My Mom would freak out if I called her old online. Luckily, I don’t think of her as being old at all. She runs her own business (an upscale dog kennel) in Maine, has a smart phone and is constantly staying connected with us through any medium – online or not. The thing is no matter how cool or hip parents are, its often an added complication for them to stay on top of online and digital trends. That’s why we are here to help. J

You may have recently read the IE blog post that makes a nod to the big Friday holiday. Gotcha! It’s not Black Friday but instead the famed “Update Your Parent’s Browser Day.” Just to clear the air, I didn’t nor did Microsoft make up this holiday. (@RobynsWorld – I know you were curious.) It’s a national day created by The Atlantic dedicated to updating the browsers in your parent’s home. IE gave advice on good times to update, and they include:

• When they’re telling your cousins “when I was your age” stories.
• When they’re face down in the eggnog punch.
• When they’re fighting over the right way to carve a turkey.
• When your mom kicks you out of the kitchen for peeling potatoes “the wrong way.”

In the spirit of the holiday, I’d like to also throw out a few great gift ideas for parents. You could think of this as a “make them feel young” gift or just a way to distract them from asking about your roommate, your partner or why you feel the overwhelming urge to watch National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation.

• Let’s start with a new PC! For parents who are still learning to use the PC, Windows 7 is a simple, intuitive platform to use. Help decide them decide the best PC for their needs by using the PC finder on Windows.com.
• Microsoft LifeChat Headsets are a great gift for grandparents or parents who want to video chat via Messenger or other services. The headsets help to minimize yelling and maximize enjoyment.
• Microsoft Ergonomic Keyboard helps those with arthritic hands type easily and effectively. By resting their arms, wrists, and hands in a more natural position, they reduce pressure on sensitive areas and the potential for injuries resulting from unhealthy posture.

Have a happy “Update Your Parent’s Browser” day and remember my top 3 rules for looking at other people’s PCs:

1. Never check browser history
2. Never look at the auto-complete answers
3. Always upload funny Facebook statuses in their open browsers.

What are your rules for using other people’s PCs? Answer in the comments below or tweet me @kristinalibby