Charcoal portraits of children are just one of the wonderful ways to surprise mom or dad

Finding the perfect gift for your parents is no easy feat. Whether it’s a birthday, Christmas, a big milestone anniversary—or any other occasion for that matter—there is often a great deal of pressure that comes with impressing mom or dad (or both mom and dad).

Of course, you can always opt for the tried and tested voucher or gift card, but let’s be honest, it’s the easy way out. Getting your mom or dad a gift card again doesn’t exactly scream, “I put lots of thought into this gift.”

No, if you really want to surprise your parents and give them something that will get you into their good books for years to come, going down the personal route is the only way.

Sourcing something that is thoughtful and original in equal measures may sound stressful but it’s easier than you think—you just have to know where to look.

To help you on your quest for gift-giving glory here are some inspired ideas that are sure to have your parents in tears for the right reasons on any occasion.

Charcoal portraits of children

Printing a cherished photograph and putting it in a fancy frame is all well and good, but if you really want to go the extra mile, you should have a snap of yourself or if you’re a parent, your children, and have it transformed into a stunning charcoal portrait.

You don’t have to be an artist to achieve such a creative feat: there are services out there that will take a beloved photo and turn it into dazzling charcoal portraits of children on your behalf.

Portraits On Demand, for example, will take any picture and make it into a unique masterpiece based on your exact needs.

The finished product will astound you and when your parents unwrap their very own custom charcoal portrait, you’d better have those tissues at the ready because there are going to be waterworks, the good kind of course.

Personalized hampers

If you have enough time on your hands, or you’re super proactive, a personalized hamper is sure to surprise your parents on any occasion, big or small.

The great thing about assembling a personalized hamper is that if you know what your mom and dad like, you really can’t go wrong—and you will get maximum kudos for effort.

All you need to do is grab a spacious wooden or wicker hamper, place a greetings card or personal message inside, and fill it with goodies that will make your mom and dad smile.

It’s likely that you will have a solid idea of what will work best in a hamper for mom and dad, but to ensure that you get the balance right, here are a few quick ideas:

•    A hand-picked bottle of wine or fizz.

•    Confectionary, chocolates, or both.

•    Eco-friendly pamper products from independent brands.

•    Specialist herbs and spices.

•    Cheese, crackers, and chutneys.

•    Beer or luxury soda.

•    A small gift for each parent (or just one if it’s for either mom or dad) like a CD album, seven-inch record with a special meaning or a useful gadget.

•    A personalized corkscrew or bottle opener.

Oh, and if you want to pull out all the stops, you could even organize a custom charcoal portrait and add it to the hamper. You will be the most popular person in the room, that’s for sure.

A communal video message

Naturally, there are times in life when we can’t be with the ones we love, and as we get older, it’s not unusual for friends or relatives to live in different towns, cities or even countries.

That said, if your parents have a milestone anniversary coming up, or similar, a well-edited communal video message complete with emotive music is likely to do the trick.

You don’t have to be the next Michael Kahn or William Goldenberg to put together an inspiring, tear-jerking video montage—you don’t even have to dedicate too much time to the project.

There are plenty of reliable, affordable video editing services that will produce a communal video on your behalf, all you have to do is source and upload the content. A gift that is thoughtful, meaningful, and a piece of cake to put together.

“Love your parents and treat them with loving care for you will only know their value when you see their empty chair.”—Anon

Your parents gave you life, they changed your diapers, and they helped to shape you into the person you are today. So, when it comes time to get them a gift, go the extra mile if you can. As you can see from these three original gift-giving suggestions, being thoughtful doesn’t take as much time or effort as you might think—all you have to do is make that all-important first decision.

If you have any gift ideas for parents that you think will hit the spot, please share them with us by leaving a comment.