The first way to come up with a good present is to think "what do they need?". Is your dad using grilling utensils that are mismatched and rusting? Do they still use appliances that were wedding gifts and are on their last leg now? Things that parents use occasionally, but not frequently enough to think about replacing themselves, may be something they would appreciate for a gift.
An obvious next step to coming up with a gift is to listen to what they want. You can outright ask your parents like no one else. They're probably struggling to come up with something to give you as well, hoping they don't have to resort to a gift card again. My mom will tell me what she wants me to get her, but this usually takes some forethought. We will be shopping somewhere months before a holiday or birthday and she will point something out and say "this is what you can get my for my birthday/Christmas". Asking someone out of the blue what they want as a gift can make them feel obligated to say "oh you don't have to get my anything", but if you have time before you need to get the gift you can often listen to clues in your daily conversations with them. Is it September and you hear your dad say he really wants an electric razor? Jot it down in your planner in the December pages. If he hasn't gotten one just before Christmas, you've already got your gift picked out.
If you've waited, you don't know what they want or need, and you need to buy something now, here are things to think about when picking out gifts for people who have downsized:
- Is it something they can use? Remember, they don't need more stuff to store.
- What are their hobbies? Do they enjoy gardening, cooking, crafting? Working on their car? Extra supplies for their hobby will surely be appreciated.
- Can you get them a subscription to something? Netflix, magazines, Amazon Prime, Satellite Radio, etc. are all things that can be renewed- no need to think of something again next year!
- You can take the time (or pay someone else to take the time) to scan their old photo albums, or turn all of those old home videos into digital copies. If you choose to do this yourself and live near your parents, you can invite them over while you work. This doubles the gift as a good way to spend quality time, reminisce, and learn some family history.
- Do they have a favorite gourmet food they love? A favorite restaurant? Maybe there's a wine or sauce you love that you want to share with them. Gifts that are edible don't need to be stored forever.
