Moms, Dads, and Grads Gift Guide 2016

Updated on December 8, 2021

The months of May and June can sometimes catch gift givers off guard. With Mother’s Day and Father’s Day, as well as high-school and college graduations, there are suddenly many people to shop for in your life in such a short time span.

To help our readers, Senior Outlook Today has prepared its 4th Annual Gift Guide for Moms, Dads and Grads.

Also, thank you to our readers who also sent in their gift ideas and suggestions for 2016. If you’re looking for a gift idea, our annual gift guide features a wide variety of gift ideas for moms, dads and grads.

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BANANA WAVE bananamilk

Created from one of nature’s most universally-loved fruits, the banana, BANANA WAVE bananamilk is a delicious, creamy and nutrient-filled new option. Derived from an ancient African recipe that has been passed down from generation to generation and first introduced to Fresh Start Beverage founder, Neter Alkebulan, by his own Grandmother,  BANANA WAVE bananamilk begins with a universally loved fruit that is a staple in most households – bananas.  In fact, because BANANA WAVE bananamilk begins with pure banana puree, one serving contains as much potassium as a small banana, 330 mg, and also contains 29 vitamins and minerals and 1200 mg of Omega-3s per serving.   BANANA WAVE bananamilk is vegan, all natural, dairy, gluten and GMO free.  

BANANA WAVE bananamilk contains three of nature’s “superfoods” – fruit, grains and seeds – making it a nutritious option for anyone with an on-the-go lifestyle, active kids, athletes, and of course, banana lovers.  It is also an ideal option for vegans, vegetarians, those managing a dairy or nut allergy or for anyone looking for a nutritious alternative milk beverage.  Delicious and refreshing on its own as a snack or meal replacement, BANANA WAVEbananamilk is also perfect for smoothies, on cereal or for use in cooking and baking.


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Bauli Mini Croissants

For the mom with a sweet tooth, treat her to gourmet, flavor-filled Bauli Mini Croissants for Mother’s Day!

Add a special treat to Mom’s special day with Bauli’s oven baked and ready-to-eat Mini Croissants! Baked in a REAL oven to ensure superior taste and quality, the croissants will help make the day a touch sweeter. 

Made with love and naturally leavened dough, the moist, Mini Croissants are available in two delicious flavor fillings: chocolate and vanilla custard.


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Bondic

Bondic has been compared to a mini 3-D printer in your pocket, and is a perfect gift for Dad – whether it’s home repairs, broken gadgets, fly tying and fishing, or R/C hobbies, men love Bondic! And starting at $20, you can’t go wrong. 

Bondic, the 1st liquid plastic welder, fixes just about anything in 4 seconds. Unlike glue, it rebuilds things, so those parts that are gone can be recreated. From phone chargers to toys, shoes to fishing lures – Bondic saves things that would otherwise be thrown out. And suddenly Dad can fix just about anything.

Bondic was featured on Discovery Science Channel’s All-American Makers, and has exploded into the hottest new product in ages. It’s available at Target, Ace Hardware, Amazon, and many other locations.


CVS Pharmacy

Personalized Photo Gifts: The simplest and most meaningful gifts are those that come from the heart and can be cherished forever. From personalized photo cards and photo books to creative wall décor like canvas prints and wood wall panels – CVS Photo is the perfect place for those who want to give a special gift. All ideas are simple to make and can be done on a budget.

For Mom: Choose from dozens of designs and sizes to create your own Mother’s Day Photo Card. Or, create a new piece of Wall Décor for her to hang at home using your favorite family photo – both options will put a smile on her face!

For Dad: Give Dad the gift of art by turning your favorite family or landscape photo into a Wood Wall Panel. These are the perfect way to create a sleek and modern look and add a little more his room, desk, office, etc.

For Grad: Create a graduation photo book capturing all of the grad’s favorite college memories – from move-in day to graduation! This will be something they can always look back on to remember the best years of their lives.


Dashlane

This year, subscription gifts are big and there are a number of options available that will help set grads (and moms & dads!) on a path to success. Dashlane, ensures that your critical information stays safe online and across devices (especially mobile, which is increasingly important with more and more students spending time on their phone).

Your grad is likely spending 8-10 hours a day on their phone, so it’s important that they protect their information and identity. With both a free and premium product, Dashlane Premium is a steal at $39.99/year. This easy to install app works across every device to keep your identity safe (in fact, it was named a Best Identity Theft Prevention Tool).


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DAVID Skincare by MENAJI

A great gift for Grads is DAVID Skincare by MENAJI‘s Exapandable David Dopp kit! They will love the grown-up man skincare for college and the fact you can carry lots of other stuff back and forth from the bathrooms at school!! 

