What are you buying for parents (in their 60’s/70’s)?.

[Moonlightfrog]

DM is almost 70, retired, lives with step dad. Both like gardening and their dog but no other real interests. I have done garden centre vouchers and plants to death, have done bird feeders and bug houses too (not sure they have even used them). Bought DM a nice jumper last year and haven’t seen her wear it. I am kind of out of ideas. My budget is small this year so ideally something around £30.

Also, is it ok to buy my dad (72) a Lego set? He loves making things and creating things but is now struggling with his usual big projects so I’m thinking he might enjoy an adult Lego set or something similar?

what are you buying your parents and/or other family/friends in their 60’s/70’s?

I'm in my sixties and have loved the following presents over the past few years:

Lego flowers and orchids. I think your dad would love Lego.

Expensive top quality secateurs.

Excellent garden gloves.

Bulb collections from Sarah Raven.

Monty Don books about the gardens of various countries he's been to.

Taken out for meals at Michelin restaurants.

Tickets for exhibitions on subjects I'm interested in.

Rose with my name.

Book nook kit.

Tapestry cushion kit.

Bookbinding kit.

Subscriptions to gardening magazine and genealogy magazine.

Beautiful fountain pen.

Put together a hamper of nice things. Bakers and Larners of Holt have lots of very yummy foodstuffs. Been sending the inlaws a box of special treats for the last few years and it's been welcome every time.

Dad doesn't need anything and has enough money to buy what he wants. The most appreciative he's been was with some fun socks. I've decided to get him a tea selection and some biscuits, although finding a tea without any of his hated ingredients- liquorice and cinnamon

Blimey! I’m 70.Loving life. Fashionable
clothes. Great holidays. Museums and exhibitions.Live concerts and opera/ballet. Restaurants and food.
These stereotypical lists sound depressing. Having said that, I’m very very over ‘stuff’ and my favourite presents are tickets for events with my (adult) children.
We’re not all past it at 70 you know!!

I'm having the same trouble with my nan. She's 72, almost retired but always seems too busy to have hobbies. She's not very crafty, hates clutter, and is also a very beige eater but hates crisps and complains her cupboards are too full.

For her birthday I made her a cardigan, but I just don't have time to make something for her this year, although she appreciated the fact she had received something handmade.

I'm thinking of getting her some of the Laura Ashley hand cream she likes and some nice wax melts.

I used to buy her some books but some fecker bought her a kindle with an unlimited subscription so now books are out of the question.

I hope I am the same when I am 70. I often look at my DM and thing “I hope I don’t end up like her”, she’s never really had interests, never been into clothes or going to nice places, her own DM was the opposite and was really outgoing, she travelled a lot in her 70’s, would ride her bike everywhere and always had her nails painted and hair done. I guess some of us are luckier than others regarding health, DM isn’t in great health and SD is even worse so other than the garden they don’t tend to do much. My DF on the other hand is much more outgoing, has many hobbies, loves eating out and is pretty active.

My Dad is 74, likes gardening, bird watching and photography.

A garden kneeler/seat was his request last year and he wants a Hori Hori this year.

I have a t-shirt and sweatshirt brought in the John Lewis sale stashed away.

I've also brought a dupe Lego flower from The Works for his stocking. He'll get some homemade jam, fudge & some posh hot chocolate flakes (Asda has some lovely ones last year) .

Agree less 'things' is good unless asked for really. Concerts, trips to museums & gardens go down well. We've done the Wildlife Photographer of the Year Exhibition and Cambridge Botanic Gardens in recent years which entry wasn't expensive for.

I bought DF à David Asten rose for his 70th. He loves it, and often sends me photos of the blooms. Otherwise, I keep an eye out on the local theatre programmes and tend to get them tickets to shows/performances that I think that they would like.

Sainsbury's have the lego flowers on offer at the moment.

For your Mum & SD what about a small drawing of their dog, a local artist would probably do that from a photo for about £60.
Or get them some meals from Cook, meals they wouldn't normally get for themselves so they could have a treat with little effort.

This 💯
no more stuff! Last year DH got a trip to Edinburgh and a meal at Tom Kitchin’s restaurant the year before we got taken to a west end show!

Especially as they do started deals for £30

Im 65 so same age . Another vote for afternoon tea I do like the ones that are delivered to the house . I like growing orchids not cut flowers . Also would like an expensive tea mug or 2 . Gin glass or 2 . But not other stuff that would cause clutter . A voucher for hairdresser . A meal out with company of gifter . Thats all really.

I am in my 70s. I have never been on a jetski, and wouldn't mind having a go with a crossbow (have already tried archery and rifle shooting).

I’ve bought my mum some new slippers (at her request) and a lovely chunky cardigan. No idea what to buy my dad yet!
Last year I bought them tickets for brush party - a step by step paint lesson with different painting options for every ability.

I'm in my 70's and I'd also appreciate a Led Zeppelin poster, the one where they are standing by their plane, wearing those tight jeans. The 1972 Mark Spitz poster, where he's in those speedos & wearing all those gold medals, that would be lovely. It would bring back some memories.

Other things I like:

Recently I bought myself, a rock hammer for fossil hunting & maybe a spot of gold prospecting up in them thar hills.

I'd love a new metal detector.

I also bought a really nice pair of binoculars to check the cows and to see where the new Amazon driver is leaving my packages. He's very creative with his hiding places and sends me clues in the form of blurry photos. Nobody lives in that barn!

Other recent purchases included a great pair of headphones (according to Amazon reviews) for listening to music, but I've yet to figure out how to use them.

My husband bought me a powerful pair of electric pruners, which are probably illegal in many countries. He also bought me a chain saw.

Those gun massagers for deep tissue massages are great for aching muscles.

Maybe a floral and candle arrangement? Or winter musical water globe?

yes I agree , some of the talk of 60 is like they are 90 , quite depressing . I’m 60 and have never felt more alive . My presents of choice are no different than I wanted 20 yrs ago , Lego , Dr Martens , books , good skincare , perfume , posh scented candles eg Diptique, Jo Malone , Jo loves etc .

Im in this age bracket and my best present was a trip to Abba Voyage with my family!

Unless they have particular needs, stop thinking about it in age terms.60 year olds don’t want different things to 30 year olds!

I got my mum theatre tickets for her 70th birthday. I think experiences are definitely a better way to go as they have everything they need or buy it if they do want something.

I'm 70. Everyone gives me wine or vodka, which are the correct choices. I give my siblings food, either something I know they will specifically appreciate or some good chocolates/cake, or a return gift of booze.

My very organised dd recently asked me what I wanted, and I asked for some good quality kitchen scissors. I am really looking forward to them!

Would they enjoy a manicure voucher at a local salon- give their hands some TLC after the gardening? I would only buy an afternoon tea voucher for a place someone has recommended, as i often find them very disappointing.

Gifts that have gone down well for my parents in recent years...

Afternoon tea vouchers;
Oodies;
Cinema tickets;
Theatre tickets;
Single malts they haven't tried yet;
Cooking gadgets for my mum;
Svarovski jewellery for my mum;
Jigsaw puzzles for my mum;
A seminar with a prominent figure my dad was a fan of;
iphone/iPad;
Photo frames with many pictures of grandkid;
Fridge magnets with family photos.

Those are the from the top of my head and obviously range in price.