Ideas for gift for parents' birthdays
My sibling and I tend to give joined gifts to our parents for birthdays and anniversaries. Both of their birthdays are coming up in the next couple of months and it is my turn to come up with a gift idea (we take turns coming up with idea and share the cost 50-50). The parents are in their late 50's. We usually do experience type gifts, like cruises or vacation packages as a joined birthday present for both of them, but we already did this last year which they just used and they have another vacation planned for the spring, so they no longer have any vacation time in the near future to go , so we are looking for something else and I'm out of ideas. The budget is about $500-600 for each birthday (so it can be one expensive gift or several smaller gifts), though we are both ok with going higher if it is something really nice that they would enjoy and be able to benefit from. Our parents are on a budget and are proud so won't accept money from their kids so we are using birthdays and anniversary as a chance to gift them things they would not buy for themselves or cannot afford. Right now I'm thinking something from electronics for our dad (like a nice camera or tablet) and designer purse or jewelry for our mom, but it seems generic and our usual go to when we don't gift vacations, so I'm wondering if there is something else out there that a man or woman in their 50's would like and enjoy. Thanks.
Parent Replies
How about a "staycation" - a night or two at a fancy hotel they could use over the weekend, without taking up vacation time?
I also thought small getaway that could be enjoyed on a weekend without taking extra time off.
Another idea is a membership to museum or other cultural experience like the symphony or theater.
What about tickets to a play, symphony or other music for a night out near them. Maybe with a gift cert to a great dinner spot near the theater?
Tickets to a play (Hamilton??) or concert--my kids gave us tickets to see Paul McCartney at the Stick a few years ago and we loved it! Go with them and have dinner first? Or a bnb?
What a fun post and request! What about a weekend in San Francisco that includes a show or sporting event or a walking tour of the city and a couple of nights in a hotel? There are neighborhood walking culinary tours, history tours, ghost tours. Emperor Norton's tour is fun and informative. It's getting to be past the season, but whale & shark watching out by the Farallon Islands could be fun. Perhaps a nice hotel with spa or a day at Burke Williams. A weekend getaway at Whale Watch Inn in Gulala (Mendocino County) and a fancy dinner. The Ritz at Half Moon Bay and spa and dinner could be relaxing and romantic. Maybe add in horseback riding on the beach. I hope you find just the right gift for your parents!!
One thing that I would like that I'd never buy for myself would be a really nice rug. They're so expensive and I feel guilty spending money like that. But a 9 x 12 rug really transforms a room. A large piece of art would also be appreciated.
I don't know where your parents live, but season tickets to the symphony, a theater or dance group or something like that would be a great idea - or even sports teams. You could add restaurant gift certificates to make a series of date-nights to celebrate their special days throughout the year. Also a wine-of-the-month subscription would be nice.
How lovely! here are a bunch of random ideas: a massage, a meal at a fancy restaurant, season tickets to a local theater/symphony/jazz festival/whatever, a cooking class, a session with a wardrobe consultant, private pilates lessons, tango lessons, a wine-tasting event, a photography class, a whale-watching cruise (not sure where they live so maybe something more location-appropriate!)... hope this is helpful!
Tickets to Hamilton!!
ooh ooh ! or send them on an African safari ... in Sonoma!
http://www.safariwest.com/african-safaris-pricing/
Get a gift certificate to a swanky restaurant they like (Maybe Chez Panisse main room?), also get tickets to a show or concert they like, and then get them a gift certificate to a local spot for brunch. So same idea of staycation, but minus the hotel. Another idea you could add on: a day at a spa (including lunch). They'll feel pampered without having to get on a boat or plane.
A dinner at a restaurant that they would love and a hotel stay. An memorable experience would be better at that age or a really nice set of family photos in a frame that they could hang on their walls. Any idea is to arrange to have them stay at B Bryan Animal Preserve http://bbryanpreserve.com/
Twice my daughter has bought me a class or experience that we do together. One day, as a birthday gift, we went on an all-day kayaking trip in Tomales bay. Another time we paid for us to do an outdoor compass reading/ orienteering class together. This only works if you and/or your sibling live locally. There is no better gift than doing an experience or taking a class with one of your grown kids.
If they are into food, treat them to French laundry. Definitely an experience to remember. Otherwise, there's Hamilton show (expensive on the resale market) or culinary, art (crucible, stained glass on 4th street) classes or spa package at Claremont. Good luck.
I just got a nixplay iris electronic picture frame and LOVE IT. Your folks, especially mom, might also appreciate it. $200, I think.
As a mom in that age range, I would rather have electronics -- a good laptop or phone rather than jewelry.
In terms of experiences, sometimes we've gone to San Francisco on a pretend vacation -- you could get them theater tickets as well.