Need ideas for my PARENTS

[Rock'n Robin]

I have everyone done except my parents. They are 70 and almost 73 (dad's BDay is 12/23--I have a book for that). If they want something they go get it. I got them a breadmaker once and that went over big, but last year I got them a George Foreman and I don't think they use it.
Dad has CDs coming out of his ears--they videotape a lot of things and watch them later, and rent other DVDs--I've gotten them all the gadgets over the years (I got them their first DVD, etc) but in truth they buy a lot of what they want--and they aren't buying as much because their investments have taken a hit. They are still better off than we are by a long shot.
Dad's hobbys are reading (he buys a lot of books) and shopping around at local groceries to get the best deal for his coupons! Mom likes to watch TV and nap and read mysteries--but again she buys most of what she wants to read. They watch DS every afternoon when I teach and spoil him rotten. They have two children (me and older sis) and 5 grandkids, ages 13 (my niece) to 4 1/2 (DS). They have lived in the same house since 1958.
They went to WDW with us in July and had fun, but probably won't travel much anymore because Dad's back bothers him.
Mom suggested gift certificates to restaurants or something, but how dull is that??? Anyone have any good ideas? They are my biggest challenge.
Robin M.

 

[amid chaos]

What about a themed basket of stuff. GC to rent some DVD's, popcorn, bottle of wine, cheese and crackers.

Or a neat shelf unit to keep their DvD's in.

 

[nativetxn]

This sounds like a job for gift certificates. If they buy a lot of books they would surely enjoy a gift certificate to a great book store. If they rent a lot of videos or dvd's they would have a lot of fun with a gift certificate to the local video store.

Why not make them up a basket of goodies (some of the more expensive snacks they may not buy for themselves often?) and tuck the gift certificates in loving cards in with the goodies?

It's tough to know what to buy for others when they buy everything they want...I know...my MIL does the same thing.

 

[TigrLvsPooh]

I'm in the same boat! Try http://www.harryanddavid.com last year my Dad loved the big tower of treats I got him.

 

[Lars624]

I always get my parents restaurant gift certificates for the same reasons you stated. I also get them something small to open. This year Mom's getting a bracelet I ordered forher but I'm still not sure about Dad's.
BTW I spent the weekend in Perrysburg for DH's gamily reunion (at a hotel there) and I really liked it.
My uncle now lives there so I'm sure I'll get to visit your town again

 

[jamsmom]

My parents buy what they need, but are on a budget. So every year they get a gift certificate to Sams/Wal-mart, Piccadilly, and HEB. Each year they are different denominations, but it all stuff they can use and will use. I hate gift certificates, but they really like them. Since it is for them, then I try to remember just because I don't like them it is okay. Piccadilly is their favorite so I try to get a gift card tht will pay for 3 or 4 meals.

I did do the monthly friut club from Harry and David's one year, but sometimes it was too much fruit. But, they did like having fruit.

 

[Figment2]

Parents are so hard to buy for! What I did for several years
was buy one of those huge stockings and then stuffed it with things I knew they could use - gift certificates, kleenex, paper towels, etc. Everything was wrapped up and they got a kick out of unwrapping everything, even the paper towels. I threw in little stuff too like a Christmas pin for my Mom and some crossword books for my Dad.

Cyn

 

[CamColt]

Even before I finished reading your post I was thinking a gift certificate to a restaurant. My parents are tough to buy for too, because they buy pretty much everything they want. What I ended up getting this year was a mug with a picture of my DSs on it for my father and a calendar with pictures from our Disney trip(mostly of all 4 grandkids) on it for my mother. Then I got them each a mall gift certificate. I figure this way they can get what they want. They have a cruise coming up this summer, so I will tell them to buy some cruising clothes with it. I also got them a gift certificate to one of their favorite restaurants. They eat out quite a bit so that works well for them. In a sense I feel the same way...gift certificates are so boring and generic, but I know I sure love getting them as opposed to something I dont like but feel obliged to keep. And everyone seems to enjoy getting them, so I stick to them.
Good Luck!

 

[FOJMO]

My Dad told me that the BEST gift we ever gave him was a gift card. He always makes sure he tells us what he got himself with it.

Even though you think it's dull to get them gift cards or certificates, most times I think it's JUST what they want! Then they can get what the want or need.

 

[FOJMO]

My Dad told me that the BEST gift we ever gave him was a gift card. He always makes sure he tells us what he got himself with it.

Even though you think it's dull to get them gift cards or certificates, most times I think it's JUST what they want! Then they can get what the want or need.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

I went to my parents the other day and noticed that a couple of gift certificates for a car wash would be good for them.

 

[hercamore]

Oh, you said your dads back was bad.

How about one of those chair massagers or just a hand held one?


they both like to read ...how about a subscription t USA today.

Good luck,

Herc.

 

[hercamore]

Oh, you said your dads back was bad.

How about one of those chair massagers or just a hand held one?


they both like to read ...how about a subscription t USA today.

Good luck,

Herc.

 

[Cindy B]

You said he liked to go to different grocery stores for a bargain... would a GC to the grocery store help them?


I'm getting those for my grandmother.

 

[Rajah]

Since everyone else is recommending gift cards, I'll suggest something else (though I still like the idea of book-store gift cards )

If you have time, what about a scrapbook or photo album of their grandchildren?

 

[Pooh Girl 71]

My grandma is on a somewhat fixed budget. She doesn't get to go out an eat like she wants so we have been buying her gift certificates for restaurants. Also, phone cards are a big plus too.

I always felt the gift cards would be impersonal. My grandma is close to 80, still mobile and has everything she needs.

My dad is the one who will tell you what he wants and then goes and buys it!!! Drives me nuts

 

[ByTheSea]

After finding a room full of unused gifts at my Grandmothers house several years ago...

I focused on perishables, and things they can us up. I used to make her favorite cookies (that were a pain to make) do they like flowers? For my MIL who loves flowers that's what we usually stick with... and stamps (everyone has bills to pay right?) Try to find things that won't stick around and take up space..... a favorite sweet, or even something like Coffee of the month/beer of the month/flower of the month... Depending on your budget, how about a once a month housecleaner?

 

[crazyme5kids]

My sister and I just gave my parents a gift that they loved. They are up in age too, so things are a little harder for them to do, or they just don't want to be bothered. What we did was give their kitchen a face lift. We painted it, put up a boarder and some decorative shelfs with some things on them. We hung new pictures, added a bread box and a new stainless steal dish drain and garbage can. They were so happy with the results, and it only took a day to do.

 

[Jenn]

My in-laws are like this too so we got 4 tickets (2 for us and 2 for them) to a show in Boston (Some Like It Hot - starring Tony Curtis) and we are taking them to dinner first and then to the show.

This is something they wouldn't normally do on their own as they wouldn't drive into the city by themselves - especially at night.

Then I got them each a small gift for under the tree - a book for FIL and a blanket MIL was eyeing.