Whether you are looking for a gift for Christmas, birthdays, anniversaries or another special occasion, most people love surprising their parents with gifts that they have always wanted or that they are going to love.

It can sometimes be difficult to find something that they really want or are going to find useful, or in some cases, if you’re on a budget when gift-giving, it might be difficult to afford the things that you know they would really like.

However, the good news is that buying the perfect gifts that your parents are really going to love doesn’t have to be tricky or complicated. Keep reading to get some useful tips that might come in handy when buying a thoughtful, memorable gift for your parents on the next occasion.

Give the Gift of Time

If you are on a budget and worried about getting a gift for your parents with a limited amount of time, it’s worth considering that your time is actually free. As we get older, we don’t always have a lot of free time that we can spend with our parents, and many older people would love to spend more time with their children and grandchildren compared to getting anything else.

There are lots of things that you can do to give the gift of your time to your parents with something to suit every budget. You could invite them for an amazing family dinner at home or book a weekend break away with them to a destination that you know they love. Consider also taking them to see a concert by one of their favourite artists, or even going to the cinema to watch a film that you think they will enjoy.

Chances are that they are going to appreciate the effort more than anything else as they will know just how busy you are and how precious your time is.

gift of timeConsider a Personalised Gift

It can often be tricky to buy for our parents since as people get older, they tend to want less or have managed to accumulate all the things that they want or need over time, meaning that when it comes to getting something new for them, you might worry about whether or not it is actually going to get used.

To combat this issue, one of the best things that you can do is make a personalised gift that is unique for them. They are certainly going to love useful personalised gifts like photo mugs or photo calendars with pictures of their family that they can display in the home but serve a purpose at the same time.

Bear in mind that many older people are not as used to digital technology as the younger generation are, so they might really appreciate a photobook that contains precious photos of their family for them to look at, especially if you normally post photos on social media and your parents don’t tend to use it very often or don’t have an account.

You can easily create photo books using the photos from your phone at photobox.co.uk. All you need to do is download the app or head to the website where you can upload your photos and design your book, before ordering and waiting for it to be delivered. Photobox also offer a range of other photo product and gift ideas including calendars, canvas prints and more.

photo booksChoose Gifts with Long-Term Value

While you might want to give something extravagant to your parents for their next gift, the problem with this type of gift is that the element of surprise can quickly wear off once the gift has been given and opened.

Instead, if you are planning to splash out more money on your parents for their special anniversary this year or for a Christmas gift, consider getting high-value gifts that also provide long-term value to them, like a high-quality cookware set, a new set of quality luggage for traveling, or a digital camera.

These are all good investments that you can make, especially if you choose brands that are reputable and known for creating products that last a long time, since your parents will not only find them useful but will also be able to continue using them for years to come.

Give a Gift That Encourages Active Living

When people get older, it can often be harder for them to stay active, and easier for them to become more sedentary at home, especially after retirement where everything will usually slow down as there’s no reason to get out of the house every day to go to work. If you are worried about your parents’ dwindling activity levels, providing gifts that encourage them to get more active and exercise more can be very beneficial to their health and wellbeing.

Subscription gifts are an ideal option for this – consider buying a gym membership or a membership for classes and groups in their area that they will enjoy. Not only do these types of gifts give your parents the chance to get moving more and combat a sedentary lifestyle, but it also gives them a chance to get out of the house, socialise and meet new people, which is also very important as people get older.

gym membership for older peopleAvoid Age-Related Gifts

While some gifts might seem like a useful idea, like medical alert bracelets, the last thing that you want is to make your parents feel old and dependent when they are opening a present. On the other hand, it’s also important to consider what you are buying and whether or not it will be easy for your parents to use.

The last thing that you want is to get them a high-end smartphone, for example, only for them to feel awful when they struggle to use it, so it’s important to get that balance and be considerate with your choices.

Choose Hobby and Activity Related Gifts

One of the best things to consider when buying gifts for your parents is what their hobbies and activities are. Or, if your parents have not been up to much lately, you could consider getting them a gift that encourages them to learn something new or gives them the boost that they need to get into something that they have always wanted to do but haven’t had the time or motivation to start so far.

Perhaps your mum has always spoken about wanting to have singing lessons; why not buy her some? Or, maybe your dad loves golfing but doesn’t go as often as he’d like; a new set of golf clubs or a membership at the local club might be just what he needs to nurture this hobby and spend more time doing the things that he enjoys the most. And of course, it’s not inclusive to men, ladies can play golf too.

While shopping for gifts for your parents can sometimes feel like an impossible feat, the good news is that these tips will help you get on the right track when it comes to buying the perfect gift. While everybody’s parents are different, for the most part, it is the thought that counts and knowing that you have put effort into selecting something that they will love is going to bring the biggest smile to your parents’ faces more than anything else.

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Holly MacDonald
Holly studied Digital Journalism at University of Strathclyde. A single mum, her young son Thomas battles for adulation with her love of wine and chocolate, and the very occasional guilt-driven Gym appearance. Other than writing, Holly has a love for making jewellery, thanks to her beloved grandmother.