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Gift Guides!

CLJ Gift Guides: Gifts for the Empty Nesters

November 28, 2016

"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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  1. 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. 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!! :)

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