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Mrs. Sewing, San Mateo, CA/Honolulu, HI Age and Occupation: 24, Electrical Engineer Fiance's Age and Occupation: 24, Electrical Engineer Engagement Date: June 27, 2009 Wedding Date: July 2010 Venue: Anela Garden Chapel & Japanese Cultural Center, Honolulu About Me: I'm an easily entertained, compulsive idea-scheming machine who loves good art, good food, and a good engineering challenge. I'm planning a half-destination wedding on the beautiful island of Oahu - imagine a plethora of movies, art and games; savory Hawaiian food; blended Chinese and Japanese cultural details; lush, fragrant tropical flowers and all the air conditioning a NorCal native could want! And once I marry the love of my life, we'll come back to the 'mainland' to party it up all over again in my hometown of Salinas, the salad-bowl capital of the world!
About Mrs. Sewing

Parent Gifts

July 19th, 2010 @ 12:01 pm by Mrs. Sewing

I’m one of those people that gives absolutely terrible gifts - unless I know you. If I do happen to know you well, odds are that you’ll get something fantastic. Like a pair of pants with the words “hot legz” YUDUed onto the butt. You know you want some.

But sometimes, crazy gifts aren’t the most practical - like this super-awesome find I was *this close* to buying for my dad:

Parent Gifts :  wedding gift ideas honolulu Dc37 Vi

(source)

A snorkel camera! He would have both hands to swim with instead of having to carry the underwater camera around! It would be perfect for Hawaii!

… But not for many other places. Especially not for our cold Northern Californian waters. So, out went the snorkel camera.

Now, Mr. Sew suggested we go the tried-n-true route for thanking our parents for being our parents: the wedding album. That sounds good, we’ll do it! But that kind of gift doesn’t come until after the wedding, obviously. And Sewing-Mom says she doesn’t need no stinkin’ album when she can just look at a digital album. She’s so high-tech.

Parent Gifts :  wedding gift ideas honolulu Somerse

(source)

So then I had a thought - let’s do something completely unlike us, and get gift certificates to a fairly fancy restaurant called Roy’s.

Parent Gifts :  wedding gift ideas honolulu Leiday2

(source)

Okay - I know. Gift cards at first glance = generic and unthoughtful. But you have to understand our parents. They don’t (as far as I know) do date nights. They are always too busy worrying about their hapless children or friends instead. So I think gift cards, in this case - might be a good idea.

Roy’s is a Hawaiian fusion restaurant, and both parents have been before and loved it. Though they are probably more well-known for their seafood, here’s some shots of desserts Sewing-Mom tried when she went for a graduation party:

Parent Gifts :  wedding gift ideas honolulu Plate6

Parent Gifts :  wedding gift ideas honolulu Plate5

Parent Gifts :  wedding gift ideas honolulu Plate4

Yummm.

I’ve never actually been to Roy’s, even though there’s one right here in San Francisco. Mr. Sew and I tried fine dining once before, and have been too scared to try again since. But that’s a story for a different day.

Anyway, with gift certificates they can have romantic dinners with just the two of them! Weddings kindle romance, right? Okay, maybe not our wedding, but humor me, please.

However, Mr. Sew says, “You know, my parents will just try and bring my grandma along with them. And your parents will just invite their foodie buddies.”

I can see that happening (they are chronic non-date-nighters, after all), but what can I do to stop it? I’ll write a strongly-worded letter, saying it’s for a romantic dinner for two. And only two! If they choose to ignore my attempts at creating a date-night, well, they can. It’s their gift, after all. I’ll just sit in a corner and pout a bit.

Parent Gifts :  wedding gift ideas honolulu Roys

So did I do the right thing? Or should I have gone with the scuba camera?

Did you give your parents a “thank you” gift? What did you find for them? Do they still have date-nights now and then?

Tags: gift-ideas, honolulu |
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18 Responses to “Parent Gifts”

1.
M.Ruder
Member
M.Ruder (message)  1,440 posts, Bumble bee

I think you did the right thing =) The snorkel camera was really neat though! We’re not sure what to get our parents yet…

 
2.
Member Icon
Member
Shoppingdixie (message)  265 posts, Helper bee

my parent’s don’t do date night either. I’m planning to make a scrapbook for my and my FH parent’s using pictures of both me and my FH when we were kids. I would go with the snorkel camera but only if you know your dad would snorkel. it may inspire them to do more water vacations together.

