I am stuck for ideas for stocking stuffers for my parents this year. They are in their early 70s and downsizing to a smaller home, so they don't want or need a lot of "stuff." Their hobbies are primarily baking, reading and watching old black and white movies...Any ideas for some small and practical gifts that won't create clutter? They don't drink, and they don't need any of the usual suspects like lip balm, lotion, candles, and so forth.
You could get ingredients for stuff like chocolate chips, vanilla extract, cinnamon sticks or ground... Hershey kisses or candy canes to use in a favorite recipe, if they like to use nuts in their baking then you could get them some of those
Popcorn and other candies to munch on while watching movies or reading...
A book each, a treat each (sweet if they like that, otherwise something crunchy), a nice type of coffee each for their coffee maker or tea, a nice jam for their breakfast (or pickles/chow, etc. for lunch), soduko? crosswords, for fun, a magazine each (baking ...), a new apron, oven mitts, baking timer (new baking utensils... ), movie watching stuff (nice popcorn, gift certificates to movie theatre, netflix subscription...).
You can't go wrong with candles and/or flashlights.
They get used up and don't take up a lot of space.
And if they really don't want them they are easy enough to re-gift.
I have a flashlight in almost every room of the house - and in the car and purse too.
Small gift cards like Dunkin' Donuts or the local coffee shop
Do they eat out? Gift cards, even for the pizza place.
A baking mix - like a cookie mix with a cutter or two, or Brownie-in-a-mug kit
Lottery tickets
Bookstore gift card or mini book light for reading when the other is asleep (or during a power failure!)
Travel stuff, if they do that - shampoo/conditioner bottles, small toothpaste and folding toothbrush, tiny deodorant or shave lotion (see the "travel size" section of the supermarket), sectioned jewelry bag, small detergent & mini-clothesline for rinsing out things in the hotel sink.
AAA membership - even if they just travel locally, they'll have someone at the other end of the phone for a free tire change or tow.
Senior visitor passes to local museum
Being on a fixed income now, my mom also in her 70s said she didn’t want to pay for a class at the local senior center, so I’m getting her a gift card for there. Supplies for activities they do are great.
Postage stamps
Box of assorted cards for birthday, thank you, sympathy, etc.
Mophie or other type of small phone/ipad charger that can be used for a quick charge if needed
Gift cards to favorite lunch or dinner spots
Fruit of the month or some sort of food product that they enjoy
Tickets for activities like concerts or movies..
Stationary /nice pens...
Warm socks
Gloves - warm socks - cookie cutters - oven mitts - ice scraper for car windows - small potted plants - framed pictures of you and your family. I like to get my daughters new holiday towels and oven mitts each year and cute holiday socks.
I personally do not like gift cards for anything.
Movie Night stocking stuffers! Popcorn (maybe two fun plastic bowls), Amazon gift card (to buy movies), fuzzy blanket.
Also reading stocking stuffers - magnifying glass, book stand, book light.
My parents are the same age and just downsized as well. My dad is hard to buy for, but he likes restaurant and movie gift cards. I also get him some lottery tickets. I had a calendar made for him with pictures of his beloved muscle car he sold a few years ago, as well as mugs with pictures of my athlete sons (he went to every track and cross country meet through high school and college). He also likes certain candies, so I get him some of those. My mom is a reader, so she gets barnes & noble gift cards, and likes the restaurant and movie ones too. My dad got her a kindle one year and she loves that. I have given her little things like a cute led candle that changes colors and has a remote control. I got her a lightweight shawl and pretty pin to go with it since she's always cold and can take it with her any where and use in any weather. She loves a certain facial moisturizer and perfume, so I have given her those before. Her favorite candy in a cute little stocking is something she likes, too. She also likes crossword puzzles. Food goodies are fun, like cocoa kits or cookie mixes. I hope you get some good ideas! Have fun shopping!
I know this sounds stupid, but I always get my mom socks and underwear. She NEVER buys this for herself and if I didn't buy it, she'd walk around with holes everywhere!
She always seems to like it too! I buy the really nice ones. Sometimes I also get her a new robe or house coat.
How about a donation to a charity? That creates no clutter at all.
