Christmas Gifts for Parents – 8 Ideas That Won't Gather Dust

Parents often already have everything the shops can offer. That's why a good Christmas gift for parents is something you can't buy off the shelf: a memory, time together or a new hobby. Here are 8 ideas to suit different tastes – from a painting of your own photo to a wooden puzzle.

Quick picks:

• For the memory keeper: a painting of your own photo
• For grandparents: a picture of the grandchildren or a wooden puzzle to do together
• For those who'd love more time together: a painting night for two
• If you're not sure: a gift card

8 Christmas gift ideas for parents

1. A painting of your own photo

A wedding photo, a holiday memory, the family cottage or the grandchildren – choose a photo that means a lot to your parents. We turn it into a custom paint by numbers kit from your photo here in Finland: a numbered canvas, paints and brushes.

You can give it unpainted, so your parents can paint it themselves. Or paint it yourself and give them the finished picture. For grandparents, a photo of the grandchildren is almost always a hit.

2. Diamond painting – from your own photo or as a ready-made kit

For a parent who enjoys calm, detailed handiwork, diamond painting may be a better choice than paint. You place tiny acrylic drills on the canvas following the symbols, and the finished picture sparkles in the light.

You can order a custom diamond painting from your photo or choose a ready-made kit from our diamond painting range, with hundreds of designs from winter landscapes to animals. For beginners, round drills are easier than square ones – read more about the differences between round and square drills.

3. Scratch art

Scratch art works like a scratch card: scratch off the grey coating and a colourful 30 × 40 cm picture appears underneath. No paint needed and no mess. Scratch art kits suit a parent who would like to try something new without brushes.

4. A wooden puzzle

For puzzle lovers, wooden puzzles are a durable alternative to cardboard ones. The 132-piece animal puzzles are just the right size to put together with the grandchildren.

5. A painting night for two

Sometimes the best gift is time together. Buy two small paint by numbers kits and set a date to paint together. A 20 × 20 cm picture is finished in a few evenings. It comes pre-stretched on a frame, so you can hang it straight away.

6. Homemade Christmas cards

For a small gift or an extra with a present, try diamond painting Christmas cards. The pack includes Christmas-themed cards, drills and tools, so you can make the cards yourself.

7. Accessories for the hobbyist

If your parents already have a creative hobby, give them something that makes it easier. A tabletop easel holds the canvas at a comfortable angle, which makes painting more pleasant than working flat on the table. For diamond painters, a light pad is handy: it lights the canvas from below, so the symbols stand out clearly in the evening too.

8. A gift card

If you're not sure what would excite your parents, give them a gift card. You can choose €25, €50 or €100, and your parents can pick what they like.

Which gift suits whom?

A homemade Christmas gift for Mum or Dad

Want to give something truly personal? Paint the picture yourself (idea 1). A 40 × 50 cm painting usually takes 25–45 hours, so if you paint three evenings a week, it's finished in about 3–8 weeks. Stretch the canvas on a wooden frame before you start painting, and the finished picture is ready for the wall. Before you start, it's worth reading our paint by numbers instructions.

Christmas gifts for grandparents

For grandparents, the best gift often involves the grandchildren: a painting of their photo or a puzzle to do together. If a grandparent will paint it themselves, choose a large size and a clear photo. On a bigger canvas the colour areas are larger.

A joint Christmas gift for parents

For a joint gift from siblings, a large painting of a family photo works well. Share the painting: everyone paints their own part, and the finished picture is literally the work of the whole family. For a family photo, choose at least 60 × 80 cm so that everyone's face stands out.

Frequently asked questions

What do you give parents who have everything?

Something you can't buy off the shelf: a painting of your own photo, an evening together or a new hobby. Instead of more stuff, they bring a memory or time together.

What suits a parent who has never painted?

Scratch art, diamond painting or a puzzle – none of them needs a brush. Paint by numbers works without experience too, because every area is numbered.

Will I have time to paint the picture before Christmas?

A small 20 × 20 cm picture is usually no problem if you order 3–4 weeks before Christmas. A 40 × 50 cm picture takes several weeks, so order it in good time. If time runs short, give the kit unpainted – it makes just as good a gift.

What should I give grandparents for Christmas?

A painting of the grandchildren's photo or a wooden puzzle to do together.

The illustrations in this article are AI-generated.