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Christmas

From present ideas to party food, find all your Christmas inspiration here.

Original poster

Luxe gifts for parents

28 replies

christmasprep · 03/12/2022 16:30

I usually spend around £500 on mine but I'm stumped this year. They're not into tech. They run a business so getting them tickets to something is always tricky. Any ideas?!

OP posts:
Feef83 · 03/12/2022 16:32

Night away?

Impossible to know really having squat all idea about them!

DeedlessIndeed · 03/12/2022 16:44

Do they like fine dining?

You could get a decent tasting menu and potentially a wine pairing too for £500.

DeedlessIndeed · 03/12/2022 16:55

Or if you're looking for an actual gift:

  • Fortnum and Mason Hamper
  • Coffee Machine
  • Wine subscription
  • A gift set of luxury brand body/bath/skincare items (i.e. Jo Malone candle, La Mer skin care bundle etc)
  • Good quality British wool jumpers? (might not get both for the £500, but maybe alternate years? I'd rather this and get a decent quality item every other year but some people might be very different)
Fivemoreminutes1 · 03/12/2022 17:37

Hot tub

starsparkle08 · 03/12/2022 18:40

I bought my parents a hotel chocolat velevtiser and cups and sachets as part of their gift from me

starsparkle08 · 03/12/2022 18:42

Also my dad a personalised wallet from aspinal . My mum a posh hairdryer , perfume sets for each of them , afternoon tea voucher for both at posh hotel .

AutumnalLeaves38 · 03/12/2022 22:16

Voucher for a home visit from a massage therapist, for a luxury hot stone de-stress at a time to suit them?

BeaLola · 03/12/2022 23:43

Do they like gardening /have a garden ?
Personalised wooden bench
Water fountain
Pizza oven

StridTheKiller · 04/12/2022 07:42

I got DM a cashmere tracksuit from M&S and DF a £100 voucher for our posh booze shop. I also get them other bits and get a bollocking from DDad for spending so much on them 😄.

FuckoffeeBeforeCoffee · 04/12/2022 07:52

Roomba

Original poster
christmasprep · 04/12/2022 10:59

Thanks for this.

Bought them a robot last year, they told me to send it back.

Hotel voucher is the only thing I can think of right now, albeit they have a motor home.

Woollen jumpers / cashmere would be lost on them I think.

We have a pizza oven, when we bought it they said they never eat pizza...

Dad doesn't like "stuff" albeit is into his tools etc.

I'd get theatre tickets but they're so difficult to pin down.

It's impossible!

OP posts:
Adultchildofelderlyparents · 04/12/2022 11:38

If they don't like "stuff" and have little time for experiences, what about an investment of sorts? I keep hearing how whiskey is a good investment option. Or a chunk of premium bonds? Or shares in something. Something they could benefit from but don't need to do anything with.

Tillylime · 04/12/2022 11:43

If they’re that fussy I would give £500 to the food bank on their behalf.

gingercat02 · 04/12/2022 11:56

We used to try to buy all sorts of things. More expensive luxurious versions of things they had or fancy toiletries or lovely hampers.

One Christmas MiL rang after we has some home to say I had left my lovely body products at their house, eh no MiL those were your Christmas presents!

They stuck to their own brand coffee and imperial leather soap and never used the lovely things we bought. So how we just buy what they actually want.

MiL got cosy PJ's (nice ones from JL) for her birthday and a box of good chocolates which always goes down well. Not expensive but at least they will be used

Original poster
christmasprep · 04/12/2022 11:58

gingercat02 · 04/12/2022 11:56

We used to try to buy all sorts of things. More expensive luxurious versions of things they had or fancy toiletries or lovely hampers.

One Christmas MiL rang after we has some home to say I had left my lovely body products at their house, eh no MiL those were your Christmas presents!

They stuck to their own brand coffee and imperial leather soap and never used the lovely things we bought. So how we just buy what they actually want.

MiL got cosy PJ's (nice ones from JL) for her birthday and a box of good chocolates which always goes down well. Not expensive but at least they will be used

Can 100% relate to this!

OP posts:
AutumnalLeaves38 · 04/12/2022 20:46

Dedicate some woodland in their name? 🌳

shop.woodlandtrust.org.uk/christmas

YellowMonday · 04/12/2022 20:55

Could you try again on theatre tickets? That's my go to for my dad. I get us best tickets to a show, and at least in Australia, you can now pay $20 or so for the ability to cancel and get your money back. Which is a good safety net if the date doesn't work but can still be a surprise.

I usually will take him to a good dinner before hand too. It's a lovely tradition as he doesn't need anything, and also isn't into tech.

Fine dining gift voucher is another option so they can choose the date.

Zitouna · 05/12/2022 00:44

My most successful parent present ever was a gift voucher for a tour and afternoon tea at Highgrove Garden. They both like gardens but the added royal frisson made a difference! It comes in a gorgeous presentation box too, best gift voucher I’ve ever seen. I think it was about £150 when I did it, but may be more now

Sweetener12 · 06/12/2022 08:17

Digital photo frame with a family picture slideshow playing?
Donut maker
Restaurant vouchers
Books or book club subscriptions

goyuwer · 06/12/2022 09:02

what about something for the motorhome - duvlay mattress toppers can be made to fit exact bed measurements or if you know what type of sites they stay at a voucher for a stay. There is some luxury sites where you get your own hot tub and private toilet block on the pitch

nagnagnag · 16/12/2022 18:24

Lunch on a steam train?

nopuppiesallowed · 16/12/2022 20:36

£500! Crumbs. I've never spent that much on my parents at Christmas- and I'd be horrified if our children spent that much on us. There comes a time for many of us (not all - some people might really need financial help given as a present) when we don't need another jumper or another bottle of aftershave. So why not give a small present for the joy of opening a surprise and give a sizeable donation to a charity you know they support?

buckeejit · 16/12/2022 20:43

Latex toppers for motorhome is a great shout. Or latex pillows-one of my best ever purchases.

I'd get silk thermals or a decent coat each, or restaurant/hotel vouchers. If you could put it towards spending a couple of nights with them somewhere & dare I say it 'make memories' would probably be the best way to spend it!

hattie43 · 16/12/2022 20:48

Nice sage or similar coffee machine

declutteringmymind · 16/12/2022 20:51

A National trust or RHS membership?
Wine subscription?