The 35 Best Gifts For Impossible Parents Who Say They Already Have Everything They Need

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Christmas is less than a week away, and if you’ve been procrastinating on your holiday shopping, it might be because you have absolutely no idea what to buy for your parents. We’ve already produced shopping guides for the impossible-to-shop-for-guys in your life, but what about those hard-to-please parents? Just in time for Christmas, we’ve gathered 33 Christmas gift ideas for impossible parents.

And as of Monday, December 20, a lot of these gifts are scheduled to arrive in time for Christmas thanks to the holiday magic of Amazon Prime.

Parents are notoriously hard to shop for. What could possibly compare to the gift of life that they gave to you? They may say there’s nothing else they want or need, but there are of course some thoughtful things to get as gifts for the parents who have everything.

Depending on the age range and hip factor of your dear old mom and dad, there may be many product categories that they don’t even know exist. It’s possible that they’re unaware of the existence of smart mugs that can keep their coffee hot for hours without reheating, or a waterproof speaker to make showers that much more enjoyable. They can’t ask for things they’ve never heard about, which is where you come in. For the next birthday or Christmas, surprise them with one of these gifts for parents who have everything that they know of.

If the matriarch and patriarch of your family ask for nothing but you still want to somehow give them the best, read on to find the perfect gift for those particularly hard to shop for parents.

Ancestry DNA Kit

FOR THE FAMILY HISTORIAN 

Helping our parents figure out where they come from will also help us learn more about our roots. If your mom or dad has been dying to learn more about their heritage and build out the family tree, get them this Ancestry DNA Kit. It uses cutting-edge science to determine specific ethnic results and allows you to trace your ancestors’ journey over time.

New Google Nest Camera

This year Google finally updated its line of Google Nest security cameras, and we recently named these cameras one of the best new tech gadgets released in 2021. These weatherproof outdoor cameras provide enhanced home security, and the mere presence of these cameras may help ward off porch pirates. These cameras have night vision capabilities and can be controlled and viewed remotely via your phone, tablet or other devices.

Jot Ultra Coffee

BEST STOCKING STUFFER

We were skeptical when we first tested Jot, the so-called “super coffee,” but in our taste tests we were very pleasantly surprised. This coffee concentrate is 20x more powerful than regular coffee, and it can be used to easily whip up gourmet drinks at home. From simple iced Americanos to more complex coffee creations, Jot is the perfect gift idea for parents who love their morning cup of joe. It can even be used to create coffee cocktails.

iRobot Roomba i3

FOR THE CLEAN FREAK 

If you have a parent who needs the house to be spotless at all times, help them out with a little robot that can clean for them. The iRobot Roomba sucks up stubborn dirt and messes from both hardwood and carpet with smart navigation reactive sensor technology. It learns your cleaning habits to offer personalized schedules and even connects to your voice assistants to control with vocal commands.

Nixplay 10.1-Inch Smart Photo Frame

FOR THE DOTING GRANDPARENT 

The Nixplay smart photo frame has an almost perfect rating on Amazon. It features a vibrant 10.1-inch screen that displays a slideshow of cherished photos. Best of all, it’s incredibly easy to use, even for technologically challenged grandparents. Everyone in the family can share photos directly to the frame via email or app.

Not only is this one of the best gifts for impossible to shop for parents, but it’s on sale and set to arrive in time for Christmas!

Click & Grow Indoor Herb Garden

FOR THE GARDENER 

When looking for a gift for parents who have everything, it can be helpful to consider their hobbies and then find a way to expand on them that they may have never considered. For parents who love gardening, cooking or plant parenting, why not get them an indoor herb garden that allows for year-round growth and fresh herbs to use for cooking? Click & Grow is our go-to brand for indoor herb gardens, and this top-rated hydroponic growing system includes everything you need to get started. Three basil pods are included, but you can choose from 50 different herbs and veggies.