DAVID Skincare Set

Perfect for travel, this four piece skincare set comes in a classic black, expandable dopp kit, made with water and stain-resistant ballistic nylon with MENAJI branded pull tags.

  • 911 Eye Gel – rejuvenates and restores tired eye skin area
  • Power Hydrator Aftershave – natural hydrating formula addresses fine lines and wrinkles
  • Deep Cleansing Masque – removes impurities so skin looks renewed and feels revived
  • ClearShave 3-in-1 Formula – delivers maximum comfort pre-shave, shave and post-shave; no water needed

DAVID Dopp Kit Measurements:
Collapsed bag:  14cm L x 18cm H x 5cm W
Expanded bag:  14cm L x 18cm H x 23cm W

Suggested Retail Value:  $135.95
Limited Time Offer:  $95


Graeter’s Ice Cream

A national favorite…Graeter’s Ice Cream! This brand is not only beloved by those in their home state of Ohio, but has been nationally recognized by the food network and many other media outlets as one of the best ice creams in the country.

You can easily order online for the ice cream to be shipped across the country, making it a great gift for someone down the street or as a surprise for a loved one states away. 

For anyone with a sweet tooth, the gift of a six or twelve pack of ice cream is a welcome treat! Additionally, they also have low-glycemic offerings that still taste amazing for anyone who has been diagnosed with Diabetes or is trying to cut their sugar intake but still loves a scoop of ice cream.


James Kaiser National Parks Travel Books

For the active or outdoorsy individual especially, you might already be aware that this year is the National Park Service’s 100th Anniversary. Best-selling guidebook author and photographer, James Kaiser’s (www.jameskaiser.com) books on Acadia (Maine); Yosemite (CA); Grand Canyon (AZ) and Joshua Tree (CA) are super user-friendly and full of insider tips from James’ on-the-ground research and tremendous photography. 

His website gives a lot of detail, and the new versions of the books are now available on Amazon as of last week. It’s an affordable “gift of travel” inspiration, encourages family travel experiences together (for all ages!), and particularly timely as all eyes are on the Parks this year (including 6 weeks designated by the Nat Park Service for “Free Entry” weeks as part of the celebrations.


Little Passports

As you know, graduation season is almost here. While you might be thinking of teenagers, don’t forget about our little Kindergartners! 

A really unique gift idea that will keep the learning going through the summer and beyond is subscription-based Little Passports. Little Passports’ new Early Explorer edition, geared for kids ages 3-5, teaches geography, history, and culture. Each month kids are mailed a package with hands on activities, recipes, and souvenirs from across the world.

Little Passports is available in multiple editions, and the NEW Early Explorers (ages 3-5) and World Edition (ages 6-10) are a great fit for the recent kindergarten graduate. The USA Edition (ages 7-12) is also available for older siblings.

Early Explorers:  new theme is explored each month, including:

  • 20-page activity booklet
  • Fun Souvenirs
  • Flashlight Adventures
  • Trading Cards
  • Letters, photos, stickers and luggage tags

World Edition: A new country is featured each month with:

  • Letters from Sam & Sofia
  • Fun souvenirs
  • Activity sheets
  • Stickers for your suitcase, passport & map
  • Photos
  • Access to Boarding Zone for more online games

MyQ Garage by Chamberlain

Have you ever left home for a trip or even for the store and wondered – did I close the garage door? Anyone with a garage has. What do you do next? Turn the car around and check? Call a neighbor to take a look? Just let the thought gnaw at you?

Chamberlain, the leading maker of garage door openers, has the solution – MyQ Garage. This device and app can be installed by anyone with a screwdriver and ladder. Once operating, MyQ Garage let’s you check if the garage door is indeed closed from any smartphone. You can even open and close it remotely to let a friend in or have a package stowed away. And the app will alert you if the door opens.

It’s the gift of peace of mind. The cost – $129.99.


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Protein Energy Power

Protein Energy Power is an exciting new option for anyone with an active lifestyle or who is looking for a natural, plant-based protein supplement. Protein Energy Powder is a versatile peanut-based energy drink that is perfect for anyone with an on-the-go lifestyle – from an ideal pre- or post- workout supplement to a perfect solution for a balanced on-the-go breakfast.


Rapala Fishing Lures & Accessories

Rapala, the most trusted name in fishing, is almost synonymous with Father’s Day. If you’re looking for the perfect gift for the outdoor enthusiast father in your life, look no further than latest gear from from Rapala and Respected Rapala Brands. 

