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 used to get my dad M&S socks and pants - it was a running joke. He was quite put out when I bought him something else one year!

I’ll get my mum a bottle of Chanel No. 5 (also an annual gift) along with some treats like dark covered chocolate Brazilian nuts, posh tea bags, and some Kettle chips - just things I know she really enjoys but wouldn’t buy for herself very often.

We have asked for family not to buy any gifts. We do a secret Santa from a charity shop under £10.

If they are home birds and you don't get much time alone with your DM I would take her out for a Christmas afternoon tea just you and her and get biscuits for your SD as he likes them.

@Jimmyneutronsforehead every year at Christmas my DS buys me an Amazon voucher so that I can buy the books I want throughout the year on my Kindle or paper copy, as not all are available on unlimited. It's my favourite gift.

My mum always appreciates nice hand cream and nice gloves - last year I got her some of the cashmere wrist warmers from turtle doves and she wears them constantly.

Sounds like food gifts might be best for your situation. Particularly something that only your mum likes!

i’m amused at all the people saying ‘not the dreaded NT’ - I’m in my 40s and I’d love that! 😂

I can’t think of much that I would want as a gift that costs less than £30, so would probably encourage relatives to limit themselves to:

Newly published books
Gucci lipstick or mascara
Something cheap and fun from Zara, or maybe tiny bits of knitwear from Community Clothing - socks or mittens or whatever.

I would not find 99% of the things posters have suggested to be acceptable gifts.

Thank. You!!
I am 66 and would hate gardening vouchers, gardening gloves, hand cream or candles and I can't imagine anything worse than "Afternoon Tea"!
Buy for the person. Not the age.

I’m in my 60’s. Just get me a John Lewis or Amazon voucher so I can buy what I want.

I’m 71 and I’d like
bamboo socks
Neils Yard handcream/handwash
Waterstones tokens (great loyalty card scheme)
Bird recognition book (lots of bird feeders in our garden)
Bright coloured scarf, hat, & fingerless gloves (great for dog walks)

Definitely not scented candles, ornaments or kitchen stuff!

@CurlewKate Katto make the best kitchen scissors, ever: I have been buying them as house-warming presents after buying myself a pair. For anyone who cooks, they are the best!

(I don't work for them, but I really like to support new businesses breathing life back into traditional industries/trades in the UK, and I used to visit family in Sheffield.)

Really?????

😂

Good call, got to support Sheffield 👍

They do have particular needs (read my posts). Age is kind of relevant as well as their interests.

I'm in my (very very late!) 60s and hate afternoon teas. But I'd love posh foods - chutneys, brandied cherries, vanilla pods etc, I think things from the 1970s is a great idea - music, memoirs, cultural history. The 1970s were fantastic!

Not an answer to your question (sorry OP) but as an alternative (for next year maybe and subject to family dynamics) how about a secret Santa? You can set them up online between a group of people and have an agreed budget that you spend. Everyone gets allocated another member of the group and everyone in the group sets up a list of things that they would like for Christmas. The secret Santa can buy from this list (or do something else).

We have found that it makes present buying easier (everyone gets something they would like rather than a collection of presents that are gratefully received but never used), cuts down cost (buying for one person rather than the whole group), and takes the stress out of it for everyone.

And in answer to your actual question. A short book subscription (homemade) - a few books each wrapped up separately with a bar of chocolate. The idea being that they are opened following Christmas when the reader turns to their next book.

Maybe just a small token consumable gift? Favourite tea/coffee/biscuits

I really discourage anyone buying anything for me - I don't need or want anything so small token is the most I would be okay with.

Have you discussed with your parents if they still want to do gift exchanges? Maybe they would just prefer to spend time with no gift expectation.

I don't think gifts are a necessary part of Christmas if that is agreed by all parties. I think you can celebrate the season without them.

As she is SD carer, a day out might be a nice treat? Sometimes a change of scene is a positive, particularly if she never goes anywhere.
I know your budget is low, but there's probably a place of interest nearby for a walk and a cuppa.

I’m older and I love Rituals stuff,
particularly their foam shower gel and fragrance sticks. For around £35 you can usually buy a set closer to Christmas when they have offers including a candle or body cream.

Or

• a good quality mascara.

• a Uniqlo bag

• a long sleeved Boden (or similar ) cotton tee shirt

• a really warm snood

• a nice bottle of champagne!

But we’re all different, some people
would hate my suggestions!

Everyone is getting rechargeable hand warmers from me this year. Recipients range from 10 to 76.

My dad is mid 8-s so slightly older than this age gap.

When mum was alive I did get them a voucher for an afternoon tea because they had National Trust membership and they put the tea after a visit.

I tend to get my dad things as and when he needs them, things that have worked well, a heated throw, he has central heating but feels a draft.

A torch that also has a radio and USB charging sockets. It is powered by clockwork and / or solar. It isn't much of an Xmas gift, I just got it because there was talk of power cuts, he loves it though.

My dad loves fudge so fudge hampers have gone down well, as has whisky from Yorkshire - dad was born there.

He has a computer but is not that great with it so I have taken his CDs and put them on an MP3 so he can play them in his car.

A birthday book, he kept forgetting birthdays so I got him a book and listed all the birthdays and put some birthday cards in.

A small tool kit that looks like a book and lives on a book shelf, he wears glasses and there is a screw driver that he can use to tighten the screws.

Ooh some great ideas thanks! I’m gonna get my mum a Jackie annual (40 years of Jackie) as she’s always banging on about Jackie magazine 😄 although she’s 65 and definitely wasn’t reading Jackie aged 25 so I’m gonna have to double check it all……

Was also thinking some cashmere poncho thing. No idea for my dad!

Edit: oh it’s called 60 years of Jackie, that makes more sense!

I loved Jackie! Fantastic gift.

Get SD something generic for housebound alcoholic men, eg slippers or a a mug with something jokey on it, and take your mum out somewhere. Don’t buy tickets for 2, because then he’ll have to come as well. Just give her a copy of one ticket in a pretty envelope and tell her you’re taking her.
She might appreciate nice body lotion or bath stuff, it sounds as if she is used to spending nothing on herself, and probably skimps on any little luxuries.
Or you could try a subscription for a magazine, it’s nice to get something through the post regularly.
Im feeling for both you and your mum here, it sounds as if her world has shrunk considerably due to SFs choices. Get her out of the house as much as you can. 💐

oh, this is a good idea!
My dad gets very cold hands due to work related nerve damage. He is also impossible to shop for as he doesnt want or need anything.
Mum is nice and easy as she always gives me a list!😁(this year its 500 piece jigsaws, socks and chocolate brazils).

Food and drink is usually a good shout though IMO.
My best friend makes my parents up a hamper every year with posh biscuits, chutneys, etc which they appreciate (they kind of 'adopted' her when we were at college 25 yrs ago and still buy her christmas presents every year!).😊

Plant up a beautiful pot with a "lasagne" of fancy bulbs. Tulips in the bottom layer, narcissi in the middle and early flowering crocus and/or snowdrop on top. Maybe use some unusual varieties of daffodils and tulips e.g. the ones that look like peonies. That will bring flowers and joy over a number of months.