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Present

What is appropriate to give to parents?
Presents for the parents of a young man
Gifts for girl's parents

Meeting the parents of a girl or young man for the first time is a serious matter: you want to make a good impression, show your best side, and establish respectful and friendly relations with your parents. Therefore, for many, choosing a gift for the first meeting is a real headache. And, indeed, an incorrectly chosen, misunderstood gift can lead to awkward situations.

Meeting a girl's parents: the most important nuances at the first meeting

For the meeting to be successful, a number of rules must be followed:

Be punctual. The exception is the situation when the acquaintance takes place in a restaurant. By arriving early, the young man will be able to choose a good table and prepare for the arrival of guests.
Address the girl's family members with respect.
Do not show intimacy with your loved one. Passionate kisses and hugs are inappropriate at such a meeting.
Control your alcohol consumption.
Avoid talking on the phone.
If the acquaintance takes place at home, try and praise what the hostess has prepared. Offer help with cleaning.

The young man needs to demonstrate good upbringing, confidently answer questions and listen more than talk.

Preparation

In order for the acquaintance to take place at the highest level, you should prepare for it. There are many nuances to be provided for, nothing to be forgotten. The first step to successfully meeting your parents is talking with the girl about them. Questions recommended for discussion:

What do parents like?
Their habits and preferences?
How do they feel about their daughter's relationship?
What are the features, topics, questions that should be avoided in conversation?

You have the opportunity to find out where you can meet girls and how to do it on our website. We talk in detail about ways to meet people at universities, on the street, on public transport, at the skating rink, at school, and also in the gym. And if you need tips on communicating at work or in a nightclub, then we can help you too!

Why is dating necessary?

Men often assume that meeting your family means agreeing to get married. But the main purpose of the visit is to strengthen relations with the chosen one. If a girl insists on meeting her mom and dad, the refusal will offend her. And the relationship may reach a dead end.

Parents often worry if they don't know who their daughter is spending time with, and can turn her against the young man. Meeting a young man will bring peace to the family.

If a couple is going to get married, meeting future relatives cannot be avoided. Mother and father need to know who they trust with their daughter.

Studying information

Before an exciting meeting, find out all the necessary information about the girl’s parents, namely:

what are they doing?
Is everything going smoothly in their family?
How do they feel about your relationship?
where are you from?
What topics are best avoided when talking?
where do they work?

This information will help you establish contact with adults and start an interesting conversation.

Ask the girl what her relatives are like in character. Perhaps the father can’t stand guys who smoke, and the mother is too talkative. This will help you prepare for the meeting in advance.

What gift to come with

You need to find out a list of who will be present at the meeting. Perhaps the parents will invite family friends or the chosen one’s grandmother to visit.

First of all, the young man needs to figure out what to give the girl’s mother when he meets him in order to win her over. Do not forget about the signs of attention that are appropriate to show to other participants in the meeting.

Gift for father

The head of the family will like a gift related to his work or hobby. Relevant options:

Car accessories (flavors, stands, key rings, mats).
Set of skewers.
Elite alcoholic drinks.
Purse.
Tie.
Dear pen.

It’s worth asking your friend about the hobbies of the head of the family in advance so as not to get into trouble. A fishing set will not suit an avid chess player, and a Cuban cigar will cause confusion for a supporter of a healthy lifestyle.

Gift for mom

The question of what to give a girl’s mother when they first meet is often of interest to young people. Books testify to good taste:

A volume of Pushkin's poems or Shakespeare's sonnets.
Thematic publications related to a woman’s hobby.
Collections of stories by popular authors.

Other ideas:

Beautiful dishes. You should not present the hostess with a frying pan or saucepan. But original glasses and an unusual tea pair will not leave the girl’s mother indifferent.
Perfume. My daughter will help with choosing a scent.
Fruit basket.

When you meet, be sure to give flowers to the girl’s mother. Unusual bouquets or white roses will do.

General gift

You can give the girl’s parents one gift for two when they first meet:

Invitation to the exhibition, tickets to the premiere of the play.
A picture.
An unusual souvenir.

You should not buy expensive things, including jewelry or household appliances. But it’s better to refuse cheap trinkets.

