What to Get Adult Children for Christmas

Even after they have spread their wings and left the nest, come Christmastime, the urge to make your children feel cherished will always remain. As a parent, you are well acquainted with your grown children's needs, tastes and personality. Allow that knowledge to inform your gifts and you'll have no trouble finding the perfect present.

You picked your children's names, so why not remind them of how special those names are to you with personalized or monogrammed holiday gifts? These days, you can personalize and customize practically anything, from jewelry to tote bags to wallets as well as household items, like coasters, kitchenware and towels. Journals and stationery can also be personalized.

While gifting clothes can be tricky in many cases, as a parent, you are probably familiar with your children's sizes and tastes, which means that you can get away with gifting them anything from socks to shoes to shirts and blouses. If you want to spoil your child, consider luxury items that many people wouldn't be inclined to buy for themselves, like a cashmere sweater or gold cuff links. Thoughtful gifts may be practical gifts but also fun, unique gifts tailored to the family members' interests.

No matter what the occasion, you can't go wrong with food-related gifts for grown-up kids. As a parent, you are probably intimately familiar with your children's culinary inclinations as well as any dietary restrictions they may have, so put that knowledge to good use. Food-themed Christmas gift ideas for adult children range from fancy chocolates to coffee and tea sampler sets to unique sauces and condiments. If your child loves to prepare meals, gadgets and cookware will be well received. Stocking stuffers featuring favorite childhood or adulthood snacks are also great gift ideas for your loved ones.

Cash and gift cards are often dismissed as thoughtless, impersonal gifts, yet depending on the circumstances, they may be the best Christmas gifts. For example, you may want to give cash to an adult child who is looking to buy a home, start a business or go on a dream vacation. If Christmas is approaching and you're running out of time, cash always works as a last-minute gift. Depending on the size of the cash gift, be sure to brush up on any tax laws that may apply.

Gift cards can also make for great last-minute Christmas gifts for adult children. While you could go for gift cards to a major national retailer to give your children the most shopping options, you can also consider a gift card to a specialty store or a favorite restaurant. Gift cards are great for experience gifts as well, allowing your adult kids and grandkids to visit a water park or for a spa day or ski getaway for your adult son or daughter.

Consider your adult child's interests and hobbies when choosing a Christmas gift. For example, people who enjoy creative activities, like painting, knitting and woodworking, would surely enjoy materials for their craft or books about their specific interest. Electronics are also popular gifts for people of all ages, so you can upgrade your children's television or laptop if they are due for a new one or treat your child to a fancy pair of headphones or a smartwatch.

The best gifts have some thought behind them; for instance, if your adult child enjoys unique jewelry, look for some handmade items that suit their style or offer a DIY kit so they can make their own if they're into crafting.

Take time to think about that perfect something and your adult child will always remember that special gift they received.