Another in-laws one

[wouldthatbeworse]

Please can I have some suggestions for my in-laws.

They are early 70s they like theatre, exhibitions but would be hard to book without checking they haven't got tickets already.
MiL does like body lotions, jewellery, plants etc but THEY HAVE SO MUCH STUFF. Their house is bursting. I almost can't bear to add to the clutter.
FiL likes history (but quite academic rather than popular stuff) and rock music.
They're fit but not at all outdoorsy.

I know my DH should be doing this but my PiLs do loads to help us and will be hosting us at Christmas so I feel responsible for coming up with some good gifts. Budget £50-100 each. Thank you.

Do they have a local theatre they go to? A few years ago I bought my parents vouchers for their local theatre which they could spend on any production for the next year. They were thrilled as it gave them choice - they were able to buy a VIP package with it (met the cast after the show and had a meal in the theatre restaurant before!)

Readers’ Digest magazine subscription?

Museum Subscription? National Trust? A weekend at an Airbnb somewhere sentimental?

National Trust / English heritage tour or theatre tickets to a show.

Or how about a theatre tour? My husband and I did a behind the scenes tour of The Royal Shakespeare Theatre in Stratford a few years ago which was great, really enjoyable.

Can you get theatre vouchers? If not, I think with adults you can just say (in a card or face to face) "we think you'd really enjoy this show/exhibition, we'd love to get you tickets. These are the available dates, let us know what works best and we'll arrange it"
And then get them something small, maybe something edible, for Christmas Day itself.

If I liked going to the theatre I'd be fine with that. I know it's not a big surprise to open on Christmas Day, but it sounds like it might be something they'd really like so that would be my preference if I was on the receiving end.

I agree with the others who said theatre vouchers. Then they can choose to see whatever they like.

I'd go with an experience of sorts - we got my MIL a sail on one of the Tall Ships, and my FIL a woodworkshop session. Both absolutely loved it - and something very different.

Thank you. They're in London so can have their pick of the theatres but maybe we could shortlist a couple of things we think they'd like - they're quite serious folks so will need to do some research. At the risk of sounding picky I don't want to just give vouchers as it makes it look like a monetary exchange (even though we could all work out the value of our Christmas presents if we really want to)

Maybe a big M&S hamper, least with food and drink it’s not adding to their mountains at stuff, or a gift voucher for a nice restaurant or a night away, my parents are in their 70s and much prefer stuff like the above as they just buy what they want and don’t need anymore “stuff”

FiL likes history (but quite academic rather than popular stuff)

Something from the Wolfson Prize list for this or previous years for FIL.

https://www.wolfsonhistoryprize.org.uk/

@MrsDanversGlidesAgain thank you SO much for your suggestion .
That's three tricky people crossed off my list!!

🙂

Historic Royal Palaces membership, I bought this for myself and have used it lots when I'm in London. There are members only events plus christmas markets etc

I bought dh Brooklands trust membership for a few years which he loved.