I need something else to get my mother and father in law. They are both around age 51.
They are hard to buy for because they don't like luxurious things (so candles are out, spa gift cards, a vase, etc)....they see that kind of stuff as wasteful.
They like practical things like books. And they are really into their church, but they are Mormon, and since I'm not, I'm not comfortable buying them anything related to religion.
We got them a nice Christmas ornament, but it doesn't seem like enough...I know I need to add something else.
One year we got them a nice chef's knife for the kitchen, and another year a restaurant gift card.
Any ideas? I only have 2 days until we're exchanging gifts!
Posted by AnnaL (Member # 18464) on :
A donation to a charity is always nice. I'm giving all of the adults in my family (kids still get toys!) a donation in their honor to Doctors Without Borders.
I did this last year too, and they were all very happy with it!
You can personalize it too, if they tend to support a particular charity or cause. Local charities (local food banks, animal shelters, children's programs, etc) are another good way to personalize.
Posted by EllieP50 (Member # 15936) on :
Special food or a pretty basket with food goodies is always nice - everyone has to eat! We've done things with cocoa, biscuits, nuts, or even cheeses, sausages etc. It's versatile and you can put in anything they especially like. It's my favorite gift for hard to buy for people. Good luck!
Posted by randibear (Member # 11290) on :
if they watch tv, there's a nice basket i got at bed & bath. it has two open ends where you put all the tv controls and in the middle, there's four coasters.
also, how about magazine subscriptions?
Posted by 2roads (Member # 4409) on :
Yeah, I have given gifts in honor of St. Judes.
What about tickets to IU Natatorium to see a show?
Dinner and a movie package is nice.
If they like watching videos, Blockbusters are shutting down. Pop in for good deals.
Hope this helps-
2roads
Posted by sutherngrl (Member # 16270) on :
My folks are big coffee drinkers. One year I bought them some really good coffee from a specialty shop and 2 neat coffee mugs. You can also get coffee mug warmers.
Posted by Hoosiers51 (Member # 15759) on :
Thank you for the ideas! Some really good ones here.
Well, my husband took care of it this morning, while I was sleeping. He called his dad and asked what they wanted, saying that we would rather know then get them something they don't want.
His dad really wanted a gift certificate to this one restaurant, so that's what hubby did!
I didn't want to get them another gift certificate, but if it's what they want, I can understand that. I like gift certificates too!!!
Thanks again!
Posted by BugBarb (Member # 210) on :
Several years ago, my parents decided that they would stop buying gifts for us kids and their grandkids. Everybody gets a check for their wedding anniversary, birthday and christmas. The check is mailed, so nobody sees if somebody else gets a bigger or smaller one.
My in-laws live in a small mobile home and are very active in their church. They don't have much money or room to put things. Last year I gave them a lighted glass ornament with an angel singing inside (from the 99cent store). It was beautiful and they love it. This year, I got my mother in law a bulb in a pretty pot. I figured it would give her more pleasure watching it grow, than if I had just bought her cut flowers.
If we would ask them what they want, I think they would tell us to come and visit more often. We are their only family.