  • Shadow Rap Shad: The Shadow Rap Shad breaks the traditional lure mold. Head up, ready to rise, the fixed weight system allows lure to rise slowly to attract big fish.
  • Terminator Walking Frog: A state-of-the-art lure for a classic top water fish, the Terminator Walking Frog will have your loved one hopping for joy every time a bass jumps through the lily pads and swallows it whole. 
  • Storm Arashi Top Walker: Boasting a “walk-the-dog” presentation that is bound to entice big bites from big fish, the Top Walker delivers a long glid and powerful wake that fish can’t help but go after.
  • Rapala & Respected Rapala Brands Apparel: Have Dad looking great on and off the water with a series of casual, yet stylish threads.

SharkNinja

Forget December! Between moms, dads and new grads, spring is the ultimate season for giving. Luckily, SharkNinja has your May and June gifting needs covered.

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For Moms: When is it okay to give mom a vacuum for Mother’s Day? When it’s this awesome! Perfect for busy moms, the Shark® Rotator® Powered Lift-Away™ Speed is two vacuums in one – Upright and Powered Lift-Away – armed with advanced swivel steering for excellent control when maneuvering around furniture. The vacuum also has Anti-Allergen Complete Seal Technology® + HEPA that traps 99.99%* of dust and allergens inside the vacuum.

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For Dads: Give dad the latest and greatest, the Ninja Coffee Bar™ to fill his “Best Dad Ever” mug. Auto-iQ™ One Touch Intelligence Technology delivers customizable options for smooth, rich coffee in a cup, travel mug or carafe. The Ninja Coffee Bar offers a variety of brewing options including Classic Brew, Rich Brew, Over Ice Brew and Specialty Brew.

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For Grads: Whether entering college or the real world, you need a versatile kitchen gadget that can do it all! The Nutri Ninja® Auto-iQ™ Compact System combines nutrient and vitamin extraction with high performance to make salsa, smoothies AND cookie dough all in one machine. This nutrient extractor, high-performance blender and food processor will be the roommate you always dreamed of.


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Teleflora

Teleflora’s Love and Joy Bouquet (Available on Teleflora.com for $59.95)

The perfect gift to celebrate mom and tickle her pink! This elegant bouquet is brimming with springtime’s finest colors, featuring hot pink roses, miniature pink carnations, huckleberry, lavender stems and lavender chrysanthemums all nestled within a gorgeous blooming flower and hummingbird vase, the ultimate symbol to show mom your appreciation and love.

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Teleflora’s Garden Pitcher Bouquet (Available on Teleflora.com for $69.95)

Fill mom’s heart by honoring her timeless devotion with this charming 2-in-1 gift she will cherish. A luxurious mix of rich lavender roses and chrysanthemums, fragrant white lilies and eucalyptus is hand-delivered in a tall, rustic Provencal-style water pitcher (FDA-approved and food safe) that is perfect for mom’s springtime entertaining.

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Teleflora’s Butterfly Sunrise Bouquet (Available on Teleflora.com for $49.95)

Playful and sweet just like mom, this brilliant bouquet of peach roses, yellow alstroemeria, and lavender chrysanthemums will make every mom’s heart flutter with happiness. This 2-in-1 gift also serves as a darling oversized keepsake mug (FDA-approved and food safe) adorned with dancing watercolor-hued butterflies for long-lasting enjoyment.

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Teleflora’s Painted Blossoms Bouquet (Available on Teleflora.com for $39.95)

Surprise sisters, daughters, and new moms by showering her with a bright, joyful floral bouquet bursting with a lovely medley of orange roses, yellow alstroemeria, and brilliant pink carnations. Arrives professionally-arranged in this delicate pink ceramic cube vase with painted blossoms complement the fresh blooms of spring!


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This Chair Rocks

People are happiest at the beginnings and the ends of their lives. The vast majority of Americans over 65 live independently. The older people get, the less afraid they are of dying. Aging is a natural, lifelong, powerful process. So how come so many of us unthinkingly assume that depression, diapers, and dementia lie ahead? That the 20th century’s astonishing leap in life expectancy is a disaster-in-the making? Underlying all the hand-wringing is ageism: discrimination that sidelines and silences older people.

From childhood on, we’re barraged by messages that it’s sad to be old. That wrinkles are embarrassing, and old people useless. Author and activist Ashton Applewhite believed them too—until she realized where this prejudice comes from and the damage it does. Lively, funny, and deeply researched, This Chair Rocks traces Applewhite’s journey from apprehensive boomer to pro-aging radical, and in the process debunks myth after myth about late life. The book explains the roots of ageism—in history and in our own age denial—and how it divides and debases, examines how ageist myths and stereotypes cripple the way our brains and bodies function, looks at ageism in the workplace and the bedroom, exposes the cost of the all-American myth of independence, critiques the portrayal of olders as burdens to society, describes what an all-age-friendly world would look like, and concludes with a rousing call to action. Whether you’re older or hoping to get there, this book will shake you by the shoulders, cheer you up, make you mad, and change the way you see the rest of your life. Age pride!

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