Every family is different, and it can be tough to find the right gift for the parental figures in your life. I’ve compiled some gift inspiration for parents and in-laws when you want to impress, be sentimental, or create a memorable experience.
gifts to honor special memories
- Artifact Uprising – this company is great with customizing photo albums, frames, and even invitations and thank you cards. I made my parents and my in-laws an album from our wedding through AU and it turned out fantastic! I also ordered custom frames from them with photos from our wedding to give as gifts (see below for both the album and one of the framed photos).
- Skylight – my sister-in-law actually gave this to us. You upload your photos to the photo frame by sending them from any device to an email address you set up. The photos play in a looped slide show. We plug it in when guests come over or just to enjoy for ourselves.
for the home
- Roger’s Gardens – their plants and flowers are incredible and their orchids are so beautiful. You can’t go wrong.
- Flamingo Estate – I found them at a pop-up near where I live. The products are really high quality and socially responsible. I really want their cookbook Fridays From the Garden. The have awesome gift sets that make choosing super easy.
- Anthropologie Home – they’ve always had great stuff for the home, I bought my in-laws crystal coasters a few seasons ago. I love their vases and planters right now, and you could always opt for a super soft throw.
experiences
My mother-in-law always says she doesn’t want things, she wants experiences, and I think that is a great outlook to have. When you are thinking about what to buy your parents and in-laws and you want to do something a little different, here are some southern-CA local experience ideas that can be purchased as a gift for your loved ones. Sorry guys, if you are not local, let me know in the comments what cities you want to see experience recommendations for and I will do some research!
date night
- Gourmandise School – Ryan and I have taken several cooking classes here – including pizza and sushi making, and they are so much fun! You can bring your own wine, you taste as you go, and you get to eat/take home whatever you make.
- Rooftop Cinema Club is a great experience-gift and perfect for a couple looking for fun and unique date night ideas. They have several locations throughout the country and a great movie lineup. It is so much fun to watch or rewatch your favorites outside and sort of feels like a drive in movie, but fancier. You can buy tickets and gift vouchers easily online.
getaways
- The Barn at Cielo Farms – this is my favorite spot for wine mainly because of the views, but also because it never gets to crowded or loud (reservation-only), is all outdoors and super-peaceful. Plus they make delicious pizza. Fair warning – it is not cheap. But definitely worth it for a special occasion!
- Trips to The Ojai Valley Inn or Santa Ynez – We like to get up here whenever we can, and a gift card to stay for a night or two is a super thoughtful (and easy!) gift to give! Santa Ynez recs – The Landsby, The Fess Parker, and eat dinner at S.Y. Kitchen!
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