subject: What To Do When The Parents Visit: Turn A Day Of Stressing Into A Blessing [print this page] Not everyone finds the time nor the opportunity to catch up with family on a regular basis, and often a visit from the parents can turn into something of a special occasion. Others prefer to keep such visits few and far between, due to the stress of organising something. Because even if your folks do drop in from time to time, it's always nice to make it something of a day out, and do something fun together.
Gifts For Dad
Often a visit from the parents heralds a special occasion of some sort a birthday, Mothers Day or Fathers Day, or something of that ilk. Which means, maybe you need to also think about a gift in time for the visit? A clever way to kill two birds with one stone is to combine a day out with presents for dad or mum. If your father is a passionate car enthusiast then present him with a day out on a racetrack, where he will have the opportunity to get behind the wheel of his favourite Formula 1 car. If he's a wine buff then a day of wine tasting at a local vineyard or wine specialist is a classy option, and you could even treat him to a bottle of his new-found favourite wine to take home at the end of it.
Gifts For Mum
Presents for dad might seem simple but what about presents for mum? Perhaps your mother is passionate about horticulture and adores her garden? A day out in a grand garden will be a thoughtful gift. Depending where you are, there will be some form of beautiful garden attraction close by, such as the sprawling Kew Gardens in west London, or the incredible bio-domes of the Eden Project in Cornwall. Of course, not all mothers are the same, and if yours happens to have a real adventurous streak she might very well prefer a jet boat ride along the Thames in London; racing past some of the city's most iconic monuments at top speed! The best thing about these gift ideas is that all of you can enjoy it together, making it a fun day out at the same time.
The Sky's the Limit
If you want to turn your parents' visit into a truly memorable occasion then hot air balloon rides are an very special option. You'll all need to be able to make an early start as you will usually gather at dawn, in time to see the sun rise while you're airborne. Toast champagne together while you glide over the surrounding countryside. This is an especially memorable activity if there is a special family occasion behind your parents' visit; a birthday, an engagement or simply a celebration of getting together.
It's easy to stress about a visit from the parents, from getting the house in ship shape order, to finding an appropriate gift. Yet a little forward planning can go a long way. Start collecting ideas for future visits, and next time your mum calls to book in a date on your calendar, you'll already be halfway to organising a fun way to spend some time together.
