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With the festive season fast approaching, you should probably start giving some thought to your Xmas gift list, if you haven’t already. If the prospect of finding another thoughtful yet useful gift for parents who seem to have everything already seems disheartening, don’t feel alone. While socks and tie for Dad and perfume for Mom are always perfectly acceptable go-to gifts, here are some other unusual, interesting and environmentally-conscious gift concepts which say, “yes, Mom, (or Dad!), I know what you prefer and enjoy, and I picked out this special thing just for you. Happy holidays!”

Portable Plague Protection Pack

For the parents who have winter and summer holiday houses, but keep forgetting where they left their masks, here is the perfect plan. Put together a pack with the basic sanitizing essentials, and maybe a couple of extra useful items, for your parents to keep in the car, or in their overnight or gym bag. This pack is a great idea because it can be tailored to suit the needs and personality of whomever it is you are buying for.

For example, you can include a phone cleaner which doubles as a power bank and can also sanitize small items like watches and jewellery. This is great for men and women who are unable or unwilling to use liquid sanitizers on their valuables.

You can also add in a pack of antibacterial wipes, as an alternative way to sanitize, and if your Mom keeps running out of wipes or spray, then add in two or even three packs of each of her favorite brand. Remember that when it comes to wipes, the planet will thank you for choosing biodegradable disposable wipes that have not been tested on animals.

Masks are always left somewhere obscure, and although it may be easier to buy the cheap paper and plastic ones that can be thrown away after one use, you can also find personalized, hand-made, reusable masks to add to your kit. These can be festive-themed in red and green, for the holidays, or they can be made to co-ordinate with a particular outfit or accessory.

Other useful and unusual items to include might be things like a reusable straw (sustainable bamboo, hemp or other environmentally-friendly material), digital thermometer, a pen and pencil, and a pair of latex gloves. Remember to pick the most appropriate size.

Personalized Portrait

Don’t think “sitting for hours while an artist paints an oil picture”. Think rather of the multitude of artists on any of the platforms dedicated to promoting the creative arts. These people can take an image of your parent, or both parents, and create a unique interpretation of that image in ink, pastel, oil, watercolor, or a digital format. They can be humorous, like a cartoon caricature, or classical, or edgy, with digital enhancement, Andy Warhol-style.

Depending on your parents’ individual tastes, you could commission a piece for them, which will appreciate in value, as a unique and original artwork, and yet still be a personal tribute they can enjoy.

Outdoor Subscription

As societies develop new ways to prolong life, and to improve the quality of life, so are the older generations using these advances to improve their own experiences of life, in terms of health and fitness. They do this by walking, jogging, hiking, swimming and gymming. And this in turn feeds the cycle of better quality of life and longevity. The health benefits of being active are unquestionable, and independent, older parents may enjoy a stroll, not only around the block, but also out in the wilderness.

While a hike in a nature reserve or park may not carry a cost, there may be a great way to enable your parents to get involved, and become active in caring for their local nature reserve or park. Many parks sell subscriptions to regular supporters and nature enthusiasts. The benefits can include things like access to a magazine featuring interesting articles on the local flora and fauna, environmental challenges, and improvements, free access to the park (if there is a permit charge), and invitations to social gatherings and events.

This is a great way for you to introduce your active parents to a new dimension in health-consciousness and environmental awareness. The best part is that they can become as involved as they like (or not), and without the pressure of having to fulfil a gym contract schedule, they can enjoy access to levels of fitness that will benefit not only them, but you as well.

However you decide to show your parents that you love them and are grateful for them, during this time of the year, remember that the gift itself is nothing without you. Taking the time out to visit, or just making a phone call during this period, already tells them that they are in your thoughts, and that is the best gift you can give, every year.