What would you buy your parents, last minute?

[Froppysue]

My dm & df are in their 70s, and I usually get them a voucher to their favourite restaurant with choccies/jammies. Unfortunately my dad is in the process of being diagnosed with throat cancer, and as of this week he can’t swallow any solid food, so obviously a restaurant voucher would be insensitive. I have a small window to pop to the shops tomorrow, what you you be beelining for if you were me? Thanks!

If it were my parents, some nice wine or whisky! Do you want joint presents? I suppose you'd also want to avoid tickets to an event or show?

Do they have a garden that's something they take pleasure in? Perhaps some new plants and someone to maintain the upkeep of the garden while your dad's under the weather?

Theatre or cinema voucher.
Chocolates that sort of melt in the mouth.
Alcohol
Slippers
T-shirt

Magazine subscriptions or experience voucher.

@useitorlose thank you for your suggestions. This is going to make me sound so awkward, but my mums disabled so they can’t really manage days out, especially with my dad’s health. They don’t drink, and recently moved to a flat so no garden 🙈 restaurant vouchers were always so easy lol.

@Needanewname42 thank you for your suggestions too, thinking it may have to be clothes. I have nice choccies here for them but I had to drop nesquick and ice cream in to him earlier as he couldn’t swallow anything else so not sure if I should still gift them?

Thank you. Any suggestions for magazine subscriptions? My dad has recently gotten into flight simulation games but that may be a bit niche 😂

A lovely snuggly blanket.
Something scented - one of those things that heats essential oils and gives off the scented vapour.
Jigsaws?
Subscription to something - some music or TV service that they don't have - audible, amazon prime, Netflix, britbox, etc.
Are there any services locally that do home massages? If they are both fairly house bound with health problems now a massage could be great.

I'm in Australia, but I get my mum Limelight magazine (music) and Australian Traveller, and my dad a photography one. I think there might actually be one about flight simulation? Or lots of current affairs ones. I used to get Womankind, but unfortunately it went out if business.

Have you seen the massive magazine racks in Tesco, WH Smith, etc? There's so much there on geeky and niche hobbies. They're not cheap either, so are not exactly a flimsy present.

Bouquet subscription (not cheap). Or get them a nice big bouquet for Christmas.

Or other magazine suggestions: Fortean Times, History Today, BBC History magazine or genealogy ones?

This
https://www.lakeland.co.uk/25246/dreamland-alaskan-husky-faux-fur-heated-throw
also available from Boots and other places.
I have circa 10 now in our immediate/extended family/friends. Everyone who tries it doesn't want to leave it and then buys one (or we do for a gift). Washable. Goes with most colour schemes. They only cost pence to run per hour, and I've barely used the heating since I got mine about 18 months ago. I love it so much I bought a much thinner one for my bedroom as that particular one is really good quality and too heavy and thick for night time. For a sofa, you'll never want to get up again...I did my research on safety via Which magazine; it came up well.

Anything that makes their lives easier like easy to use appliance that gets the job done with minimal effort (esp when they're getting older). Could be robot vacuum, air fryer, instant pot. Diffuser with essential oils are the best as well - gifted my parents a diffuser and they loved it!

I don’t have any further ideas than those previously listed, OP, but I just wanted to send best wishes to your Dad and you all at this difficult time. It sounds like he has a lovely family looking after him.

I ordered them a case of wine from Majestic on the 19 Dec, it arrived yesterday

National trust membership or hotel vouchers would be my back up

My nan is slightly older but I've got her a countryfile calendar and a electric heated throw.

Another vote for heated throw. It’s been my go to present for most people this year as it’s cold!

I have a Readly subscription, would they be ok with digital magazines on a tablet? Maybe buy them a tablet too! I find it much easier to read as you can zoom in and ignore all the adverts.

The poor man has throat cancer! Who on earth is suggesting alcohol as a gift for him?

We're getting my parents heated gilets. Sounds mental but my aunt has been raving about hers.

Some really good ideas listed already

Shower steamers for a bit of pampering ddad is against bath bombs as "too girly" but loves the steamers

Drafts/chess set

A nice jumper

One of those fidget puzzle type toys where you have to get one bit seperate from another but need to figure out how

If he's having trouble with solid food how about one of those soup making things where it does it all for you?

Ddad lived off soup when going through chemo, he didn't have throat cancer so not a swallowing thing but just had no appetite.

We’ve got my parents one of those heated dryers from Lakeland. Not exactly show-stopping but figure it will be very well received as it’s the kind of thing they would never buy for themselves and will definitely be well used.

Assuming he can still drink, why on earth not?
As it happens the man doesn't drink alcohol but if he did little reason not to enjoy the small pleasures in life.

Op do they have a soup maker?

My Dad had a similar type of cancer. He was pretty much on a liquid diet towards the end.
But could eat cake but not bread.

Depends on the type of chocolates, things with fondant centres he might be ok with but maybe not caramel or nutty things.
I'd gift them and let him figure out what ones he can eat. And I'm sure your mum will eat the rest.