I need some gift ideas!

by Chris - The Rowdy One! #187 Posted 2012/05/10 21:14:20

Related Topics: Marriage, Bank, Gift Ideas, Parent, Gift, Need, parents, Advice, Years, Year

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My parents celebrate 45 years of marriage tomorrow (yes, I know I waited till the last minute) and I was hoping for some gift ideas.

I am not trying to break the bank but I want something that shows I cared enough to ask thousands of people I have never met for advice. Is under a hundred too cheap?

+10

Dee 2012/05/10 21:39:11

+11
The most priceless gift we received from my son was a handwritten, heartfelt letter telling me and my husband what we meant to him and how we influenced his life. I will treasure that until the day I die.
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More polls by Chris - The Rowdy One! #187

hazel 2012/05/15 18:51:49

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If they have a picture of them getting married ,buy a beautiful frame for it

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Chris -... to hazel 2012/05/15 19:49:37

+1
That was the way I wound up going actually.

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hazel to Chris -... 2012/05/15 20:17:56

+1
they will love it

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Jan Haskell 2012/05/15 17:40:34

+1
Maybe tickets to a local play or dinner show? Or you could cook or barbecue for them. Whatever you do, they will love it.

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Chris -... to Jan Has... 2012/05/15 18:12:45

+1
They are great ideas. Thank you.

I have accumulated enough good ideas to get me through to their 50th!

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LewisCrise 2012/05/11 15:30:16

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I agree with Dee. Mother's day is coming up after all.

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Chris -... to LewisCrise 2012/05/12 11:33:13

+1
That was a great idea!

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JimmyIIX 2012/05/11 14:36:18

+2
do you see the image that is used there? Gift Box w/Bow. They sell those Gift Music Boxes. I got my mother one that played "The Rose" Beth Midler. Super Nice! It was black and gold.

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Chris -... to JimmyIIX 2012/05/11 14:39:38

That sounds nice....something that could be displayed in their bedroom. Thank you!

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bettyboop 2012/05/11 11:03:39

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Most likely your parents have everything they need as far as material things are concerned. How about cooking them a nice dinner or taking them to their favorite eating place? Hiring someone to come spring clean, or someone to do the yard is always helpful and much appreciated. It's not the price of the gift that matters, it's the thought that counts. Heck ask them what they are in need of, maybe they would like you to do some repairs around the house.

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Chris -... to bettyboop 2012/05/11 11:19:26

+2
They are great suggestions Betty. I agree, my mother always tells me she has enough "stuff" around the house.

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EdWhiteSpace 2012/05/11 04:50:14

+1
A bit of everything... A personal note from you telling them how you feel and sharing some memories to start the eve, then a gift certificate for dinner so they can have a date. If they are near where they grew up or married, maybe a restaurant from their past or a night at a hotel to complete it all... Good luck, and happy anniversary to your parents.

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Chris -... to EdWhite... 2012/05/11 11:02:08

+2
Thank you my friend. That was some good and well thought out advice.

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Stan Kapusta 2012/05/11 02:28:05

+2
The most important things are not material. Do something really hard for them. Assemble a scrapbook of everybody they know that you can lay your hands on. Get other people involved. Copies can be made on your computer, or sent e-mail. This is better than gold.

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Chris -... to Stan Ka... 2012/05/11 11:03:23

+1
I like this idea too! Thank you!

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JohnT 2012/05/11 01:34:23

+1
Gather some memorable family photos, make a collage and have it framed.

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Chris -... to JohnT 2012/05/11 11:03:32

+2
I like this!

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Lisa 2012/05/11 01:25:06

+1
A gift certificate to a very nice place to eat and maybe tickets to a movie or the theatre. Just an idea.

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Chris -... to Lisa 2012/05/11 11:03:52

+2
That is a good idea!

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Philo-Publius 2012/05/11 00:34:09

+2
I'd recommend taking them to a very nice restaurant... maybe one they've mentioned or talked up, but never dined at yet. Even at a fairly classy restaurant, if it's just a party of three or four (assuming they're not fine wine connoisseurs), $100 should just about do the trick.

It'd be a great evening, and what says 'I love you guys' more than you actually being with them and spending quality time?