Gifts for grandparents

When meeting a girl’s parents, you should go with gifts for older relatives. Conservative gifts are suitable:

A collection of old films, recordings of songs performed by Leonid Utesov or Valery Obodzinsky.
Gift packaging with tea.
Elegant scarf for grandma.
Cigarette case for grandfather.

Even if relatives cannot attend the meeting, you can give them a small souvenir.

What to give the girl's father for the New Year?

The choice of gift largely depends on your budget. If you are ready to spend a tidy sum on a New Year's surprise for your future father-in-law, we recommend that you familiarize yourself with this list:

Mini bar. We offer to buy a minibar in the shape of a globe or a musical instrument. The first option is universal, and the second is suitable exclusively for those men who are fond of or professionally involved in music.

Among the more unusual products, we recommend paying attention to models in the form of a canister (mechanics and gas station workers will appreciate it) and a bookshelf (a good option for a teacher or writer).
A bottle of good whiskey. Expensive whiskey is always perceived by men as a good gift, regardless of who or what holiday it was presented to. You can order a stylish wooden case with your whiskey with your initials.
Wrist watch. This sporty, waterproof and shockproof model is suitable for a man leading an active lifestyle. It is better to give an office worker a classic watch. As for the color of the product, it should not go beyond the classic range: black, brown, dark blue.

Among the budget surprises I would like to highlight:

tie and cufflinks (take a look at inexpensive sets in online stores, choose the most discreet option in classic shades, it will look as “expensive” and beautiful as possible);
car accessories (mobile phone holder, charger, neck pillow, interior organizer). Advice! You can always ask your beloved girl about what accessories are required, and she, in turn, will ask her father for the necessary information;
good coffee (a coffee lover will definitely appreciate such a gift; we recommend going to a specialized store for shopping);
stylish pen (an ideal surprise for an office worker; we recommend giving your future father-in-law a Parker pen in a stylish case).

Advice! It is worth refusing to buy overly cheap goods, for example, notepads, key rings, flashlights, etc. It is better to come without a gift than with such a “surprise”.

How to look

The choice of clothing depends on the location of the meeting. For a restaurant, the best option would be a formal suit. If communication takes place at home, the following will do:

Classic pants.
Shirt.
Jumper.

Avoid wearing provocatively bright T-shirts and ripped jeans. It looks strange if a guy came to meet a girl’s parents in a tracksuit.

It is useful to prepare clothes in advance, iron them, and check for stains. Clean your shoes. visit the hairdresser, tidy up your hair, shave.

Be careful with perfume. Perhaps the girl’s parents are allergic to strong odors.

On the eve of a meeting with a friend's family, it is better to avoid a noisy party with alcohol among close friends. The smell of fumes the next day will make a negative impression.

Appearance

It is unlikely that parents will like it if their beloved daughter’s chosen one comes in a dirty construction uniform or excessively tight low-cut jeans. Of course, all people are different, and some may like an extravagant look, but it’s not worth the risk. Clothing on the day of meeting should be:

clean, tidy. Nobody likes sloppy people. Parents who want the best for their daughter will not be happy with an unkempt young man;
discreet in style. You should not wear a carnival costume, a rocker outfit, or things that do not match each other. Sneakers with a business suit will clearly confuse parents and create tension from the first minutes of communication;
restrained in form . It is not recommended to wear shirts that are too bright or have an extravagant cut. It is better to give preference to classic things: shirts, trousers, t-shirts in neutral colors, jeans without unnecessary details.

In addition to clothing, you should pay close attention to:

perfume. The guy should smell like nice perfume. Don't overdo it;
hair They must be clean and neatly combed;
general condition. You shouldn’t go for a date if you have a cold or after a fun party. Sometimes it is better to postpone this important event and prepare better for it.

