Does anyone have a decent idea for their parents?

[Gearedtoyou]

If I had a really good idea (almost) the sky's the limit re cost but I (and they) hate spending money on stuff no one wants. So, I could spend a lot or a little, it doesn't really matter.

Late 70s, active, love their garden but in a very utilitarian WW2 way, they don't want any "luxuries" for it. Dad is quuite interested in the family history, but I've done the DNA thing previously.

I need either a token "something" either between them or separately or a really good idea(s). Please? 🙂

National Trust of English Heritage membership?

I have similar parents and was considering a year long subscription to a pudding or chocolate club where they get a new one every month to try. The thought came to me in the middle of last night so not looked yet !

My parents also like theatre tickets, even better if they are booked with a dinner reservation somewhere nice!

We are getting my Mum and ILs tickets to "an experience".

Wine tasting afternoon for the former, a canal cruise for the latter.

We don't have a lot of money but managed to find a deal that means both have come to about 60 quid.

Put together all the pics you have taken of your family enjoying themselves this year and turn them into a photobook online.

Chelsea flower show tickets?

I swear I’m not on commission, but I’ve bought my parents an Aura photo frame. You upload photos via an app that multiple people can have, so they can instantly see photos of you/grandkids/pets practically as soon as you take them.

I have bought an Emma Bridgewater metal tray for my parents. It is large, decorated with birds and is big enough to put a couple of mugs and some plates on. It's also lightweight and has two upright handles which will make it very easy for them to take backwards and forwards from the kitchen to the garden where they spend a lot of time.

I will take my Ddad out for alunch (not at Xmas) for his gift.
How about a hedgehog house?
I fancy a of bonsai tree myself.

We had a mini photo shoot with a local photographer and have framed individual pics and a group one of the grandchildren. The last pic they had of all of them together was around 7/8;years ago so due an update.

I then got MIL cashmere fingerless gloves and FIL a running accessory.

I don’t need any stuff and am not a fan of ‘experiences’. I have asked for five trees planted in my name, you get a downloaded certificate to print off if wanted, by the National Trust in the Uk. I did this recently for a friend’s significant birthday and she was very touched.
I’m just going to ask and give trees from now on. Such a relief not to have to think about presents!

Digital photo frame with preloaded pics?

I got this for my Dad and his partner - they're also very into gardening but what they love most is spotting tiny developments in what's going on out there, so this seemed perfect (especially for the cold weather)

ilexstudio.com/products/avocado-vase

Oh dear I can go through all the ideas and say why they'd hate them.

• They have English Heritage. Very anti NT on ethical grounds (I'm not entirely clear what they are but I know there is quite a movement against some NT dealings)
• Bought puddings? That would never do.
• Why would you want to pay £££ for dinner when we can have better in more comfort at home?
• My sister does photo calendar every year and my dad finds it egotistical.
• Dad also objects to "charity" and do gooders on the basis that (he thinks) most are corrupt.
• I've done experiences in the past and they don't use the vouchers

They are actually good people, but they genuinely don't want anything.

@Gearedtoyou

Oh dear I can go through all the ideas and say why they'd hate them.

• They have English Heritage. Very anti NT on ethical grounds (I'm not entirely clear what they are but I know there is quite a movement against some NT dealings)
• Bought puddings? That would never do.
• Why would you want to pay £££ for dinner when we can have better in more comfort at home?
• My sister does photo calendar every year and my dad finds it egotistical.
• Dad also objects to "charity" and do gooders on the basis that (he thinks) most are corrupt.
• I've done experiences in the past and they don't use the vouchers

They are actually good people, but they genuinely don't want anything.

I'd just not buy them anything in this case

Cheese board?

www.wildfig.co.uk - I've had and given a few for gifts and they are always fabulous. My Dad loved his last year.

If they "don't want anything" then just don't give them anything - job done.

If he likes family history, how about a weekend away to where his ancestors were born where he can explore the streets, houses, churches and graves that he has found in his research.

I research family history and I would love that.

Bird table
Garden furniture
Chiminea or fire pit
Good wellies/wellie socks
Gardening gauntlets
New secateurs (even the good brands don't last forever unless he;s one of those people who oils his tools every season!

@Theforest

If he likes family history, how about a weekend away to where his ancestors were born where he can explore the streets, houses, churches and graves that he has found in his research.

I research family history and I would love that.

My dad is an unofficial tour guide for that place.

Some token gifts then. The gardening knee pad thing for kneeling on, a new China teapot with two cups and saucers

Do they like food? I've done food subscriptions for my parents and PILs before - pasta evangelists and the spicery are very good. I've done 3-6 month subscriptions for them depending on the price.

I now usually just do a nice hamper for both sets of parents, something with cheese, biscuits, a chutney or two, mini bottle of some kind of gin/whisky, marzipan or truffles etc, sometimes some homemade biscuits too. Always goes down well.

DH always does a calendar for his parents too with snaps from the year.

MIL has a camera for the garden which captures foxes and badgers and things. We've given them birdhouses/feeders before. They also really like the metal bird thingies: www.metalbird.co.uk and have a few in their garden. Perhaps some solar powered festoon lights?

I’d go for luxury with a utilitarian twist - lovely warm cashmere socks for under wellies, fancy ratcheting secateurs, a handmade willow basket for collecting their harvests, good gardening gloves, cast iron plant supports, Monty don style terracotta pots…

How about a monthly subscription? My dad loved his sock one and my MIL loved one that sent a pre-loved classic book, some stationery and a flavoured teabag or two every month. Or a fresh flower subscription.

cant go wrong with a fancy aftershave. Maybe a nice body warmer?

As a gardener, I love good gloves, and even when looked after they do wear out. I would love a pair of fine leather gardening gloves. I also have a little weeding tool called a nunci, that works brilliantly. And if they watch Gardeners world, they will be secretly envious of Montys heart shaped trowel. Proper Sussex trugs are also gorgeeous and useful.
If you get one of these,It may be that you could suggest that if they don’t like them, they could give them back to you for your birthday, as you’ve heard they are really good, unless you live in a garden less flat. My guess is you cowould have to prise them out of their cold dead hands.