Gift Guide: For Your Parents

Is it just me or are parents the HARDEST EVER to buy for. Probably because they have everything they want, and if they don’t they just run out and buy it for themselves. Or at least mine do! But alas, every Christmas I strive to come up with great gifts that maybe, they wouldn’t think to buy for themselves. So today’s gift guide is ALL about your parents. I hope I can help you guys find great gifts for your impossibly to buy for parents.

 

Also, how perfect are my parents with Kate this summer?

First Up: Moms. These ladies really keep us going. My mom is the most encouraging and compassionate person ever. She deserves to open a box on Christmas Morning with 42 Louis Vuitton’s, 3 Dyson Hair Dryers (those things are $$$), a New Car, and a first class ticket to Europe. Unfortunately, her daughter married a college professor instead of a billionaire (love… what cha dunna do?). Plus, my mom, although super cool already, relies on my sister and I to keep her hip. So I’ve put together a list of several items all at different price points that will have your mom looking and feeling FLY as a MOTHER!

1| Cozy Scarf. Mom’s get cold too! I love this Asos Scarf. The fringe is very in and your mom will stay cozy all day long. I also love this one and this one as well.

2| Becca Highlighter in Vanilla Quartz. I’ve had this highlighter for a while now and I’ve talked about it on the blog several times. I LOVE it. But my mom might love it even more. Every time we’re together, she glows. Not just because she’s exceptionally happy to be with me, but also, because she’s borrowing my highlighter! The Vanilla Quartz color is the BEST, hands down.

3| Que Collapsible Water Bottle. My mom is really into staying healthy and working out. I’ve been eyeing this collapsible water bottle for her! When you need a lot of water, it’s big. When you just want a little, it’s small. How Handy!

4| Hoop Earrings. These were a big trend when I was younger. My mom was really into them. Reward your mom for being right about ‘What goes around comes around’ in terms of style by gifting her a pair of trendy hoops. I love the detail on this pair but this tortoise pair and these chunky ones are fab as well.

5| Allbirds Sneakers. I don’t own these so I can’t say with 100% certainty but I’ve heard they’re the most comfortable sneakers ever. They’re also super cute. Take your mom’s athleisure wear to the next level with these pretties!

6| Silicon Rings. I, myself, have a silicon ring on hand for moments of need and I know your mom would love one as well. These are stackable to make them even cuter.

7| Novelty T-Shirt. I’ve already gotten my mom a cute ‘grandma’ tee for Christmas. Especially if your mom is a new grandma, or a mother of the bride, or anything cheesy like that, they will LOVE wearing it on their chests. What is it about becoming a mom that completely makes it ok to wear sarcastic and cheesy shirts? I recently bought one of my own. I’ll showcase it later, don’t worry. Etsy has a ton of great options!

8| Straightener Brush. Just because mom is getting older, doesn’t mean she gets to let herself, or her hair go. This straightening brush could make her life so much easier in the mornings! Just run it through and BAM, polished hair and out the door she goes.

9| Luggage. My mom has been traveling a good bit since little Miss Kate entered our lives. So treating her to some fresh new luggage is a no-brainer. Chances are, your mom’s been using old, dirty luggage for a while now, so it’s your job to keep her styling even when travels.

10| CocoShea Cucumber Lotion. I’m totally stealing this product from our family friends. We used it for the first time on our beach trip this summer. This gel lotion is the absolute BOMB! Talk about a major stocking stuffer. Get one for yourself while you’re at it. It’s honestly the best stuff I’ve ever used on my legs.

11| Ancestry DNA Kit. Keith and I did this recently and had the BEST time reading and comparing our results. Wanna see your parent’s laugh and awe in disbelief. This is the way to do it!

12| Calpak Packing Cube Set. Don’t be surprised if these end up on my Christmas list as well. I always strive to be organized when I pack and I always fail. I think this would make your mom’s packing so much easier. Here is also a cheaper version from amazon.

13| Sparkly Slippers. Mom’s love sparkles. It’s a 100% very true fact. Help her let our her inner diva (but only around the house) with these sparkly slippers!

