Drama Llama Posted December 22, 2020 Share Posted December 22, 2020 (edited) is that I got a new sister in law. DH's little brother got married to the most wonderful woman. I can't imagine someone I'd rather be sisters with. This was supposed to be her year. The year we helped host an amazing wedding and reception, and shared our holiday traditions, and got to know her even better. She didn't get any of that. Instead there was a tiny ceremony with no reception, followed by months of isolation, and then a funeral. And through all of that, she stood by our family. As 2020 comes to an end, I'd like to do something special for her to acknowledge that 2020 wasn't all bad. DH and his siblings agreed that we'd all take the money that we'd usually spend on each other and donate it to one of DS's favorite charities, and I don't want to break that rule, so I'm thinking of something for New Year's Eve? In any other year, I might get them a gift card to a wonderful restaurant for their first NYE as a married couple, but that's out. Maybe I cook something wonderful and drop it off? Or send them a present, maybe a pretty frame for their wedding picture? Any other ideas? Edited December 23, 2020 by BaseballandHockey 19 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
matrips Posted December 22, 2020 Share Posted December 22, 2020 This is probably just because we were doing a jigsaw puzzle to day and we love them. Are there any good family photos from the wedding? Could you write a nice,but short, message on the photo and turn it into a jigsaw puzzle? I know there are companies that do that. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Drama Llama Posted December 22, 2020 Author Share Posted December 22, 2020 15 minutes ago, matrips said: This is probably just because we were doing a jigsaw puzzle to day and we love them. Are there any good family photos from the wedding? Could you write a nice,but short, message on the photo and turn it into a jigsaw puzzle? I know there are companies that do that. Ooooh that's a really sweet idea. I don't know if we could get one in time. I kind of want something that will arrive by 12/31, but maybe I could do that for their anniversary in March? 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carriede Posted December 22, 2020 Share Posted December 22, 2020 Take everything you just said, write it in a beautiful card, and send it to her. 13 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carol in Cal. Posted December 22, 2020 Share Posted December 22, 2020 Yes to the card, plus we almost always have cheese fondue and champagne for New Year's Eve. Maybe get them everything for that--a ceramic fondue pot, and the cheese all cut up, and easy instructions? Start a glorious tradition! If it's snowy near you, tell them to cool the champagne in the snow and take a photo of it. 4 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Katy Posted December 22, 2020 Share Posted December 22, 2020 Yes, that written in a card will be more meaningful to her than anything you could gift. 7 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Drama Llama Posted December 22, 2020 Author Share Posted December 22, 2020 2 minutes ago, Carol in Cal. said: Yes to the card, plus we almost always have cheese fondue and champagne for New Year's Eve. Maybe get them everything for that--a ceramic fondue pot, and the cheese all cut up, and easy instructions? Start a glorious tradition! If it's snowy near you, tell them to cool the champagne in the snow and take a photo of it. Oooh, maybe I could just send champagne? A nice bottle of champagne and a card? I really like that idea. Fondue sounds great, but champagne sounds more within my capabilities. 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JennyD Posted December 22, 2020 Share Posted December 22, 2020 49 minutes ago, BaseballandHockey said: A nice bottle of champagne and a card? I really like that idea. That's absolutely perfect. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeterPan Posted December 22, 2020 Share Posted December 22, 2020 58 minutes ago, Carol in Cal. said: --a ceramic fondue pot, and the cheese all cut up, and easy instructions? Ok, now you've done it. Now I've got fondue on the brain! And you had to use the word EASY... