If you struggle to find the perfect gift for your parents, you’re not alone! Children just want everything so whatever we buy is going to be fine with them. But as we get older it seems we get harder to buy for. Thinking of Christmas gift ideas for parents over 50 can be troublesome … especially when they say they don’t really want anything or they can’t think of anything when you ask for hints. You really don’t want to be buying the same old bottle of wine or obligatory coffee mug you gave them last year. So if you really can’t think of any great gifts for your parents this year then this a a list of the best gifts I’ve come across this year.
Note: The following gifts could be for mum, dad or a joint gift.
Spice Kitchen’s Indian Spice Tin
Contains 9 spices and a receipt booklet all wrapped in a handmade silk sari giftwrap.
This is the perfect Christmas gift for anyone who loves to cook Indian food. Or even those who fancy trying to cook their own curry from scratch. Spices included are: Garam Masala, Chilli Powder, Cumin Seeds, Ground Coriander, Turmeric Powder, Mustard Seeds, Cassia, Cardomom and Cloves. The smell of the spices when you open the tin is enough to make you crave a curry!
You could even make up your own gift basket with the Indian Spice Tin and add a couple of these Indian Copper Serving Bowls to make a really useful gift.
Dolma Women’s Discovery Set of Vegan Perfumes
A set of 12 trial size 1.8ml bottles of perfume would make a great gift for the woman who likes to try something different and prefers cruelty-free products. She can try all 12 scents to see which ones suit her best before buying a full-size bottle. The Dolma perfumes are vegan, cruelty free AND they are also long-lasting on the skin. I’ve found as a woman over 50 that a scent seems to disappear after an hour or so, but these last several hours on my skin. They are also free from Palm Oil, Parabens & Phthalates.
Scents include: Amethyst Mist, Anahita, Andromeda, Calista, Compassion, Cushi B, First Rain, Midnight Velvet, Light Bloom, Sarabande, Sun Joy and Vegamusk
Dolma haven’t forgotten that men like to smell good too. There’s also a Men’s Discovery Set of Aftershave/Cologne containing 4 x 9ml bottles of aftershave which includes Sirius, Kwame, Imagine and Freedom.
If you’re looking for a gift just for the woman in your lilfe then check out my Best Gift Ideas for Women Over 50
Sugru Fix & Create Kit
If your mum or dad is a crafter, maker or just enjoys doing repairs then this little kit will make a really thoughtful gift. Sugru is mouldable glue that is extremely versatile. It can be used for:
- Sticking and mounting objects
- Debossing: adding personalised details to glass, ceramic, wood, leather and fabrics
- Creating your own rubber stamps
- Handcrafted jewellery
- Gluing items back together
- Preventing charger cables and leads from fraying
The kit comes with 4 x 3.5g single use packs of mouldable glue in white, grey, red and black. It also includes a texturing thimble, texturing brush and Sugru remover. A little booklet accompanies the kit and shows you 12 unique ways to mend, make and craft things you’ll love. This would make a really interesting stocking filler.
Arran Hand Cream Set
This Sense of Scotland gift set of 3 x 40ml hydrating hand creams is one of those classic gifts for the holiday season. Fragrances include After The Rain (lime, rose & sandalwood), Glenashdale (grapefruit & green leaf), and Glen Rosa (fig & ylang ylang). The smell is absolutely gorgeous and the formula is said to nourish the skin and reduce signs of aging. Inspired by the unspoiled landscape of their location name. Hand Cream is an especially thoughtful gift at this time of year with the cold weather being very unkind to mature skin.
Arran also do a lovely Advent Calendar filled with shower gels, shampoo & conditioners, body lotion, soaps and hand creams. They even do a Gift Card so mum can choose her own selection of products.
Face It: Debbie Harry
The Ultimate Rock ‘n’ Roll Memoir. This book is the perfect gift for anyone who was a fan of Debbie Harry and Blondie back in the 1980s. The blurb says:
“Best known as the face of Blondie, Debbie Harry is the international ambassador of New York City cool. In an arresting mix of visceral storytelling and stunning visuals that include never-before-seen photographs, bespoke illustrations and fan-art installations, Face It upends the standard musical memoir while delivering a truly intimate portrait of an iconoclast”
I know my husband was a big fan of Debbie Harry and he can’t wait to read this memoir.
Adagio Teas Advent Calendar
One of my favourite Christmas gift ideas for parents over 50 is an advent calendar they can share. This Tea Calendar gives 24 days of festive blends either in a loose tea format or you can choose the calendar with the tea bags.
From Pumpkin Spice to Rooibos Noel to Maple Crème Oolong, there are 24 individual bags of delicious Christmas teas to get each day off to a warming start. A great idea for a present that will delight for the whole of December.
