Parents turning 50 - What to get them?

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ajobbins

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#110700 15-Oct-2012 10:56

My parents both turn 50 in the next couple of months. I'm travelling back to NZ this week for their joint party this weekend.

I still need to get them a birthday gift - but am at a total loss as to what to get them.

Was planning to get them a bigger, combined gift - but could do separate gifts instead.

Really want to get them something that they can keep - don't want to get them something consumable or something that will wear out in a few years.

Was thinking of getting them an iPad, but that won't last more than a few years, and I don't think Mum would really appreciate it.

Anyone have any ideas? Budget is around $600-700 (for both of them).

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#701339 15-Oct-2012 10:59

Have they got a PVR?
I got one for my parents, they love it. (also got them a Harmony remote to take away the coffee table remote clutter).

iPad is cool. Definitely worth considering.

xpd

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#701344 15-Oct-2012 11:03

Grandkids ?

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flynkiwi

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#701347 15-Oct-2012 11:09

I got my Dad a nice Swiss watch for his 50th when I was working in the UK and returned home for his 50th. That was 11 years ago and he still wears it with pride. (was a lot cheaper over there too than buying here!)

If you get the latest electronic fad then it doesnt have the same shelf life as something like a good quality watch.

ajobbins

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#701349 15-Oct-2012 11:12

xpd: Grandkids ?

I don't think they are in any hurry to be grandparents - that would make them feel old.

Likewise, I am not ready to be a parent! I enjoy having my income to myself far too much.

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ajobbins

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#701350 15-Oct-2012 11:13

flynkiwi: If you get the latest electronic fad then it doesnt have the same shelf life as something like a good quality watch.

I'm shying away from tech stuff for that reason. iPad/PVR/etc cool - but short life really, and not that sure they would appreciate it.

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wellygary

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#701357 15-Oct-2012 11:23

What are they into?

Also gifts do not necessarily have to be a "thing" you could get them an experience, ( winery weekend break etc)

ajobbins

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#701371 15-Oct-2012 11:40

wellygary: What are they into?

Also gifts do not necessarily have to be a "thing" you could get them an experience, ( winery weekend break etc)

I dunno. Boring old people things?

Thought about a weekend away, but it's probably a bit beyond the budget. They live in the Hawkes Bay so wineries have all been done really.

Thought about getting them some outdoor furniture for the house they just moved into, but they said that they didn't want that.

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wellygary

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#701372 15-Oct-2012 11:43

ajobbins:
wellygary: What are they into?

Also gifts do not necessarily have to be a "thing" you could get them an experience, ( winery weekend break etc)

I dunno. Boring old people things?

OK, then it is probably best to actually ask them what they want,

Sure it means it wont be a "surprise" but given the $$$ you are spending, I would rather ask them for some guidance, rather than risk getting them something that will just be stuck in a cupboard.

ajobbins

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#701379 15-Oct-2012 11:52

Yeah I have asked them a couple of times and they have said they will 'have a think', but also that I don't need to get them anything etc etc.

Just want to float a few ideas around in case they don't come up with anything, which there is a good chance will be the case.

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Disrespective

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#701384 15-Oct-2012 11:58

I bought my Mum a hot air balloon ride with a champagne breakfast for her and Dad. About a month later the balloon accident happened in the Wairarapa where people were killed and they haven't used it... otherwise I think it was a solid gift.

For Dad's 60th I've got him a signed first edition of Buzz Aldrin's Men From Earth. He's a huge space nut but he hasn't got it yet so it might not be as cool as I reckon it is.

I've also got a picture of my brother and I when we were kids that i'm going to get printed onto a canvas and give to them at some point. Maybe xmas, not sure.

ajobbins

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#701388 15-Oct-2012 12:05

I like the idea of something like (but not) a Hot Air Balloon ride. Besides the accident, mum is scared of heights - but i'm sure there is another kind of 'experience' they could do.

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jpoc

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#701402 15-Oct-2012 12:22

How about a painting?

There are companies in China that will take a photo and turn it into an oil on canvas painting. They might like a family portrait done like that. Because the painting is done by hand, you can get them to clean up the background or even paint the subjects of the photo on an entirely different background.

A few years back, somebody at work was getting married and we got a wedding photo turned into an oil painting for them. We sent off the photo and a couple of weeks later, the company emailed us a jpg of a photo of the painting. We asked for a few minor changes and agreed the next photo. Then they sent us the canvas in a roll and we took it along to a local framing service.

For your budget you could get something of a decent size.

MackinNZ

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#701414 15-Oct-2012 12:42

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

It was really depressing

eracode

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#701418 15-Oct-2012 12:47

I know you said you were shying away from electronics - but how about a Kindle, say for your mum? Anyone who is a reader will love it. I may be wrong but women seem to read more than men. I don't see a Kindle as a fad really.

Sometimes I just sit and think. Other times I just sit.

ajobbins

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#701427 15-Oct-2012 13:01

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.

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