My parents are the most impossible people to shop for

sbj405

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Mon Dec-12-05 08:54 PM
Original message

My parents are the most impossible people to shop for

Parents - early 60s, 600 miles away. They don't have any particular hobbies. They have everything they need and more. Gift certificates are out as they never use them. I have donated to charity in their names and I got the hint that they thought this was just a way for me to get a tax deduction. Last year, I got them sympathy tickets, which they liked, but there's nothing good this year.

So who is the most difficult person on your list?

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RazzleCat

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Mon Dec-12-05 09:12 PM
Response to Original message

1. Same Situation Here

Only just have mom left. Now here are some of the gifts I have given that she liked a lot. Put together a photo album of us (me and the Sib's, plus the grandkids). Gift certificate to a local restaurant she goes to after church. Tickets for concerts, plays coming into town that she would like. All gifts she truly liked. Only difference is we do live in the same town.

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sbj405

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Mon Dec-12-05 09:24 PM
Response to Reply #1

4. I'm hoping to find tickets for something for them

If I pick something a few months out, they can psyche themselves up for it and will hopefully go.

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I Have A Dream

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Mon Dec-12-05 09:13 PM
Response to Original message

2. My husband''s extremely "particular" about the things that he likes.

I've gotten to the point that I just ask him what he wants, and he tells me. I still wrap it, and he still enjoys opening the packages.

Too bad about your situation. I really don't know what you can do. The hint about the tax deduction was really mean spirited, in my opinion. Are they deliberately difficult, or are they just "particular" like my husband? Do they explain why they don't use the gift certificates?

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sbj405

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Mon Dec-12-05 09:23 PM
Response to Reply #2

3. I don't think they are deliberately difficult, just weird

My mom had several gift certificates that she had gotten from work for YEARS. The department store was finally set to go out of business, so she finally did cash it in. Said she wanted to wait until she could get something that was worth it. Whatever that means. They do like to take weekend trips. years ago I got them a certificate for a weekend hotel stay at any of a number of locations (many withing driving distance). They never used it. I'm sure it's expired by now. That's why I went to donations, figured if they weren't going to use it, then someone should get some benefit from the money.

Particular is great. Makes shopping easy :-)

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I Have A Dream

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Mon Dec-12-05 09:39 PM
Response to Reply #3

5. Do they like to see movies? If so, would they use gift certificates...

to a movie theater or Blockbuster? (I know that you said that they don't tend to use gift certificates, so maybe these wouldn't be used either.)

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bettyellen

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Mon Dec-12-05 09:43 PM
Response to Reply #3

7. luggage ot travel kits then?

lotsa little tubes of toothpaste?

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MissB

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Mon Dec-12-05 09:41 PM
Response to Original message

6. My parents live across the country.

Since they used to live here, I've taken to buying them regional food items that they can't get down there. I used to send them a bottle of nice wine, but I guess you aren't supposed to mail wine through USPS. :eyes:

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Skittles

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Mon Dec-12-05 09:44 PM
Response to Original message

8. so why shop for them?

if they don't need anything don't get 'em anything

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