I Asked ChatGPT What To Get My Boomer Mom for Christmas — Here’s What It Said
Written by
Laura Bogart
Edited by
Kristen Mae
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I was making like Santa, writing my list and checking it twice, when I realized I needed more gift suggestions for my mother. She’s been retired for a while, and while shopping for retirees isn’t always the easiest task, she does have some pretty specific tastes. She’s an Anglophile who’s no stranger to a good BBC marathon and a fan of romance novels. Unfortunately, as a baby boomer, she’s aged into some typical aches and pains — particularly in her back.
To finish my own holiday magic with some great gift ideas, I had to move quickly, like old Saint Nick. So I turned to ChatGPT. After giving the AI some basic ideas about my mother’s tastes, it shared suggestions that ranged from specific gift items to general ideas I could use.
Romance and English-Themed Books
One aspect of ChatGPT’s book selections I appreciated was that it not only picked books it assumed my mother would like but also selected editions that were aesthetically pleasing and budget-friendly. These books would look as gorgeous on a coffee table as they would on a shelf.
- Bridgerton: The Duke and I Deluxe Collector’s Edition: The AI selected this as “A luxe tie-in to the Bridgerton world (sweet romance with Regency England flair).” I know my mother is a hardcore Bridgerton fan, so $20.98 for a collector’s edition is money well spent.
- Persuasion (Jane Austen Special Gift Edition): This made the list because ChatGPT described it as “A classic Austen with special edition charm — perfect for an Anglophile.” The price is $31.82.
- Romance Classic Book Bundle: “Three beautifully packaged British classics (Pride & Prejudice, Sense & Sensibility, Emma),” ChatGPT wrote. $41.88 for three books is a great value.
- The Love Hypothesis: Collector’s Edition: I hadn’t heard of this book before, so I appreciated the AI’s reasoning: “A highly rated modern sweet romance if she enjoys contemporary reads too.” I wasn’t as appreciative of the price — $29.40. A regular edition may have to do for this one.
- Beautiful Things (Emily Rath): Another book I hadn’t known about. ChatGPT suggested it as “A heartfelt romantic story with glowing reviews — thoughtful and uplifting.” A new edition could cost me about $14.56. Not bad.
Back Pain and Comfort Gifts
Next, ChatGPT dived into options aimed at alleviating my mother’s back pain, “without giving alcohol or nicotine” — a caveat that evoked images of my mom as the leader of a biker gang. The AI followed up with, “Back pain relief products like massage pads and heat wraps are often recommended for seniors dealing with stiffness and soreness,” which made much more sense.
- Hyperice Venom 2 Back Heat & Massage Wrap: Suggested for its “high-quality heated massage wrap with adjustable heat and vibration — great daily relief.” Unfortunately, the price doesn’t bring me any relief: At $229, this is too expensive for my budget.
- Comfier Body Massage Mat: This cushioned massage mat made the cut because of its versatility; the AI said it can be used on chairs or the floor for full-body soothing. At the price of $59.94, it was the most cost-effective suggestion ChatGPT offered.
- Therabody Wave Duo: At $99, this item was also out of budget. However, I made a mental note to look for a more affordable wave roller elsewhere, because I do think one could help her.
Bonus Gift Ideas You Could Pair With These
Though not on the original gift list, ChatGPT offered a few more ideas that I thought were fun and creative. I’ve included the AI’s suggestions verbatim below:
- A high-quality e-reader loaded with a few of her favorite romance books (makes reading easier if she has vision strain)
- Warm throw blanket or wearable blanket — perfect for curling up with a book
- Bookish extras like a rechargeable book light, cozy socks, or an insulated mug or mug warmer for long reading sessions
- A UK-themed gift box with tea, shortbread, or British treats to complement her Anglophile interests
The Bottom Line
I wouldn’t rely on ChatGPT for my entire gift list — some suggestions were too expensive — but it was great for brainstorming. I love the idea of a UK-themed gift box. And while I’d considered getting her books, ChatGPT suggested new titles and authors I wouldn’t have discovered otherwise, as well as the idea of getting aesthetically pleasing editions. All in all, it was a worthy endeavor.
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