So my parents are coming next week to visit. We will not see them again before xmas. I've been racking my brain for a gift. They are going to Hawaii for xmas with my sister and her family. I was thinking of getting them an activity but my sister is a super-planner. I asked about what they are doing and she was like "snorkel one day, zip line another day, blah, blah". I tired to ask about details like the when, where and with who to maybe get a GC to pay for the activity. She didn't respond. Finally today she said most of the activities have been paid for.
Okay, it would have been nice to know that earlier so I could look at other stuff. Anyway, they do have some non-planned days. My dad loves to fly. He taught flying to pay his way throw college. I found a airplane tour that I think they would love to do. They do not have gift certificates. I also do not know their plans to make a reservation now for them.
So would it be weird to approach them when they are here that we would like to give them this tour and make/pay for the reservation while they are here?
My parents have money and do not need anything. They tend to give us a check for xmas. It would be weird to just give them say a visa gift card towards the activity.
What differentiates an average host and a great host is anticipating unexpressed needs and wants of their guests. Just because the want/need is not expressed, doesn't mean it wouldn't be appreciated.