Skadi Posted November 27, 2012 Share Posted November 27, 2012 Inlaws have more money than us, and if they really want or need anything, they buy it for themselves. However, it is particularly important to my MIL to receive surprise gifts that (while not necessarily expensive) show thought and attention. Surely I'm not the only one with this challenge? We've done journals, framed pictures, kitchen items, etc. I'm out of ideas. What are you getting your ILs? Any ideas about what to buy the person who already has everything and doesn't have any hobbies you can capitalize on? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cassy Posted November 27, 2012 Share Posted November 27, 2012 I've baked Christmas cakes for my MIL (and SIL and ex-SIL), which the boys and I will decorate as beautifully as possible. Each cake will be presented in a lovely new cake tin which, of course, they can use again and again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jen in PA Posted November 27, 2012 Share Posted November 27, 2012 You could have photo mugs made with family pictures, then get some nice coffee/cocoa type things to go with them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Danestress Posted November 27, 2012 Share Posted November 27, 2012 Inlaws have more money than us, and if they really want or need anything, they buy it for themselves. However, it is particularly important to my MIL to receive surprise gifts that (while not necessarily expensive) show thought and attention. Surely I'm not the only one with this challenge? We've done journals, framed pictures, kitchen items, etc. I'm out of ideas. What are you getting your ILs? Any ideas about what to buy the person who already has everything and doesn't have any hobbies you can capitalize on? I get my MIL the same thing every year - tickets to an event (a show, sometimes the symphony) for her and DH. Usually it's for some time in the spring, and he takes her out, just the two of them, for a nice dinner and the performance. She does have all the "stuff" she needs, but every woman loves time one on one with her son, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fairfarmhand Posted November 27, 2012 Share Posted November 27, 2012 My mil loves handmade gifts. Like embroidered pillowcases or dishtowels. That kind of things. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Desert Rat Posted November 27, 2012 Share Posted November 27, 2012 Are they music lovers? If so a framed copy of their favorite album or a favorite artist is a personal, thoughtful idea. The frames for albums are available at Michaels and are not expensive. The album might be though. (My dad was a collector. This idea is how he was trying to liquidate his huge record collection.) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
moonlight Posted November 27, 2012 Share Posted November 27, 2012 A calendar with pics of the grandkids...my parents always like that sort of thing. Does she have a particular hobby...you can make her a gift basket with that theme.. I love the idea for a "date with her son" though the most! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jujsky Posted November 27, 2012 Share Posted November 27, 2012 What about a picture calendar? DH makes one every year for his grandmother. My ILs like wine, so one year we got them a gift certificate to a local vineyard that does wine tastings and wrapped it up with a bottle of their wine. We've also given them a membership to an art museum. For Mother's Day/Father's Day we started a tradition a couple years ago. We get them and my mom tickets to a show in Boston. We all go together to the show and out to dinner after. It's expensive to do, but they enjoy having that experience with us. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skadi Posted November 27, 2012 Author Share Posted November 27, 2012 Thanks for the ideas! Keep 'em coming. I'm writing all these down. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caroline Posted November 27, 2012 Share Posted November 27, 2012 This gift is beautiful! If it didn't involve a plane ticket, I would do this for my DMIL. Maybe I'll do it anyway. I get my MIL the same thing every year - tickets to an event (a show, sometimes the symphony) for her and DH. Usually it's for some time in the spring, and he takes her out, just the two of them, for a nice dinner and the performance. She does have all the "stuff" she needs, but every woman loves time one on one with her son, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whitestavern Posted November 27, 2012 Share Posted November 27, 2012 I get my MIL the same thing every year - tickets to an event (a show, sometimes the symphony) for her and DH. Usually it's for some time in the spring, and he takes her out, just the two of them, for a nice dinner and the performance. She does have all the "stuff" she needs, but every woman loves time one on one with her son, We do this as well, only the gift is for both MIL and FIL. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shanvan Posted November 27, 2012 Share Posted November 27, 2012 Last year we got them some artisan cheese and a few other edibles from Shelburne Farms. It was a little pricey for us, but we've visited and knew we were supporting a good cause and FIL appreciates good cheeses. They enjoyed having something unusual to eat during the holidays. We also bought him some Jalapeno Spiced Pistachios from Oh Nuts! which he loves and would not have ordered for himself. For MIL we found a frame that matched her family room decor and had enlargements of Dc's photos made. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maddykate Posted November 27, 2012 Share Posted November 27, 2012 Could you find a local pottery store or something unique to your area? Depending on where we have lived, we have given handmade bird feeders, spiced pistachios, handcrafted paintbrushes. I want to make homemade vanilla and put in a pretty little jar, but I haven't done it yet. I have made specialty breads, cookies, fudge and other types of things for a little basket. Good luck! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tammyw Posted November 27, 2012 Share Posted November 27, 2012 I have done the same thing every year since we had kids - a shutterfly photo book of the entire year. Our families love it and look forward to it every year. Honestly there's nothing else we could get them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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