My parents are impossible to shop for. Whenever I ask them what they want, they simply say, "I have everything I need." That's a sweet sentiment and all, but it doesn't exactly help in the gift-giving department. I'm sure I'm not the only one left to my own devices, which is why I've searched high and low to come up with the best Christmas gifts for parents (yep, even the ones who say they don't want anything).
Here's the deal: I can't in good conscience let you give the ones who raised you something generic and overdone. Nope, I'd rather you wrap up a thoughtful Christmas gift that makes the mundane a little merrier — I'm talking about a heated eye massager and a hands-free neck light that makes nighttime reading a breeze. Personalized presents that let your heart do the talking will always reign supreme in mom or dad's eyes. And while it's a little too late in the game to get something custom, a Storyworth subscription is a great last-minute option since it'll be sent to their inbox in minutes.
Best Christmas gifts for parents under $25
Amazon
Reading in bed is fun and all until your partner starts to complain about the overhead light. This bendable neck light keeps the light to the page, so the night owl in the relationship can see what they're reading without bothering the one who's fast asleep. They can switch between three colors and six brightness options until the light's just right.
The weather outside is frightful, but this holiday scene is so delightful. This 60-piece puzzle will show up fully assembled, but don't get your tinsel in a tangle: Write a message on the back, then take it apart and place the pieces back in the envelope. They'll have to piece it together to read what you wrote.
Amazon
Who says a Christmas gift can't be practical and inspired? This nifty tracker is just the thing for loved ones who tend to lose their keys or like to keep a close eye on their luggage when traveling.
Senior Tech Writer Rick Broida just named it the best Bluetooth tracker , so you know it's good. Some highlights: It's compatible with Apple Find My and Google Hub networks, plus it's rechargeable and can last up to 12 months on a single charge per the brand. Its best feature? "The Clip 5 is loud ; in fact, it's among the loudest I tested," Broida wrote.
Festive dish towels are something anyone can appreciate — your parents will think of you every time they spot them in their kitchen. This duo from Anthropologie is utterly jolly, but you can amp up your gift by wrapping them around a bottle of wine or festive baking mix before giving them (hint, hint).
Best Christmas gifts for parents under $50
Amazon
I'm strongly against including candles in gift guides (especially for parents!), accessories like this trendy candle warmer have my stamp of approval. A whopping 100,000-plus Amazon shoppers picked up this beauty in the last month, with one flame-tastic fan writing that it's like "a warm hug for your home" since it "melts jar candles evenly, so every drop of wax gets used and the scent fills my space beautifully."
Amazon
This futurisic-looking mask uses a mix of compression, vibration and heat levels to soothe overworked eyes. It's the perfect self-care gift for anyone who spends way too much time in front of a screen (ahem, your parents?).
Take it from one soothed shopper , who calls it her "emotional support sleep mask." She added: "If you struggle with tension headaches, eye strain, migraines, or just life in general, this little device is pure magic. The heat and compression lull me into a calmer state within minutes."
Amazon
They've got their Wordle strategy down lock, so how about they try something new in the year ahead? This book takes their favorite brain-benders for a spin, featuring some never-before-seen versions of the New York Times' Spelling Bee and Connections. And yes, Wordle and Mini Crosswords make an appearance too.
Give your parents the gift of a zen moment or two with this acupressure mat and pillow set. A go-to gift of Yahoo Gifting Editor Amanda Garrity , this No. 1 bestseller is designed to stimulate blood circulation and increase endorphins in as little as 10 minutes.
One blissed-out reviewer wrote: "I wasn't sure if this would help with my lingering sciatica and related pain, but after trying it, I have to say that I am impressed... I had to find the right position and get used to the sharp initial pressure points but stuck with it (no pun intended) and I could feel the difference after 15-20 minutes."
Best Christmas gifts for parents under $100
Storyworth
If you want to give mom and dad something unique this holiday, look no further than Storyworth. With this subscription gift, the recipient is sent a different prompt each week by the giver ranging from "what is the furthest you have ever traveled?" to "what is one of your fondest childhood memories?" They'll answer the prompt with an email that's then sent back to you. After a year of prompts, their stories and responses will be bound in a hardcover book.
This gift is ideal for storytellers and those looking to connect with their loved ones in a new way.
Amazon
Simplify your parents' at-home entertainment by gifting them the streaming device that Yahoo Tech Editor Rick Broida calls "both easy to learn and easy to use."
With its user-friendly interface, there's no more confusion around changing inputs and mixing up logins, just easy access to their favorite shows and movies on Netflix, Apple+, Prime Video and more. Trust me: This is one gift they'll thank you for — and mean it.
Atlas Coffee Club
Brighten up their mornings with a quarterly java subscription. They'll get three bags of whole bean or ground coffee (their pick!) every three months, so they can switch between different blends from around the world. And if they're loyal to their Keurig or Nespresso machine, you can spring for pods, too. Prices vary depending on the coffee type — get six months of most varieties for $98.
One kitchen gadget your parents likely don't already own is a sparkling water maker. Whether you want to subtly hint to them to drink more H2O, kick a soda habit or just have fun with a new appliance, Philips' gizmo is a great option. It's simple to use and can be set up in seconds (seriously!).
One five-star fan shared , "Three months in and I've bought three of them because it's a simple but effective water carbonator. This is our first sparkling water maker. After one too many trips to Target for more cases of Waterloo, I found the Philips brand carbonator for a solid entry-level price and decided to give it a go... Why three? One for home. One for work. And one as a gift to a friend who was really interested in ours."
Best Christmas gifts for parents over $100
Bird Buddy is a leader in the smart bird feeder game, but I bet you didn't know they have one just for their favorite fast-fliers. That's right — the camera picks up flying jewels as they flutter by or take a pit stop before continuing on their pollination journey. They'll get notified via the app whenever a bird's within view, plus it'll outline the exact species, alert them if a bird looks unwell or if non-feathered friends are getting too close to the feeder.
Amazon
Amazon recently debuted the latest version of its incredibly popular Kindle e-reader ( another favorite of Broida's ) and it's likely at the top of many wish lists this year. It's the smallest, lightest model out there, plus it has a glare-free display, faster page turns and a six-week battery life.
Go the extra mile and toss in an Amazon gift card , so they can download their next read right away.
If your parents are pros in the kitchen, treat them to a sharp new knife set. This Martha Stewart-approved 15-piece set from Henckels has everything they need to slice and dice up a storm — including a sleek butcher block to store all of the knives in.
Uncommon Goods
I'm calling it: This is one of the coolest desk accessories out there. Like any standard clock, it displays the time, but it also shows a quote from one of 13,000 classic pieces of literature that includes the time too. If a new quote every minute seems daunting, you can change it to having a fresh quote appear every five, ten, 30 or 60 minutes instead. From Agatha Christie to John le Carre, this is one gift they're sure to cherish.
The reviews quoted above reflect the most recent versions at the time of publication.
