Christmas gift for your parents

[cabbagecabbage]

Shutterfly calendar of the grandkids 7 years running! In my family we only gift down, so parents gifts are just a token.

[megstoo]

My mom is deceased but we're getting my dad a personalized blanket/throw that has pictures of the dogs on it. We're also getting him a gift certificate for Hello Fresh.
The best thing I did was last year and I took all of my dad's old 8mm tapes and old VHS tapes and had them put onto DVD. His old projection player didn't work anymore so he had no idea what was even on the tapes but it was an awesome gift.

[glitzy07]

Nixplay digital frame
Shutterfly calendars

[isabel]

Mom: no freaking idea

MIL: no freaking idea

Dad: Penzey's Spices (because he's a Trumper) and possibly the new Bill Bryson book.

[meowmaps]

Nov 4, 2019 13:44:05 GMT -5 isabel said:

Mom: no freaking idea

MIL: no freaking idea

Dad: Penzey's Spices (because he's a Trumper) and possibly the new Bill Bryson book.

I'm getting that for my dad.  He read something else by Bryson in the past few months and he's big into health and the human body so it seems like a no-brainer.   

[pandorica]

Ugh I have no idea. I prefer experience gifts but my dad is getting knee surgery and probably won't be too mobile and I'm not sure what both he and my mom would like to do together beyond, like, eating.

[meowmaps]

In addition to the new Bill Bryson book I'm getting my dad a framed picture of him and DD.

For my mom I'm getting a tote bag with a Hamptons beach theme.

For the in-laws...I'm not entirely sure. I just got a jigsaw puzzle from the World Wildlife Fund and they're big puzzlers so maybe that would be a good idea. I can always borrow it from them when they're done.

[dottyblue]

I did a James Niehues kickstarter earlier this year for my dad. Was meant to be for Father's day but I didn't get it until late September, so that's now Christmas.

My mom is getting a nice wooden serving tray because she keeps using worn-out old jelly roll pans to carry things to the fire pit or picnic table from the kitchen.

[tcu2003]

My mom is getting a gift card to her hair salon place and the shampoo she likes. Also GCs to her favorite restaurants. If she tells me anything else she needs, we’ll add that, but otherwise I’m not adding more stuff to a house that is full.

[followyourarrow]

My mom is getting outdoor chairs or a bench.

[shauni27]

I always just ask my parents and in laws what they want and get them that.

That is 100% how we have all always done gifts. No guess work and makes it quick and easy!

[wambam]

Nov 4, 2019 13:47:33 GMT -5 pandorica said:

Ugh I have no idea. I prefer experience gifts but my dad is getting knee surgery and probably won't be too mobile and I'm not sure what both he and my mom would like to do together beyond, like, eating.

I am in the same boat! My dad's retired life revolves around golfing and he just had rotator cuff surgery so uhh, IDK?

[greenmonkey1]

I have the kids make something for both sets of grandparents. Last year they made little dessert dishes where they drew on them with the special markers and I baked them in the oven. I haven't figured this year's kid art project yet.

For the inlaws - usually some unique coffee for FIL and something for the garden for MIL. Last year I gifted a beehive (or a share in one) from Heifer Intl and bee inspired foods. They're really into bees and natural gardening.

We do a gift exchange on my side of the family so I don't get them a gift individually every year. For my Mom I regularly do a gc to the specialty sewing shop or JoAnns so she can get materials for her latest project. My sister and I once did a gift to one of those places where you make freezer meals (not sure if they still exist) and we all did it together. That was fun. Dad usually wants a tool or wood so I've either done the tool or a gc to Home Depot/Northern Tools if the item is big ticket.

[NewGirlNic]

I'm getting my mom a Barefoot Dreams cardigan. I had mine on the other day and she wouldn't stop rubbing my arm saying how soft it was. LOL. Probably some fuzzy socks and LUSH bath stuff to go with.

