Parent Christmas Gifts

[tinkerbellandpeterpan]

My parents are 83 (dad) and 72 (mom). We settled on 3 haircuts and shaves for my dad and GC for mani/pedi for my mom. Neither side wants things so it's tough. Still working on my MIL and FIL. I think I might do golf fees for FIL and nails for my MIL. Always open to suggestions.

 

[fly girl]

Uber Eats or Door Dash gift cards?

No one wants to cook every night, but not many on a fixed income want to treat themselves to delivery either.

 

[neverlandsky]

We do consumable gifts. Crosswords, candles, gift cards to local eateries or grocery stores, favorite snacks, chocolates, etc.

 

[disneydreamer1980]

Gift cards for massages are good. Or a good foot massager, I got my parents one last year and they love it. It was like $200 but it’s really nice. And older people can get lonely or feel isolated so maybe a group outing to do something together, like dinner and a show or something where you treat them and spend time together. Or maybe just a gift card to Amazon so they can get what they want.

 

[tvguy]

My mom's favorite thing to receive at Christmas was a "Care Package" of non-perishable food items.
Most of them individual or single servings. Things like a microwavable Campbells soups. Foil pouches of tuna and salmon. Packages of honey roasted peanuts, or macadamia nuts, cashews, pistachios. She dearly loved Honey Sesame bars. Saltine crackers. Ritz crackers. Halloween size candy bars. She loved having stuff like that on the shelf. Mind you, weather permitting, up until a few weeks before her 89th birthday, she walked to the grocery store every few days, partly for the exercise, and partly to pickup a single item.

 

[LoveDaisy]

I tend to go with consumable gifts because they don’t need more stuff. Things I have bought. GC to their favorite restaurant or gold belly so they can try the thing they saw on food network, GC for hair cut, facial, or Trader Joe’s (my parents love wondering around there). Bird feeder, food suet, nesting kit. My dad loves to watch the birds. Real maple syrup and good local honey. GC to get their car detailed, last year I paid someone to clean the gutters as a gift. My mom mentioned their crockpot isn’t working well so I may get them a new one and fill it with the liners and recipes. Last year for my dad’s birthday I made him a coupon book for baked goods. My mom doesn’t bake much anymore and he loves baked goods and he has said bakery stuff isn’t the same. He loved that gift!

 

[AnnaS]

At this age, nothing is really needed for the home and most likely don't need much for themselves.

What has already been mentioned is nice. I think time spent with loved ones might be appreciated the most - getting a manicure, going out for a meal, take them shopping for something they need and a meal together. Most of these might already be done together but a little extra time is always welcomed.

A basket/package with teas, snacks, candy, stamps, assorted cards for them to send out. Do they like to read? Perhaps not a book but a magazine/subscription. Puzzles? Crosswords books/Find a Word? Coloring book? A well Basket - moisturizers for face/body, lip gloss/chapstick, do they use any special soap or toothpaste - things in that nature.

 

[flyingdumbo127]

You'rd a very thoughtful person, Tinkerbellandpeterpan. Should it be possible, I would imagine your parents would most love a visit from you. A scrapbook filled with photos of favorite family memories with captions could mean a lot. I love the ideas of experience gifts and food treats. You could also get them personalized stockings or an ornament that would be special to them. Whatever you decide, your care is evident. The pandemic has sure reinforced to me what a blessing my own beloved dad is. Cherish your time with your parents. God Bless You.

 

[jo-jo]

Last two years, our kids have given us gift cards for spotify and amazon audible. DH loves listening to music and I listen to audible books half the day.

My DH likes to do puzzles. One year, our DD had a puzzle made of a picture of all the grandkids. Maybe something like that. I've seen sofa throws with a photo of a family.

 

[slo]

Every year I make photo calendars, of photos throughout the past year, for my MIL & Mom - they love them. I’ve been doing this for over 20 years. I use Walgreens website to do this.

 

[pezgirlroy]

What about gift cards for pedicures for both. I agree that consumables are the way to go.

 

[Miffy]

OP, Time spent with your parents is the best gift you can give. Forget "stuff," and that includes experiences.

This advice from someone who does not want a gift, no matter how thoughtful it might seem. Now if I could only convince my sisters-in-law of this . . .

