From In-Laws To Grands, A Guide To Gifting Every Parent In Your Life

Some names on our holiday shopping list are tougher to tackle than others, but few trump the "parent" category. Beyond our own flesh and blood, the parent label can span across almost everyone in our lives. There are our biological parents, our step-parents, our significant other's parents (new or permanent), and our grandparents. And then, come a certain age, the word "parent" starts to encompass our friends who are now producing their own spawn.

When gifting a parent, there's a careful balance of finding a functional present, but also one that says "Hey, I know you still have an identity outside of being a procreator." With soon-to-be and relatively new parents, it's best to help them out with presents that lend a helping hand. With your own family, key in on their personalities as you would your friends. As for your in-laws, we've offered some helpful tips for navigating those choppy waters. But most importantly, remember that unless they're truly clueless, parents of all walks of life are seasoned veterans at politely loving anything you decide to gift them.