My dad I think I'll get a ring doorbell. Or a nest thermostat. We got him an echo for Father's Day and he now has an indoor camera (so he can watch the dog when he leaves) and a few smart plugs/lightbulbs. So he's been into smart tech-a-fying the whole house.

They also get a Shutterfly calendar of all the grandkids that my SIL and I make together. My grandma gets one too. 

My inlaws just get restaurant gift cards and a similar Shutterfly calendar (I edit out the pics of my brothers kids and add some of H's side of the family... if I have any. We aren't super close with his fam) 

[CrazyLucky]

Someone here recommended a Nixplay a couple of years ago, and I got one for my mom and she LOVES the thing. She dropped and broke it, which makes my shopping for her easy this year.
If you don't know, it's a digital wireless picture frame. So even though we live 450 miles apart, I can easily load pictures on her frame from my phone at any time. She can no longer complain about not getting enough pictures. You can also set it up for anyone else to send pictures.

[candreco]

Photo calendars for both sets of grandparents, assuming I can get some photos of my niece from my sister and nephew from my SIL/BIL.

My mom wants a Miami Dolphins pop socket, don't know for my dad, maybe a Penzey's gift box again this year? And I'll get them some sort of bigger joint experience or restaurant GC.

I have no idea what DH is planning for my ILs, he probably won't think about it for at least another month.

[goldengirlz]

Hanukkah but we typically get them restaurant gift certificates

[InBetweenDays]

Nov 4, 2019 14:10:46 GMT -5 NewGirlNic said:

I'm getting my mom a Barefoot Dreams cardigan. I had mine on the other day and she wouldn't stop rubbing my arm saying how soft it was. LOL. Probably some fuzzy socks and LUSH bath stuff to go with.

My dad I think I'll get a ring doorbell. Or a nest thermostat. We got him an echo for Father's Day and he now has an indoor camera (so he can watch the dog when he leaves) and a few smart plugs/lightbulbs. So he's been into smart tech-a-fying the whole house.

They also get a Shutterfly calendar of all the grandkids that my SIL and I make together. My grandma gets one too. 

My inlaws just get restaurant gift cards and a similar Shutterfly calendar (I edit out the pics of my brothers kids and add some of H's side of the family... if I have any. We aren't super close with his fam) 

Thanks for posting this - I think my mom would love that! I'm also getting them some packing cubes because they borrowed ours for a recent big trip and loved them. Not sure what else I'm getting my dad or my inlaws.

[Patsy Baloney]

We make a calendar with family pics. We just had some family pics taken, so I'll probably frame a nice one for each parent.

My parents are divorced and so are my H's, so I basically can't afford anything else and I've given up trying because they're kind of assholes if a gift misses the mark.

ETA - we did get my mom a Nixplay (because she's my favorite) and I think that thing is great but a known glitch is when you get too many photos on it the auto-rotation feature stops working. Which, of course my mom who scavenges pictures off of Facebook and made all of her children download the app to send pictures immediately hit that threshold. She says she doesn't mind, but a bunch of them are clipped so you can't see the actual photo and just a weird close-up. So, that's kind of a bummer for something so pricey. 

[macmars45]

The adults draw names in my family. I happened to draw mom & dad this year. I'll buy off their lists. Said lists are due via email by this Friday.

If my ILs get anything it'll be because H bought them something. I already buy for 11 people. If he can't manage 5 people that isn't my problem.

[georgeglass]

Nov 4, 2019 13:51:24 GMT -5 dottyblue said:

I did a James Niehues kickstarter earlier this year for my dad. Was meant to be for Father's day but I didn't get it until late September, so that's now Christmas.

My mom is getting a nice wooden serving tray because she keeps using worn-out old jelly roll pans to carry things to the fire pit or picnic table from the kitchen.