MasterClass Annual Membership

FOR THE LIFETIME LEARNER

Learning doesn’t have to stop with school. If your parents are retired and have lots of time on their hands or just love to explore new topics and expand their horizons, get them an annual membership to MasterClass. There are tons of online classes taught by experts in various fields. It’ll offer them an opportunity they would never otherwise get to learn from the world’s best.

Gift Cards & e-Gift Certificates

BEST LAST RESORT

Look, we know it’s kind of a cop-out, but gift certificates (e-gift cards especially) are one of the best last-minute gifts you can buy. And at this point, procrastinators can’t be choosers. You can buy a wide assortment of gift certificates to various restaurants and retailers via Amazon and GiftCards.com. And even though they’re not very creative, gift certificates to The Home Depot are actually one of our favorite gifts for impossible to shop for dads.

Rotating Remote Control Caddy

This rotating caddy has slots for all of your parent’s remote controls, tablets and devices. We’re all prone to misplacing the remote control, especially as we age, and this helpful Christmas gift idea keeps everything organized and in place.

Firstleaf Wine Club

FOR WINE MOMS

Digital gifts and subscription boxes are some of our favorite last-minute gifts, but they also are some of the best gifts for impossible parents who swear up and down that they don’t need any more stuff. We’ve tested a lot of wine clubs, and Firstleaf is our absolute favorite. Plus, Firstleaf makes it really easy to give subscriptions as gifts, as they have an entire section on their site dedicated to gifting.

Ember Mug Temperature Control Smart Mug

FOR THE COFFEE FANATIC

I can’t speak for all parents, but my dad is constantly reheating his coffee in the microwave, which cannot make it taste particularly good. This smart mug solves that problem. It has temperature control that allows you to set an exact drinking temperature, and it is then able to maintain that temperature for up to one and a half hours. Any coffee drinker will greatly appreciate this gift to keep their coffee nice and hot (but not too hot).

iRoller Screen Cleaner

FOR THE SMUDGE INTOLERANT

Has one of your parents ever snuck up behind you when you were on your phone or computer and asked how you could possibly see on such a dirty screen? If so, they’ll probably appreciate this liquid-less, non-chemical screen cleaner. It works on any sort of computer, tablet or phone screen helps them easily remove any dust, fingerprints or smudges.

Theragun Prime

FOR THE FITNESS BUFF 

It’s always impressive when parents can maintain a challenging exercise regime into their old age, but it also means they’re likely to have more soreness, aches and pains than they did in their youth. The Theragun offers smart percussive therapy to target specific muscles with deep and powerful treatment. It’ll help them recover faster, ease discomfort and soothe tightness so that they’re ready for their next workout.

Roadside Rescue Emergency Kits

OUTSIDE THE BOX

Emergency kits are one of our favorite gifts for impossible to shop for parents for one simple reason: if they never use your gift, that’s actually a good thing! This Roadside Rescue kit contains everything they might need in an emergency, and as such it will give them (and you!) peace of mind.

Related: Best Gifts For Men Who Have Everything

Original Casper Pillow

FOR THE TROUBLED SLEEPER

Some parents love to complain about all of their aches and pains and trouble sleeping. Get them something to help ease their troubles with the Casper pillow. They can choose from standard or queen sizes, in mid loft or low loft. The breathable weave stays cool, and the down-alternative fill is airy soft and responds to movement. It comes back to life with one quick fluff for the most comfortable place for them to rest their heads night after night.

Related: Best Gifts For Dad Who Wants Nothing

Furbo Dog Camera

FOR THE PET PARENT

As much as your parents love you, they may love their pets even more. The Furbo Dog Camera allows them not only to keep eyes on their fur babies at all times but also to interact with them when they’re not home. They can speak to them and even toss them treats using the Furbo app, and be notified when they start barking. It’s a very cute way to make them feel more comfortable leaving their pups at home alone.

ON SALE NOW!