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Terabith Posted December 22, 2020 Share Posted December 22, 2020 41 minutes ago, PeterPan said: Ok, now you've done it. Now I've got fondue on the brain! And you had to use the word EASY... I'm really curious about the combination of fondue and easy. Are fondue pots easy to clean? That would be a game changer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carol in Cal. Posted December 22, 2020 Share Posted December 22, 2020 2 hours ago, Terabith said: I'm really curious about the combination of fondue and easy. Are fondue pots easy to clean? That would be a game changer. They are if you manage it right. Basically if there is any left over cheese, scrape it out with a spoon and either save it for eggs or toss it. Then soak overnight and it’s pretty easy to clean in the morning. It’s glazed ceramic, so it’s very smooth. Really, though, cheese fondue is super easy. 6 oz emmenthaler 6 oz gruyere 1 1/2 cups white wine (drinkable, light—Sauvignon blanc is good) You dice the cheese into little chunks, toss with 2 tablespoons of cornstarch and a hefty sprinkle of nutmeg. Heat up the wine in a heavy pot on the stove. Sprinkle heavily with garlic powder and a little white pepper. Add the cheese by handfuls once it’s hot, stirring pretty much until it’s all melted. Then add 1-2 tablespoons of kirsch if you have some and heat up again. Voila, it’s ready. In parallel you have cut up sourdough bread in cubes, leaving some crust on each piece to hold it together. And you have to get the fondue pot onto the table and the flame going, and then you pour the fondue right into it. I’ve gotten so fast at this that I can get it on the table in half an hour or less if DH helps with the bread. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Drama Llama Posted December 23, 2020 Author Share Posted December 23, 2020 OK, I'm going to send some champagne. Except I don't drink wine, so I have no idea how to pick a bottle of champagne. Any suggestions? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J-rap Posted December 23, 2020 Share Posted December 23, 2020 I get champagne once every other year (and don't really like it, myself :)). I pick something mid-range with a pretty bottle or label. I figure most other people also aren't champagne experts! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arcadia Posted December 23, 2020 Share Posted December 23, 2020 For weddings (relatives) and New Year Eve parties, we buy the cheapest Moët & Chandon champagne available because of the quantity needed. If we want to splurge as a gift, then we get their Dom Pérignon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Drama Llama Posted December 23, 2020 Author Share Posted December 23, 2020 4 minutes ago, Arcadia said: For weddings (relatives) and New Year Eve parties, we buy the cheapest Moët & Chandon champagne available because of the quantity needed. If we want to splurge as a gift, then we get their Dom Pérignon. Is there something in between? Like a $50 - $70 bottle? The reviews all say things like "open-knot" and "hints of toast" and I have no idea if these are good or bad things. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arcadia Posted December 23, 2020 Share Posted December 23, 2020 8 minutes ago, BaseballandHockey said: Is there something in between? Like a $50 - $70 bottle? https://www.bevmo.com/shop/wine/champagne_and_sparkling/champagne/sparkling/moet_and_chandon_imperial_brut_750_ml/p/1564405684704492850 $40 That’s what we typically use for family parties for the ceremonial toast. It’s 750ml, about 25 ounces. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Drama Llama Posted December 23, 2020 Author Share Posted December 23, 2020 6 minutes ago, Arcadia said: https://www.bevmo.com/shop/wine/champagne_and_sparkling/champagne/sparkling/moet_and_chandon_imperial_brut_750_ml/p/1564405684704492850 $40 That’s what we typically use for family parties for the ceremonial toast. It’s 750ml, about 25 ounces. Perfect! That's good for 2 people right? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arcadia Posted December 23, 2020 Share Posted December 23, 2020 Just now, BaseballandHockey said: Perfect! That's good for 2 people right? More than enough for two. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LAS in LA Posted December 23, 2020 Share Posted December 23, 2020 In case you need another suggestion: Veuve Clicquot. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Toocrazy!! Posted December 23, 2020 Share Posted December 23, 2020 42 minutes ago, LAS in LA said: In case you need another suggestion: Veuve Clicquot. I second this! Very yummy! Clean, not sweet or overly flavored. Our sams club sells it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arcadia Posted December 23, 2020 Share Posted December 23, 2020 45 minutes ago, LAS in LA said: In case you need another suggestion: Veuve Clicquot. 2 minutes ago, Toocrazy!! said: I second this! Very yummy! Clean, not sweet or overly flavored. Our sams club sells it. https://bespokeunit.com/champagne/best/under-50/ “Here’s our top recommendations for the Best Champagne Under $50: Veuve Clicquot Carte Jaune (Yellow Label) Perrier-Jouët Grand Brut Canard Duchêne Authentic Brut GH Mumm Cordon Rouge Moët & Chandon Impérial Brut “ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Drama Llama Posted December 23, 2020 Author Share Posted December 23, 2020 Thanks everyone! I got the one @Arcadiamentioned, and a 2L bottle of BIL's favorite soda so he wouldn't feel left out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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