- Aug 22, 2025
Vu Lan Gifts for Parents: 65+ Thoughtful Ideas to Show Your Love
Vu Lan is a special occasion for children to express our deep gratitude and love for their parents. Selecting a meaningful Vu Lan gift for your parents is a beautiful way to convey your heartfelt thanks.
In the spirit of Vu Lan, let’s explore some thoughtful and practical gift ideas that will make this day even more memorable and warm. Continue reading to discover perfect Vu Lan gift suggestions from Chus, helping you share love and care with those who raised and nurtured you.
CHUS suggests gift ideas for Vu Lan season
A Brief Introduction to Vu Lan
Vu Lan, also known as Yulan Festival, celebrated on the 15th day of the 7th lunar month, is one of the most important Buddhist holidays in Vietnam. It’s a time for children to honor the immense love and sacrifices of their parents and also to pray for the souls that have yet to find peace. In 2024, Vu Lan will be observed on August 18th in the Gregorian calendar.
According to legend, a Buddhist monk Maudgalyayana had a mother suffering in hell due to her sins during her lifetime. She had become a hungry ghost, a spirit unable to eat even when food was given because it turned into flames. Maudgalyayana sought the Buddha's guidance on how to save his mother, and he was advised to gather monks to pray for her. The 15th day of the 7th lunar month was chosen as the most auspicious time to perform these rituals.
Today, Vu Lan transcends religious boundaries and has become a beautiful cultural tradition, a time for everyone to reflect on and appreciate their loved ones.
The Meaning of Giving Vu Lan Gifts to Parents
1. Expressing Filial Piety:
Of course, no gift can ever compare to the boundless love and sacrifices parents make for their children. However, choosing a Vu Lan gift is a way to express your sincere feelings and gratitude.
2. Strengthening Family Bonds:
Vu Lan gifts are symbols of unity, helping to strengthen family ties. Each gift you choose carries a message of love, creating warm and memorable moments that bring family members closer together.
3. Bringing Joy to Parents:
Even small Vu Lan gifts, when given with sincerity, can bring immense joy and happiness to your parents. You’ll see their faces light up with joy as they feel the love you’ve poured into each gift.
4. Showing Care and Concern:
Vu Lan gifts are a way to show your care and concern for your parents’ well-being. Through these gifts, you demonstrate that you are always thinking of their health and happiness, and wish to share life’s joys and challenges with them.
5. Creating Cherished Memories:
The gift you give on Vu Lan will become a part of the cherished memories that your family holds dear. These moments will be preserved forever, becoming stories that you and your family will share, remember, and treasure throughout your lives.
Vu Lan season helps many families create memories
Gift Ideas for Mothers
Health and Beauty Care Gifts
Health is always the most important thing every child wants to give their mother. Health care gifts not only show concern but also provide long-term practical benefits.
Home Spa Combo
A complete spa set helps mom have relaxing moments like at a resort right at home. Includes relaxing lavender essential oil, purifying Himalayan bath salt, natural skin cream, and scented candles.
According to research by the Vietnamese Institute of Psychology, having a personal relaxation space helps reduce stress by 40% in middle-aged women.
Special Herbal Tea Set + Ceramic Teapot
Premium tea set including stress-relieving chamomile tea, liver-cleansing artichoke tea, warming ginger honey tea, and skin-beautifying rose tea.
Comes with a traditional ceramic teapot set. Each cup of tea is not just a drink but a moment of meditation helping mom find peace.
Natural Essential Oils
Multi-purpose essential oil set including relaxing lavender, decongestant eucalyptus, headache-relieving peppermint, mosquito-repelling lemongrass, and mood-lifting sweet orange.
Personalized Handmade Gifts
Handmade or personalized gifts carry their own stories, showing the time investment and dedication of the giver.
Personalized Leather Handbag with Name Engraving
Premium genuine leather handbag with vintage design, can be engraved with name or custom message. Leather is specially treated to be water-resistant and becomes more beautiful with use. Perfect size for both work and leisure.
Family Clay Portrait Frame
Highly personalized art piece recreating happy family moments using unique clay material. Every detail is carefully handcrafted, creating an extremely special and one-of-a-kind gift.
