asking before and either it's the oh nothing much, surprise us or they ask for something very specific and expensive multiple hundreds . I then feel I have to get, which is over my budget of nothing  Theybare quite wealthy. Tried stopping gifts, but they say that's a bit miserable. The irony.

Might buy wine. They like French @AgentProvocateur looks great !

Can't buy quality street due to the fussiness.

Charity present won't go down well, my Dad has some very unreasonable, unrealistic views about how charity shouldn't need to exist. I think you get the picture of what they are like. Cantankerous.

I have bought my mum jewellery in past but feel it's been done.

OP ,they sound miserable so I wouldn't bother too much - I've got a mother like this and stopped worrying years ago about trying to make her happy. You simply can't win. I'd get them wine and this;
book Good luck and Happy Christmas!

Easy going books? Like Richard Osman’s latest or the one by the Gogglebox woman?

Useful things like very good oven glove (my mum’s oven gloves are tatty and old and stained every couple of years).
Pair of / four / six great red wine glasses?
Vacuvin (branded, not Waitrose own) and spare stoppers.
Proper good broad coat hangers that don’t distort anything hanging on them.
Cashmere tights (less good for your dad)
Insulated cafetière
Small watercolour of a place they like
National Trust membership
Subscription to magazine they like: tatler / spectator / the Week / country life / Slightly Foxed

Not all gift situations are equal. I love thinking about someone and picking out as perfect and thoughtful a gift as I possibly can. But I have people to buy for where I’ve had to accept that it’s a social obligation to wrap up something and that’s all there is to it.
If it’s not possible to please them, then accept that and don’t waste your energy. Don’t spend more than is reasonable to you. Try and come up with 3 acceptable gifts - eg wine, chocolate, candle - and just go with one of those every year.

I realise this isn't the point but how ungrateful!

Do they make an effort to buy you a nice gift? If not I'd go cheap and easy

Pls don't buy these ungrateful people anything and give the money to charity where it will be appreciated instead

Take note of the kinds of wine they have next time you are round then just buy one of those. If they are ungrateful anyway don't waste anymore time thinking about it!

They sound completely miserable. Where do they usually do their food shopping? Maybe just get some gift vouchers and they can please themselves!

@cees

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.

My parents are like this - I have given up putting any thought into gifts as nothing is appreciated.. I buy them the most expensive red in Tesco’s (about £20) and a small platter of posh cheese. At least it gets used.

@AgentProvocateur

Membership to the Wine Society. My dad said it was the best present ever.

This is a great idea and the welcome pack they send out is lovely. It's £40 for life and they'll give you £20 off your first order. I can't speak highly enough about The Wine Society, it isn't a club where you're tied into buying, it's a cooperative where everything is on your own terms.

M&S do a nice box of 6 red wines: Classic Reds, I think. All v good.

Can your Mum not give you a pointer as to what your Dad would like? And vice versa your Mum?

Jewellery is ok to give more than once, if she likes getting it.

Some v stylish gloves here, I like the driving gloves: www.southcombe.com/?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI9KLLj66n7QIV8IBQBh36qgrJEAAYASAAEgK2EfD_BwE

Just out of interest - what do they buy you for Christmas, OP?