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Post by jeremysgirl on Dec 7, 2023 12:16:49 GMT
Jeremy's dad and stepmom give us a very generous check for Christmas every year. Like very generous check. So I don't want to skimp on their gift. I'm thinking my budget is around $150. The only thing they like to do is read. They are very involved with their church too. He likes to golf too. Other than that, there aren't any other hobbies.
Every year I am stumped on what to give them. I have given a homemade blanket and they loved that. I have given bookstore gift certificates. I have relied on giving restaurant certificates but even so, they eat at the same two decent restaurants in their neighborhood and don't venture out so that has gotten stale too. I have bought expensive sweaters and fleeces. I have even bought her handmade Ukrainian wool socks. I am at a loss at this point.
Help me out please. It doesn't have to be a joint gift. It can be individual ones. But I don't want to give something cheap.
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Post by disneypal on Dec 7, 2023 12:34:45 GMT
Could they use anything for their home? Air purifier? Alexa? Newer TV? Or maybe a gift card to a resort hotel for a weekend stay?
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Post by gillyp on Dec 7, 2023 12:39:03 GMT
Do they enjoy gardening/have a yard? A flowering tree or some bushes for that? Vouchers for a garden centre?
A subscription to something? Like hand made chocolates? Flowers? Alcohol tasters?
A cookery course?
I'm of an age where I really don't need anything so if someone really wanted to give me a gift, a donation to a charity would be very nice imho.
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anniebeth24
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,778 
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Post by anniebeth24 on Dec 7, 2023 12:48:20 GMT
My parents volunteer with a backpack food distribution through their church. I've donated to that program in their honor as a gift.
You might call the church and ask if they have a specific fund or need you could support.
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wellway
Prolific Pea
Posts: 9,073
Jun 25, 2014 20:50:09 GMT
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Post by wellway on Dec 7, 2023 13:10:03 GMT
A hamper full of tasty, good quality products. It's my go to gift atm.
In the past I've gotten restaurant vouchers or theatre vouchers. But life has slowed down and they aren't travelling so much now.
But I would also ask if there is a charity you could donate to on their behalf. We do that with a couple of relatives. Everyone is happy with the arrangement.
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Post by ihaveonly1l on Dec 7, 2023 13:19:05 GMT
Book of the Month Club. We gifted that to my mother in law and she loves it.
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Post by littlemama on Dec 7, 2023 13:27:40 GMT
For her, a heated throw blanket and maybe a selection of things she likes to drink. Or, there is a thing that keeps hot drinks hot- Ember, maybe? I think those are fairly pricy.
For him, a gift card for a round of golf, maybe for a nice course he doesnt normally play. You'd prob have to call ahead to be sure someone will be there when you go.
ETA: you could also get a pretty decent gift box from Zingerman's. They have a robust online catalog to choose from
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Post by iowagirl50147 on Dec 7, 2023 13:27:45 GMT
Digital picture frame?
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ellen
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,805
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Post by ellen on Dec 7, 2023 13:28:11 GMT
My dad and his lady friend eat most of their evening meals together. I have put together a big bag of food items. Some things came from local delis and restaurants. I also made several freezer meals. I’m planning to do it again and some of the things I’ll include are quart containers of soup from Sam’s Club. Those are things my dad can keep at his place for easy lunches. They don’t need stuff, but they do need to eat. They’ve enjoyed it.
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ellen
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,805
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Post by ellen on Dec 7, 2023 13:28:39 GMT
My dad got one of these for a gift and he loves it. |
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lindas
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,305
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Post by lindas on Dec 7, 2023 13:34:32 GMT
For dad you could do a one hour lesson with the local golf pro, a gift card to the pro shop or gift card for 9 holes and use of a cart.
I just did a book lovers gift basket. I added a few books, a fleece throw, a book light and bookmark. Also put in a cute mug with some hot chocolate mix, some flavored teas and Godiva chocolates.
