Annual WTF to buy parents for the holidays thread

[circa1978]

Drop your ideas or shopping help requests below.

I bought MIL a crate of boutique butter from a small Norwegian-American dairy. She has a real thing about butter. 🤷

All other parents are a blank.

As a recommendation, I did a sort of stocking only thing with lots of little presents for my parents last year and it went well. Shockingly, my mom liked a small embroidery kit I got her so much that she's been cross-stitching all year. Very unexpected and your mileage may vary but a hit. She also really liked the glass plant watering globes I got her. But we are back to "big" presents this year over my objections.

[af1212]

We got my parents the universal Yuma snack boxes last year and they were a hit.

[mccallister84]

Nov 10, 2021 19:56:39 GMT -5 af1212 said:

We got my parents the universal Yuma snack boxes last year and they were a hit.

I’m glad they were a hit with your parents. They were a huge fail for both my parents and in laws.

[expectantsteelerfan]

I get my mom an Amazon Prime membership every year, plus some sort of plant/floral arrangement to give her on the day of (plus kid artwork on like a notepad or magnet from the kids). I love how easy it is.

This year we are gifting my inlaws tickets to Hamilton.

[dancingirl21]

I just ordered this cozy blanket for both my mom and MIL. It says this price is only good through today, FYI if anyone is interested in this. I also got my mom a 2022 calendar. She has a wood calendar holder and it's kind of a tradition that my siblings and I get her the Lang calendar for the next year.

www.kohls.com/product/prd-5019119/koolaburra-by-ugg-octavia-faux-fur-throw.jsp?color=Wild%20Dove&prdPV=2

My FIL likes hats and shirts from random locations. DH is currently working in SC so he is getting him some stuff from there.

My Dad basically likes nothing except books so I'll get him a few that I've read and enjoyed recently.

[mbcdefg]

When my dad was alive I’d buy him the gift baskets from Nueske’s - he liked the liverwurst, and their bacon is absolutely fantastic.

Another idea is a pretty box of assorted greeting cards for holidays, sympathy, birthdays, wedding and baby showers (Dollar Tree has nice ones for 2/$1), a pack of plain note cards, postage stamps, a return address stamper or labels, and maybe a nice pen and/or an address book.

Or a gift wrap kit - wrapping paper, tissue paper, gift bags, scissors, Scotch tape, bows, plain boxes, and gift tags.

That being said, idk wtf to get for my mom.

[marcyiam]

I'm doing a glass blowing experience with my dad (at a local cave), but no clue for my mom. Or anyone else.

[fumbalina]

My dad always loved when I got him Mayhaw Jelly but that was a particular good that came with a lot of memories. He was also excited one year I have him a candy his mother always brought for Christmas. He was always fast wealthier than I was so he works have most tangible items that he would want.

My mom's favorite gift I ever gave her was a complete set of James Herriot books. This was pre-Amazon so it was challenging to put together.

A great gift is so personal, it is hard to predict what people I've never met world love.

[af1212]

Nov 10, 2021 20:04:01 GMT -5 mccallister84 said:

Nov 10, 2021 19:56:39 GMT -5 af1212 said:

We got my parents the universal Yuma snack boxes last year and they were a hit.

I’m glad they were a hit with your parents. They were a huge fail for both my parents and in laws.

Oh no! What didn’t they like?

I suppose it’s possible our families didn’t like them either but just lied ha 🤷🏼‍♀️

[VillainV]

My parents love getting food. Last year I did tamales, this year I’ll probably do Penzey’s Spices and maybe a Goldbelly gift card.

Not sure about MIL. Maybe one of those hot air brushes, since she’s liked using mine when she visits. Maybe one with more tools and options than mine though.

[circa1978]

Oh yeah, weighted blankets were a hit for MIL and mom in 2019. MIL acts like I invented that blanket.

[UMaineTeach]

MIL just gets a photo book. SFIL gets a gift card to a store he buys stuff at anyway.

Mom is getting a wooden wall hanging and a bag. Need a few more things.

