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? 🙂

[kokokokokokokokoko]

nice port and / or champagne.

[SomethingBeginningWithX]

@toughtoes there ain't nowt queer as folk!

Thankfully my parents and ILs are both photo and charity fans. It's never really occurred to me that there would be any other views on those things, you learn something new every day!

[toughtoes]

@SomethingBeginningWithX my parents are the same, and they never displayed photos of us and say the same about the calendar other relatives have done. But then a relative put a picture of them in Labour on the birth month, surely you'd put your newborn ? There is very much a thought that photos everywhere is tacky. I do agree about those massive canvases people have these days, but each to their own.

And don't even get me started on their anti charity views as they say the need for charities shouldn't exist.

[SomethingBeginningWithX]

They sound even harder work than my ILs. I honestly wouldn't buy them anything.

I can't believe they find photos of their grandchildren egotistical

[CaptainMarvelDanvers]

corrymoor.com/

Mohair socks! Cool in Summer, warm in winter - and have anti-bacterial properties that prevent them from smelling.

[HilaryThorpe]

I am in my seventies and I love my present of an Apple Watch. 😊

[PinkBallPit]

What about a bird table or a bee house?

Nice to watch if they enjoy the garden, but also encourage pollination etc. So will appeal to their more practical desires.

[Muststopeating]

@toughtoes this is the one we bought:

primoza.com/uk/Jack-of-All-Trades/JTZL-2022-001

They also do a more expensive one for more advanced gardeners with rare plants.

The honey gift set was from here:

matersandco.com/collections/bespoke-gift-sets

Now off to Google bee bombs as suggested on another thread and try to find the 'right' nightie for my mum.

[toughtoes]

@Muststopeating do you have a link sounds ace

[Muststopeating]

@stayingaliveisawayoflife

I am buying my mum a calendar with different seeds for each month. You can get flowering plants or vegetables and as my mum loves growing then cooking vegetables that is the one for her! You can get them on Amazon. It's called the growable calendar.

That's so funny. I had been following this thread but was a bit behind and just discovered these today.

I bought them from Primoza and you literally plant the month page at the end of the month. DH and I both saw it and simulatenously realised it was perfect for his DF and DG.

I also just ordered FIL a fancy honey taster gift set with a honey spoon. Quite pleased with that.

Still totally stuck with MIL (who is not at all fussy and grateful for anything but the usual 'mum' gifts are just not her).

[stayingaliveisawayoflife]

I am buying my mum a calendar with different seeds for each month. You can get flowering plants or vegetables and as my mum loves growing then cooking vegetables that is the one for her! You can get them on Amazon. It's called the growable calendar.

[VioletCharlotte]

Not sure if this has already been suggested as I've not read the full thread, but I've got my parents RHS membership.

[LadyNell]

A beautiful David Austin Rose with an appropriate name

[lightisnotwhite]

A small weeping tree is nice. There’s a couple of kinds of crab apple that look fantastic in a pot on a patio. Great blossom in spring, small fruit in autumn and the amazing weeping boughs all year.

[kooklet]

My mum’s a complete PITA to buy for too. This year she’s getting a ring doorbell, some thermals, an industrial sized bottle of Drambuie and some leather trousers.🤷🏼‍♀️ Previous things that have worked - a long weekend in Madrid, cashmere anything, sorrell winter boots, sheepskin slippers, all of the tech, rare specimen trees, a freezer full of meals from Cook, and a 15000 piece jigsaw puzzle.😬

[nbee84]

@girlabouthome - thank you for this suggestion. I've ordered one for my Dad. Not quite sure how it will go down with him but I hope he fills it out for me 🤞

[CheltenhamLady]

What about a hand-drawn picture of their house or other special venue?

[buckeejit]

@YouGotThisKeepGoing just need to rec for your mil pink & whites as they're low cal & massive. Too sweet so much improved with a small smear of pebut butter added unde the lid

My suggestion would be an electric hot water bottle or high end bird food & a new feeder if needed

Or a weather station for the greenhouse. Failing that & the only thing my parents ever remotely liked was groceries, slightly nicer than usual!

[Elephantscantfly]

Gilets went down well last year for us, very thin but warm down filled, one each. This year they have 13 pre loved books each, individually wrapped with 1 book to open for each month plus an emergency spare! They read different genres and love a real book to sit down with of an evening as they have no tv!

[Earwigworries]

OP if they don’t want anything don’t buy them a ‘thing’ to satisfy the need to give a gift - just take them out for the day or something - to the beach or somewhere nice that they know they’d enjoy

[Rade]

DH and I could be your parents. Would loathe an "experience".
DH is 73. His favourite gift last year was a VR headset.
We both like and are good at technology. DH worked in tech all his life.

Do they have Amazon Prime? Sky - expensive but actually the best thing ever IMO.
Obviously no-one needs those but sky+ is a huge convenience.
Smart gadgets?
A tablet
Digital newspaper subsciption.

[GallopingGreen]

For Your Dad, some nice Liberty print cotton handkerchiefs?

[Newnormal99]

Do they have an old house? I looked at a company that researched house and local history and made a book up. Was really tempted but bit pricey for me.