Gift Guides!

CLJ Gift Guides: Gifts for the Empty Nesters

November 28, 2016

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“What are we going to get our parents” is a topic of conversation between Chris and I and all of our friends during the holiday season. Because they always just want something like…a letter. (It’s true, my mom always asks for a letter.) And while I love writing her a nice long card every year, it’s also a little mind-boggling to think of something to get people who seem to have everything. So we decided to make it a part of our gift guides this year! 16 great gifts to get your parents. Right here:

1. A collection of the New York Times front pages from each year since their birth, personalized with their name and birth date, and preserved in a handsome library binding. The collection forms a fascinating snapshot of their history. $99

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2. Similar. Custom Face Magnets of all of their children, grandchildren and granddogs (as my dad puts it) for the fridge. $28

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3. A Tandem bike to cruise around town together. (Throw in a charming bike bell for bonus points.) $296

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4. Similar. A Schoolhouse Wall clock that will bring back all the memories and warm up their walls. $19

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5. An edition of the Llama Llama books to leave at their house to read to the grandkids. (It’s seriously so cute) $11

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6. A Duel Head, Handheld, 24 function–GLORIOUS–shower head. Shower heads are actually pretty easy to swap out and they can make such a positive change in someone’s every day. $24

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7. A Fitbit to motivate them to keep moving, track their steps and beat you in yours every. single. day. $78

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8. A cool Essential Oil Diffuser for wellness and because it just smells so good. $22
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9. The quintessential cookie jar, because no grandparents’ house should be without one. $29

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10. Earlier this year we gathered all of my parents’ old VHS’s and sent them into Legacybox to have them digitized. It was such a hit and the footage still has us rolling. You can click HERE to get your Legacybox.

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11. A soft robe–that’s really just a wearable blanket. Matching robes? Even better. $79 

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12. New flatware. Because with all the kids out of the house, they can enjoy little luxuries like a nice, weighted spoon with their empty-nester friends. $104 for 20

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13. A Personalized Doormat. (Show them how to layer it with one of these while you’re at it.) $69

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14. A Nest thermostat. A learning thermostat that will make them feel very cool. $226

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15. A Custom Family Tree print. (They’ll probably cry.) $97

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16. A Universal Harmony Remote (aka “clicker”) so they only have to use ONE remote to control everything with the TV. $112

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Want more ideas? See our 2016 gift guides for her, him, kids, and home-lovers. More coming!

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What do you think?

  1. Allison says:

    Last year, we gave my mother-in-law a framed family tree using your free template. She examined it very closely (looking for a pregnancy announcement? Haha.) and it was especially meaningful with two family members passing in the months before Christmas.

    Now what do you get your grandparents? I always try to stick to a consumable- stationery and postage stamps, personalized mug and local coffee grounds, etc. My 88 year old grandma doesn’t have room for much in her assisted living apartment.

  2. Debbie C says:

    The NY Times book is amazing! Wow, such an incredible gift.

  3. Allison says:

    Just a heads up, the illustrator that does the custom magnets currently has a 5 month turn around time for them!

  4. Susan says:

    OMG! Thank you so much for this awesome gift idea… New York Times covers for my mom — perfect for someone who loves that paper, who loves to read and is a complete news buff! BTW, I LOVE you site, it has become my go to place to help with all my home design ideas, issues and questions… THX!! :)

  5. Rebecca W says:

    We did legacy box! Too bad you didn’t post this sooner, it was 60% off yesterday and free shipping!

  6. Patti says:

    Love this Gift Guide – one of the very best I’ve seen! Thank you –

  7. Ginger says:

    Perfect – you’re right on…and lucky me…I’ve been gifted by some already!

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