Dad is getting some of the things in the Duluth Pack bundles I got, I don’t know 100% which things are for him and which are for H. Need some more.
www.duluthpack.com/products/adventurers-holiday-gift-bundle

www.duluthpack.com/products/northwoods-holiday-gift-bundle

Two things about the bundles. The small black leather doesn’t feel as soft or sturdy as the leather duffel bag I got H a few years ago. It’s thin. And the Hydroflask insulated cups to me 10 minutes to take fully apart and put back together. I used the directions, the markings on the cup, and the intact one as a reference.

[sonrisa]

We usually get them things with photos of the grandkids on them. A calendar plus something else. This year, MIL is getting an electric corkscrew because she injured her hand opening a wine bottle.

[jinkies]

Last year we got my MIL a heated jacket and I know she uses it a lot. She spends a lot of time outdoors even in the winter.

She is obsessed with her dog so I was thinking I'd get her a pair of socks with the dog's face on them this year. I don't think they are very expensive though and I have no idea what to get to go with it.

I have no idea for my parents.

[devonpow]

We set up a new rule with my parents and system the other year that we only exchange books. 1-2 each, just something we have read and think they will enjoy. Easy.

DHs parents he usually sends food of some kind - coffee subscriptions have been a big hit

[madringal]

My sisters and I are getting my dad a Solo Stove. It’s portable and he enjoys camping so I think he’s going to love it!

[underwaterrhymes]

My mom always rocked stockings for us growing up, so this year my sister and I are going in on a really fun one for her.

[minzy]

Two super specific gifts that have been very well received lately: 1) A boat cover for my dad. He mentioned this summer he was going to have one custom done this fall so I took note of the company and called them and prepaid for it for his birthday. He was over the moon about that. 2) And then my aunt has been spending all this time at the senior center and mentioned these day trips they organize but said the trips were out of her budget. So I called up the senior center and sent checks and signed her up for the two on the schedule. She had a blast and raved about them and I think it’s been such a positive outlet for her. I need to call them back and see when the next one is.

We’re meeting up with my extended family over Thanksgiving and my sis is a photographer so will undoubtedly take awesome pics of everyone. I might consider paying for that if I weren’t already getting it for free, could be an idea for someone else.

[sonrisa]

Nov 10, 2021 21:36:48 GMT -5 underwaterrhymes said:

My mom always rocked stockings for us growing up, so this year my sister and I are going in on a really fun one for her.

We always stuff my mother and MIL's stockings when they aren't looking . (For MIL it's straight forward - we do it while everyone is getting food on Christmas Eve. For my mom, we have the kids dress up in their elf PJs and basically break into her house some afternoon when we think she's out. If she comes home we pretend to sneak away undetected. Of course she knows we are there before she opens the door because we are parked in the driveway. 

[sadlebred]

My parents want gift cards to Arbys and Popeyes, which is where they like to get drive through from. I couldn't find the Popeye's GC but found them at a random Kroger in a nearby county. Arbys will come from Amazon. They don't generally want stuff unless they need something.

I'm so glad it was easy this year. My mom is normally impossible to buy for.

[CloudBee]

DS (8) has created his own dry spice rub for steak and chicken. So random, but it's REALLY GOOD. We're going to bottle it up, label it, and give some to my parents and sister as a small part of their gift.

That as far as we've gotten. LOL.

[DotAndBuzz]

My dad is getting a box of really nice grilling meats from a local restaurant here. They sell all sorts of foodie, high-end gift boxes, not just meats. Am happy to share the link if anyone is interested.

My mom is getting some sort of meal prep service subscription, per her request. She hates deciding what to cook, and dealing with the planning pieces, so something like Blue Apron, Hello Fresh, etc.

Last year I got her a monthly flower delivery, which was also well received.

[sofamonkey]

We’re doing family pics. Is 4, my sis/BIL, mom and dad. All together, and separate. We will also get prints made.