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Post by Bridget in MD on Dec 7, 2023 13:39:10 GMT
A hamper full of tasty, good quality products. It's my go to gift atm. In the past I've gotten restaurant vouchers or theatre vouchers. But life has slowed down and they aren't travelling so much now. I second this idea! My DD's university (my dad is also an alum) apparently harvests honey. They were selling university made honey, so I asked DD to go pick some up for him. He will love that. Do you have an area with shops with locals selling? For instance, we have an "old town" and they have a bakery, a coffee shop, a chocolate shop, an ice cream shop, a yarn shop (they not only teach but local artisians sell their items), etc... You could get a sample of local produce/wares and make up a basket. My neighbor likes to bake, so he will give a basket of breads, cookies, treats, etc. We FIGHT over his choc. covered oreos, LOL. I too would get restaurant GCs if you think they would enjoy that - one time I put them in a "passport" so they could "travel" (like Australia= Outback, Olive Garden = Italian, then GCs for local Chinese, Thai, Mexican, etc) - I thought it would be a lot of fun but my parents never really said much about it, but I know I would LOVE a smattering of GCs to treat myself to a night out! |
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Post by 16joy on Dec 7, 2023 14:01:51 GMT
Couples massage
If you have a relax your feet location, an appt there.
A facial for the step mom and a massage for the dad.
If you have instead of flowers, a couple of meals from there.
If they live close, could you take them to breakfast once a month, bimonthly or another period of time
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Post by heckofagal on Dec 7, 2023 14:19:20 GMT
My in-laws are very hard to shop for now too. They've been down sizing to prepare to move to a retirement community, hardly eat out anymore and do not need anything. When Covid hit and we couldn't get together for Christmas I sent them a Harry & David gift basket with an assortment of nice fruits and a few other items. I LOVE their pears and when they had a location open by me I used to go in after Christmas and buy a box of their pears every year. But they have closed their location near me and I have not had their pears for a while.
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Post by jeremysgirl on Dec 7, 2023 14:42:22 GMT
Do they enjoy gardening/have a yard? A flowering tree or some bushes for that? Vouchers for a garden centre? This one is a bit hard in the frozen tundra that is Michigan in winter. LOL! You might call the church and ask if they have a specific fund or need you could support. This is a very nice idea. Tucking this one away. A hamper full of tasty, good quality products. It's my go to gift atm. That's what I suggested to Jeremy. I wanted to get them a high end wooden charcuterie board and then a bunch of unique things from our indoor farmers market. Jeremy's response is that he doesn't think that they are much beyond Ritz cracker people and will not appreciate that. This is a good one. I just did a book lovers gift basket. I added a few books, a fleece throw, a book light and bookmark. Also put in a cute mug with some hot chocolate mix, some flavored teas and Godiva chocolates. This is also a good idea. I'll run it by him. I have a couple of good books I've read this year that I think anyone would enjoy that I could buy for them (I do the library so I don't have anything on hand). But the other things would make for a well-rounded gift. |
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iowgirl
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,314
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Post by iowgirl on Dec 7, 2023 14:58:55 GMT
I am getting some super bright solar lights for mine. The kind that you can aim - more of a spot light type. We live out in the country though - no street lights, so completley dark at night.
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Post by librarylady on Dec 7, 2023 15:11:57 GMT
My in-laws are very hard to shop for now too. They've been down sizing to prepare to move to a retirement community, hardly eat out anymore and do not need anything. When Covid hit and we couldn't get together for Christmas I sent them a Harry & David gift basket with an assortment of nice fruits and a few other items. I LOVE their pears and when they had a location open by me I used to go in after Christmas and buy a box of their pears every year. But they have closed their location near me and I have not had their pears for a while. You can order those fruit baskets online--they still carry the pears.
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pantsonfire
Drama Llama
Take a step back, evaluate what is important, and enjoy your life with those who you love.
Posts: 6,241
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Post by pantsonfire on Dec 7, 2023 15:14:48 GMT
Unique bookmarks, book reading lights, book reading pillows for their bed, and then book of the month membership.
