What are you buying for your parents?

[sherry7]

What are you budget DISers buying for your parents for Christmas?

My parents are 73 and 75. Like most people that age, they seem to have everything. I thought about a digital photo frame, but I mentioned it to my mom and she didn't like the idea. Cash is a no-no, because I know they'd just pay a bill with it. Gift cards are iffy too. If it's one to Walmart, Target, etc, they'll just buy groceries with it. Restaurant gift cards are iffy because Mom has been really sick for the last couple of months, and they have trouble getting out anywhere.

Any ideas for me? We typically spend $50 per parent, but I was considering cutting back a little this year...really haven't made a final decision on that though.

 

[autumnsmommy]

My mom (62) always asks for a years supply of something. In the past I have gotten her the restaurant supply roll of saran wrap from Sam's Club, it lasts her the year. She is also getting manicure supplies, cotton rounds, and 12 bottles of the Revlon polish she prefers. And an Autographed Off Kilter CD, since she wants Jamie in her stocking. We also get her a few $10 gift cards to places she won't spend her own money on, like McDonalds or Starbucks.

 

[Perditamarie]

here are some ideas:

* newspaper/magazine subscription
* gift card for groceries (you know it will get used and won't clutter!)
* dvd player and movies...or netflix sub if they have dvd player
* Harry and David fruit/snack basket
* membership to AAA, BJs, Sams etc if that would be useful
* mini keurig

 

[dyna]

My parents we buy them nothing if they don't have it they either don't need it or don't want it. BUT thru out the year if I am asked to pick something up at the store for them or do happen onto something I know they will use I do buy it but never ever allow them to pay......JUST say MERRY CHRISTMAS ....HAPPY BIRTHDAY ETC ALL ROLLED INTO WHAT EVER IT IS I BOUGHT.

 

[jetprincess]

subscriptions - National Geographic and Southern Living (Amazon)
I got my parents Snuggie's - kind of as a joke, but not really
PJ's - they wear out!
Mom- a nice purse - my children are picking out a few little things to put in it
Dad- a rain hat
Framed picture of my children - not every year!

I also put Starbuck's and Lowe's gift cards in their stockings

 

[v.t.]

How about snack foods from Sam's or Costco. We get the nicer stuff like dates, snack mix, etc. Things they really like but won't buy because it is too expensive. You can then put it in a cute basket or box.

 

[Goofygirl17]

I'm making my mom a no-sew fleece blanket.

 

[GoofyGolferGirl]

I am getting my mom a laptop she says she wants to learn ow to use a computer my DD12 is going to make her "free compter lesson" coupons.

 

[MickeyHereWeCome!]

My parents aren't that difficult because they actually give us ideas. We're actually going in with my brother, mother, aunt and uncle to get my father a new t.v. this year. I'm sure he'll be surprised.

My in-laws, on the other hand, are a nightmare to buy for. In the past, we've tried a year subscription to cable t.v. (they called to cancel it after a month), a new digital camera (returned right away), etc. They never give us ideas and just say the standard "we don't need anything". I have had luck finding cute photo gifts. We don't get to see them but once or twice a year, so I try to do picture gifts of their grandchildren. Last year we got them a digitial photo ornament, and that was a huge hit. They collect clocks, so I got them a photo clock one year. As the dil, it's nice to get the credit for finding special gifts that they rave about!!! Of course, these aren't expensive, so they don't account for an entire gift to them! They do drink coffee, so this year we got them the Keurig coffee machine (thanks to DISers who shared the idea...I wouldn't have thought of it). I guess we'll see if they like it. My bil lives with them and adores his coffee..different flavors, etc., so it will actually be a gift for all three of them. I'll be crossing my fingers they actually keep it.

They do go out to eat, so I've often given them gift cards to their favorite restaurants. I know they will use them.

 

[daleswife]

Im going to order my family a complete meal from Omaha Steaks. That way its something they will eat and not waste.

