Need Gift Ideas - Murfreesboro,TN

You can buy doorbell covers made of brass. They come in all shapes and sizes. For example if they like dragonflies you can get one shaped like a dragonfly, or if they like pineapples, get one shaped like a pineapple. Usually doorbells are ugly and these covers look pretty when a guest comes over and rings the bell. I think this is an unusual gift. I gave one to my brother, he lives in a beach house on an island, the one that I chose for him was a shell and it has a weathered look to it. He loved it.

L.

My mother loves this German wine that we cannot find often, it shows up at Sam's club once in awhile. We get that for them for special things. Perhaps they have a favorite food, or beverage or sweet that they like.

how about a night out a chilis gift card and maybe a movie pass.

Do they live near you?? My parents are hard to shop for, simple, have more than enough money, and never want anything. My favorite gift to give them - and so far their favorite to get from us - was what I call dinner tickets. They are just handmade "tickets", labeled for each month that are good for dinner with our family. I tried to be creative and put pictures for birthday months or a holiday flair to them, like hearts for February or shamrocks for March. The first time I did this, I made up a little note saying that for their generosity, we'd like to thank them with our love, our time, and good cooking. There were directions for us to get a hold of each other on the first of every month to set our monthly dinner date. The first year they came, we mostly did eat here and I cooked, but sometimes we ordered carryout and just enjoyed each other's company. The kids love it, we love it, and my parents love it. It's now become our Christmas gift to them for several years running. I try to think of a theme. One was large tokens cut out of heavy cardstock and embellished by the kids, all stacked in a little leather circle shaped box. Another year was a diner placemat with tear off tabs for each month. Once I cut out key shapes and put them all on a ring binder. It's been a lot of fun. The most fun is that the kids get excited to collect their ticket at the door...it is a requirement!

You need to think about what they like, what their lifestyle is like and then go from there. My daughters have the most wonderful way to touching on JUST the right thing when they get something for us and it makes us feel like they really put a lot of thought and love into it. It doesn't need to be anything extravagant or expensive...just personal.
For instance, my inlaws are quite elderly ( in their 80's) and every morning they head down to the local McDonalds for coffee and gossip with their friends. So for Mothers Day...we put a McDonalds Gift Card in her Mothers Day Card...it is exactly what she needs!!!
My middle daughter always used to plant my flower garden out in the front for me every Mothers Day. She knew how I loved flowers and she also knew how busy I was so she put a little sweat and hard work into the perfect gift for me!
Think of what they love to do...for instance, they joking refer to me as "the bird lady" because I adore watching and feeding birds. It made my whole day yesterday when my first Baltimore Oriole showed up in the back yard! So anything that has to do with birds is perfect.
You know them better than anyone here...just put your thinking cap on and come up with something that will warm their hearts!!

We run into the same problems with my parents and this past Christmas we gave them tickets to the Orpheum for a show. This was something they would not do for themselves and I was not sure how they would like it but I was soooo happily surprised they loved the tickets. We chose an early show so they would not be down town at night and it was perfect.

A plant or tree for their yard, a stepping stone for their
garden or patio, a gift certificate for dinner, theatre,
a donation to church or their favorite charity in their names,

Maybe instead of a gift you could take them out to dinner, or invite them over for a special meal?

How about a his and her massage? Time they can spend together and may not purchase on thier own.

Or you could donate money to an organization in their name...

I have not read all the responses but I would try a sentimental stepping stone made with your children's hand prints.

Maybe... write a poem, that you write yourself about how special they are etc.
Then frame it. It can be handwritten or printed from a computer after you type it.
Sign your names on it, with the date.
This will be a one of a kind, from the heart gift. And irreplaceable.

If someone gave me that... I would cry and deeply appreciate it.

All the best,
Susan

We had the grandkids make each set of grandparents a cement stepping stone. They actually sell kits at craft stores. the kids added marbles and "Milagros to them" along with their hand prints and names.

We are also kind of a goofy family.. We have given the grand parents "Squirrel Bungees".. They are hysterical. Put them next to a window and watch the squirrels try to get a hold of the corn on the cob.. There is lots of swinging and hanging on.. Most of the grandparents and great grandparents put this bungee next to the window where they have their morning coffee..
http://www.bestnest.com/bestnest/RTProduct.asp?SKU=BEL-SQ...

Maybe you could find a wall plaque with a saying that you all love.
http://www.signals.com/signals/Wall-Decor_1HA/Plaques_1HB...

We also have given Personalized Door mats..
http://www.signals.com/signals/Shop-By-Theme_5AA/Monogram...

If they are christians they might like a small cross that sits on an end table. Or those digital photo frames. That way they can see lots of pictures without lots of clutter.

Things Remembered has lots of neat ideas/gifs as well, might check them out.

Best of luck.

Is there any particular "thing" they're really into -music types, nature, food, travel, whatever. If so, try etsy.com for AMAZING artwork and handmade items that cover just about every topic you could imagine. Most are very reasonable in price as well. I would look for some type of artwork encompassing something they enjoy or like -a beautiful photograph of an autumn scene or a multimedia project with a guitar in it, a really cool piece of pottery -something that reflects their tastes.

Our family members appreciate handmade gifts. I've had my kids make crafts from the local craft store and Oriental Trading. They've decorated plant pots, stepping stones, bird houses, picture frames, magnets, tshirts, etc. We try to pick something based upon what they like or can use.

Do you have one of those paint your own pottery places near you? How about doing plate or something with the thumb print critters of your children and you, if you like, write the names and then have it fired.....you could make it a family project and then give it to the parents.....I am sure they would love it! I saw this done with a teacher's class for a silent auction and the teacher won it!

my grandparents have given us alot of money though the years all of which as gifts. first it was 500 for buy our first house then it was making meals for us while i was sick and pregnant with my first then it was paying the balance off on my second childs baby furniture(500) as a gift for my second child who mind you is only 20mths apart from my first. when i had my first they bought food each day i was in the hospital and when i came home as well as savings bonds for both for college. i tried to give it back as a gift for christmas and they held my check until it was no good to cash and sent it back so they only thing i could do is give them gift cards to where ever they like to good or do what i do every other year or so i write a heart felt letter to them thanking for all they done for me that works well H. this will help

Book stores have sweet books about 'Why I love you...' or maybe a Chicken soup for the soul book for the both of them. There is one for the grandparent's soul...that could be from all of you...How about a gift card to a nice restaurant, or to Wal Mart (shopping for groceries, etc) Have the kids draw a bunch of papers (this is my grandparents and me on my birthday...this is what my grandparents look like when they are playing games with me...or have them make up a story about the family). Or a crystal sun catcher that hangs in the window...My beloved Grams had one, and when the sun would catch it just right, her kitchen was awash with rainbows. It was so magical for me. Just a few suggestions. I hope they help