What do you buy your parents for Christmas?

[ruadisneyfan2]

They're in their late 60's. Moms is retired.


Just trying to get ideas in the $100 range. We've done restaurant gift cards in past but now they're trying to lose weight/lower cholesterol.
Also in past I've given them Disney gift cards (for future cruise price or onboard spending).

I thought of a gps but they don't really drive that far or venture out.

I thought of a show in Philly but most are over $100/pp.

Also in past I've gone in with my other 2 siblings on larger gifts (luggage, camera, etc.) but my SIL complained that somehow I get credit for them, not the whole group. They say things like, "Oh, that's like that camera M**** got us for Christmas."
Also I'm the one that shops and they are not always prompt with payment to me which is frustrating.

Any ideas?

 

[Nina]

I got mine a keurig

 

[teacherlisa1978]

This is under $100 but I just got my gift for my parents in the mail today. Personalcreations.com has an item where you upload a photo of a house and an artist handpaints and personalizes it. I had their house number and address and name put on and it's beautiful. My parents have been in their house about 25 years and it's truly their dream house-they're trying to figure out how I can buy it from them so it's always in the family. This was $40 and could go well with something else-healthy basket of treats from Trader Joe's maybe?

 

[okeydokey]

How about a fruit of the month club. Harry and David has the best pears I have ever tasted.

 

[thebeesknees]

How about a fruit of the month club. Harry and David has the best pears I have ever tasted.

They do have delicious pears! I've given the fruit tower before and it was well received - H&D package everything beautifully. wolferman's has absolutely delicious English muffin/scone/jam baskets, too. We've also ordered a citrus box (lots of places ship straight from FL), and they really like that. I always think of that "Everybody Loves Raymond" episode with the fruit-of-the-month club, though!

 

[sksjasams]

How about a movie theater gift card? That's what I always get my dad. He enjoys going to the movies, but they are expensive for people on a fixed income.

 

[Brancaneve]

Bump! I struggle with this every year......like the Keurig idea!

 

[hffmnheidi]

My dad is getting tools because he really doesn't do much-no hobbies other than fishing and doesn't do sports. My mom is getting a CD that she likes and computer games. My grandma is getting a handmade Disney calendar like she does every year.

 

[DominicaAnne]

This is not going to help you, but my Dad is 60 and this year we are getting him ion drums for Rock Band. They and Rock Band 3 are the only things he has asked for.

My mom wants Isotoner smart phone gloves, a new Vera Bradley wallet and the new keyboard for Rock Band 3. She turns 59 on Dec 27th. I'm thinking mine are not your typical parents.

 

[rubato]

This is the 2nd year I'm getting my parents dinner theatre tickets. We have season tickets, so I just add 2 tickets on to one of our shows and get a table for 4. They really loved it last year. They can eat anything they choose because it's a buffet, and they get to see has been actors from their era.

 

[RMAMom]

I used to love dinner theater when I was a kid. We used to have a great one in Philly but there aren't any around anymore that I know of.

I am really stumped on the parents this year. Keep the ideas coming, I'm reading with interest!

 

[CTdiznymom]

My mom is a widow, and doesn't put up a tree anymore so I get her a tabletop boxwood decorated tree. I get it a week or so before the holiday and it lasts past New Years. She really enjoys having it, and it runs me about $80 from a local florist.

 

[Tink9295]

The last few years I've been giving my parents Omaha Steaks gift cards. They have a great selection of meats and it's about the only time my parents get filet mignon.

I have given movie gift cards and vaious restaurant gift cards. They are snow birds so I try to get them gift cards near their Florida condo.

 

[MichelleinMaine]

This year, mine are getting a Shutterfly book of our WDW trip pics (they were with us.)

 

[Darcy03231]

I made a scrapbook for my mom of a trip we took and got my dad bullets for a gun of his that are hard to find (I had to order them online). I'm also getting them a gift certificate for a local restaurant they like.

We got DH's mom a Coach wallet to go with the purse she got for her birthday (DH and his sister went in on the purse together).

 

[pantherlj]

My dad is getting a digital picture frame (on clearance at Target) but I think the bigger part of the gift is that I'll load it with years and years worth of pictures. Man, it's taking me HOURS to find the best of the best! I hope to find some old pictures at his house during Thanksgiving and scan them for the frame.

I have the girls make a stepping stone for the garden/yard each year. The kits are $20 at Michaels/AC Moore so get them for about $10-$12 depending on the coupon out. This gift started with my mom because she loved gardening. I was surprised my dad wanted me to keep it going after she passed away last year.

Everyone likes to open presents. WHen my grandfather got hard to buy for, we started doing a "stocking" with lots of smaller things so he could have fun opening presents like the kids - after shave, socks, lottery tickets. Nothing super exciting but just the fun of opening.

It's hard!!

 

[luvmy3]

I was going to suggest dinner theater tix but then I saw your reply. Here are some other ideas. Does it need to be a joint gift?
Keurig
AAA membership if the travel and don't have any other roadside assistance
Blu-Ray player and movies
Movie theater passes
Grocery Store GiftCards
GPS

 

[ragtopday]

Great thread and some great suggestions!

My mom is the type of person who measures your love by how much money you spend on her which makes every gift a test. So much fun. /sarcasm I've done a Shutterfly book every year since my oldest came along, which she fawned over at first, but now thinks they're old hat because "she's already seen these pictures".

No idea what I'm getting her this year (other than the Shutterfly book she'll look at perfunctorily) but I'm enjoying reading the ideas!

 

[Wilsonfamily4]

I am getting my parents some gift cards to restaurants. Mom told me last week that they like to go out but can't afford to.

I once got them some food from Omaha Steaks. That was fun.

Sometimes I get things for my dads bow, he's a hunter.

Parents are hard. I was bummed when my mom bought themselves a GPS a few weeks ago. Took away a great gift idea.

I am making my mom a desk calendar for her work with the kids pictures. I am using my kids and my sisters kids. Excited about this one though it will go in her stocking.

 

[MomToOne]

I'm stumped on my Mom. She's 78, half blind, not very mobile due to arthritis and other issues, and has started a slow decline into what we believe is probably Alzheimers. Since she can't drive blind as she is, she doesn't get out at all since my father passed away unless my brother takes her somewhere. (Unfortunately I live half a country away.) She has no interests to speak of, other than watching TV.

So far all I've come up with are some books on tape (she's been resistant to trying them, but I'm trying to convince her they are great), and that all-edge brownie pan (she and my father always fought over who got the corners )

I keep trying to convince her she needs a cat to keep her company, which I would love to get her for Christmas. I think it'd do her a lot of good to have another soul in the house. But so far she's nixed that idea...