 

[Justsyd2]

My father passed on 10 years ago, but for my Mom...she wants a pair of 14kt Gold White Topaz earrings, which I bought for her. I also bought her a complete set of Moonlight Path from Bath and Body Works, and made her a Photoworks Picture coffee mug.

 

[tloveswdw]

We pay my ILs their Ipass, their snow removal, and then things like printer ink, and my SIL pays their YMCA, and prepays their meds...

Not fun stuff, but make their life easier. We pick up little things to open, (new gloves, some carmel corn, etc)

My Dad got a Kindle this year, his lifestyle is terribly/wonderfully different.

 

[colonialtinker]

I get my mom (73) and Dh's mom (77) an electric throw, both our moms are always cold and we thought this would be something they would use.

Last year I made cookies and gave to them with a gift card inside for a tin a month. Both moms really liked getting the cookies each month

 

[mom2d&b]

Since Mom has not been able to go out too much, what about food from Kansas City Steaks? That way they could have a nice mal but stay home?

Since I recently lost my job, my parents understand there will be no gifts this year.

 

[IDoDis]

My mom is almost 71 and loves hot baths. A couple times a year I take her to a bath house up in the mountains where the mineral water is pumped from underground volcanos. It's really inexpensive because I get a senior discount for her, so it's around $17 for an hour soak.

She said she wanted a trip to the bath house for her Christmas gift, so I bought her a big plush bath sheet towel so that she'll have something to open on Christmas.

Some suggestions:
A nice set of bath towels

If they put up a tree, how about th 2009 Swarovski Crystal ornament?
http://www.amazon.com/Swarovski-Annual-2009-Christmas-Ornament/dp/B002KA17XC

One year I gave my mom a grabber stick so she could reach things on high shelves and pick things up off the floor without bending over.
http://www.amazon.com/32-Reacher-Grabber-Pick-Stick/dp/B0016P1VT2

A nice large wall collage photo frame that you you could give to them full of photos or you could let them choose their own photos?

 

[luvmy3]

For my dad:
A keurig
An external hard drive
A coat from LLBean
For IL's:
MIL- An small Aerogarden and either an herb keeper with a cookbook (recipes using fresh herbs) or a gift certificate to pampered chef
FIL- a steam kettle for his woodstove and a framed replica of The Declaration of Independence
For Grandparents:
my grandmother, a Vera Bradley bag and slippers.
Dh's a GC to grocery store

 

[powellrj]

My parents are the same age and I agree about NOT getting the digital picture frame. I got my parents one for their 50th a few years ago and even though I have shown them how to use it many times, it still sits in the box.

The grandkids are all too old to really give them photo gifts. It just loses something when they are young adults!

I am just going with a book for my dad, a magazine subscription for my mom and then cash for the rest. I know my mom has wanted a few things but hated to spend the money on herself so I figured she could go ahead and buy the things herself.

 

[Joan S.]

Hi, My DD noticed that my MIL's coffe mugs that she uses ALL the time (and belong to her Pflatzgraff dishware) were all chipped,so I just ordered online 4 NEW mugs in the same pattern. I also got a pot holder and dish towel to go with them. My MIL would NEVER replsce these herself (she would just continue to use the chipped ones) By signing up for e-mail on the site I got a 15% off coupon. My total cost with shipping was $33.60. We will also get her a GC to her favorite clothing store. So maybe there is something you could REPLACE in their home?? Merry Christmas!! Joan

 

[hipchickie]

A few years ago we got my parents a sirius radio, now we just get him a years subscription every year.
I knew they would like it, but I am even a little surprised how much they use it and enjoy it. They have a station that is all classic radio shows that they love, and another station that is 40's big band....they really enjoy it.

 

[RetroMom]

My parents and my grandmothers are the same...they have everything they want or they go buy it before I can get to it. So I started buying them gift cards for places they like to go to such as the movie theater. My grandmother loves a certain BBQ place near her home...they made me up a gift certificate one year! My grandfather loved to garden, so I used to give him a certificate to Pike's and a copy of the Farmer's Almanac. I honestly think my other grandmother's favorite is the Piccadilly one. Maybe to a restaurant that delivers since they can't really get out?