Dating process

Conventionally, the procedure for meeting with the parents of the chosen one can be divided into several stages:

Greetings. In most families, men simply shake hands and smile at the ladies. Emotional, open people can hug their daughter’s friend.
Acquaintance. It is important to introduce yourself and remember the name of each relative. Clarify in what form to address elders, only by name or with the addition of a patronymic.
Presentation of gifts. Give the girl's mother flowers and souvenirs when meeting her. If there are children in the family, bring candy or toys for the kids.
Communication. Usually the conversation with parents takes place at a set table. The young man will be offered a hearty treat or just tea. Different families have their own traditions. During the conversation, the young man will have to answer numerous questions from his relatives.
Parting. It is better not to delay the first meeting. Be sure to thank the hostess for her hospitality.

It is important to be polite and not spoil the relationship at the very beginning of dating.

Gift selections by age

Be sure to consider the age category:

From 20 to 30 years. At this age, dads' children are still small and more often give homemade gifts. But the mother and the child can give video equipment, a model for a family tree, creative gifts, a world map for future conquest, fashionable gadgets, and training courses.
From 30 to 40 years. A man reaches maturity, so he will need clothing accessories, travel accessories, and a collection of alcoholic drinks.
From 40 to 50 years. The father achieved stability in his profession and hobbies. The best surprises are jewelry, car gadgets, and hobby items.
From 50 to 60 years. This is a time of calm, so gifts for the homebody, the craftsman and the intellectual, health and hobbies are suitable.
From 60 to 70 years. Most of all, dad wants new impressions and care, so give him a voucher, buy massage devices and make life easier with barbecue kits and electronic “helpers” around the house.
Over 70 years old. The main value at this age is the love of children. Give him a personalized or sincere gift, medical equipment, a portrait.

How to make a good impression

Young men often worry before meeting the family of their chosen one. Sincerity and cultural behavior will help make communication pleasant.

Rules of etiquette

It is not necessary to behave at a party as at a diplomatic reception. But it is useful to remember the basic norms of behavior:

Show restraint.
Woo the ladies.
Compliment the hostess's culinary skills.
Do not talk without chewing food.
Watch your speech, avoid flat jokes and obscene words.

When meeting people, it is better to behave naturally.

Rules of communication

When communicating with a friend’s relatives:

Address elders as "you".
Listen carefully to your interlocutor.
Eliminate irony and sarcasm.
Don't interrupt the speaker.
Show attention to the girl.

Father and mother will definitely appreciate the guy’s good attitude towards his daughter and cultural behavior.

What to talk about

At the first meeting it is appropriate:

Talk about study or work, career plans and achievements.
Tell the girl’s mother when meeting her that she has a beautiful daughter, ask about her friend’s childhood and hobbies.
Answer parents' questions.

If you ask the girl about her family in advance, choosing an interesting topic for conversation will not be difficult.

During communication you do not need:

Criticize elders.
Allow comments to the head of the family and the mistress of the house.
Enter into conflict with guests.
Show aggression.

It is important for parents to get more information about their daughter’s chosen one. Mother and father will strive to understand the character of the young man.

How to keep a conversation going

Allowing pauses during a conversation is not the best way to make an impression. Pre-selected interesting topics for conversation will help you avoid silence.

If a question from relatives is not clear, it is better to admit it honestly.

It is worth remembering that the purpose of the meeting is to improve relations with the girl’s parents. The young man can ask questions himself, involving all the guests in the conversation. A pleasant, lively conversation will create a friendly atmosphere at the table.

Parent Questions

The young man will have to withstand a barrage of questions from relatives. The main topics that interest the friend’s mother and father:

Place of work or study.
Information about the guy's parents.
Hobbies, sports.
Financial stability.
Further development of the relationship with the girl.

Family members need to understand who is in front of them - an adult, self-confident man or an inexperienced young man without a stable source of income.

Stop topics

Some questions should not be raised at the first meeting. During a conversation with unfamiliar people, do not talk:

About politics and religion.
On intimate topics.
About the illnesses of those present.
About the girl's shortcomings and family problems.

Differences in views can lead to heated arguments and even conflicts. Tell jokes with caution. Not everyone has the same sense of humor, especially people of different generations.

Ending the acquaintance

After refreshments and conversation, there comes a time when it is better to say goodbye to the owners of the house. It is wrong to linger on a visit or try to end the visit quickly. Before leaving you should:

Express gratitude to parents for the warm welcome.
Give a compliment to the girl’s mother and father (praise her culinary skills or advice received).
Say goodbye.