 
3.
Farfromachildbride
Member
Farfromachildbride (message)  1,006 posts, Bumble bee

We gave each of our parents a silver Kate Spade frame to use with whatever picture they like (of us on our wedding day or something else of their choosing) and a large, “coffee table book” about the city where we had our destination wedding. We inscribed the books with a sweet “thank you” message and let them know much their support meant to us.

 
4.
TheFutureMcBride
Member
TheFutureMcBride (message)  4,479 posts, Honey bee

That’s so sweet! Our parents don’t get gifts because we’re paying for everything ourselves. Instead, they’ll just get our love. Well, the Dads get Chuck Taylors.

 
5.
animated_librarian
Member
animated_librarian (message)  290 posts, Helper bee

I’ve been to Roy’s it’s great and they can both enjoy it with whoever they want, it’s okay if they invite friends IMO. I do agree the snorkel camera is cool but then what about your mom? I have no idea what I am going to do for my parents. I definitely want to give them wedding albums but the fact that they can’t get those till after the wedding is a problem.

 
6.
Miss Cardigan
Bee
Miss Cardigan (message)  8,645 posts, Bee Keeper

I think that’s a great gift! Very thoughtful - hopefully they’ll use it for a date night!

 
7.
Member Icon
Member
Curlysue (message)  1,703 posts, Bumble bee

Good idea I think! Um, I’d like to hear the story about the fine dining mishap…. :)

 
8.
tea
Member
tea (message)  7,288 posts, Bee Keeper

i think that is a fabulous gift for both parents!

 
9.
Guest Icon
Guest
amariem25

awww we went to Roy’s while honeymooning in Maui! It was good, but pricey!

 
10.
Bee Icon
Bee
Miss Octopus (message)  1,446 posts, Bumble bee

Oooohh, I LOVE Roy’s!!! Do your parents drink? If so, I recommend the Roy’s signature martini (it probably has some kind of adorable name, but I don’t know what it is.) Anyway, it’s made with pineapple-infused vodka and it is deeeeeeeelicious.

 
11.
jordynrose
Member
jordynrose (message)  6,351 posts, Bee Keeper

Roy’s is delicious! I think you made a great choice!

 
12.
Bee Icon
Bee
Mrs. Hamster (message)  4,046 posts, Honey bee

Yum! Great gift! I went to Roy’s in New York and it was great. Although now I want that snorkel camera…

 
13.
Miss Shortstop
Member
Miss Shortstop (message)  97 posts, Worker bee

I’m so getting my dad the snorkel camera for Christmas! Thanks Ms Sew!

And we have no idea what to get our parents as gifts…

 
14.
xoxokristin
Member
xoxokristin (message)  541 posts, Busy bee

Recently, from another wedding blogger, I heard about getting gifts that a person would never think to get for themselves. Well I love that idea. I always try to get something that that person needs or fits their personality- getting a gift that’s new and different never entered my mind! So it sounds like you did just that. Now the parentals have a chance to go on a date! Maybe they never did because they never had the opportunity. Good idea Sews!

 
15.
mrspaetz
Member
mrspaetz (message)  3,805 posts, Honey bee

i think it’s a great idea! (and the snorkel cam is pretty hot too!)

 
16.
mickymar
Member
mickymar (message)  11 posts, Newbee

My mouth is watering after looking thru such great food items, as for the snorkel camera, a great newlyweds gift!! It is something very different and unique.

Wedding Gifts

 
17.
futurediplomatswife
Member
futurediplomatswife (message)  524 posts, Busy bee

GREAT idea! I’m a strong believer in restaurant gift cards for friends and family who rarely treat themselves. Love it!

 
18.
Member Icon
Member
MOHmama (message)  404 posts, Helper bee

We just went there for my sister’s bachelorette party. The food is soooo yum! I’ve only been there 2x. Excellent service too. The parents will love the giftcards.

 

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Mrs. Sewing
Mrs. Sewing

Mrs. Sewing, San Mateo, CA/Honolulu, HI Age and Occupation: 24, Electrical Engineer Fiance's Age and Occupation: 24, Electrical Engineer Engagement Date: June 27, 2009 Wedding Date: July 2010 Venue: Anela Garden Chapel & Japanese Cultural Center, Honolulu About Me: I'm an easily entertained, compulsive idea-scheming machine who loves good art, good food, and a good engineering challenge. I'm planning a half-destination wedding on the beautiful island of Oahu - imagine a plethora of movies, art and games; savory Hawaiian food; blended Chinese and Japanese cultural details; lush, fragrant tropical flowers and all the air conditioning a NorCal native could want! And once I marry the love of my life, we'll come back to the 'mainland' to party it up all over again in my hometown of Salinas, the salad-bowl capital of the world!

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