When you think about it, there are lots of gift-giving opportunities for parents. Starting with the obvious, there’s Mother’s Day and Father’s Day, as well as their birthdays, wedding anniversary and, of course, the holidays. On top of that, new moms will also get a baby shower, as well as cards, flowers and other gifts after the birth itself.
Think about all the gifts your parents have given you, from teaching you how to ride a bike to countless home-cooked meals and hugs. The list is endless. That’s why every opportunity to find the best gifts for parents should be maximized. Whether you’re shopping for your own parents, your partner’s, grandparents or friends, we’ve found the best gifts for parents for every type of mom and dad.
1. Instant Pot
No matter if they’re empty nesters or new parents, any mom and dad can agree on one thing: They enjoy gadgets that make life a little easier. Enter the ever-popular Instant Pot. The ultimate multitasker in the kitchen, it serves as everything from a pressure cooker to a sterilizer, slow cooker, rice cooker, steamer, saute, yogurt maker and warmer. In other words, mealtime just got so much easier, making this the perfect gift for parents. They won’t know what to make first!
2. Art of Plants The Vase
Take mom and dad’s plant game to new levels with this striking greenery that melds art and nature. Air plants are all the rage, especially when they look this cool. This air plant is surrounded by a solid softwood sculpture of an off-center loop. Since each is completely handmade (and sustainably so!), they’re all unique and one-of-a-kind, just like your parents. Look, we’ve got plenty of traditional gifts for mom and dad, but why not buy them something special that will give them major cool points?
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3. Kitchellence 2-in-1 Kitchen Knife Accessories
Why does it seem like you can never find a sharp knife at your parents’ house? To help them in the kitchen, opt for this three-step knife sharpening system. Each of the three slots has a specific function to bring their knives back to full form — starting with repairing and straightening damaged blades, then sharpening to restore their shape and finally fine-tuning. The ergonomic handle makes it easy and comfortable to use, plus the included cut-resistant glove keeps their digits safe. For all these reasons, this knife sharpener is one of the best gifts for dads (or moms!) who love to grill.
4. PhoneSoap 3 UV Smartphone Sanitizer & Universal Charger
If we learned one thing in 2020, it’s that germs are bad. And your cell phone is harboring lots and lots of them. A welcome and practical gift for parents, this sanitizes their cell phone, killing 99.99% of all bacteria and germs with its two scientifically proven germicidal UV-C bulbs. That’s not all — it also has one USB port and one USB-C port for charging, delivering double duty. It fits all smartphones, so you won’t worry about having to get the right model.
5. Cooper’s Cask Coffee Bourbon & Whiskey Barrel Aged Coffee
If mom and dad start their day with a cup of Joe, you can’t go wrong with coffee, making this a foolproof gift for parents. These aren’t just any old beans. Roasted in small batches to maximize flavor, the set includes four single origin barrel-aged coffees in a sleek box set. There’s Kentucky Bourbon sourced from Colombia, American Single Malt Whiskey from Sumatra, Rye Whiskey via Ethiopia and Rum from Rwanda.
6. Gorilla Grip Original Spa Bath Pillow
Bath time will be a lot more fun with this pillow that turns their tub into a mini spa. To ensure it stays put sans any slipping, the two-panel oversized pillow has seven strong suction cups. Its orthopedic design delivers support for the head, shoulders, neck and back while mom and dad recline in their tub, while two-plus inches of padded foam keeps them comfy. The waterproof pillow fits any size tub, spa or jacuzzi.
7. Kindle Paperwhite
If your parents have overflowing bookcases, introduce them to the joy of the Kindle. This latest version is even waterproof, so they can bring it into the bath or to the beach. The thinnest and lightest model, it has a glare-free display that looks like real paper even when in the sunny outdoors. Just one battery charge last for weeks, plus it has a built-in adjustable light so they can read anywhere, any time. Choose from 8 GB or 32 GB, and from black, twilight blue, plum or sage.
8. Brooklinen Luxe Core Sheet Set
When you can’t get your parents a stay at a five-star hotel, you can get them a set of luxurious sheets that makes them feel like they’re in a fancy hotel bed, making the Brooklinen Luxe Core Sheet Set one of the best gifts for parents. The best-selling set includes a flat sheet, fitted sheet and two pillowcases, and is made from 100% long-staple cotton with 480-thread count that feels satiny smooth on skin. They’re also good for the planet, as they’re OEKO-TEX certified.
9. Nekteck Shiatsu Neck and Back Massager
Anything that helps them melt away stress and relax is a great gift for parents. This neck and back massager will last a lot longer than a spa day, at a fraction of the price. Featuring eight deep Shiatsu kneading massage nodes, it helps relieve sore muscles and stiff necks. Simple to use, it has a built-in infrared soothing heat function to boost blood circulation. The shoulder massager has three speeds to choose from, so they can customize their massage experience.
10. Amazon Echo (4th Gen)
Parents aren’t always the most tech-savvy, but the Echo is famously easy to figure out, making it a great entry gadget for them. They’ll love that they can instantly check the weather, get the news, ask questions, play music or make calls, all with the sound of their voice. Its sound is impressively big for such a small device, with a deep bass and clear high notes.