Despite the fact that we’ve known them for our entire lives, parents can be notoriously difficult to buy for when it comes to finding them the perfect present. When they need something, they usually purchase it for themselves. And they have often collected a lifetime of memorabilia and trinkets. So what’s left to buy when you need to get them a great present that they’ll love?
We have the answer for you. We reviewed dozens of gifts for parents to identify the best of the best. We considered several features, including whether or not the gifts could be personalized, if they would work well for older parents, and if they came in a set so that each parent got a present.
Our top pick is the Cuisinart Fondue Set. It stood out as a clear winner for several reasons. First, it’s a fun small appliance that will take them back a few decades to when they were younger and fondue was all the rage. Secondly, it’s updated for today with a sleek design that makes it modern-looking and inviting to use. And third, smart features make it easy to clean and control the temperature.
In This Article
The 5 Top-Rated Gift Ideas for Parents
| Editor's Picks | Brand | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Best Overall | Cuisinart Fondue Set | 4.6 |
| Runner Up | Eufy Robot Vacuum Cleaner | 4.4 |
| Best Budget Buy | Matching Titanium Pendant Necklaces | 4.7 |
| Best Unique Gift for Parents | Our Q&A a Day | 4.7 |
| Best Personalized Gift for Parents | Lover's Road Crossing Street Sign | 4.8 |
*Ratings are from Amazon at the time of publication and can change
Our Top Pick: Cuisinart Fondue Set
Fondue sets first soared to popularity back in the 1970s. Their appeal waned a little after that, but they’ve made a huge comeback in recent years. This Cuisinart Fondue Set will help your parents revisit fun memories in a chic new way.
For starters, the interior is nonstick. That makes it super easy to clean and quickly switch between a cheese course and a chocolate course. It’s got eight fondue forks and fork rests that all sit in a three-quart pot, making it simple for a larger gathering of friends to all share the same space for delicious dipping. The electric temperature control is both easy to remove from the pot and easy to change the temperature between the eight different settings.
Over 1,200 people have reviewed this product online and more than three-quarters of them have given it a five-star review. And with a limited three-year warranty as an added bonus, we think your parents will love this blast from the past that’s been updated for the present. They’ll be ready to make more fun fondue memories in the 21st century!
Cuisinart Fondue Set Key Features:
- Nonstick interior
- Includes eight fondue forks
- Brushed stainless steel exterior
- Eight temperature settings
Our Runner Up Pick: Eufy Robot Vacuum Cleaner
We love any product that is both highly rated and can make lives easier. The Eufy Robot Vaccum Cleaner checks both of those boxes. It has almost 4,000 reviews online with an average rating of 4.4 stars out of 5. Digital Trends voted it the Best Robot Vacuum of 2018, and its new design has been redesigned and re-engineered to be both quieter and have better suction – two things you definitely want in a robot vacuum.
There are lots of other things to love about this particular vacuum. It runs for up to 100 minutes with needing to recharge, and it increases suction when it senses that extra power is needed for a more extensive mess. It’s got an anti-scratch surface, and also comes with technology that keeps it from falling down steps allows it to move around obstacles in its way. Extras it comes with include two AAA batteries, a charging base, a remote control, and extra brushes.
Sometimes we all need a little help keeping our homes clean. This vacuum is ready to help your parents have a clean and vacuumed rug whenever they want it.
Eufy Robot Vacuum Cleaner Key Features:
- 100-minute running time before recharging
- Automatic return to base when needs to be recharged
- Large wheels to better navigate between different surfaces
Best Budget Pick: Matching Titanium Pendant Necklaces
This “His & Hers Gift” of Matching Titanium Pendant Necklaces gives both mom and dad something to wear that reminds them of their commitment to the spouse they love.
If your parents are the kind that are inseparable and never take off their wedding rings, this is a great new piece of jewelry for them. Each pendant is made up of two different rings. One ring is inscribed “Eternal Love” and the other with “The World Looks Wonderful When I Am With You.” Each also includes a cubic zirconia stone and a titanium stainless steel chain.
One of the best parts about this gift is the price. This pair of necklaces is available for less than $15 total. And with more than 85% of the 1,200-plus reviews rating these necklaces as five stars, you can know that you’re getting a great deal on beautiful jewelry that your parents will love.
Matching Titanium Pendant Necklaces Key Features:
- 30-day money back guarantee
- Hypoallergenic
- Titanium makes it durable and strong
Best Unique Gift for Parents: Our Q&A a Day
Our Q&A a Day is for the sentimental parents, the ones that want their love story and memories of their relationship to live on long after they’re gone. It’s a unique way for them to record part of their lives for their own enjoyment and for their family to enjoy for years to come.
This is a three-year journal that has each partner answer one question a day for the three years. Some questions are simple and some are a little more complex. The journal gives enough space for each person to write down a couple of sentences in their answers, tracking how they’re feeling and what they’re thinking. The result is a three-year peak into the lives of your parents. You may have thought that you knew them, but you might find out that there’s a lot more to know!
