So I figured this might be useful for people who can't think of gifts for people. I moved away from home last year, so it's been hard for me to come up with gift ideas this year. Most of the time my gifts are based off observations through the year, and without those it's a bit difficult.

Anyway the people I need gift ideas for are my mummy and father. My mom is kind of in the girl-who-has-everything category in that she seems to have pretty much all the stuff that she needs. I'd previously just been finding something in her kitchen that was old and buying a new awesome version of it (blender, kitchenaid mixer, etc), but between being gone and having no idea what her kitchen is missing I have no idea this year. Cool though mostly useless kitchen gadgets are good though.

For my dad he is kind of a tech geek. I was thinking next year I'd get him a new computer, but I need an interim gift. Any sort of cool or funny tech gadgets would be good.

If anybody has any tips I'd appreciate it, and if anybody else has people they can't think of gift ideas for feel free to post them as well.

Older parents/grandparents often have all they need, all they want, and think of Christmas as a time to give to others and watch people be happy, not a time for them to receive.

For years my parents have asked us to help with others instead of giving to them. On that line perhaps you could donate to a shelter or other charity in their name, which is especially nice if your employer or another source will match the donation.


If you really want to give something to a parent who has everything, give them memories and family connections. A photo album or scrapbook with some sentimental value of you (their child/children) and your kids (their grandchildren) will be a far greater gift than a gadget ever would. Print a few fun digital photos on a store's nice printer, another few bucks on a plain white binder and some stiff pages. Between printing costs and getting the binder and a few scrapbook supplies you're looking at about $20 TOTAL at Walmart. You can often spend even less at specialty craft stores. Spend just a couple hours attaching the pictures to the pages and writing dates and description.

A simple scrapbook is inexpensive yet valuable. It can be an incredible present that the "person who has everything" would actually love.

If you really want to give something to a parent who has everything, give them memories and family connections. A photo album or scrapbook with some sentimental value of you (their child/children) and your kids (their grandchildren) will be a far greater gift than a gadget ever would. Print a few fun digital photos on a store's nice printer, another few bucks on a plain white binder and some stiff pages. Between printing costs and getting the binder and a few scrapbook supplies you're looking at about $20 TOTAL at Walmart. You can often spend even less at specialty craft stores. Spend just a couple hours attaching the pictures to the pages and writing dates and description.

This is a nice suggestion.

I don't have a suggestion for your mother's gift but rather a direction: avoid giving something related to 'kitchen' to a woman, even if she says it's ok. Why not give her shoes, clothes or something she can wear when she goes out and do things not related to household upkeep?

Good suggestions frob.

I don't have a suggestion for your mother's gift but rather a direction: avoid giving something related to 'kitchen' to a woman, even if she says it's ok. Why not give her shoes, clothes or something she can wear when she goes out and do things not related to household upkeep?

I think this depends on the person.

To clarify on why I generally go with the theme of giving her cooking stuff; it's because we're both into cooking, so it's been something we both do together when I'm around. The kitchenaid blender specifically was because she'd been talking about how much she wanted one for years, so I bought her one.

I don't have a suggestion for your mother's gift but rather a direction: avoid giving something related to 'kitchen' to a woman, even if she says it's ok. Why not give her shoes, clothes or something she can wear when she goes out and do things not related to household upkeep?

Buying your own mother heels and a little black dress? That's some might dodgy territory, mate.

I know what you mean. I'll be going to a candle shop my mom enjoys and picking out a few tarts since it's pretty much the only thing she needs. My brother got her one of the new kindle devices to see if she'd like it. For my dad, my brother and I got him a TV. Sat in line around 5 hours to get a nice 40" for 250 USD (black friday ftw).

However, if they have a lot of physical stuff already then it could be hard. I like Frob's suggestion. My parents never print out digital photos they have. Maybe your parents are the same?

[quote name='Kryzon' timestamp='1323281289' post='4891543']
I don't have a suggestion for your mother's gift but rather a direction: avoid giving something related to 'kitchen' to a woman, even if she says it's ok. Why not give her shoes, clothes or something she can wear when she goes out and do things not related to household upkeep?

Buying your own mother heels and a little black dress? That's some might dodgy territory, mate.
[/quote]
Yep. Reserve that for the girlfriend.

I second the motion that women only want things they can wear, or possibly eat. Here are some fun things from this year:

1. I just got a Kindle Touch for myself. It's pretty great; it's good for a frequent book reader who doesn't already have a Kindle. Be sure to include a gift certificate to Amazon to get a few books of their choice. Total price: $150 including $50 gift certificate.
2. Those little R/C helicopters that are invading malls are actually quite stable and easy to fly. Final cost: $50 in the mall or [s]$10 online[/s]. edit: Make that $24 online.
3. Gamers will enjoy a plush Portal turret gun. Total price: $35.

Those little R/C helicopters that are invading malls are actually quite stable and easy to fly. Final cost: $50 in the mall or $10 online.

Welcome to the wonderfully misleading world of Google Product Search - that $10 is for a replacement rotor...

For my dad, my brother and I got him a TV. Sat in line around 5 hours to get a nice 40" for 250 USD (black friday ftw).

I did the exact same thing last year

Good suggestions all around