50th anniversary gift ideas for a boyfriend's parents?

August 17, 2010 10:43 AM

What to get a new-ish boyfriend's parents for their 50th anniversary?

I've been with my boyfriend for 6 months. His parents are celebrating their 50th anniversary this year. Technically, the anniversary was a few months ago, but they're having celebrations all throughout the year. I met them for the first time about a month ago, and since then they've invited me on a week-long vacation/family reunion to a notable vacation spot, something I feel privileged to have experienced. We just got back. Apart from chipping in for groceries, all expenses were on his parents.

They've been very lovely about welcoming me into their lives, even though they know my boyfriend and I will be splitting up very shortly because I'll be moving across the country for school. (We're ending the relationship, but keeping open the possibility that we could get together again in the future if things align.)

So, I'm wondering what might be an appropriate gift for them, given that I've known them for a brief amount of time yet I like them a lot and they've been really nice to me.

I can spend up to $100 for one gift, or 2 individual gifts. They're both in their mid-70s, the father is a scientist/wine lover, and the mother is a reader and a cooking buff (though she already has hundreds of cook books.)

Thanks for any suggestions!

posted by oceanview to Human Relations (13 answers total)

If the only reason why you are ending the relationship that you have with your boyfriend is that you are moving across the country for school, but you still want to buy his parents a 50th anniversary gift, I think it might be more accurate to say that your relationship will change to a long distance relationship, rather than ending. The first gift that comes to mind is your email address, so you can keep in touch. The second is a copy of "The Stories Of Your Life And Others" by Ted Chiang.
posted by grizzled at 10:54 AM on August 17, 2010

I would send a nice hand written letter expressing how much you enjoyed the vacation and thanking them for everything they did to make it possible. Include an anniversary card with the letter and if you have any nice photos of them from the trip print it out and include it in the card.

If you're going to an anniversary party for them mail the letter, bring the card and bring a nice bottle or two of wine.
posted by zephyr_words at 10:58 AM on August 17, 2010 [3 favorites]

A great framed picture of their son (at the vacation spot or elsewhere - bonus points if others in their family are in the photo), and a note from you expressing how much you've enjoyed spending time with them and how you appreciated the warm welcome they extended to you.

My folks just celebrated their 50th anniversary and are about the same age as your bf's parents. They're actively unloading "stuff" at this point in their lives, which is why I think simple and personal might be a good path.
posted by dywypi at 10:58 AM on August 17, 2010 [1 favorite]

Since they both seem to be into food, what about a rare or unusual ingredient of some kind?
posted by phunniemee at 11:29 AM on August 17, 2010

a really nice bottle of champagne or wine. write a little note on the label.
posted by bunny hugger at 11:34 AM on August 17, 2010

If the relationship is over then I really don't see a reason to get them anything. Before deciding on a gift, I think you need to decide the status of the relationship.
posted by theichibun at 11:54 AM on August 17, 2010

How about a framed front page of the newspaper from the day they got married? Call your paper. They should be able to help you out.
posted by lpsguy at 11:55 AM on August 17, 2010

that price range seems high for the situation you described. I would go with a nice card, and if you must give a gift, then wine as suggested above.
posted by purpletangerine at 12:09 PM on August 17, 2010

If you go with wine, maybe try to find something from the year they were married?
posted by spilon at 2:43 PM on August 17, 2010

You know, this is inexpensive and would be fun for them. I'd add a very nice card from you, maybe a framed photo of the two of them, or the two of them with your BF.
posted by bearwife at 2:52 PM on August 17, 2010

If it's been only six months, I'd get them something consumable, like a bottle of wine (or a different beverage if the dad is enough of a wine buff to be intimidating), really good chocolate, or some other gourmet food you know they eat. Or maybe an experience - a gift certificate for a dinner for two at a restaurant? a couple of ballroom dance classes?

I also agree that the price point is a little steep for the situation, unless the guy is someone you've known for many years and their parents are practically family to you.
posted by Sara C. at 4:49 PM on August 17, 2010

I don't know... If someone was nice enough to treat me to a week-long vacation, I would probably spend $100 on a thank-you gift, regardless of my relationship status with their son or whether or not it was their anniversary.

And I really like the fancy food suggestion- maybe some truffle oil or a really nice balsamic vinegar?
posted by dogmom at 6:32 PM on August 17, 2010

Oh- I just remembered! When my grandparents took everyone on vacation, we got them a really nice leather photo album, embossed with our family mon. They filled it up with pictures from that vacation.
posted by dogmom at 6:34 PM on August 17, 2010