You need to be polite and show attention to each family member.

What to give to the girl’s mother for New Year’s Eve?

The selection of a present for the mother of the woman you love should be taken very seriously.

Firstly, you should not give perfume to a lady. Most likely, you will not be able to choose the right scent, and the gift will be received without much enthusiasm.
Secondly, stop buying household appliances. This kind of surprise is only appropriate for relatives, and you are not one yet.

Ideas for ideal gifts for a future mother-in-law:

Panel. A stylish, discreet panel will decorate any room in the house. The product looks elegant and expensive, it is appropriate as a gift, both for the New Year and for any other holiday.
Beautiful dishes. Choose a set of dishes with a modern design. Ideal dishes should be made in pastel colors and have an interesting, but not pretentious shape.
Desk lamp. Everything natural is in fashion, so we suggest choosing a wooden table lamp. The design of the product should be minimalistic, but at the same time evoke a desire to look at it. You can see a suitable lamp in the photo.
Decorative tree. A good surprise for a woman who loves to grow flowers or take care of a garden. Present your future mother-in-law with a lemon or tangerine tree.
Opera or theater tickets. We advise you to buy two tickets at once so that a woman can take her husband or girlfriend with her. For which performance to buy a ticket, check with your girlfriend, because no one knows her mother’s tastes better than she does.
Certificate for attending a tea ceremony. If a woman is interested in Asian culture, then she will definitely like this surprise. As with tickets, it is better to present a certificate for two.
Gloves made of genuine leather. An ideal winter present. Choose a product in a beautiful wine or deep purple shade and the woman will shine with happiness.

Tips to help you become a favorite

Recommendations to gain the sympathy of your hosts:

Give the girl’s parents an original souvenir when they first meet, and give flowers to the mother.
Be an attentive interlocutor.
Don't forget about the smile.
Show courtesy.
Stay yourself.

It is important for relatives to see the girl happy, to understand that the guy is ready to support, protect and love his chosen one.

How a girl's mother will like it

To win the heart of a potential mother-in-law, you need to “turn on” your charm at full capacity:

Compliment (but not overdo it) beauty, intelligence, or culinary skills.
Offer help with cleaning dishes or other issues.
Be gallant.
Show respect to her daughter.

A woman will appreciate such behavior positively.

How the girl's father will like it

Fathers can be more demanding of young people. A good option for establishing warm relationships is to search for common interests. A frank conversation about plans for the future, a story about your family, and career prospects will also help relieve tension during the meeting.

The head of the family should be addressed with respect. The guy should give the impression of being an intelligent and strong person.

How older relatives will like it

Elderly people will appreciate such character traits as modesty, desire to help, and hard work. Grandparents will be glad if the young man listens to life stories and wise advice.

If you get to know the girl’s parents correctly, further communication will become pleasant. The main thing is to cope with anxiety and not forget about the norms of behavior. A good impression is guaranteed if all recommendations are followed.

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Stop topics

There are points that should not be discussed when meeting a girl’s parents for the first time; meeting parents is not tolerated:

dark stories from the past, negative character traits of a guy can scare away and alert;
family troubles between parents, conflicts are best not mentioned;
religion, politics are slippery topics for discussion. You shouldn't touch them if possible. When talking about these topics, it is easy to offend your interlocutor or cause conflict;
girl's shortcomings. It will be unpleasant for parents to hear and discuss any mistakes of their daughter;
intimate questions, below-the-belt jokes. It’s not even worth explaining that this is simply unacceptable;
mutual acquaintances. Don't gossip or discuss mutual friends. It's ugly and inappropriate.

DIY gift

Money is money, but it’s always nice to receive a gift made by a loved one yourself. You can do the following with your own hands and almost free of charge:

portrait from photo;
family tree from scrap materials;
collection with photographs;
an embroidered inscription on dad's favorite home clothes;
soft slippers;
flash drive with your favorite music;
poster with photographs;
confectionery baked goods;
video greeting;
postcard;
Knitten things;
handmade notebook;
Personally made soap;
photo collage;
organizer for small items made from plastic bottles and cardboard boxes.