Our Q&A a Day Key Features:
- Three years of journal space
- One question a day
- Simple and easy-to-use design
Best Personalized Gift for Parents: Lover’s Road Crossing Street Sign Picture
Sometimes it’s challenging to find a gift that your parents will love that they don’t already have, something that is unique just for them. The Lover’s Road Crossing Street Sign Picture fits that bill and will make a beautiful addition to their home.
This gift is completely customizable, allowing you to add your parents’ names and their wedding date to make it truly personalized. Looking for something smaller, larger, or mounted so that it is ready to hang? There are eight different sizes of these portraits available. Want a different style? There are 23 different styles from which you can choose so that you know you’re picking one that reminds you of your parents, and which they will love for sure.
Lover’s Road Crossing Street Sign Picture Key Features:
- More than 20 styles and 8 sizes to choose from
- Commemorates parents’ wedding date
- Made in the United States
Who Should Buy a Gift for Parents
People who need to celebrate a special day for their parents should buy them a gift, whether it’s for a holiday, an anniversary, or a birthday. Depending on the occasion, you might choose something that is more or less expensive.
Important Features to Consider
A gift for parents should do several things well:
- Take into account their personalities. If your parents are homebodies, they might love a gift for their home more than the parents who are adventurous and love to try new things.
- Be appropriate for the occasion. A 50 anniversary naturally calls for a more elaborate and likely expensive present than does a less monumental anniversary or birthday.
- Fit their stage in life. Some parents who are older might need a gift that will help them with everyday tasks that have become harder to do. Likewise, some younger parents might still have the desire to travel, explore, or learn new things about themselves.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much should you spend on a gift for your parents?
This mostly depends on the occasion for which you’re buying the gift. If it’s a significant anniversary or birthday, that’s worth spending a little more money on than a regular birthday or anniversary that’s not a milestone and for which no big celebration is planned.
What do you get for parents who travel a lot?
There are lots of options for parents who travel extensively. You could buy them a scrapbook to keep a record of their adventures. You could buy them a piece of clothing that would be especially appropriate for their next trip. A passport holder that they can wear would be a helpful gift for a world traveler. If they’re not sure where they want to go next, consider buying them a book of the greatest places to travel in an area of the world that they have yet to explore.
What is a good gift for your parents’ anniversary?
One of the best presents to get for your parents’ anniversary is something that’s personalized just for them and commemorates the actual date of their wedding. Whether that’s in a piece of art or on a piece of jewelry or engraved on a collectible, it will be something that is special just for them. Another great gift idea is one that helps them create a memory book of their time together. Anniversaries are a great time to look back and reflect on a life lived together. A present that gives them a way to record the highs and the lows is something they would be sure to appreciate.
How do you choose a gift for your parents?
Take a look above at our “important features to consider.” Follow that list of guidelines and you’ll be able to choose something that is a great gift for your parents that fits both their personalities and the occasion.
Other Gift Ideas for Parents We Reviewed
We looked at 20 other gifts that would be great for parents. Even though they didn’t make our 5 best gifts for parents list, they’re the best of the rest and each is still a great option for parents. The information you’ll need to compare each one is included with the listing.
His & Hers Gifts
Mud Pie His/Hers Cork Display Box
When your parents love a little bit of friendly competition with each other, this is a great gift for them. One side of the box allows dad to collect his beer bottle tops, and the other side gives mom space to collect her wine corks. Not only will they be able to keep cool and funky pieces of the bottles from which they drink, but they might even set up a little bit of competition to see who can get to the top of the display case first!
Key Features:
- Individual spaces for his and hers
- Beautiful stained box
- Can hang on wall or sit on counter
Cost: $35
Do you treat your parents as the king and the queen of your larger family? Or maybe they just see themselves that way? Whichever it is, this is a great gift for your parents, giving them each a glass from which to drink their favorite beverage and which they can use to declare their power over the family in a fun way.
Key Features:
- A glass for each parent
- Comes in a durable gift box to ensure safe delivery
- 16 oz. beer glass and 13 oz. wine glass
Cost: $19
Luxor Linens Waffle Weave Bathrobe Set
These soft and comfortable “His & Hers” robes are the perfect gift for parents who want to relax at the end of a long day. It’s lightweight and airy to help them stay cool and dry after a hot shower or a luxurious bath that washes the day away.
Key Features:
- 100% Egyptian cotton
- Machine washable
- Generous measurements
Cost: $80
Moscow Mule Copper Mugs for Two
If your mom and dad are hooked on delicious Moscow Mules, look no further. This set of mugs is beautifully crafted in a stunning copper for a great look and nice weight in your hands.
Key Features:
- Includes recipe booklet & straws
- Curved handle for easy holding
- Unique hammered finish
Cost: $33
These stunning pieces are perfectly crafted for your parents. The men’s watch has a dark face and the woman’s has a light face. The different coloring and the stunning design set these apart as special gifts for each of your parents to treasure.
