<p>I know it’s super early to start thinking about Christmas, but I am one of those people that loves to give gifts and planning and shopping. I like to buy expensive, unique, meaningful gifts, so I like to start somewhat early so that way I have time to buy things when I get big coupon discounts emailed to me, when they are on sale, etc.</p>
<p>I particularly need help with my mom. She works really hard, and my dad is not the gift giving type and she’s rather cheap, so I like to spoil her when I get her gifts because she does not buy anything over $20 for herself. Two years ago, I bought her Coach-brand sneakers. Last year I got her Coach perfume so this year I want something non-Coach. She doesn’t have any nice wallets so I was thinking that. What’s a nice brand wallet I can get for $100-200? I was thinking Michael Kors, but all of his wallets are zip closure which I know my mom won’t like (she’s always had checkbook wallets) and I don’t think she’d like any of the Marc Jacobs I saw either. Are there any other mid-range luxury wallets like Coach and MK that I should look into?</p>
<p>Also, I need help for my dad. He’s retired and doesn’t do much and doesn’t like gifts. He thinks they are a waste of money (hence not spoiling my mom, and where I come in). He likes wearing crewnecks and polos, so I usually get those with my school logo on them, because he’s very proud of me that I go to a top school as my family immigrated here and he dropped out of high school.</p>
<p>So parents, what do you like to receive from your kids? I want to spend between $100-150 on my mom, and around $50 on my dad.</p>
<p>In terms of wallets, check first for those with RFID protection since most credit and debit cards are now being released with those chips. Thieves don’t even have to touch you to steal your card numbers and identity.</p>
<p>For gifts, I always go the sentimental route. My Dad (who has never given me a Christmas present; “Mom’s job”) had my Mom go to a local jeweler and order a silver charm bracelet and a blank charm. On the charm, he told her to have engraved a quote he found in a sales catalog, “My little girl yesterday, my friend today, my daughter forever.” I cried like a newborn!</p>
<p>Last Christmas my son gave me an external hard drive (which I needed but wouldn’t buy for myself) and one Mother’s Day, he gave me an iPod shuffle (which is great for house cleaning, walking, and grocery shopping; can’t hear those screaming kids!) This Christmas, I told my Mom to hint to my son that I want a charm from him to add to my bracelet. It’s easy to find quotes on the internet and this is something she would cherish, plus you could add a new charm every year.</p>
<p>If you carry multiple cards together, the data transmitted would be unintelligible, according to snopes.com. I carry many cards together, so should not have a problem transmitting garbled nonsense. RFID isn’t a problem when we do this. You can also just use plain aluminum foil to block RFID readers.</p>
<p>I have a difficult father to shop for - in the past he’s been very pleased when I got him magazine subscriptions. If your dad follows current events, you could consider The Economist. Tons to read, not overtly political one way or another. Subscription isn’t cheap, so it definitely falls into the “nice gift” category.</p>
<p>Thanks for the ideas everyone! I love all the wallet links and want them for myself! I have gotten my dad a mag subscription in the past which he enjoyed, so maybe I’ll do that again. I forgot about that!</p>
<p>Wallet preference can be a personal thing. (For me, I like a light colored one that doesn’t get lost within a black purse. I also like snap-shut change compartment where I keep the visa too. Others have different convenience preferences.)</p>
<p>My suggestion is to pick one at store with lots of choices on the chance she wants to do an exchange.</p>