- Right off the bat, ask them point blank if there's anything specific they want. You can kind of "pressure" them into it by giving them specific requests of your own.
- Something that reminds them of you or lets them show you off is nice, especially if you don't spend a lot of time together. One year I got my parents a custom-printed mug with a picture of myself on it. It was specifically requested, but your parents may like this either way. If you go to ___ University, then you can buy them a mug or sweater that says "proud ___ University mom" or "Someone I love goes to ___ University", or something of that sort.
- Something that you've acquired in your independent travels/adventures, that you probably couldn't get otherwise. Once you start travelling without them, whether for work or vacation, it's always nice to get a souvenir to show that you're still thinking of them. Stay away from tourist-y stuff if you can help it. Non-perishable consumables ā sauces, jams, preserves, coffee beans ā are great if travel restrictions allow for them, but locally-made crafts can work too, assuming your parents have the room. Candles are kind of perfect for this, since they don't occupy permanent shelf space, but you can avoid the TSA breathing down your neck.
Dec 19, 2024
Related Recs
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Is experience gifts so tickets to things you know they like, spa or self-care treatments, gift cards for cool new activities. My parents are a little older but I buy my dad magazine subscriptions like National Geographic and I think Iām going to get him a new tent or something. I like to replace things they have that I know theyāve gone too long without replacing. Last Christmas I got my mom new comfy sensible shoes and a nice vintage handbag and I think Iām going to get her a Paris Review subscription. Iām always a late gift giver so Iām still not sure š„¹
Dec 18, 2024
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think back to previous visits youāve made to other peopleās homes or really lovely hotels. what stood out to you that made you go āoh!ā?
also, if youāre down for it, challenge your guests by putting something like āsomething that makes you think of me/them/us!ā
the more personal gifts are the ones that last
Nov 28, 2024
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I love to give gifts, and I think the best/most consistent formula for a gift someone will really love is something theyāll use, but wouldnāt splurge on for themselvesā so if they enjoy coffee, a nice french press or Chemex along with a good bean subscription, or even a Moka pot and milk frother for espresso drinks at homeā this formula works for most occasions, and relies on knowing the person/couple. Some good standbys that I get often are:
a good set of bathrobes; bathrobes make getting out of the shower much nicer, but many people wouldnāt get a really good robe for themselves; try Oddbird, Brooklinen, or LL Bean (which you can have monogrammed with a couples new initials)
a good vinyl player (if they collect vinyl), or a good set of speakers if they already have a quality turntable but poor speakers,
a subscription or serviceā for my girlfriends I usually buy a facial or a massage that they can schedule whenever, for a couple, maybe a theater subscription, a museum membership, or a coupleās massageā these are things people really enjoy but might not do for themselves, especially in the first year of marriage.
I tend to avoid overly customized gifts; if it isnāt something someone wants it may accidentally go unused and is impossible to return or regift.
Apr 19, 2024
Top Recs from @spencerto
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One of the few apps with no ephemeral "story" feature or whatever so you don't need to check it every 24 hours. Cherish this.
Mar 6, 2024
It's just like John Swartzwelder said:
"Since writing is very hard and rewriting is comparatively easy and rather fun, I always write my scripts all the way through as fast as I can, the first day, if possible [ā¦] Then the next day, when I get up, the scriptās been written. Itās lousy, but itās a script. The hard part is done."
Jul 2, 2024
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Maybe some kettle cooked chips as wellā¦ on a paper plateā¦ now we're talking
Aug 19, 2024