The Global Day of Parents, simply known as Parents' Day, is celebrated on June 1 every year. It was instituted by the United Nations and, coincidentally, falls on the same day as International Children's Day. If you're emotionally close to your parents but they live alone or far away, here are some gift ideas for parent's day to cheer them up - and celebrate your own special day in the process!
So, what do you get for the people who gave you life? It's impossible to repay what you owe them, but there are many ways to show your gratitude for all they've done for you since you took your first breath, stumbled through your first steps, and spat your first words out, not to mention the occasional lunch. Here are some thoughtful, practical, and emotion-triggering gift ideas for parents' day. Don't expect to see the usual 'personalized coffee mugs they'll never use' or 'a bouquet of their favorite flowers even though they're allergic' or even 'a box of boring but delicious chocolates when they've just been diagnosed with diabetes' on this list. We've scoured the Internet (well, maybe just a few searches on Google) to showcase some unique gifts that offer far greater value than what their price tags say.
#1: Home Security System
The elderly are frequent targets of criminals, so a home security system would not only be a functional gift idea but also a statement that you care about the safety and security of your parents and their home, which might just be the home you grew up in.
How Much Does it Cost?
A basic home security system will cost you about $100 to $250 upfront and then a monthly fee of between $10 and $35 toward monitoring service costs. That's not a hefty price considering the peace of mind your parents will have knowing that someone's watching out for them 24/7.
Will They Install It?
Most security system dealers and manufacturers do offer free installation but be careful who you order from because many companies outsource the installation part. That means a house full of holes in the wall and possibly a shoddy job that will ruin the look of your parents' home. One of the leaders in the home security market, ADT, recommends using a 'renovation-free' or 'construction-free' security system so the user has the flexibility of deciding what goes where. If you choose a wireless option, that's what you'll get. It will cost a little more but it saves damage to the house.
#2: Friendship Lamps
A pair of friendship lamps, also called
long-distance relationship lamps or Wi-Fi touch lights, make great gift ideas for parents' day. They're essentially Wi-Fi-connected lamps where one is installed at your parents' home and one is set up in yours. Once the initial set-up is done, when you touch the top sensor plate on your lamp, theirs will light up in a color you selected when setting it up. When your parents see their lamp light up in the color you picked, they'll be thrilled to know you're thinking of them. What better way to say "I care" than to say it over and over again without using a single word?
What Does It Cost?
Find out about our prices
here. Shipping is free within the United States and you can place multiple orders for shipping to different locations. International shipping costs are calculated based on the shipping address.
How Do I Install It?
Installing a friendship lamp is very simple and should only take a couple of minutes. You'll need a smartphone to connect it to your Wi-Fi and join the Group ID that you'll receive via email when you purchase the lamp.
#3: Indoor Plants or Seeds for Their Garden
The two options here are seeds for the gardens of more active parents with green thumbs; the other choice is indoor plants that are easy to take care of and increase oxygen levels in your parents' home. There are specific plants for various purposes, so a little research at your local florist can go a long way. Here are some tips we've curated for you in terms of what to choose and why.
How Do I Choose the Right Indoor Plant or Garden Seed?
Mint is a great indoor plant that's also delicious and useful. The larger leaves can be plucked for adding to black tea or warm water. Mint is known to be beneficial to overall health but it specifically aids in alleviating IBS or irritable bowel syndrome and is rich in nutrients. Aloe vera is another easy-to-care-for plant that just needs a lot of water and ample sunlight. The gel from the aloe vera plant is not only a natural beauty solution but is also good for health when consumed with food and beverages. For respiratory health, the Lung Health Insitute recommends Chinese Evergreens, Gerbera Daisies, the humble Money Plant, the Areca Palm, and the Snake Plant, also known as Mother-in-Law's Tongue! All of these have high nighttime oxygen production as well as the ability to remove harmful chemicals from the air. It's a great idea for smaller apartments in the city where pollution is high.
For outdoor gardens, you can consider vegetable seeds of the variety your parents like to eat, like radishes, potatoes, spring onions, runner beans, etc. They'll all full of goodness and are easy to grow in small gardens. You might also consider flowering plants that don't require a lot of special care, such as zinnias, marigolds, pansies, snapdragons, begonias, daffodils, and so on. They add vibrant color to any garden and are easy to maintain and nurture, in case your parents are on the older side and can only dedicate a limited amount of time to gardening each week.