Clear Confidence Plastic Free Shaving Kit
A lot of men (and women) prefer the old-school style of shaving with a proper shaving brush and cream. The brush helps give a better shave by gently massaging the skin with the shaving cream leaving fewer ingrown hairs.
This Plastic Free Shaving Brush plus the Eco Warrior shaving bar and Recyclable Soap Dish would make a lovely unique gift basket.
Opies Fruits in Alcohol
The beautiful jars of delicious fruits come packed in syrup and are generously steeped in alcohol, making them the perfect gift for foodies and those who love to give dinner parties. The fruits add a delicious twist on traditional desserts and each Opies jar comes with its’ own recipe which include:
Peach & Blueberry Crumble Squares (Peaches with Courvoisier VS Cognac)
Apricot & Chocolate Trifle (Apricots with Luxardo Dark Rum)
Black Forest Brownies (Black Cherries with Luxardo Kirsch)
Check out my well received adult boozy trifle here.
This would also make a great gift for your adult children.
Ink&Drop Vintage Art Print
This small family business has a fantastic range of cool art prints. From Botanical to Scandinavian to Skulls, they have something to suit everyone’s taste. They create unique artworks you won’t find anywhere else and add a great pop of color to a room. So grab a coffee and be prepared to spend an interesting half hour browsing their website. Ink&Drop also offer a selection of solid wood frames in black, white or oak, which would really make your gift special. Take some time and think about what your parents already have on their walls and what kind of art would interest them. Thoughtful gifts are always appreciated!
Printster Personalised Photo Coasters
If your parents have grandchildren then you can’t go wrong with giving them a holiday gift featuring their little cherubs. It doesn’t have to be grandchildren of course, all family members and friends are just as interesting :-). Family photos that bring back memories would also be welcome I’m sure.
These personalised photo coasters are made from hardboard and have a heat resistant gloss coating and top notch quality. And you can add a little wooden stand so they can display the coasters when not in use. Who doesn’t love a personalized gift.
Rock ‘n’ Roll Nanny
This memoir from Sally Arnold tells the story of how she started off as a nanny to Mick Jagger’s daughter and ended up as the first female tour manager for rock bands such as The Who, Lynyrd Skynyd and The Rolling Stones. Rock ‘n’ Roll Nanny gives exclusive insights into this remarkable woman’s life who made it in a man’s world. She has also worked on charity events which have included Billy Connolly and Rowan Atkinson, as well as handling Royalty such as Princess Diana and The Duke of Edinburgh. I’m half way through the book and am astounded at how she put up with the antics of some of the people she worked for!
Silk Pillowcase
These beautiful silk pillowcases are a gift that looks stylish but are also great for sleeker hair and glowing skin. Because the pillowcases have a silky smooth surface there’s less pulling on your skin and less friction to your hair giving you these delightful benefits. Plus a silk pillowcase is also cooler to sleep on which is a great plus point when you’re over 50! The 22 momme Mulberry Silk pillowcases come in a variety of colours which will compliment anyone’s bedroom.
The Feel Good Christmas Gift
Victoria Bryceson’s charity, Miracle’s Mission, is a non-profit animal welfare organisation who are offering a wonderful opportunity to sprinkle some Christmas cheer for rescue dogs & cats waiting to be fostered. If your parents are dog or cat lovers then buying Christmas Dinner and/or a Christmas Toy for one of these gorgeous animals in their name is really one of the best Christmas gifts you could give.
There are so many hungry mouths to feed at Miracle’s Mission that your gift will really make a difference and you’ll receive a certificate that states you have bought the gift.
Carfume Gift Set
Have you noticed mum or dad always has those cardboard air fresheners in the car? Why not upgrade them to a stylish car scent with a Carfume Gift Set. The set comprises three glass bottles with carved wooden tops that add an elegant, classy touch to your car. Sometimes the best gift ideas are the simple ones.
Gift Set For Her Scents: Alien Spirit, Rouge 540 and Lady Million
Gift Set For Him Scents: Creedy, Savage and Rouge 540
Gift Set Unisex: Black Orchid, Kissboff and Rouge 540
Wooden Family Tree Wall Decor
A family tree is one of those meaningful gifts that everyone loves. This personalised engraved family tree is made with cherry and oak and is the perfect present for the parents who have everything. The names of the family are etched into the little cherry hearts and you could even include the family pets.They come in two sizes where you can choose up to 10 or 15 hearts. Remember not leave anyone out though!
I know Christmas can get a little bit stressful so hopefully these Christmas gift ideas for parents will help make buying for your mum or dad an easy task. Happy shopping x