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Post by Basket1lady on Dec 7, 2023 15:19:53 GMT
For my parents, I give a joint gift of Amazon Prime. Then they are individually getting another camera for their security system and a garden sign. Since I find guys the hardest to buy for, I've given Dad unlimited monthly car washes and a day at the zoo. We always do a family work day at their place for their birthdays. I'm also in the middle of revamping their mudroom/pantry and just buying what I think will work vs hemming and hawing about ordering and reimbursing.
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Post by ScrapbookMyLife on Dec 7, 2023 16:57:37 GMT
A bookcase
Book of the month club
Coffee table style book, about..... the top 100 book shops to visit, the top 100 Libraries in the world, the top 100 classic books to read.
Gift card to book store and restaurant or coffee shop....for a date day.
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Post by ~summer~ on Dec 7, 2023 17:08:58 GMT
What about a plant in a nice stand?
A nice wooden salad bowl and tongs?
A meal kit subscription?
An Alexa?
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Post by VanC on Dec 7, 2023 17:21:58 GMT
I always have a difficult time choosing something for my MIL. She's been living with of one my sister inlaws during the week and then visits one of the other 3 every weekend. She is 93 and this will most likely be her last Christmas with us, she is so very frail. Her sight is getting so bad she has a hard time reading even large print. This year I'm giving a donation in her name to the Light of the World Project. They do a lot of good things all around the world
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bethany102399
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,661
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Post by bethany102399 on Dec 7, 2023 17:52:45 GMT
I second and love my ember mug. Especially if they live where it's cold, keeps whatever drink you prefer hot and you can go all over the house with it just set it on the charger when you're done to recharge for the next round.
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Post by flanz on Dec 7, 2023 17:58:24 GMT
My dad got one of these for a gift and he loves it. My almost 92yo mom loves hers! I just bought one for DH and myself... I'll give it to him on Christmas eve and we can have fun setting it up and loading it with our fave pix. (It's just going to be the two of us this year, I'm totally good with that.) |
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River
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,590
Location: Alabama
Jun 26, 2014 15:26:04 GMT
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Post by River on Dec 7, 2023 19:42:07 GMT
Do they cook? If so, maybe a subscription to Hello Fresh or something similar.
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Post by crazy4scraps on Dec 8, 2023 4:35:02 GMT
Gift certificate to have their vehicle(s) detailed? I like to think I’m a pretty tidy person and don’t leave a lot of trash in my car, but dang after a long winter of crappy weather I’d LOVE to have my car detailed! The mats get so full of salt, sand and dirt not to mention how dusty the interior gets in all the nooks and crannies. And ugh, the windows! Don’t even get me started on that!
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Post by AussieMeg on Dec 8, 2023 5:02:56 GMT
Two years ago I got my mum, my stepmum, and my MIL a decorative solar garden light, similar to this one (but more expensive!): crescent moon lightThere are lots of different solar garden lights and garden ornaments that I would buy if I had the money. Other people have already mentioned a digital photo frame. My thought was a Skylight, as we've had a couple of threads about them recently. Jeremy's daughter could then send them photos of their grand grandchild remotely. (Assuming they're interested in photos of family!) |
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Post by candleangie on Dec 8, 2023 5:38:57 GMT
What about an experience? Tickets to a show, or a farm-to-table fancy meal or something similar?
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Post by flanz on Dec 8, 2023 5:59:57 GMT
Two years ago I got my mum, my stepmum, and my MIL a decorative solar garden light, similar to this one (but more expensive!): crescent moon lightThere are lots of different solar garden lights and garden ornaments that I would buy if I had the money. Other people have already mentioned a digital photo frame. My thought was a Skylight, as we've had a couple of threads about them recently. Jeremy's daughter could then send them photos of their grand grandchild remotely. (Assuming they're interested in photos of family!) I really like this! |
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smcast
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,509
Location: MN
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Post by smcast on Dec 8, 2023 6:08:29 GMT
Would they enjoy a gift certificate to topgolf?
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