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Christmas

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

What are you giving your parents?

22 replies

ATadSurprised · 30/11/2025 07:04

Especially if you won't see them in person and have to send or get something sent to them? They have everything thing they need, much more money than we do so buy anything they want anyway.

OP posts:
Wayk · 30/11/2025 10:41

Incan affords to buy what I want but really appreciate when people send me flowers or maybe you could get them fancy chocolates etc

MaybeItWasMe · 30/11/2025 10:42

A hamper of nice Christmas treats?

Cuwins · 30/11/2025 10:53

I will see mine so a bit different but in case it helps
Dad: glasses cleaning cloth with photo of my daughter and cheese hamper
Mum: bird nesting material thing, adult colouring book and pencils, glasses cleaning cloth as above and a Fahlo animal tracking bracelet

BlondeWanderer · 30/11/2025 10:56

I gave my parents a voucher for a nice meal for two at their favourite local restaurant.

Ophy83 · 30/11/2025 11:05

Usually tickets to something. This year to see HMS Pinafore, in the past they've had all sorts from Buddy the musical to a retired Met detective talking about his cases. English Heritage membership one year etc.

ATadSurprised · 30/11/2025 11:37

Unfortunately @BlondeWanderer their favourite restaurant is waaay out of my price range! They don't go out to things as far as I'm aware and I sent chocolates last year.

OP posts:
happytobemrsg · 30/11/2025 11:47

Mum & dad take part in our family secret Santa so that’s their main gift (we do a budget of £50). The DC still get them a gift though. We’ve got my mum a cream teddy fleece from
H&M and my dad the Guinness Book of World Records.

TwoMintsLoose · 30/11/2025 12:08

Box of milk tray. Black magic for MIL who only really likes dark chocolate.

Pasithean · 30/11/2025 13:34

How old are your children. I love the personal hand made cards and pictures. We used to get.

Alexadidzammomarryjackie · 30/11/2025 13:38

I'm taking my dad away for a few days, he'd rather have the time with me than a physical present and I'm rubbish at seeing him often enough.
Afternoon tea in a box?

happytobemrsg · 30/11/2025 13:40

BlondeWanderer · 30/11/2025 10:56

I gave my parents a voucher for a nice meal for two at their favourite local restaurant.

I like that idea

gogomomo2 · 30/11/2025 13:42

im buying mine things they wouldn’t spend money on, they have money but aren’t frivolous. Last year I bought my mum a travel jewellery case and my dad a money and document belt, they love travel, and the latter will be useful more generally too. Haven’t been shopping this year yet. If money is tight but you have time, crafts and food gifts you have made always go down well here

StruggleFlourish · 30/11/2025 13:51

Favorite foods (think tasty snacks for tea time or after dinner, or a little guilty pleasure private time),
Favorite drinks in small bottles (think not a large bottle of wine to share, but smaller sized 100ml bottles, something you don't feel guilty opening if you feel like a little pick me up / treat, because it's so small you don't have to justify waiting for other people to come over to open it)
Small things that are related to some of their interests/hobbies (My mum gardens and loves hiking, My dad does woodworking and fly fishing... I got my mom some different seeds to try, something she's never had before, and a new pair of her favorite type of gardening glove, some reusable crop markers that you can write on; for my dad, some chunks of high quality carving wood, and a large collection of assorted types of materials that he uses in making his flies, little things that I've gathered over the year because I've kept an eye out for them)
a personalized calendar with family photos, and a little booklet of coupons that I made up myself using the computer and a template, so it looks kind of professional, for car washing/detailing. I have all the equipment and I like cleaning cars, so whenever they need their car done, I would have done it for them anyway but making a little booklet of coupons for a free car wash makes it a gift that I can give (instead of a service I would have provided for them anyway).

They don't need gifts, nor do I, and we're fine with this, but it's nice to be able to give a little something because they always give so much to me throughout the year.
We don't have a lot of money, but we like to show that we care for each other and that we're thinking about each other.
Gifts do not need to be expensive to be super meaningful. I probably don't spend any more than £100 in total for everyone, and everyone gets some lovely things in the end.

Sofasu · 30/11/2025 13:55

Maybe ask what people like your parents would like to receive from their adult offspring?
If they don't see you often my number one recommendation would be your time or presence.

We are in our 60s/70s and DC late 20s.
We do see our DC quite a lot and they'll be here at Christmas.
Our DC went through a phase of buying us expensive gifts or experiences which were lovely but I don't want them to spend their money. So last year I gave them a list of small things DH or I would like such as specific garden seeds, house plants, a book . Just ask.
I really dislike being given a hotel or restaurant voucher .

Whichone2024 · 30/11/2025 13:55

Theatre tickets and restaurant vouchers

katscamel · 30/11/2025 17:02

I'll admit I've gone a wee bit overboard but if you can't spoil your parents then there's something wrong. I've spent about £100 on rather delicious things from Sainburys Xmas food, they'll be by themselves and wanted them to have more than a tin of baked beans between them 🤣 also paid for taxi to and from supermarket as dont want dad driving. Have got them some gift cards as well...the usual m&S, boots etc then individual gifts.

cupfinalchaos · 30/11/2025 17:44

My parents are old (very). We are taking them on a fabulous cruise which will probably be the last long trip for my dad. I’m just lucky my dh adores them and wants to take them.

hgbvchj · 30/11/2025 19:06

Interiors. Dm loves fr sh flowers so I get them delivered Xmas themed bouquet

TheChosenTwo · 30/11/2025 19:13

Ahh @cupfinalchaos that’s absolutely lovely, treasured memories for all. How special.

I’ll get mine perfume from me and probably something homey from the kids, they’ve just redecorated. For my stepdad I usually get him clothes. Nice warm jumper and a pair of lounge joggers.

for my dad I’m going to do him a calendar of the kids and always get him some books.

Mum and stepdad always come to us for Christmas, dad is always invited but (thankfully!) never takes us up on the offer.

FastTurtle · 30/11/2025 19:41

My DM is in a nursing home, I’ve bought her a pack of hair clips that work well in her hair, a set of different hand creams and matching body sprays.

CharlotteCChapel · 30/11/2025 19:47

We only have one parent left . This year I bought him a beautifully painted mug with an integral tea holder( my brain isn't working properly). I just need to buy him some loose leaf tea.

Cuwins · 30/11/2025 20:42

CharlotteCChapel · 30/11/2025 19:47

We only have one parent left . This year I bought him a beautifully painted mug with an integral tea holder( my brain isn't working properly). I just need to buy him some loose leaf tea.

My mum has one of these and absolutely loves it, I recommend bird and blend for loose leaf tea

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