Hmm, okay. I don't know about you, but if I had to rank the people who stump me most each year at gift-buying time, my parents and mother-in-law would top the list.
(And Mom, Dad or Christy, if you're reading this, stop right now. Or at least pretend to be surprised when you unwrap some of these this year. Or maybe I'm fooling you and have something totally different planned. Haha! You'll find out soon enough, I suppose!)
So what do you buy someone who probably has everything they need and can easily purchase whatever they want? My favorite gifts usually land in the sentimental category. I already know I'll buy my mom a photo calendar every year. It's just tradition. And I typically get my dad an iTunes gift card, which he asks for. But I like to slip in a few unexpected surprises, too.
I don't know about y'all, but I love surprising my parents and giving back after all they've given us kids over the years. A thoughtful present is always nice. So while I've been shopping, I put together a short list of parent gifts I think might be great this year.
Of course, not every gift here will suit everyone's parents, but there's a good chance you'll find something they'll love. Good rule of thumb: know your people, and shop accordingly.
1. Audio Books: Over the years I've bought my parents books whenever they asked, but I've recently discovered how wonderful audiobooks are! The best way I've found to "read" a book a month is a subscription to Audible. If your mom or dad is busy and loves reading on the go, this could be just the thing.
2. Headphones: If they'll be listening to audiobooks, they'll probably need a good pair of headphones. BONUS: My dad and grandfather also love headphones made for connecting to the TV. They can hear the show without blasting the volume. As their hearing gets, ahem, a little older, they can enjoy the TV without disturbing everyone else.
3. Amazon Echo: Have y'all seen this little gadget? It shares information, reads audiobooks, plays music, announces the weather, reports traffic and sports scores, and more! All controlled by your voice. If nothing else, go read the reviews. Some are hilarious!
4. House Portrait Art: (Mom, stop reading now.) How sweet would it be to receive a hand-drawn picture of your family home? Maybe the home your parents raised you in, or the place they grew up? We're visiting my grandparents' house at Thanksgiving, the house my mom grew up in. I'm thinking about taking a nice photo of it and having it drawn for her. What do you think?
5. Nespresso Coffee and Espresso Maker: For the coffee lover! My dad ADORES coffee and likes it strong. I think he'd enjoy a cup of coffee or espresso at the push of a button!
6. Cast Iron Copper Finish Fire Pit: Do your parents have a nice spot in the backyard for evenings by the fire? Maybe they'd love a small but pretty fire pit. My parents love having a fire and hosting a s'mores party when the grandkids are in town!
7. Stainless Steel Indoor Electric Grill – Goodness, I want one of these! I love grilling our food, but I'm no grill master on the big outdoor grill. These would be great for a parent living in a condo, apartment or assisted living community without access to an outdoor grill.
8. Ring Wi-Fi Enabled Doorbell – This one's on my list too, simply because it's so cool. Have you seen these? They're not only cool but great for security. You can see who's at your door through the built-in camera, and you don't even have to be home! See what I mean? We'll just get one for everyone on our list.
9. Ultimate Plush Throw – I've given these as gifts many times because they're reasonably priced and so cozy! We use ours year-round, and it's always the first one my family grabs. The price is sweet, too ... less than $50!
10. Family Photo Calendar and Photo Gifts from Shutterfly: Like I mentioned, I always, always get my mom a family calendar for Christmas. I make one for myself too. Even if your mom or dad doesn't use a wall calendar, it's so fun to flip through photos from the year before, month by month. Shutterfly also has tons of photo gifts. What's better than gifts with your loved ones' faces on them? Two years ago I gave my mother-in-law a blanket featuring all of her grandchildren's 1-year pictures. She loved it!
11. Digital Photo Frame: This gift never gets old. Why share one picture when you can share hundreds? I don't know a mom or dad who doesn't want to see their kids more often. And if there are grandchildren, even better!
12. What I Love about Dad or What I Love about Mom fill-in-the-blank books: I've always been a sucker for sentimental gifts like these. Anything that lets you express love to one another is a winner in my book. These books can be filled out by kids of any age for parents of any age. Be sure to tuck a box of tissues in with your book!
13. Family Tree Art: Just like the photos, nothing beats being reminded of the legacy you've built together. Fill one of these adorable family trees with the names of your parents' children and grandchildren. It will be a sweet reminder all year long of their loved ones, near and far!
I hope this has sparked some ideas. I know I have a LOT of shopping to do and need to get going on my list right away!
Have you found other perfect gifts for parents? Share your secret with the rest of us in the comments!
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