My uncle and aunt are very sweet and have been generous with gifts when my son was born as well as last Christmas. I don't see them regularly though and we aren't particularly close but I just got a call from them asking to meet us for dinner this Friday. I'm pretty sure they'll come bearing gifts so I want to give them something too but we're kind of on a budget and don't have much money to throw around. Plus, my aunt/uncle are rich and I could never match the quality of the gift that they'll give us. I want to give them something nice and useful but no idea what... any suggestions?? Thanks!
Ornaments are always really nice. You can get a nice ornament from a department store for under $20!
I find that monogrammed items are nice for folks like that. Do they enjoy wine? Get them a nice monogrammed wine stopper. Or a set of non-monogrammed ones. Either one should run less than $15.
:)
I think they would like a better relationship with you and the kids. I think maybe you dont feel particularly close to them but they feel close to you. What kind of gift can you give that will encourage that? Could you give them a gift of a family portrait of yall and tickets to a family event that everyone will go to? Like a day at the zoo with you and your son. I think a rich uncle would like to go to the zoo with your you and your son more than any kind of material gift.
Nice bottle of wine?
Christmas pot holder and towel?
Luxurious milled French guest soaps and a hand towel?
Gourmet coffee or tea?
Small box of Godiva candies?
Scented candle?
Your gift doesn't need to "match" theirs!
A gift is a gift! Present it beautifully. And proudly.
You can get a digital photo frame at Target for $50-$70 - upload pics of the kids and they will love it!
Bottle of wine is always a good gift. Pair it with a cheese/cracker basket. And it doesn't matter what kind of wine they "prefer" - most wine drinkers will still drink a decent wine even if it isn't their preference. For ex, I prefer a merlot, but I would drink a nice white wine if given to me as a thoughtful gift! Wine is a classy gift!
Make up your own basket of wine/cheese, tea/coffee/mugs, etc.
Or, pick up the tab at dinner!
Good luck!
A photo book with a picture of your son. Then every few months you can send them new pics to add to the book.
I'm with those who mentioned giving them some family pictures. Photos of the family is always a nice touch.
I have made several family albums for people of obscure pictures not many in the family have. Sometimes I make a collage out of the pictures with words of love and funny things that may have happened around the pictures. They sound like they want to just shower you and your family with love. That's priceless. Return the favor by letting them have some photos of the family.
I also loved the zoo idea.
Print out a picture of your family from your computer & put it in an inexpensive frame.
Write a poem for them and frame it.
Give them a bottle of wine.
It doesn't matter how much money they have & how much of a budget you are on. Don't spend $ you dont' have but give them some token of affection from the heart. Inexpensive but thought of w/love.
Enjoy your dinner. I would not pay for their meal & only offer to pay for your half if you can afford it.
Otherwise ask them if they would prefer a home cooked meal.
Maybe it's fun for them to go out & they are planning on paying for it when you go so that's why they asked. But you don't have to break the bank.
Have a great time! ;)
Gourmet coffee - go to a specialty store and spend more than you would dream of spending on coffee (like $12-16 on a package of beans), then tie it with a fancy bow and bag of cinnamon sticks for a present topper. Have the kids make them a card and include your own words, expressing how much they mean to you and how lucky you are to have them in your life. They will love it! They clearly make an effort in the way they know will be appreciated by you (generous gifts), and this type of gift/card would say the same.
You'll not be able to get them anything they need or want because they probably already have everything they need/want. So, get them something that they would never buy for themselves. I like the coffee idea or just anything along those lines. Also, the idea of a nice wine stopper is good. Just a little something that each time they use it, they will think of you and your family and smile. Hey, what about a digital photo frame filled with pics of you and your family?
A nice bottle of wine. I like the coffee idea too.
I'm a BIG FAN of "consumable gifts" for the person who already has everything or is difficult to buy for. I'd get them a really nice gift basket at Harry & David's or chocolates from Fannie May.
Another thought is print a picture of your family, put it in a nice frame and write them a little note telling them how much they mean to you, how much you appreciate their generosity and how much you love them.
Godiva hot chocolate in two pretty mugs. Add a large, festive bow with a pretty Christmas ornament hanging from it. It's all about the presentation!
Sorry but I don't care for the coffee and wine idea. They prob. have a Keurig so bulk coffee will not work. Wine drinkers like their type of wine. Do they like white, red, dry, fruity, sweet?? Unless you know, save your money.
I like the picture of the kids idea. Otherwise, make some cake-pops and have the kids help decorate them.
Make some cocoa rum balls. I'm doing those for relatives that I don't know what to buy for.
My uncle always said hugs were the best gifts. :) I miss him. At least using my uncles as an example because they could have whatever they really cherished the thought of giving. It wasn't so much what you gave but that you thought to give it.
Not knowing what your uncle is into I don't know that I can help you with specifics. Like my uncle was sooooo into fishing. You could give him a ten dollar lure that was unusual and he was in heaven. :)
Photos, and put them in a cute mini album.
With an nice handwritten note.
Do you have any talent? I mean like being a good baker or being good at sewing / arts & crafts etc? I'm not ... but I am pretty good at writing so I wrote a poem for each person, printed it on pretty paper, rolled it up and tied it with coloured raffia. Trust me - rich people who can buy anything they want - usually appreciate "something that money can't buy"! Especially if it shows that you put effort into it yourself. Good luck!
I was thinking a couple pretty christmas ornaments, and saw someone else recommend that as well. Especially this close to Christmas, you can get a FANTASTIC deal on a few at Kohl's. Really pretty ones, and you could get 2 or 3 for less than $20. Pair that with something homemade, and that would be wonderful! TRULY, it's the thought that counts. They wouldn't want you to be extravagant if you cannot afford it.
yep pictures of the kids is my go to. Also we usually get like a bulk craft set (ornaments or picture frames, etc) for the kids to make for everyone each year. These are not too expensive because they usually come in packs of a dozen or so. I get 3 differnet kids because I have 3 kids and each kid make one of something for each set of grandparents, aunts, etc. So everyone gets the same thing but not from the same kid exactly. This has always worked for us. Or make some homemade goodies with the kiddoes and pack them in cute little reusable boxes or tins. Coffee people like their kind of coffee just like wine people like their kind of wine. I am both so although I always appreciate the thought of a gift like a starbucks giftcard or something...I don't drink starbucks so it is the 1st to be regifted :) Hope this helps