 

 

Next Up: Dads. I gotta be honest, my dad usually gives me the exact same speech every year around Thanksgiving. It goes, “Don’t you dare spend your money on me. I don’t want nuthin, I don’t need nuthin. So don’t buy me nuthin.” To this day, I seriously don’t know if he really means it or not. So, my typical gift for dad is something super small and inconspicuous. Last year, we gave him a big tub of cheeseballs. The year before that, a HUGE bag of M&Ms. He seems happy so I’m going to keep going with that.

You probably have a normal dad, though, who likes receiving gifts for all of his hard work as a father. So here is a gift guide for the patriarch in your life.

1| Fun Socks. These breakfast themed socks really speak my language. If your dad has a job that requires he wear dress socks, give him the opportunity to have a side of humor with his eggs and toast! My dad 100% would never wear these. I hope your dad has a quirkier sense of humor than mine.

2| Robot Vacuum. My dad was asking about my robot vacuum the other day. He loathes dog hair. He has 1 dog and when my dogs go to his house, he basically follows them with the broom. This is more of a splurge, but if you have a neat freak dad like mine, he’ll be singing your praises!

3| Gadget Stand. Is your dad a techie. Does he wear his apple watch while listening to his airpods bluetoothed to his iphone? If so, this is a fantastic budget gift! It keeps everything charged and organized on his nightstand so he doesn’t have to deal with those pesky cords!

4| Cheese Balls. So what if you have a dad whose exactly like mine? Then, this is totally the answer to your questions. Tie a big bow around a large tub of his favorite snack. My dad happens to love those 100% artificial cheese balls. He shares them with the dogs. It’s quite lovely.

5| Gold Swing Trainer. I can see my dad hanging out swinging this thing around for hours. And make me do it, and mom do it, and Keith do it. All so that he could prove that he was the superior golf swinger. A dad’s dream!

6| Basic Slippers. Go look at your dad’s slippers. Chances are, they’re from 2005 and smell like crap on a stick. Upgrade him. With your basic, comfy, sherpa lined slippers.

7| Ancestry DNA Kit. I asked my dad if he wanted this. He said, “No way. Then the government would have my DNA on file.” So maybe this isn’t the best gift for your dad. BUT, if your dad is all cheesy and dad-like and wants to know ALL of the history of his family tree, this is the perfect gift for him!

8| Qalo Silicon Ring. My dad hasn’t worn a wedding ring in 10 years. Is he married? Yes. Happily? It would appear so. He blames it on the fact that he worked on a rig for a long time and wasn’t allowed to wear it. THEN he says he just can’t get used to the ‘feeling’ of it on his hand. As if millions of married men don’t deal with that everyday. So, folks, do your mom a favor and buy your dad a ring he WILL wear. Or spend $13 on it and then have him not even try to wear the silicon ring either (not at all speaking from personal experience)!

9| Apple Air Pods. Another splurge item for those techie dads. Also, another item I WON’T be buying for my dad who is still rocking the iphone 5. At least he has an iphone at all.

10| Cheesy T-Shirt. Mi Padre swears up and down he hates stuff like this. But I’ve seen him wear out several cheesy t-shirts. The latest one said, ‘Best Dad on Earth and Mars.’ I’m thinking my nacho loving father needs this one next!

11| Weekender Bag. This might be a gift that EVERY kind of dad can appreciate. Everyone needs a good travel bag and this one is top notch. I love the extra compartment it has for shoes at the bottom. This one is a soft faux leather. Get the luxe look without breaking the bank.

12| Magic Wristband. Is your dad ‘Mr. Fix It’ like mine? What a fun gadget to help them keep track of all that loose hardware. I’m actually thinking about buying this one for myself. Only the chicest of accessories for my dad!

13| Bottle Keeper. My dad doesn’t drink beer, but I’m betting your dad probably does. And he’ll feel like the coolest dad on the block with this beer keeper that keeps his beer ice cold for WAY longer. Tailgating, 18 hole golfing, burger grilling dad’s rejoice!