Every year, I try my best to get my parents very thoughtful gifts; they always need to use them. Of course, on the day, they smile with delight and exclaim how much they will use said item that I spent months planning and searching for. But in reality, it ends up in the back of the cupboard by next Christmas.
So here are a few ideas on what to get your parents for this Christmas — it might be easier than those niche items you think they’ll love.
- School Merch
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There’s nothing that parents love more than showing off school pride for their kids. Buy them a sweatshirt, a key chain, a sticker, or a hat — they’ll eat it up, guaranteed. My dad has stickers of my sister’s college everywhere I look, and now that I started college, my school is next.
- Makeup/Skincare For mom
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My mother believes that I am very up with the trends. She’s constantly asking where my eyeliner is from and the new skincare products all teens use. All she wants is to have that feeling of youth again, so why not give it to her? I buy my mum lots of skincare or makeup products that I use (like Elf eyeliner or Laneige lip mask), not only valuable products for an everyday look but also a fun connection between mother and daughter.
- Practical Things For Dad
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My dad is a simple man; he hates when I buy him thoughtful things because he doesn’t need them. So, look around and see what he’s truly lacking — usually a new phone case, a laptop case, or some phone chargers. As stupid as it sounds, they might appreciate these gifts more than you coming up with something sentimental.
- Remind Them Of You As A Baby
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They can never have enough baby pictures. Think of Kylie and Kendall Jenner and the recreation of their childhood picture for Halloween. I know I said they don’t enjoy the gifts they can’t use, but connections to your childhood are the exception. Make a collage or a scrapbook, and remind them of all the fun times you had when you were a baby.
- A Good Christmas Card
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This might be directed more to my mum, but my Christmas cards used to contain, “Dear Mum, Merry Christmas, From Molly.” That was it. But when you write something thoughtful for your mother, chances are she’ll cry by the end — that means you succeeded. When it comes to my dad, I usually include inside jokes or quotes from shows we watched in the past year; if he’s laughing, that’s a success. But most importantly, just make them feel acknowledged; I am awful at expressing that with speaking, so my Christmas cards are my opportunity to thank them for being them, now’s your chance too.
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