I’m excited, my parents never want or need anything. Lol

[RockNVoll]

Nov 10, 2021 23:02:12 GMT -5 DotAndBuzz said:

My dad is getting a box of really nice grilling meats from a local restaurant here. They sell all sorts of foodie, high-end gift boxes, not just meats. Am happy to share the link if anyone is interested.

Last year I got her a monthly flower delivery, which was also well received.

Please share both of these, thanks!

[FrozenSunshine]

Nov 10, 2021 20:59:26 GMT -5 jinkies said:

Last year we got my MIL a heated jacket and I know she uses it a lot. She spends a lot of time outdoors even in the winter.

She is obsessed with her dog so I was thinking I'd get her a pair of socks with the dog's face on them this year. I don't think they are very expensive though and I have no idea what to get to go with it.

I have no idea for my parents.

Can you tell me details on the jacket? MIL is going through some health stuff and can’t stay warm.

They live in South Dakota, but today while visiting asked me for my puffer in Seattle as another layer. She was 3 layers in and cold!

[notsopicky]

I think I've shared in the past that my parents have 3 of the 4 gift-receiving holidays/special days (all but M-Day & D-Day) within 1 week around the winter holidays (as a broke college student, it took some planning, lol). For Christmas, I get them their Prime membership & a game or puzzle. Anniversary (53 years this year!), I usually get them a restaurant gift card, but last year b/c of COVID, I did some kind of prepared food box/basket. This year I'm not going the GC route either, I think I'm going to get them a Moink box (b/c I keep hearing the commercials on sat radio and I think they're funny). And for their birthdays, Dad is getting a book and a GC to buy more books, and Mom is getting a Pandora charm. 

[abs]

My MIL is easy. She loves loves loves gift cards and buying things for her house. We will probably do Michael's and Kirkland's and she will be done. DH is thinking about nicer luggage, too. We are all taking an Alaska cruise next summer and she could really use an upgrade over her 1970's suitcase that you have to carry.

My mom and stepdad? lol. I don't know. My mom is not a gift person and is impossible to shop for. I have done Penzey's spices, puzzles, and cross stitch stuff for my mom in the past. My stepdad really just wants food or gift cards. I am going to do more of an experience gift for my mom this year I'm just not sure what yet.

[jinkies]

Nov 11, 2021 2:10:08 GMT -5 FrozenSunshine said:

Nov 10, 2021 20:59:26 GMT -5 jinkies said:

Last year we got my MIL a heated jacket and I know she uses it a lot. She spends a lot of time outdoors even in the winter.

She is obsessed with her dog so I was thinking I'd get her a pair of socks with the dog's face on them this year. I don't think they are very expensive though and I have no idea what to get to go with it.

I have no idea for my parents.

Can you tell me details on the jacket? MIL is going through some health stuff and can’t stay warm.

They live in South Dakota, but today while visiting asked me for my puffer in Seattle as another layer. She was 3 layers in and cold!

Sure! It's something like this one: www.homedepot.com/p/ORORO-Women-s-Large-Black-7-2-Volt-Lithium-Ion-Slim-Fit-Heated-Jacket-with-1-5-2-Ah-Battery-Pack-and-Detachable-Hood-2201-A01-0105/306723545

Or she might have the Milwaukee brand one? My H also has one, and his is definitely the Milwaukee brand. he wears it all the time. Its battery powered, so you do have to remember to charge it. H wears his daily in the winter so it's part of his routine, like charging his phone at night.

[ProfessorArtNerd]

My ILs are big Harry Potter fans so we got them tic to the show at the Franklin Instiute. They’ll be going on FIL’s birthday so we can add lunch for that (in March).

My mom I got her a wristlet wallet/phone holder Bc she not so subtly admired mine 😂. My dad? Ugh who knows. He’s impossible to shop for, and I got him an awesome present last year haha. (A Cartographers for Social Equity shirt from the West Wing, our favorite show).

[ssmjlm]

Everyone gets a calendar of the grandkid.

Sometimes I throw in something extra for them, depends on how I’m feeling and if I GAF. My ILs suck so I’m not exactly a fan of giving more than the minimum.