 

[loves to dive]

As an older person I can tell you (67) Hubby and I told our family's years ago we didn't want or need anything. For a while his family tried to give us gift cards or cash until we finally put our foot down. We really do have everything we could ever want or need and would rather our family's spend their money on themselves. We finally said, ok, you want to give us a gift? Give a donation to x charity in our name, you get the feels from giving us something and the charity gets what they need. Now they give us cards with the name of the charity they gave to on the inside. Win for everyone.

 

[hertamaniac]

My elderly mother tends to get cold feet in the winter, so I bought her a pair of battery-operated heated socks. She loves it. I also bought her and installed a bidet.....also highly loved.

 

[_19disnA]

We also like the idea of 'consumables' for several relatives in that same position. They don't want/need any more nick/knacks or Christmas decorations that need to be stored the rest of the year. Perhaps something they wouldn't normally buy for themselves like a nice box of fancy candy or something similar. Or a gift card to local fancy bakery or nice restaurant.

 

[Pooh2]

Last year, our son bought us tickets to bring hi young children to Disney on Ice.
By far, this was my favorite gift!
Got to do something really fun with the grands without stressing over the price of tickets.

 

[NYCgrrl]

Mommy and my grandparents lived long lives so I had the pleasure of picking gifts for many decades.
Nana and Grandmother gardened until very late in life so both took joy in gardening tools, seed, plantings and books.

Mom loved perfume so never ran out of Chanel no5 gift packages; gave two back to elder sister when Mom passed. I could never wear my mother’s favorite scent. Too presumptuous, lol.

Nana and Papa were given monthly gifts courtesy of Harry and David.

At sometime all received throws that were used in whatever chair they sat in and easily transported to the bed. Fleece wasn’t a thing then so they were made of various forms of wool and matched whatever rooms they were in.

Reading material in easy read print was always welcomed.

Grandmother was a diarist and wrote most of her recipes down so journals were always of use. Both grandmothers like photo albums.

Papa got a new pair of slippers and pjs regularly. They were commonly made of leather back then.

At some time in their later life all the family heads received luggage and toiletry bags.

Finally, money gifts were donated to their favorite causes in their names. Personally, I think this is important to do before your loved ones leave this earth. Shows them that you learned something in life.

 

[easyas123]

Some time ago we went no gifts with my folks & brothers on my side of the family. Honestly, everyone has what they want/need and the last thing any of us wants is more 'stuff'. We also cut off the nieces & nephews after 18, and expect nothing from them. We do enjoy getting together and hanging out and that's worth more to us.
As far as my husbands side of the family, we long ago came to the same agreement with his brother & sister and their families. But we can't get his folks on board, they are consumed with stuff, and will not give up the opportunity to collect more crap. They send us stuff every year and while we are very thankful they thought of us, it's usually stuff we don't need and can't use. To combat this, for our part we send them a consumable gift like many of you mentioned doing above. Usually it's seafood since they enjoy it but won't buy it for themselves.

 

[LynnTH]

We only have my Dad - he is 87. Both my mom and DH's parents have all passed. These are some gifts through the years me or my siblings have gotten him.

1. Kindle - He loves to read
2. Amazon Gift Cards (for the Kindle)
3. Yearly Subscription to Kindle Unlimited ( I just renew this every year for him when it comes due, not given as a gift. As far as he knows it just keeps working..)
4. Casino Chips - I take him to the Casino once a month or so. He cashes those in to use for slots.
5. Frozen Food Items from a Butcher or Other place in Individual Servings.
6. New Shirts/Shoes - He does not shop much for himself.
7. Hardcover Books - New Releases
8. My brother is a contractor and shops at Menards a lot, so gets a ton of 11% rebate gift cards. He give's my Dad hundreds/thousands of dollars a year of these. Dad finds everything at Menards.
9. Amazon Echo ( I have him hooked up to my Amazon account)
10. Sirius XM for the Car (He loves the 40's and 50's Channels) I just pay for this yearly now for him also.

 

[barkley]

my mom always went to her hair appointments a bit early and would binge read tabloids so one year I did a subscription to the national enquirer and my brother did people magazine. mom LOVED it-as did her friends cuz those magazines got passed around and around.

the other thing that was a traditional gift to her was a panettone. I have memories of her telling how her childhood memories of Christmas meant they would be treated to it. I think many of us have some childhood memory of a Christmas treat-for my bff it's those 'books' of lifesavers that were always in her Christmas stocking, for others it's a chocolate orange, for others the tiny candy canes. something like this as a gift can trigger wonderful memories and elicit some heartwarming conversations of our older family's youthful holidays.