Make sure it's light! I got my mom one and she said it was too heavy to carry it with stuff on it, so then I got her one like this - www.williams-sonoma.com/products/rustic-melamine-tray-with-handles/?pkey=s%7Cserving%20tray%7C61

[abs]

No clue. My mom wants and needs absolutely nothing. She is impossible to shop for. I've done Penzey's spices, Kendra Scott, a monogrammed YETI and resuable straws, and spa gift certificates in the past. I am out of ideas.  Her hobbies are politics (she is a big time Democrat), her wine club, sports (Astros, Florida Gators), and her dog if anyone has any ideas.

ETA:  My stepdad is easier.  He's happy with a gift card to Lowe's or Harbor Freight.  He is always working on some sort of project.

[jigsy]

I might come home for a visit? lol

My dad passed away 5 years ago 3 days before Christmas, and I kind of told myself that that was going to be the last time I ever visited Utah for the holidays. But, this might be the lsat year that it is an easy thing to do, and my mom has been asking when I will be visiting....and our offices are closed from the 24th - 2nd.

So, I might give the gift of my presence. lol

[minzy]

Nov 4, 2019 13:49:37 GMT -5 meowmaps said:

In addition to the new Bill Bryson book

Thank you for mentioning this! I saw him speak 2.5 years ago and he mentioned he was working on a book about the human body... and I’ve been waiting impatiently ever since, haha. I just jumped on the holds list.

Not sure about gifts. We just got my in-laws a restaurant gift card for their birthdays. I’m otherwise on a big sustainability kick so am really trying to stress that we should all be buying less stuff and I’m trying to push experiences instead. We’ll see how that pans out. 😏

[wanderlustmom]

My dad likes single malt scotch so I find him a unique bottle every year. My mom and mother in law are easy because they love everything so I usually get them pajamas, sweaters, lotions—fancy things they wouldn’t treat themselves to. I then buy an sweater for my stepdad. My stepmom likes a Kroger gift card every year. Wouldn’t be for me but that’s what she loves. Practical Midwest lady

[mbcdefg]

Last year we (mom, sister, brother - us three kids all have SOs) agreed that we’d just take turns treating the whole family out to dinner, rather than buying things.

[W.T.Faulkner]

They’re moving into their new vacation home over the holidays, so we got them some art for the new house. I don’t know what else we’ll do. Likely it will involve photos of their grandsons. lol

[ohgillian]

My mom wants one of those suprella things (it's an umbrella that turns inside out). So, that.

[TBM]

Nov 4, 2019 15:26:08 GMT -5 abs said:

No clue. My mom wants and needs absolutely nothing. She is impossible to shop for. I've done Penzey's spices, Kendra Scott, a monogrammed YETI and resuable straws, and spa gift certificates in the past. I am out of ideas.  Her hobbies are politics (she is a big time Democrat), her wine club, sports (Astros, Florida Gators), and her dog if anyone has any ideas.

ETA:  My stepdad is easier.  He's happy with a gift card to Lowe's or Harbor Freight.  He is always working on some sort of project.

What about a museum membership or something similar? We have museum and botanical garden tickets that we enjoy, and there ar other museum memberships that we have considered.

We also like theater tickets, fun gourmet food, and DH is always happy with a nice bottle of red wine.

We are always happy with seemingly boring things that we will use. If we hadn't replaced our threadbare dish towels recently or bought an assortment of silicone food storage bags, those would have been on the list. One year one of our daughters gave us some handmade glasses that were supposed to be the right size for gin and tonics...but they weren't. They are beautiful, but HUGE, so instead we use them daily for water glasses.

I would love something that we (daughters and I) could do together, (lunch, pedicure, museum, show...), but one daughter is across the country and the other is in Japan, so that isn't going to happen.

[cville]

I'm going to get my mom a DNA kit, I think. She was kinda jealous when I got my dad one a few years ago. Since then more privacy stuff has come out, though, so she may have changed her mind. So I'll feel her out over Thanksgiving to see if she's still interested.