Shopping for your parents and in-laws doesn’t have to be difficult. My advice is to gift something practical—something they will use regularly. One issue I have about gifting sentimental gifts (like personalized mugs and necklaces), is that these are gifts they are likely to receive for Mother’s Day or Father’s Day.
For Christmas, Hanukkah, or any other religious holiday, sometimes gifting something practical is more meaningful. Reason being—it shows that you put some thought into something you think they will truly love. Something they will get a lot of use out of or simply thinking of them as people, not necessarily as a “parent”. This, of course, is just my opinion on the matter but here are some thoughtful, yet practical, gift ideas for your parents or in-laws.
1. Cookbook & Cooking Accessories
If your parent or in-law loves to cook, gift them a new cookbook! This is one of my favorite gifts because it’s a practical gift that anyone can enjoy—especially whoever is on the receiving end of the cooking! You can also pair that with a cookbook stand or kitchen accessories. Here are a few of my favorite cookbooks that I recommend:
2. Cozy Slippers
Nothing says “I love and appreciate you” quite like some cozy slippers. Not only will their tootsies be warm and comfortable, but it also gives them the opportunity to relax and take a load off. It is the holidays after all! Here are some of my favorites:
3. Picnic Set Or Date Night Experiences
I love the idea of gifting “experiences” to the people I love. The holidays are a great opportunity to gift your parents or in-laws with something special. Here are a few of my favorite date night experience gift ideas that you can offer in the form of a gift certificate:
- Dinner at their favorite restaurant
- Couples massage
- Wine tasting
- Paint night
- Hansom cab ride
- Cooking class
- One-night stay at a local resort (staycation style)
4. Back, Neck, Or Foot Massager
If you really want to pamper your parents or in-laws, gifting them a back, neck, or foot massager is a sure-fire way to win some browning points. Who doesn’t love a good massage? Especially when it doesn’t involve badgering your partner for 30 seconds of sub-bar relaxation. Here are some of my top choices:
5. Fancy Stemware & Wine Membership
If your parents or in-laws love wine or making cocktails, gifting them some fancy stemware or glassware for their favorite cocktails is a great option. You can even take it one step further and get them a club membership to their favorite winery or spirits subscription box! Here are some popular subscription boxes to consider:
- Winc—Wine subscription box
- Flaviar—Whiskey subscription box
- Crafted Taste—Cocktail mixers subscription box