Parenting is said to be the hardest job in the world and those of us who have children ourselves know all too well that it’s often a thankless task. Growing up, we are dependent on our parents to look after us and make us feel loved. Yet when we leave the nest, it can be easy to forget to let our parents know our appreciation for all the sacrifices they’ve made and the times they’ve been there for us. Many parents can be left feeling a little empty and neglected as their adult children go about living their busy lives. Do you remember the last time you showed your parents how much you care about them? Here are our suggestions for meaningful gifts for parents to show them how much they mean to you.
1. Plan a special outing
Plan a special outing just for your parents - if your budget allows, make them feel truly wonderful by planning a vacation dedicated to them. Perhaps there is a city or country they’ve always wanted to visit but have never gotten around to it; make their dream come true by taking them there.
If you can’t stretch to a vacation, even a day dedicated to them will likely have the same effect: factor in their favorite foods and activities as a surprise (taking care of every detail), or get them involved in the process so that they can get excited leading up to it.
Spend time with them on their agenda, not yours. In our fast-paced world it can be easy to get caught up in the demands of work, technology and our social lives. Scheduling in some quality face-to-face time with your parents communicates to them that they are valuable in your life and will help to deepen your bond. Don’t just save this for special occasions - create your own special day.
2. Ask them for advice
Asking your parents for advice shows that you value their opinion and count on them to continue to support you. Just because you are an adult now doesn’t mean you can handle everything life throws at you - it’s likely your parents will be able to draw on their experiences to offer some wise and comforting words. Likely your parents will welcome the opportunity to advise you and will feel honored that you have asked them - whether it’s a major life decision or an everyday issue, help them to feel that their opinion counts. Sometimes the most meaningful gifts for parents extend beyond material objects - a simple call can make the world of difference.
3. Present them with the story of their life
Give your parents the precious opportunity to reflect back on their lives with a beautifully bound biography of their very own. A meaningful gift for parents that can be passed down through the family to enjoy - a Story Terrace biography will keep their memory alive, allow them to pass on their wisdom to future generations and help to strengthen family bonds and relationships. Just think how delighted they will be to receive the honor of an entire book dedicated to telling their unique story in all its glory!
Story Terrace makes the whole process easy by pairing your mom or dad with one of our carefully selected professional ghostwriters who will dedicate themselves to telling your parent’s story. Consider gifting parents a biography for a 70th, 75th or 80th birthday (you could even pool together with your siblings).
This is also the perfect time if you want to have a book to present for Christmas! How many times will your parents have the experience of sharing their meaningful stories in a comprehensive way?
The ideal meaningful gift for parents, many people who’ve been gifted a StoryTerrace book report feeling immense joy about being given the opportunity to sit with a professional writer in their own home who can tell their life story and capture a person’s essence:
“The entire experience of working with Story Terrace was flawless. The fellow who interviewed me for many hours truly captured my ‘voice’, and the finished product seemed to know me better than I know myself! The photos were beautifully reproduced, the binding was truly professional.”
4. Be sure to share your good news
When something great happens in your life, include your parents in your celebrations so they can revel in your achievements as well. New job? Let them know as soon as you can. Baby on the way? Give them the beautiful surprise of telling them they’ll soon be a grandparent.
Just because you are an adult now doesn’t mean you can’t revel in your parents showering you with praise - give them the opportunity of feeling proud of you (they gave you life after all).
5. Give them an embossed gift
Thoughtful gifts elegantly engraved with your mom or dad’s initials are a wonderful way to honor them and a charming way to say ‘thank you’. Creating something that’s been made especially for them communicates your love and appreciation for them, and if it’s something practical like a keyring, diary or handbag - they’ll be reminded of this every time they use it.
Depending on their taste, you could also consider gifting them with a beautiful set of pajamas, some stunning jewelry, luxury handkerchiefs or bottle of wine bearing their name or initials for that personal touch and ‘wow’ factor.
6. Make peace with them (and the past)
Inevitably family relationships can be fraught with challenges. Yet we have the gift of the present moment to be able to smooth things over and make peace. As your parents get older and enjoy their ‘golden years’, it’s likely that they will be reviewing their life, experiences and memories. If there’s any tension or grudges between you, give them the gift of forgiveness and adopt a compassionate attitude with them wherever possible.
For more details on Story Terrace books, sign up for our newsletter or contact us today to talk about how we can help capturing your life story.
