A personalised song for Mum or Dad: what to include

Parents are notoriously hard to buy for. They "don't need anything", they already have three of whatever you were going to get, and the card always ends up saying the same thing. A personalised song for your mum or dad is different: it is about them, made for them, and it says out loud the things that usually stay unsaid.

Here is how to make one that feels like your family.

Start with the stories you grew up with

The heart of a song for a parent is shared history. Before you think about rhymes, jot down a few memories:

• A family saying they repeat constantly ("Were you born in a barn?").
• A childhood moment — the bike lessons, the school runs, the camping trip where it rained all week.
• Something they taught you, big or small: how to make gravy, how to stand up for yourself.
• Their signature habit: humming in the kitchen, falling asleep during every film.
• What you would thank them for if you could only pick one thing.

Two or three of these are plenty. A song is short, and the best lines are the specific ones.

Choose between tears and laughter

Some parents love a good cry; others would rather laugh. A gentle acoustic song about growing up works beautifully for a milestone birthday or a retirement. A cheeky pop song about Dad's questionable DIY projects might be perfect for Father's Day.

You can also mix the two: a couple of funny verses, then a chorus that simply says thank you.

Pick a style they would choose

Think about the music they play in the car, not what is on your playlist. Many parents light up when they hear the sound of home: a soulful ballad, a country tune, a fado or a chanson if that is where the family comes from. The style tells them you were thinking about them.

Occasions that suit a song

1. Birthdays, especially the big round ones.
2. Mother's Day or Father's Day.
3. Retirement, a new house, becoming grandparents.
4. Just because — the surprise ones mean the most.

Getting the name right

If you call them "Mum", "Dad", "Mama" or a family nickname, use it. With YourHit you can hear how the name sounds before the song is recorded and spell it the way you say it, so it sounds exactly like home.

Type the name, the occasion and a few details, and the lyrics appear ready to tweak — softer, funnier, or with that line about the garden. Then send them their own song page, and if you can, be there when they press play.

Say what the card never could. Make a song for Mum or Dad in 60 seconds.