Parents turning 50 - What to get them?

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#701430 15-Oct-2012 13:02

Steam train ride in Otago! Apparently it's great! http://www.taieri.co.nz/

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kiwitrc

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#701445 15-Oct-2012 13:23

MackinNZ: The day after I turned 50 a letter arrived from my insurance company offering me funeral insurance.

It was really depressing

The day after I turned 50 I had a massive hangover.

Get them a membership to a swingers club. All us old people like that.

mattwnz

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#701455 15-Oct-2012 13:40

How about a designer radio like http://tivoli.co.nz/

khull

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#701469 15-Oct-2012 13:57

Book an 8 course meal at Logan Brown and spend time with them. Material items mean less and less to parents in my view. You are lucky to have both around, and whatever time they have left to spend with you is precious

Asmodeus

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#701500 15-Oct-2012 14:36

I gave an oil painting reproduction as a gift (to my partner not parents) and can confirm that it is a good gift. You can get anything reproduced, including photos, but I chose a classic to be reproduced (Son of Man by Magritte). as mentioned before they send you JPEGs of progress and you can tell them what you want them to change. I probably askeed for changes half a dozen times and they were really good about it. They sent the final copy rolled in a tube so you do have to factor the cost of stretching and possibly framing too which will vary by size. I got one about 24x36 inches and it cost US$279 to get doen including as many revision as you want and shipping, and about NZ$80 to get stretched and mounted. Didn't get a frame.

Everyone who sees it remarks how cool it is and most are interested in getting one done too. I'd be selective about what you get done as you may never be quite happy with reproductions of complicated paintings, detailed photos or the great masters. You can look at hundreds of examples on their websites though. I used passionforpaintings.com who gave me excellent service.

here's a jpeg of the finished painting. Doesn't do it justice as it's 3ft high on the wall and they overdid teh flash in this pic

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#701544 15-Oct-2012 15:43

Asmodeus: I gave an oil painting reproduction as a gift (to my partner not parents) and can confirm that it is a good gift.

The photo doesn't load. But what you described sounds like one of those painting sweat shops? Especially at that price.

There was a scam running recently around my area, where some people where selling paintings door to door that were done in these painting sweatshops, and they were caught. I had one at my door, and I have to admit that although the paintings looked ok, they lacked something, they were almost like paint by numbers.

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MikeSkyrme

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#701570 15-Oct-2012 16:11

We sent my parents (older than 50....) to the Frankie Valli tribute, Jersey Boys. They loved it. Perhaps look at the Mission Estate Concert, Barry Gibb live, in a vineyard.....

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#701574 15-Oct-2012 16:19

Hmmm... 50th birthday... pacemaker? Walking frame? Just joking ;)

Maybe get a bunch of old family photos, snapshots and stuff and compile them into one of those photo book things?

crackrdbycracku

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#701575 15-Oct-2012 16:22

50 Shades of ....

Sorry, I think the thread has covered books.

Concert tickets?

Organise a working bee to renovate their garden? Like they do on that show Mucking In? As a surprise?

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#701737 15-Oct-2012 19:39

Get them a Nespresso U coffee machine, <$400 plus a couple of hundred nespresso capsules and they will love you for ever!!

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#701740 15-Oct-2012 19:47

Hug

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#701743 15-Oct-2012 20:11

Sooooo....they don't know what they want, but will think of something.
Just go for something they would never ever do, like some have suggested.
A dinner out at a really spacial location. Paid weekend away in Christchurch, with a ride on the Trans-Alpine.

Sounds like they won't appreciate any tech stuff, and new outdoor furniture is boring......
Give them a memory. Whether they like it or loathe it, it'll be something to talk about

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#701790 15-Oct-2012 21:07

As a post 50yr old, I would have been chuffed if my son turned up with a murcielago, or Ferrari of some description, just any similar run about.

By the way, 50 is not old :)

Cyril

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#701816 15-Oct-2012 22:14

cyril7: As a post 50yr old, I would have been chuffed if my son turned up with a murcielago, or Ferrari of some description, just any similar run about.

By the way, 50 is not old :)

Cyril

Yes, 'New Bentley' was the first response I got from dad.

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#701844 15-Oct-2012 23:47

ajobbins: Kindle's are great - but mum isn't really a reader. Dad is, and I have suggested a Kindle to him many times but he 'likes a real book'.

Like the painting idea - but maybe just a print on Canvas could be good. I'll add that to the possibilities list.

Ignore his protests and get him the Kindle. I promise you he will love it. Pick his favourite author and preload the latest book he doesn't have yet. He will thank you for it. SO many people I have bought kindles had the same argument and I've never had one want books back after the first few days. Most people still say it was the best gift they have had.

Spend time with them, that's what they will want at their age. Making the trip back and making them feel loved and APPRECIATED for their sacrifices will mean more and leave longer lasting memories...

I can't really help too much for your Mum, without some idea on what she likes.

MySky is pretty awesome for older people. If your mother likes Soaps or Serials, it's a boon!

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