Key Features
- Adjustable band
- Jeweled design makes a heart when watches held close together
- Comes in other colors and styles
Gifts for Older Parents
EALNK Wireless Remote Control Key Finder
Are your parents getting a little more forgetful as they get older? This is a great gift that will help them locate their keys – and anything else they attach the receivers to – easily and quickly.
Key Features:
- 5 receivers to attach to different keys or other objects
- Long distance range
- Sound and light make it easy to find
Cost: $23
Pixar’s “Up” is a beautiful movie that is centered around the decades-long love story of an older man and his recently deceased wife. Their life was an adventure together, and the wife kept track of their journeys and plan in an “Our Adventure Book” just like this one. Now your parents can continue to chart their own life adventures and plans in this scrapbook.
Key Features:
- Extra refill pages available
- Creative, old-fashioned style
- Solid construction to last for a long time
Cost: $17
Greatest Parents on Earth Plaque
When you’re looking for a heartfelt gift that truly expresses the gratitude you feel for all of the things that your parents have done for you, to show you their support and love throughout your life, this plaque beautifully says it all.
Key Features:
- Neutral colors to go with any decor
- Tabletop display or hang on wall
- Made in the USA
Cost: $22
JewelryNanny Artsy Face Eyeglass Holder
A really interesting gift or the fun and funky parent who loves quirky things – and has a hard time keeping track of their glasses!
Key Features:
- Customizable (you can paint it)
- Secure hold for glasses
- Art piece that’s also functional
Cost: $24
Philip Whitney Metal Family Tree Picture Frame
This is a beautiful sculptural frame that gives proud parents the chance to uniquely display pictures of all of their beloved family members. It will be easy for them to see each person and fun for them to show off to their friends.
Key Features:
- Crafted of bronze material
- Sturdy
- Comes in two sizes and you can buy extra frames for additional family members
Cost: $33
Zojirushi Stainless Steel Travel Mug
This mug is so well insulated that it’s more like a thermos that you can easily drink from. It’s a gift that would be great for older parents who love their hot coffee but have trouble getting up and down from their chairs all day to refill their cup. This will keep it warm for a long time.
Key Features:
- Keeps beverages hot – or cold! – for hours
- Eight different colors
- Two different sizes
Personalized Gifts
Custom Catch Personalized Blanket
Keep your parents warm with a beautiful and plush blanket that they can wrap around their shoulders or lay across their laps. Even better is that it’s personalized to commemorate their wedding day.
Key Features:
- Five different color choices
- Quick turnaround for personalized product
- Soft and fluffy for snuggling
Cost: $50
MuralMax Personalized Family Tree
This beautiful wall art contains the famous bible passage about love, and also has space for your parents’ names and the date they were married. It’s a personalized gift to remind them of the commitment that they’ve made and kept with each other.
Key Features:
- 31 color combinations
- 7 size options
- Quality materials
Cost: $45 (depends on size)
Personalized Bamboo Cutting Board
The couple that cooks together, stays together – and needs personalized cutting boards. Customize it with first names or last names, but whichever one you choose, it will be a gift just for them that they will love preparing meals on together.
Key Features:
- Multiple sizes and style to choose from
- Laser-engraved
- Money-back guarantee
Cost: $22
Personalized Throw Pillow Covers
Are your parents also doting grandparents? This beautifully simple throw pillow cover will keep the names of their treasured grandchildren nearby at all times.
Key Features:
- Space for up to 15 names
- Washable fabric
- Larger size (18″ x 18″)
Cost: $25
Because pictures are automatically added to this frame when they are sent via email to a specific address, your parents don’t have to do anything to add more pictures of their beautiful family to it. New ones show up as soon as you send them, making sure that they always have up-to-date pics of their kids and grandkids.
Key Features:
- 10-inch display
- Easy setup
- Set amount of time you want to see each photo
Unique Gifts
What’s more unique than your one-of-a-kind DNA? When your parent loves to research family history and their own personal ancestry, this is a fantastic gift.
Key Features:
- Easy saliva test
- Results ready in two months or less
- Access to 85 different DNA-based online reports
Cost: $149
Memories for My Grandchild Journal
One of the best gifts your parents can receive is one that allows them to memorialize their story for future generations. They’ll love looking back on their lives together as they fill out this book, and their children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren will love reading their story to learn more about them.
Key Features:
- Guided messages and prompts for easy memory recall
- Inside pocket to store photos and other treasures
- Special archival paper
Cost: $14
Your parents’ generation is just as much into wine as yours is. A wine purifier removes sediment and sulfites for a transformational wine-drinking experience that will take your parents’ love of the vino to a whole new level.
Key Features:
- Rests on top of any wine glass for easy pouring
- Dishwasher safe
- Aerates selectively with on/off switch
Cost: $80
Vinyl is making a comeback, and nothing will take your parents back to their young adulthood like this vintage record player. The technology has been updated to this century, but the sounds will allow them to walk down memory lane by playing all of their old records.
Key Features:
- Plays 7″, 10″, and 12″ records
- Has Bluetooth and USB port
- Easy to transport
Cost: $70
