Parents retiring - Gift ideas

[JacobS911]

Both my parents are retiring this year.. well should say mom retired July first (42 years as a RN) and dad will be on Sept first (government).

I was thinking an airline gift card since they have talked about traveling when they retired. They will be road tripping from Ohio to CO in Sept. to visit for a couple weeks and travel around out here. Maybe a weekend at a mountain town would be fun for them.

What did you get your parents when they retired? Something small or extravagant? My parents mean a lot to me and definitely wouldn't be where I'm at if it wasn't for them as they sacrificed a lot throughout the years for sports and college.

Money is an object.. trying to keep it reasonable.

[rwest]

No to airline tickets, it needs to be personal- something that has a connection with growing up and family, any inside jokes or stories you can relate to with an item?

[Alan A]

Surprise party with all their friends and family

[stevej37]

Do they have any hobbies or plans for retirement? If so, gift cards in smaller amt's that will take time to use...instead of one shot.

[Bob Kontak]

Originally Posted by rwest

No to airline tickets

+1

Buy a kick ass Llardo porcelain figure.

There are plenty that can remind you/them of the way back.

Spend till it hurts.

$1-2K.

Beauty. Get a big one.

[madmmac]

Through casual conversation, ask them what they are looking forward to and what's on their bucket list and work from there.

If they don't know what a bucket list, you can start by buying them the dvd!

We just sent my in-laws on a cruise to Alaska for their 60th wedding anniversary. It had been on their bucket list, but I knew they would never splurge on themselves for it.

Like I told my wife, I'd rather gift my kids some cash or whatever while I'm alive so I can hear the stories and see the enjoyment instead of them getting it when I'm gone.

[Baz]

Give them something that will grow along with them as they enter their golden years....something unique that no one else would even think of......something that has an off the chart coolness factor.....

A potted Ponytail Palm!

[unclebilly]

Something from your childhood.

[Tobra]

Take a trip with them, you pay.

[berettafan]

a bottle of Viagra and a 'I pooped today!' tshirt?

but seriously I liked the airline gift card idea. forces them to travel if they're not otherwise quick to spend on travel.

[GH85Carrera]

It is a real challenge to make suggestions for someone that I know nothing about except they are retirement age.

My mom never had a career or a real job outside of the house. My dad retired at age 48 as a pilot from the Air Force. He had had a lifetime of travel and had no desire at all to travel anymore.

I suspect the best gift you can give them is your time and your family's time together.

[Seahawk]

My father was very penurious; like the old joke, he was so cheap when he squeezed a penny he'd make copper wire...

When he turned 70 we bought my dad a laptop. He went from "what do I need this for" to taking it everywhere with him when he traveled.

When he retired, retired he was still on dial up internet WAY after hi speed wifi became available.

So I bought him a wireless router, hooked him up with a hi speed provider and paid for his monthly service, with my sisters, for the rest of his life.

He loved it. It was something he would not have done for himself...which I think is the key for these type of gifts. Try and find that thing.

Good luck!

[ckelly78z]

It truly never occured to me to give a gift to my Dad for retirement other than a nice meal with his whole family.

[jcommin]

Originally Posted by Seahawk

My father was very penurious; like the old joke, he was so cheap when he squeezed a penny he'd make copper wire...

When he turned 70 we bought my dad a laptop. He went from "what do I need this for" to taking it everywhere with him when he traveled.

When he retired, retired he was still on dial up internet WAY after hi speed wifi became available.

So I bought him a wireless router, hooked him up with a hi speed provider and paid for his monthly service, with my sisters, for the rest of his life.

He loved it. It was something he would not have done for himself...which I think is the key for these type of gifts. Try and find that thing.

Good luck!

This is spot on - my son has bought me items I would not go out of my way to buy myself. I am grateful when he has shown me otherwise.

[scottmandue]

Grandchildren!

[rusnak]

A set of grand kids?

My parents got more and more into their routine. We tried to give them a vacation with travel, but they didn't want it. They'd rather do their routine with the dogs, shopping at yard sales, and eating cheap take out food. Seriously, they're happier with routine, and new stuff stresses them out.

Edit: dangit, once again beat me to it!!

[JacobS911]

Thanks for all the responses!

It seems like something thoughtful rather than expensive would be the better route. Definitely will take them out to a nice dinner and probably do a weekend trip on me up at one of the mountain towns.

But it's a month or so until they are here so more help is always welcomed on ideas!

[Norm K]

Cheap and to the point. Plus, you can give each parent their own...