Wyze Band Activity Tracker Watch

FOR THE STEP TRACKER

If one of your parents doesn’t like all the bells of an Apple Watch but loves to track their steps, this Wyze activity tracker is a great option. It’s a simple watch that allows them to monitor steps and sleep, with other features like weather display, Find My Phone and a sedentary reminder. It also tracks heart rate, lasts for up to 10 days on a single charge.

JBL Clip 4 Portable Bluetooth Waterproof Speaker

FOR THE SHOWER SINGER

After years of living in the same home as your parents, or maybe still living in the same home, you know if they’re shower singers. It would be a nice gesture to encourage this pastime by getting them a waterproof Bluetooth speaker to jam and belt it out while they clean. They can connect it to their phone, clip it onto their shower head and throw on their favorite playlist to have rockin’ showers every day.

Brightland Olive Oil Artist Capsule

FOR THE HOME CHEF 

If you have a parent who loves to cook, help them expand their horizons with this trio of flavored and aesthetically pleasing olive oils. It comes with three blends including lemon, chili and basil, and each label was designed by a category-changing artist. Not only do they add flavor to any meal, but they also look great displayed on the kitchen counter.

L.L.Bean Deluxe Scrabble

FOR THE WORDSMITH

Every time I’m home, my mom tries to convince everyone to play Scrabble and then proceeds to take all of our turns because she loves it so much. My sister-in-law got her this deluxe scrabble board engraved with her name, and it was a truly thoughtful gift for a parent who has everything that she’ll treasure for years to come. It’s a beautiful, sturdy wooden set to stand the test of time with storage underneath, and it rotates on a lazy-susan to easily face each player for their turn.

Jackery Portable Power Station Explorer

BE PREPARED

Have you parents been getting more worried about the world as they age? That’s called the cable news effect, and it’s very real. We’ve tested the Jackery Explorer power stations, and we were very impressed with their ease of use and longevity. You can even buy solar panels, which convert your power station instantly into a generator. Give your parents these power stations and help them prepare for weather-related emergencies and other disasters.

Apple AirTag

FOR THE ABSENT MINDED

We love our parents, but as they age, they tend to lose their minds a bit. It’s our job to support them as they become more forgetful, which you can do with one or a pack of four Apple AirTags. It’ll help them keep track of their technology and other items, so when they misplace their phone, iPad or keys, they can use the precision finding and ultra-wideband technology to locate them in a jiff. It’s the perfect gift for parents who have everything but can’t seem to find anything.

Schwinn Recumbent Exercise Bike

BEST SPLURGE

Do your parents like to stay active? Recumbent exercise bikes are perfect for seniors who aren’t as limber as they once were, and Schwinn makes some of the best indoor exercise bikes in the world. It’s definitely an investment, but it’s an investment in your parent’s health, and what’s better than that?

Miniature Squirrel Feeder Picnic Table

FOR BIRD LOVERS

Since they haven’t yet created a truly 100% squirrel-proof bird feeder yet, why not give the squirrels a place of their own to snack? Backyard bird watchers are sure to appreciate this adorable mini picnic table, which is designed to provide a seat for hungry squirrels.

Custom Watercolor House Portrait

FOR THE HOMEBODY

If your family feels very attached to your childhood home, these beautiful custom watercolor house portraits make a wonderful gift for parents who have everything. All you have to do is send this Etsy seller a photo of the home, and they’ll personalize a colorful painting depicting the scene. Especially if your parents have downsized or plan to move in the near future, they’ll love to have this reminder of the house they raised you in.

Wood And Marble Appetizer Serving Platter

FOR THE ENTERTAINER

If your parents like to entertain, they’ll love this personalized wood and marble serving platter. It’s perfect for cheese boards, charcuterie, and pretty much any other kind of appetizer platter they like to put together when they have company. It comes in charcoal and white color options with three marble bowls included, and you can even have it monogrammed for a little personalized touch.

