Jennifer Kardish writes for Fathers Day where you can find great gift ideas like Father’s Day Flowers, cards, and poems for the inspirational man in your life.
There’s no doubt about it: buying gifts for your parents can be a nerve-wracking and brain-numbing experience (that must be repeated every year). If your mom and dad are like most adults, they probably have just about everything they need and buy whatever they want throughout the year, making it extremely difficult for you to find them good gifts when the holidays roll around. You’re tempted to just go for the gag and wrap up a box of Depends adult diapers since they seem unwilling or unable to provide you with a suitable list of gift options. But before you decide to hit them in the funny bone instead of tugging their heart strings, consider some other options that will impress and delight almost any parent.
1. Nintendo Wii. Okay, so you never pegged your parents for the console-loving type, but the Wii is a different beast from the Xbox or PS3. You don’t have to be a hard-core gamer to enjoy some of what it has to offer. For example, many people of middle age and beyond neglect their exercise routine. But this easy-to-use, interactive machine can help them get moving, lose weight, and lower cholesterol and blood pressure. What could be better than a gift that offers both fun and fitness? Of course, you may have to throw in a little face-time to help them get acquainted with their new system.
2. Movie tickets. Set your parents up with an ongoing date night by giving them vouchers to use at their favorite local theater. Often, you can get bundles that include movie tickets as well as snacks so they can take in the latest flicks without having to spend a dime. Along those same lines, a year-long subscription to Netflix could give them a similar experience at home.
3. Classes. If your parents have joined the ranks of the recently retired, then perhaps they have a little more time on their hands than they’re used to. If they seem to be stuck in some sort of post-occupational stupor that has left them glued to the television day and night, consider a gift that will help them get out of the house, makes new friends, and explore interests that fell by the wayside during their working days. Sign them up for lessons in photography, pottery, creative writing, or if they’re active, hiking, biking, or zumba. Trying something new will help them take that precarious first step into their new (and unfettered) lives.
4. Events. It’s unlikely that your parents would be interested in accompanying you to the types of concerts you enjoy (you’re pretty sure Swedish Death Metal isn’t even on their radar). So why not seek out tickets to an event they might enjoy? Check out local theatre productions, symphonies or ballets coming to the area, or exhibits at nearby museums. The trick with this one is finding an interest they share.
5. Travel. This gift can get expensive, but if your parents have some leisure time (or even if they could just use a break), think about providing them with a package for a night out of town, a few days on a cruise ship, or even plane tickets that are good for anywhere in the United States. For the couple that has everything, the gift of a new experience is absolutely priceless.