Good luck, my man, whatever you decide.

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Chris -... to Philo-P... 2012/05/11 11:04:19

+3
Thank you my friend; this sounds good!

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Cookie 2012/05/10 23:57:23

+1
A day at the spa would be great for both of them.Who knows,maybe you could get a discount for a couple.That's something they will never forget.

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Chris -... to Cookie 2012/05/11 11:04:56

+2
That would be kind of cool....getting my father there may be a trick - LOL. But I do like the idea!

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Cookie to Chris -... 2012/05/11 13:07:26

+1
Give it a try,you never know.

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Wrinkleranch 2012/05/10 23:23:10

+2
Something from the heart. The gifts my daughter makes me mean more to me than anything she could ever buy me. They may not be perfect but she always puts so much thought, time and effort into them.

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Chris -... to Wrinkle... 2012/05/11 11:05:31

+2
I have to admit that this seems to be a common theme I am hearing. I really like that.

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Wrinkle... to Chris -... 2012/05/11 16:40:19

+1
I'm hoping you choose something like a letter from the heart. I think it would blow your parents away!

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hazel to Wrinkle... 2012/05/15 18:53:48

+2
That is a joy and frame it so they can always see it...they will weep if it comes from your heart

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Karen E 2012/05/10 22:55:53 (edited)

+2
dee has the best suggestion in mho. i also did it for their birthdays. i explained how much their sacrifices and love made me who i am and i was eternally grateful and i took them out for dinner. my dad wrote me before he passed away those anniversary and birthday letters were eagerly looked forward too. still do it for momma still gets the birthday letters.........

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Chris -... to Karen E 2012/05/11 11:06:49

+2
I truley like that idea. Thank you.

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Karen E to Chris -... 2012/05/11 16:18:20

+1
welcome, i noticed the little things mean more than a big splashy gift. time and written words are priceless.

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jubil8 BN-0 PON 2012/05/10 22:48:26

+2
How much something costs doesn't matter, Chris. "It's the thought that counts." Sapphires are the "traditional" 45th Anniversary gift -- assuming that doesn't fit "not breaking the bank," I saw a website that suggested anything sapphire blue gets the idea across.

Personally, I think the best gifts are memories. Can you make a video of old photos or something, or get some old photos and put them in a nice frame? I don't know how much time you have (hours, I mean, I know you said it's tomorrow), but if you have something you can do and can't finish in time, an "IOU" with some funny story (lie) about why it's not ready on time would fill the gap.

Happy Anniversary to your folks. :) And good luck...

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Chris -... to jubil8 ... 2012/05/11 11:07:35

+2
Thank you very much and I like your suggestion a lot.

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jubil8 ... to Chris -... 2012/05/11 13:56:18

+1
It look like you've got enough great ideas here to get you through to the big 5-0 lol.

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Chris -... to jubil8 ... 2012/05/11 14:39:59

+1
Absolutely!

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Shawna 2012/05/10 22:45:53

+1
There are some great ideas here; I can't add anything better. I agree with the people who are saying they don't need more stuff but something heartfelt and personal is nice. You could take them our for dinner or give them a gift certificate for dinner at a nice place-then they can have a romantic dinner for two. Don't go overboard because there fiftieth is coming up and that's the big one-lol. My parents' next anniversary is 48th as well and I will probably just give them a card as I always do, but I'm already mulling over what I might do for their fiftieth.

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Chris -... to Shawna 2012/05/11 11:08:44

+2
That is a very good point. I do need to save the 50th for a really super special one.

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~ Veronica Arin Ayne~ 2012/05/10 22:31:32

+1
No, not all too cheap in this economy. I know my hub & I love to get arrangements from EdibleArrangements.We celebrate 40 years this summer. You can stay within just about any budget and they are georgeous & DELICIOUS.

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Chris -... to ~ Veron... 2012/05/11 11:09:37

+2
That is a good suggestion and thank you. Also, early congratulations on your upcoming 40th!

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lucky 2012/05/10 22:04:45

+3
It doesnt matter how much you spend, what matters is that it really shows how you feel, I think the top answer from Dee is an excellent suggestion.

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