Handmade Paper Flower Art
Delicate handmade art with each flower carefully crafted from premium paper. Unlike real flowers that fade, this gift will remain beautiful forever like a mother's love. Available in colors and flower types that mom loves.
Spiritual and Experience Gifts
At middle age, many mothers begin focusing on personal development and seeking spiritual experiences.
Handmade Notebook + Engraved Pen
Gift set including handmade genuine leather notebook with unbleached paper and premium wooden pen with name engraving. Helps mom record beautiful memories, reflect on life, and feel your thoughtful care.
Premium Health Supplements
Nutritional supplement set designed specifically for middle-aged women. Supports skin care from within and boosts immunity during pre-menopause.
Gift Ideas for Fathers
Though men may express emotions less than women, fathers also deeply appreciate attention from their children. Choosing gifts for dad requires attention to practicality and lifestyle compatibility.
Premium Handcrafted Leather Wallet
Men's wallet made from 100% genuine cowhide, handcrafted with multiple convenient compartments and compact design. Can engrave monogram or dad's name on request. Genuine leather has the characteristic of becoming more beautiful and shiny with long use.
Specialty Tea Set + Elegant Teapot
Set including premium Taiwanese oolong tea, fragrant Xinjiang tea, and ceramic teapot. Perfect for fathers who enjoy tea and learning about tea culture.
How to Choose Vu Lan Gifts for Parents by Age
Parents in Their 40s
At this age, parents are still active and developing their careers. Mothers often care about appearance and personal style, while fathers focus on work and showing status.
For 40-year-old mothers: Premium skincare products, light perfumes, fashion accessories like genuine leather bags, silk scarves, or delicate jewelry. Skill courses like cooking, flower arranging, or yoga are also perfect for mom to develop personal interests and have relaxation time.
For 40-year-old fathers: Office accessories like premium leather wallets, genuine leather belts, silk ties, or high-end pens. Gifts that show style like watches, custom-tailored shirts, or tech devices supporting work like wireless headphones or premium power banks.
Parents in Their 50s
This is when parents start paying more attention to health and quality of life. They appreciate gifts that bring comfort and health care.
For 50-year-old mothers: Foot massage machines, neck and shoulder massage pillows, health-protecting foods like forest honey, bird's nest, cordyceps. Products that improve sleep like latex pillows, temperature-regulating blankets, or humidifiers are also very popular.
For 50-year-old fathers: Health care devices like blood pressure monitors, back massage machines, massage chairs. Sports support products like professional running shoes, gym equipment, or supplements for athletes. Herbal tea sets and premium wine also suit this age.
Parents 60 and Above
At this age, parents often prefer peace and treasure family gathering moments. They care more about spiritual values and family memories than material things.
For 60+ mothers: Family photo albums, digital photo frames to view pictures of children and grandchildren, spiritual gifts like agarwood prayer beads or wooden Buddha statues. Experience services like short tours, traditional theater tickets, or books about spirituality and life philosophy also bring great joy.
For 60+ fathers: Classic radios, premium chess or Chinese chess sets, books about history or memoirs. Gifts that help dad enjoy retirement like gardening tools, relaxation chairs, or coffee makers so dad can enjoy peaceful mornings.
General Note: Regardless of age, the most important thing is observing parents' personal preferences. Some 60-year-olds are still very active and tech-savvy, while some 40-year-olds prefer quietness. Listen and observe to choose truly suitable gifts.
Family love is most important
Conclusion
This Vu Lan season, selecting the right gifts for your parents is not just a way to express gratitude but also to create memorable moments. No matter what you choose, the time and effort you put into making the day special are what truly count.
And if you’re unsure about what to gift during Vu Lan,
FAQs
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When is the most meaningful time to give Vu Lan gifts?
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Is it necessary to give material gifts during Vu Lan?
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How can you choose the right Vu Lan gift for your parents?
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When is the most meaningful time to give Vu Lan gifts?
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Is it necessary to give material gifts during Vu Lan?
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How can you choose the right Vu Lan gift for your parents?