My parents are both 70 and well off financially. They can easily afford to buy any material thing they want. They moved in the last year from a large house to a condo (the size of which I don’t know as I’ve not had the chance to visit yet). My mom’s health is OK; my dad’s been through a rough patch the last couple of years (prostate and pancraetic cancer) but says he’s feeling well.
Because I can’t get any time off work for the holiday, I’m working 12/24 and 12/26. If I could’ve gotten either of those days off I would’ve gone to Iowa to visit. Since I couldn’t, my parents and my brother are driving here Friday and getting a motel room, we’re going out to dinner Friday night at a fairly upscale place, doing the gift exchange Friday night and they’re leaving Saturday. My brother is taking us to dinner Friday as his Christmas gift to my parents (which is sort of what we’ve done the last couple of years as well). I was thinking that I would pay for the motel room as my gift. I’m thinking that since they’re having to make this stupid trip because of my work schedule, paying for their lodging (since I’m not set up to take all three of them at my place) would be a nice thing.
Am I right? Nice thing or tacky and stupid? I’ve been feeling rather uninspired this year in terms of picking gifts for anyone, and the stuff I have for friends and my brother are in my mind kind of lame, but I mostly feel that way because usually I buy things throughout the year when I see things I think they’ll like and this year I did all my shopping pretty much at Target in 20 minutes.
I wouldn’t do it. It’s something they’re already planning to get. Paying for it as a gift is equivalent to giving them cash, and what’s the fun in that? If I were in your position, I’d buy something more fun and less practical.
It’s a nice thought, and something that I’d appreciate if I were your parents. The only problem is that your parents or your brother have probably already reserved the room(s) and the motel has their credit card info to guarantee the reservation. Chances are pretty good that the charges will still show up on their credit card, even if you pay. (It happened to me once, took forever to clear it up.)
How about a nice gift basket? Soaps and lotions, a foot massager, something they could use for pampering themselves. Fruit, nuts, chocolate and cheese? Fresh flowers delivered to the motel room?
Where do they live in Iowa? There are some excellent productions coming to the Civic Center in Des Moines. Maybe tickets to The Lion King or something? You can buy those on-line.
But ya know, they’re going to be tickled pink to just spend time with you.
I don’t think it’s tacky or stupid at all, but like AuntiePam, I think the actual application might get confusing if they reserved with a credit card.
The flowers and breakfast were a nice idea, too, but if they’re staying at a Best Western, this would be difficult to arrange, too.
You mentioned dinner out, but what about you treating them to lunch? Even if you’re unable to go, you could get them a gift certificate to lunch, maybe at one of your favorite local places. If you’re on friendly terms with the management at any of these place, you could arrange for something special there, too. (ie flowers on the table, champagne lunch)