The CouchCoaster

If your parents are impossible to shop for, then why not buy them a gag gift that will make them laugh? The CouchCoaster could be just the gift idea you’ve been looking for. We’re guessing your parents will either love this gift or hate it.

Pismo Organic Throw

FOR COUCH NAPPERS

Every couch needs a good throw to get extra cozy for naps and movie nights. It feels like a very dad thing to fall asleep on the couch during a movie, so he may be the one who will appreciate this the most. Not only is this Coyuchi throw blanket made from woven organic cotton fibers, but it’s also stone-washed for extra softness and a more delicate texture. It’s light to mid-weight, so you can use it alone in warmer seasons or layer in the winter, and the cool geometric pattern will look great draped over their favorite nap spot.

Landon Carryall Bag

FOR THE WEEKEND TRAVELER 

If you don’t live in the same city as your parents, you know how much they love to come to visit you for a weekend. Help them travel in style with this Dagne Dover duffel. It comes in a variety of colors and sizes, so you can cater to their preferences and general packing tendencies. It also has a laptop sleeve and comes with a shoe bag and dust bag, so it’s truly everything they need to pack for a weekend away.

Vintage Turntable

FOR THE MUSIC LOVER

Ever hear one of your parents wax on about how music just sounds so much better on vinyl? If so, this is the best gift for them. While they may have had a record player back in the day, it’s highly likely it got lost or thrown away in some move since stereos and iPods and smartphones have come into the picture. Bring them back to their musical roots and give them an opportunity to play you all of their favorite records with this cool vintage turntable that won’t break the bank.

Vitruvi Stone Diffuser

FOR A SWEET SMELLING HOME

When my parents came into my apartment and saw my diffuser, they had absolutely no clue what they were looking at. Sure, they love candles, but older generations tend to be behind when it comes to advancements in scent distributing technology. Help your parents infuse their home with their favorite scents with this diffuser. It lasts much longer than any candle, does a better job of disbursing scents and it can run when they’re out of the house so that they can always come home to the sweetest smells. It doesn’t hurt that it looks chic, so it won’t be an eyesore.

Battery Operated Pepper Mill & Spice Grinder

FOR THE FOODIE

Whether you have a parent who loves to cook or is just very particular about how they like to season their own meal, this battery-operated all-in-one pepper mill and spice grinder will be their new favorite appliance. For older parents with mobility issues, this is a great idea, too! They can select the coarseness based on their preferences, from adding fresh black pepper to their spaghetti or sprinkling dried rosemary onto potatoes before roasting. It’ll also make them seem much fancier at dinner parties when they can offer their guests some Himalayan salt or peppercorns ground just to their liking.

Our Place Perfect Pot

FOR THE HOME CHEF 

If your parents love to cook but they’re still using the cookware they got from their wedding registry, it’s time for an upgrade. The Our Place Perfect Pot is exactly what they need since it combines every single pot and then some. It boils, bakes, crisps and steams, all without a single stuck-on piece of debris. It’ll offer them easier cooking and cleaning in a color that looks great displayed on their stovetop.

Personalized Cigar Humidor

FOR CIGAR AFFICIONADOS 

Cigars feel like a habit you develop as a dad, whether you were ever a smoker or not. It’s a hobby that involves collecting, smoking and storing properly so that their fanciest cigars are always fresh when they want to break them out. Get yours this premium humidor with their name and initial on top for a thoughtful, personalized gift that they’ll truly appreciate.

LiveFine Towel Warmer

FOR LIVING IN LUXURY

After everything you likely put your parents through in your lifetime, they deserve to have a bit of luxury and relaxation. This at-home towel warmer will make every day feel like a spa day, allowing them to be greeted with a wonderfully warm towel every time they get out of the shower. It features an easily adjustable timer so they can set it to be nice and toasty at the perfect time, and the spacious heating towel can fit multiple towels just in case they need one for their hair and one for their body.

The 19 Best Gifts For Impossible-To-Shop-For Dads Who Want Nothing But Deserve Everything