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How To Shop For Your Parents?

Ack! I'm stuck. Every year I struggle with buying my parents things for christmas. I'm on low budget and each year it seems like I am buying them socks. Oi. What do I do? How do you get creative with your gifts for the elders in your family? I've got to get cured of this sock-dilemma and fast!

Parents Your Shop How

Why not give them a gift of You. Your time, talents, energies. You could make out a gift certificate or coupon book that states you are available to do what ever they want. Wash the car, the windows, clean out the attic or the garage. Read to them from a book of their choice for one hour a day. Give the coupons or gift certificate a time limit, like one year.

Prepare meals for the family for a week so that your Mom and Dad can have that time for themselves.

You know your parents the best, what would they like to have from you that you don't already do?

In 1963 my family was extremely poor. There was no money to buy gifts. So we made gifts for each other using what we already had. I made *Work Coupon Booklets* for each member of the family. Each booklet had 12 coupons. One for each month. I spent all of my spare time thinking up special things to do for each family member and then writing it down in the booklet, then coloring the coupons. (there was Mom, Dad, Grandma, two brothers and three sisters, and the coupons were made from paper grocery sacks and old yarn.)

There is no gift that is greater than the loving gift of your time and talents.

How To Shop For Your Parents? Christmas

Thanks so much Agene! That is a great idea. I know my mom needs someone to clean out that garage. Oi, it's a mess. But she'll love it! Thanks again, Agene!

Parents Your Shop How

My mom and in-laws are very behind when it comes to technology. Just last year I bought the in-laws a DVD player and will probably buy one for my mom this year. The nice thing about them not being on the cutting edge is that we can get them those gifts at a cheaper price than say if it was just released this year. Another example was when I bought the in-laws their first cordless phone; they loved it. So if your parents are like mine, then look at items that use everyday that they may not have, and make them feel special!

Parents Your Shop How

Another idea is to make craft type things. You can get sentimental with those. I know some places have these wooden picture frames you can decorate. Even if not, you could always buy a cheap picture frame, and then put a picture of you and your parents in it.

How To Shop For Your Parents?

Take your mom for a make-over day! You know...a foot massage, a facial, etc. She'll love it! To your dad....hmmm....something with food, men love to eat.

How Shop Your Parents

I used to spend time trying to put together a creative idea for my parents. I have 4 since my parents are both divorced and remarried. Trouble with my parents is, if they want something, they can afford to get it on their own and probably already have. They are also at the age where they don't really need another new shirt or pair of pants. Lately, I have been giving them gift certificates so they can spend it on whatever they want. They love this approach.

How Shop Your Parents Christmas

My folks are so hard to buy for! I tried getting my dad a sportfishing magazine subscription one year; turns out he already had it. My mom will generally give very specific ideas about what she wants, but my dad... he's a toughie. This year, I've ordered special a perpetual calendar made of wood, with all the holidays having special tiles. It's great! And it has a big Fish on the top. He counts down the days until his annual fishing trip each November - this will give him a calendar he can "count on" Mom wants a coupon to get her car detailed at the local deluxe car wash. The only other thing I know they will both enjoy is one of those food baskets with summer sausage, exotic cheeses and spreads, good crackers, mustard, etc. Tenaheff, I like the idea of gift certificates!