Other than planning breakfast in bed or a fancy brunch, what do you usually come up with as gifts for Moms and Dads? We try to imagine which experiences or useful items might make their days easier or brighter.
A morning in bed or a meal out goes a long way towards entertaining the family caretaker. But often there’s something more lasting that will make a difference in their daily lives.
We’ve been shopping since our last holiday gift guide roundup. Let’s take a look at a few discoveries that promote self care and make life better, from head to toe and all over.
Feel Better All Over With Travel Insurance
If you’re avid travelers like our family, the first gifts for Mom and Dad should be an annual travel insurance policy. Whether you’re planning a road trip, camping getaway, or vacation rental, Allianz Travel Insurance can help you journey there — and back — with confidence. For years, reviewer Ron Bozman bought a basic policy that insures his family for most medical emergencies, lost luggage and more during the many trips they take. He recently upgraded that same policy, for a fee, to cover an expensive summer trip and discovered it was a better value than what the tour operator offered.
Travel protection provides peace of mind to travelers in moments that matter. That’s why Allianz travel insurance clients have access to a new app, Allyz. Allyz serves as a hub that puts insurance benefits, assistance services, safety features, and added convenience at customers’ fingertips — where and when they need them most. The Allianz Travel Insurance website offers a variety of plans priced according to state of residence, age of travelers, cost of trip and other factors.
Monitor The Backseat With Ease
Whether it’s Mothers Day, Fathers Day or any new parents day, use the Tiny Traveler baby monitor to make car rides less stressful. Drivers are able to see their precious cargo through a compact HD camera connected to a 5” touchscreen monitor mounted by the rearview mirror. The camera automatically switches to night vision when lights dim, has a range of up to 33 feet, records sound, video and takes still photos. Additional accessories include a second camera, wireless gear, portable battery carrier and stand to use it in your room and elsewhere, travel cases and more. The Tiny Traveler Classic version sells for $199.00.
Embark On A Treasure Hunt In Alabama
Stumped on gifts for Mom and Dad? Book a night or a weekend at the Goose Pond Colony Resort in Scottsboro, Alabama. Hike the Cumberland Mountains, golf two 18-hole courses, fish or swim at Lake Guntersville and explore the Tennessee River. Why there????
Surprise! The highlight of your weekend is a trip to the Unclaimed Baggage Store. Said to be the only one of its kind, this shop sorts and sells items from less than 1% of checked travel bags that are never claimed. Did you know among the most common unclaimed items are underpants, tablets, Airpod headphones and iPhones? Although the shop recycles the phones it can’t unlock, other gadgets, plus new and cleaned clothing, and many surprise trinkets are sold. Imagine a stash that ranges from diamond rings to Chanel jackets, vintage guitars to voodoo dolls and Hermes Birkin bags to Taylor Swift vinyl. Everyone will have fun at the Unclaimed Baggage shop, where top value treasures await.
Travel Ready Mini Carry-On From J.R. Liggett
In my family – maybe in yours — toiletry kits are the heaviest item in our carryons. That’s why we know these mini shampoo bars are gifts for moms and dads guaranteed to lighten the load. Now, classic J.R. Liggett’s hair products come in eco-friendly paper wrappers and provide enough lather for several shampoos each. You’ll love the look and feel of shiny, smooth hair and you won’t need to travel with plastic bottles of cream rinse. Use the accompanying waterproof travel pouch for this and other organic products such as lip balm and shaving foam. The J.R. Liggett’s Mini Traveler All Natural Shampoo Bars and Pouch sell for $13.95.
Keep Your Cool In Any Situation
Sometimes the best Mom and Dad present is one that chills them out – and fast. This portable fan is hands-free, making it one of the ‘handiest’ models we’ve found. Wear it around your neck while doing chores, hang it on your Mirror when working out, keep it close by for hot flashes, affix it to the garden fence. If you position it correctly on a stroller handle, you can aim one of the 5” fans towards you and the other towards baby. It’s fuel-efficient, too, running 2½ to 7 hours (depending on blade speed) on a single USB charge. Available at Hammacher Schlemmer, $39.95.
Steeped Coffee Is The Real Thing
“I would welcome waking up to a cup of this coffee in the woods,” Harvey Waldman, our reviewer, says. What more can you ask of a gift for loved ones? Harvey is talking about Steeped Coffee, the Santa Cruz, California based B Corporation that developed an immersion brewing method which doesn’t require machines. Think travel-ready, super-sized tea bags that never get stale. Company founder Josh Wilbur adds, “With our Nitro Sealed bags, oxygen is replaced with nitrogen, so the coffee stays fresh as if it was ground moments ago.”
What makes the coffee so good, in addition to the robust bouquet and flavors, is its user-friendly preparation. Tear open an envelope, steep the hefty bag in a cup of boiling water for 15-30 seconds and drink. The Steeped pouch, bag and label are compostible and easily disposed of, whether in the woods or at home. Flavors range from mild to a rich, dark French Roast and suit every preference. A variety eight-pack of Steeped Coffee sells for just $14.95 or $14.25 on a subscription basis.
Rest Easy On The Next Great Outdoors Adventure
Camping? Tailgating the Big Game? Booked tickets to JazzFest or Coachella? Gift Mom or Dad a rest with one of the most versatile campchairs on the market. The REI Co-op Skyward Chair does everything you need plus more. It’s lightweight (7lbs. 3 oz.), collapsing like an umbrella into a 7” by 33” case. Expect a gentle recline while being held firmly in place by the X-shaped webbed seat and back panels. This water repellent camp chair comes with armrests, cup holder and stash pocket for media. Made from recycled polyester, the REI Co-op Skyward Chair retails for $59.95.
Greatest Gift For Moms And Dads: Slippers
Gift Mom and Dad with cozy feet year-round thanks to these felted wool slippers. The classic Glerups brand from Denmark is breathable, warm and the 100% pure wool will mold to your feet over time. We lean towards backless slip-ons with a tough rubber soul because they take us anywhere. In cooler climes, the full shoe or low boot option may be a better choice. Glerups come in more than 20 colors, can be cleaned by vacumming or hand washing, fit all feet, and are reputed to last for years. Widely sold on Amazon and other shoe stores starting at $99.00.
These product reviews and gift ideas, covering presents for Moms and Dads, were compiled by the FTF staff for a post about Mothers Day and Fathers Day Gifts sponsored by Allianz Partners USA.
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