I need to get a gift for my girlfriend's parents. Ideas?

Picture frame.

You could buy it or make it yourself (or go halfway—painting and decorating a purchased wooden frame), then insert a nice photograph of their daughter. It has a personal touch and parents love to see good pictures of their children.

What about service? Can you cook? Bake? Perhaps share in meal prep. or bring delicious goodies if you are not flying. Find out from your gf whether her mom and dad still like things. I am possessed these days by my possessions and am trying to depossess. What I like best are donations made in my honor to Susankomans, American Cancer Soc., HEIFER INT., THE NATURE CONSERVANCY, savethechildren.org, kiva.org (small loans for small business start-up) and similar charities. Of course, lots of folks still love presents.

A gift certificate to a local nursery or landscaping firm, etc.

Along the lines of gift certificates, you can get discount restaurant gift certificate at restaurant.com. And not just for chain restaurants, but for lots of local small ones, too.

I like the picture frame example above. Here are three more suggestions. You can put special foods in pretty containers that one can keep. For example, an antique jar filled with a delicious assortment of olives or special chocolates, or a specialty food from where you live. Also appreciated might be large bottles of very good olive oils and/or special vinegars. (These might be good for someone like gailcalled who is not into accumulating new things.) A third suggestion is a book of art/photographs. I recently rediscovered the Family of Man—which may be out of print for all I know—but what a remarkable and wonderful assortment of pictures that came out sometime in the sixties.

I have the Family of Man in one of my book cases..it is wonderful, as are other art books. And as for me, never mind the oils or vinegars; just sent a cook to my door, or someone who’d like to rebuilt dry walls and plant 1000s of daffodil bulbs w. a pickax in shale and clay. Having skfinkel show up would also be wonderful.

I’ve spent two weeks in the past with my GF’s fam around the holidays. The first year, I went with a very stylized statue of Mary, Joseph and the baby Jesus for placement on an end table during the
holidays. I knew they were religious, and even though I’m not, they appreciated the idea behind it…so much so that they leave it out year ‘round.

The second time I brought a nice squirrel-defending bird feeder from Wild Birds Unltd. I thought it was a unique, quirky and memorable idea…and they loved it.

Overall, just be creative with the idea, and that creativity should carry you into good favor with the folks. :-)

Good and unusual or unique consumables are always a thoughtful gift: they introduce to new tastes and sensations but they don’t persist forever and clutter like a book or another burdensome item to lug, arrange, dust and pack for moves. The Mediterranean diet is highly recommended by every clinical review of diet I’ve seen, so how about making your own gift basket with whole grain pasta, extra virgin olive oil, some Calamata or Greek olives and a bottle of Chianti or Cabernet Sauvignon? Other gifts with expiry include coupons for massage therapy or lessons, or a day pass to the arboretum.

i would say in addition to whatever gift you decide on, flowers are always welcome (especially by the mother) and will look nice on the table. when you come to the door, you can hand them to the mother and trust me she will love them. just a nice bouquet from a florist, or even a supermarket.

Wine…. a bottle of wine is the best gift for your in laws or whatever u wanna call ‘em, you don’t need to spend a whole bunch of money, but it’s cool if the price is up to $30.00, but never beyond $50.00, remember not to be as flashy as you want to be, show them you got good taste, not that you are an unlimited bag of money… don’t go for common french or californian wine, look for something distinctive… lil’ known italian or greek wines are always a nice shot…
luiz

All these answers are great, but if you do want to give something in the “food stuff” area, I would suggest something which says something about you. I know you have spent time doing research in Madagascar. Is there any interesting “food stuff” or delicacy available online from Madagascar?

Make sure that they drink alcohol before you spring for an expensive (or any other kind) of wine.

I’d be curious myself about the food specialities of Madascar.

I don’t think I can find anything online, but I am going there in 8 days, so I can find something while I am there. They sell vanilla pods (beans?) extremely cheap over there. I like the idea of a bird feeder very much, as well as all of the food-related ideas. Thanks to everyone for the great suggestions.

Sorry, to clarify “going there” I meant Madagascar, not her parents’ house.