Which of these two gifts should I give my parents for Christmas?

[Maddy McCall]

Their TV is on its last leg--the sound and color are fried--but they are Depression-era folks who won't go buy a new TV until this one is completely dead.

They seldom treat themselves to out-of-town trips. They never go anywhere just for fun.

I've narrowed it down to these two choices.

[REP]

1. A Lot of People *Hate* Traveling!

If they are Depression-era, they're probably in their 70s, and traveling - even to a nice B&B - probably isn't their idea of a good time. A nice TV, however, is something they'd probably use every day and like a lot.

[Spinzonner]

2. Might consider adding a TiVo

so they can catch shows they can't stay up for. Though you'll probably have to help a lot with some of the programming initially.

A number of the stores like Best Buy are having Xmas sales on them.

[LiberalinNC]

3. The TV is something they can enjoy all year long!

And depending on their age, traveling could be a problem.

[RadicalMom]

6. My mom would be lost and lonely without Turner Classic Movies

It's really hard for her to go out, and programming a Tivo or seeing the small numbers on the controls or reading the on screen program guide is hard for her and she lives alone. Rverybody's situation is different. I also think that if they wanted to travel, which is too stressful to many people, they would be doing it. Do they often do anything recreational, even like going for a ride?

[Pert_UK]

4. Come on, people......

Why encourage them to stay inside watching TV (which most of us do a lot of the time anyway) when you could give them the opportunity to get out and about and see some new things and LIVE a little!

I think that the trip would be a more personal and memorable gift, although if you think that they'd really prefer the TV go for that.

P.

[cabbage08]

5. TV n/t

[China_cat]

7. I know my grandparents at that age

wanted a good tv with a remote. You might consider one with a built in vcr or dvd (or combo), too.

[HEAVYHEART]

8. TV

They sound just like my parents. They won't care about going to a bed and breakfast. Get em the TV..

[Spinzonner]

9. And get them a spare remote

in case one gets misplaced and so they both can have control

[LiberalinNC]

10. If they have trouble seeing, get one w/ large numbers!

[Zomby Woof]

11. A person should know what to get their own parents

I wouldn't trust strangers on DU to tell me what to get my own parents for xmas.

[Spinzonner]

12. Advice isnt a matter of trust in such matters

The decision, which might be entirely different, will be made by the inquirer.

Asking for others' opinions and ideas is the sign of an open mind. It doesnt obligate one to take them and yield control - which would require trust.

[Maddy McCall]

13. I'm not asking them to tell me what to get my parents.

I was just asking for other opinions.

[lumpy]

14. They are depression era folks.

So am I. Get the TV. Done the traveling/bedbreakfasts, been there done this and that. Some kids get upset that older parents aren't socially as active as they would like them to be. Damn it, I would rather bed and breakfast at home. Now if it was a trip to Moorea, that might tempt me.