The Gift Guide for Parents

Ask and you shall receive! Of course, everyone’s parents are different but they’re still parents so hopefully these ideas will help you with your Christmas shopping! All the gifts I list have either been given by me to my parents or they are gifts friends of mine have gifted to their parents so obviously they are good 😉

First off, for Dad (and mom) unless you have a super picky mom like mine who only likes certain types of bottles (love you, mom!), a Yeti. My dad tells me just about weekly how much he loves his Yeti and my dad didn’t use to be someone who was an avid water drinker. He takes it with him to work, out on the Kayak and while he’s working on any and all vehicles in the driveway! 

Next up we have outings with Dad. You like to do stuff? So does your dad. You enjoy a cold beer? I bet your dad does too! Cake? Ice cream? Boat shows? Dinner at the restaurants your sibling doesn’t like? A concert? The things you enjoy were probably passed down to you from at least one parents so making a conscious effort to set a date, pick an activity and go hang out with just your dad will be one of his favorite gifts. You could even purchase a gift card to the restaurant or find a a weekend at yall’s favorite brewery when they are doing some new release or have a great band coming! If you’re local to the Richmond area, some of my favorite places to go with my dad are:

Hardywood Park Craft Brewery– WestCreek Location

Ginger Thai– Carytown

Rays Italian ice & Custard– West End

Reservoir– Scott’s Addition

Rock Bottom– Short Pump

Shyndigz– Carytown

I linked the events going on that posted at these places! If you gift one of these activities tell me what you think!!

Lastly, just for Dads, think of their hobbies. Fishing, photography, gardening, cars, hunting, anything! Now think, what would you want to make that hobby more enjoyable? Heavy duty line, a photography gear backpack, heavy duty manly gloves, organization for all 100000 tools he owns, scent free soap, you name it there’s something he needs and doesn’t realize how great it’ll make that hobby of his! I know, you don’t know which brand of fishing line he likes or the size of his camera body, that’s okay, gets a gift card to the store that has them BUT make sure in your card you wrote WHY you bought that gift card. Anyone can buy their dad a gift card but having a reason and a purpose for it will making that gift card 100% more meaningful!

Amazon Alexa or Echo Dot

If you tell me your dad isn’t amazed by technology or doesn’t like to talk to anything that’ll talk back, you’re lying. If he already has one, look at the different devices you can connect to it! There are cameras, lightbulbs, subwoofers, smart plug, you name it, it can be controlled by your voice! Right now, they’re offering the option to monthly installments and you can choose mark it as a gift so he won’t be notified if you still share their Prime Account! Can it get any better?

I got it for my mama!

I know, I know, the lyrics are “I got it from my mama” but in this case YOU’RE giving!

Like I mentioned at the start, my momma is a little picky when it comes to water bottles. She likes long bendy straw with hers, so the Classic Tervis is her favorite. She rotates between two of them! So the Yeti isn’t for her. Accessories are things my mom enjoys getting! I don’t mean random jewelry you buy her or the first scarf you saw at Target. Think about what your mom wears normally and what you think would make a good addition to her closet! If she compliments your most worn pair of earrings every time you wear them, maybe you should buy her the same pair. If she compliments your perfume all the time, she’d probably love to have the same one! You and your mom can be “twinning”, she’ll feel younger and you’re mom is probably cooler than you think!

 

Fun Fact: Moms like to do things with you too!!

My mom and I have been to plays, concerts, winery dates, and Shyndigz, of course. If you haven’t caught on, I love Shyndigz!!! My mom and I have the greatest time when we do stuff like this! Tangible gifts are great, but spending time with your parents is something that will always leave lasting memories.

       

https://broadwayinrichmond.com/upcoming-shows/

https://www.visitrichmondva.com/event/rush-hour-2-with-the-richmond-symphony-at-hardywood-park/17805/

  

As much as your mom probably loves doing things with you, when’s the last time she did something alone for herself?

This is another scenario when it’s just fine to give a gift card. Find a spa, nail salon, or even a bundle from Sephora or Ulta that has all she needs to pamper herself!

The Herbivore Brand is one I love! The rose sent is just enough to be relaxing and not overpowering. 

Philosophy is another brand I love, the scents are accurate and smell so good!! 

These smell so good and you could even get her some real chocolate to go with it! Bath bombs are any girls best friend!

Now that you know what to get them individually, sometimes it’s great to go in our a gift for both parents, especially if you have a sibling! You can split the cost and get your parents an awesome gift.

The prize winner in my family was the Keurig my brother and I got my parents last year. Costly? Yes. Last year I was ahead of the game and purchased everything on Black Friday, not only did I get an amazing price, but we got so much free stuff that it was so worth it!! Plus, if you still live at home, you’re kinda giving yourself one too 😉

They have awesome promotions happening right now: 15% off when you join the mailing list, amazing bundle deals, sales on all of their coffee makers and 20% off pods! I don’t know when the sale ends so I would hop on it today!!

Believe it or not, your parents like to do things together without you too. Get them a gift card to a restaurant they’ve been wanting to try or get them a subscription to a monthly wine delivery or if you’re rolling in dough, buy them a trip! They love you, so they don’t always take time for themselves together. Even a weekend getaway in the mountains or at the River could be the best gift they receive!

I hope this post helps you with your Christmas Shopping! I could go all day and make this thing 15 pages long because I love giving other people gifts. I get excited thinking about what to give  and how they’ll be able to use the gift! If you still need more ideas, send me an email and I would love to help you!!

All images were taken directly from the source website.