My MIL always showers my family with gifts when she comes to visit, and we've never really done anything in return (because she's adamant we don't)... I kind of feel like she goes overboard with the gifts she gives because she lives in LA and we only see her maybe twice a year. I'd really like to get something for her and her husband... they are very religious, so I was thinking of getting a cross something or other... any thoughts? I found a pretty book mark with a cross off the end that you could engrave... but it seemed a little silly.
My step MIL, we've NEVER exchanged gifts (we see them all the time)... last weekend, she randomly said 'I can't wait to give you your Christmas gift!!'... I actually have an idea of what she got me (okay, I flat out know for sure what she got me)... it's something I've wanted and haven't bought myself for a really long time because I couldn't bring myself to spend the money on ME (it's a necklace)... I am really flattered that she actually got me something so personal! So I'd really like to do something for her as well. She's harder though, because they have money, and if they want something, they buy it... what do you get the person who has everything they want?!
I love them both very much, and while money is EXTREMELY tight, I really want to get each of them something nice.
Suggestions?
If you had told me this three weeks ago - I would've had my dad make them a cross and engrave their names and the date of their marriage on it.
So if you can go to Things Remembered or have one new you - they are on-line too - they have very nice items that can be religious and engraved as well.
A framed picture of the kids and some homemade goodies would be nice.
Gifts from the heart are ALWAYS best when it comes to our "elders." I've often told my good friend (who is always at a loss when it comes to gifts and ends up giving silly junk) that what they want from us is our time. So make them your signature baked dessert and wrap it beautifully. Or take them to the place nearby that you'd love to see if YOU were a tourist. Spend your time on them...and don't worry so much about the money you don't spend.
Buy a simple, flat-surfaced photo frame and glue small jalapeno peppers or similar in cute patterns, then cover with a layer of clear finishing which will dry and the keep the colors bright. You could also use shells, stones, buttons, whatever to personalize the frame. I think they will love it and it won't cost a lot to make! have fun with a little imagination...Good luck!
OK--everyone's definition of "extremely tight" is different.
Tight for you might be $20. Or a $50 limit per person....so hard to say.
BUT, my philosophy is--even if you can only spend twenty dollars, get the NICEST thing you can for that $20--without getting a more expensive thing the "looks" and "is" cheap (A 'nice' cashmere scarf will NEVER be 'nice' for $20, kwim?)
So, if the engraveable bookmark is nice and fits your tight budget--definitely go with it. It sounds like something your MIL would appreciate.
As for the Step-MIL, if you normally don't exchange gifts, don't feel obligated to start now, just because you know she (uncharacteristically) bought you something. Maybe a beautiful platter of homemade cookies and some nice chocolates when you see her--either at your house or when you go to their house--even before the actual holiday is OK.
Gifts from the heart like the other mom said. Go ahead and get the Cross Bookmark - the engraving will make it personal and it would be lovely for their Bible. You might feel silly about it, but it spoke to you in some way so go with your heart.
Nice doesn't always have to cost anything. What do YOU do really well? Do you craft at all? Perhaps you and your kids could get one of those paver craft kits and you can all do your handprints, etc.? You can't by love and loving thoughts - any gift you give that shows those, regardless of the monetary cost, is priceless :)
Learn to make something, like knitting, crochet or cross-stitch. Craft stores or even local libraries always have classes on making nice seasonal things.
I learned how to make bookmarks w/ribbons and beads and now I give as gifts to the ladies' groups I'm in. This is something you can totally personalize - if one of them likes to read, you could use a book charm at the end of the bookmark as weight. If someone likes the color green, you can find a nice green fancy ribbon. Easy and cheap.
I love giving those books full of fill in the blank life questions. Last year we gave them as gifts and everyone loved them. Each page has a question like "Who was your best friend growing up" and "Did you move alot? How old were you and how did that make you feel?". Good books cover the whole span of life - childhood, school years, first dates, college, first jobs - that sort of thing. I gave my girlfriend a mother/daughter book when her daughter went off to college, where there were the same life questions but yet there were different spaces for the mother and daughter to complete and they could see each other's answers about the same question.
For your MIL - the artist Jim Shore has a series of handcrafted angels spanning everyday and holidays.
http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_trksid=p519...
For step MIL - a gift card to a nice restaurant that they like or have wanted to try but haven't.
a photo book of the kids!
handmade Xmas ornament
something made by the kids for them
flagstones for outside w/the kids hand and/or footprints
coasters w/your kids photos inside
bags with your kids photo on it or personalized "Grandma" etc.
If I had known I would have passed on the deal I saw the other day to you. They were giving free pitchers w/a lovely Bible verse on it for free - just $6 shipping. Got mine last night (gift for a religious friend) and it's really nice and very pretty!
Check out www.vistaprint.com and www.artscow.com for personalized ideas. Also, www.juliethefish.com and other similar sites do personalized jewelry. I got my father and his girlfriend engraved keychains last year - they are people I never know what to get and they live in France so it has to be tiny or the shipping gets outrageous!
Just had another idea for the MIL coming from LA - have you taken her to Lewis Ginter Garden Fest of Lights? If not consider doing that as her gift! The garden itself is so beautiful and the lights just make it spectacular! You could make a cute card or something and tell her you are giving her the "gift of light!" Corny but funny... :) Check out local sites, groupon, etc. to see if there are any deals/coupons.
You could put your kids handprints on coaster-sized tiles.
You can use stamping ink or paint. Coat their hands in the ink/paint, then press carefully onto a clean dry tile. Once the ink/paint has dried (give it at least a couple of days) you spray with a clearcoat. Stick little feet (available at the home improvement or craft store) onto the bottom and you're good to go. Something unique, useful and personal.
