My dad writes down the things he wants from Amazon/ebay/random internet retailer and I order and wrap for the next gift giving occasion (Christmas/Birthday/Father’s Day). Think: reflective vest for dog walking, book on golf swings, long bristle brush for dryer vent cleaning, random supplement that’s supposed to help with gout… He is very capable but online shopping vexes him and he knows my mom will scrutinize every purchase.

We both enjoy him opening these random items. Bonus points that my mom is always baffled.

Really soft wool socks. Thickness depends on where she lives.

Out of print books that they don't know how to find for themselves. I got my mom a vintage knitting book on eBay that she remembers having had in the 1970s, she loves it. Got my dad some esoteric children's books from his childhood that were a bit of a headache to track down but totally worth it.

My parents love this coffee cake. I give it to them every year.

https://www.mygrandma.com/

I always bring an expensive panettone for my mom. It means she has a nice baked good to serve on Boxing Day when people stop by, without having to cook it herself.

Anonymous wrote:A rechargeable power scrubber brush with different brush heads, particularly one with a longer handle. Especially helpful for those with arthritis. Used to clean bathrooms, cars, hard-to-reach corners, etc.

Oh this is a good one.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:A really high quality garden hose nozzle, which he uses to ward off his nemesis, who is a groundhog.

Perfect.

Yes it's entertaining for the whole family.

Anonymous wrote:A really high quality garden hose nozzle, which he uses to ward off his nemesis, who is a groundhog.

Perfect.

A really high quality garden hose nozzle, which he uses to ward off his nemesis, who is a groundhog.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:A rechargeable power scrubber brush with different brush heads, particularly one with a longer handle. Especially helpful for those with arthritis. Used to clean bathrooms, cars, hard-to-reach corners, etc.

Better yet: GC to cleaning services

This was a hit with an older man who used it on his boat, car, lawn furniture and other assorted scrubbing needs. He appreciated it because he likes doing things himself and keeping busy, but was having trouble with his arthritis. This allowed him to do bigger projects without discomfort in his hands and gave him a sense of accomplishment. That in itself is priceless for many older people!

unusual indoor plants (avid gardener)
pretty floral mug with Initials
apple watch with fall detection
3-1 apple charger

Gift basket of a couple bottles of alcohol with mixers and a list of fun drinks recipes.

My 80+ mom really liked getting a small fruitcake from Harry & David. I bought her a tea collection that she requested and added on the fruitcake and it was a hit. They are more rare now precisely because they are so old-timey. Just like Victorian ribbon candy and candy sticks used to be when I was a kid.

Here is a company my grandma bought from. It's still operating:

https://collinstreet.com/

The best thing I ever got my grandfather was a donation of a spiral binding machine to an elementary school through Donors Choose.

My widowed mother-in-law...some kind of convenient snowblower. It might have been all electric.

Once I got my grandma a gag gift figurine and she just went wild over it. It was a solar waving Queen Elizabeth. So sometimes small funny things are quite cheering. I nearly bought myself a Squishmallow Flipmallow at the grocery store this year. It was a green squishy moose stuffed animal that inverts to form a stuffed peppermint candy. Nobody needs this kind of thing but if you know your recipient's sense of humor, it can be worth it just for one spell of hilarity.

The good frozen croissants from Williams Sonoma. They can warm up just two at a time.

Anonymous wrote:A rechargeable power scrubber brush with different brush heads, particularly one with a longer handle. Especially helpful for those with arthritis. Used to clean bathrooms, cars, hard-to-reach corners, etc.

Better yet: GC to cleaning services