Ok, moms, I need some suggestions. See I recently bought my first house and as a single mom, my brother in law has really stepped up to help us. He has put in a door to the house from the attached garage, put in a whole wall of cabinets in the kitchen, fixed the handrail and a bunch of other things. He is always there to help. I really want to give him something the show my apprecication. The problem is that he has EVERYTHING, no I mean EVERYTHING. Because they have money, if he needs/wants something, he just goes and gets it.
He is about 50 y/o and a constuction guy. He volunteers for the ESDA (civil service) department in his town. He plays computer games once in awhile and goes to all his son's baseball games to take pictures for the team. As you can see, he is an all around great guy and we are lucky to have him in our family, but I am stuck. A gift card just won't get it, I need something but can't think of anything. Money is not that big of an issue, but I don't want to spend too mcuh money because he will be embarrassed by that. I don't want to make him uncomfortable, but want to do something. Any suggestions?
Does he like bacon? Try the bacon-of-the-month club: www.zingermans.com. My husband got this as a gift from my Dad and he LOVES LOVES LOVES it and is the envy of all his friends! :-)
I suggest taking him to a AAA ball game or bowling. Something you all can enjoy and share in each others company when not needing to accomplish something.
Home-made gifts may sound cheesy, but often are the way to go for those who have everything.
Flash Slideshow Maker is a free program that lets you make a picture slideshow to music on a DVD. Be sneaky and get digital versions of a nice selection of the pictures he's taken, then find a fave song that goes along with and set the theme to that. Print a custom DVD label and case cover to go with it.
They have these cute photo slideshow keychains that hold a nice amount of pictures, you could get some fave ones to start it off then he can change it up as desired.
If you sew, you can buy printable fabric and print off a few choice pictures, write a heart-felt thank you note on a block then stitch over the letters. Use these to make a small quilted throw to hang on the wall.
You've gotten lots of good ideas. We have gone the gift-of-the-month club route because it's slightly different and not something that people do for themselves. The good thing is that you don't have to commit to every month. We typically give it for 3 months, either 3 consecutive months or 3 gifts every other month, but you can choose whatever you want. If he's into craft beer or microbrews, the beer one is particuarly good. Congratulations on your home!
If he is big in to photography have your kids (not sure of the ages) or you make a photo album to hold the pictures. Do a baseball theme or a family theme. There are tons of easy ways to create an awesome album even if you don't scrapbook yourself. Michaels is a good place to start. You could just decorate an album and leave it empty. If you have before & after pictures of his projects that he has done for you, you could include them as well. You could do some lottery tickets. Scratch off Lottery tickets are fun for everyone. You could do 10-20 $1 scratch offs and it's fun (even if you have money) to scratch it off to see if you won. Sounds like a good guy & that's very nice of you to show your appreciation. Too many people now a days seem to take things/people for granted. I'm sure whatever you do for him, he will love it.
What about a photobook of him and his family or special times you all have had as a group? You can uses services like Shutterfly to upload the pictures and create a great keepsake. Or what about tickets to something he can do with his family, tickets to a Kane County Cougars or Joliet jackhammers game (depending on what's closer)? That would be an experience for the whole family that is fun and memorable.
I like the handmade, from the heart ideas. Also, there are gift of the month clubs - you can google and get a list of a bunch of them. If you know of something he likes, you can chose your budget/the frequency of the gifts (monthly, bimonthly, qarterly, etc.) and he'll get the gifts for as long as you want him to.
I love the grilling tools and grill basket from Pampered Chef.
M.
Maybe something hand made that you put a lot of effort into and that he can't just go out and buy. Or you could throw him a Jolly Good Fellow party, invite family and friends, serve his favorite food and drinks. Maybe have a slide show of old pictures, get people to tell stories about him, give him a scrapbook of the pics.
How about getting him a flip video camera? He can then record his son's games and do whatever else with it. I just got one and love it. It's just a neat little handy thing to have around! And men love anything electronic, right?
Perhaps a sincere letter?
Bake his favorite treat along with the note?
Maybe a frame with a picture of you and your son - y'all holding up a sign that says "We love Uncle Joey." Or write something like "Thanks for being the best brother-in-law and uncle one could ask for" on the matting around your picture.
what about tickets to a sporting event, concert etc. or do a really nice dinner, or cookout etc. at your house to show your appreciation. Seems like he is a good family guy, so a special family dinner would be a nice gesture.
How about a gift card at target to get games or a gas card?
Hi Patty, I LOVE to hear about people like him!! Warms my heart. Lucky you to have him. The other ideas about tickets to a game are a great idea!! My suggestion is one of those blankets you make yourself. Perhaps in a sports theme he loves.
We have given & received those & love them! I had a quilt made for my husband a few years back using his Harley T-Shirt collection, it took forever & was pricey but it is his favorite item he owns.
A photo book or photo album... you can do photo books from Costco. I have done that and its great. They often have discounts.
Or, www.kodakgallery.com has GREAT photo gifts... I have gotten gifts from there before and it is real nice.
You can take photos of all the things he has fixed/put into your home... and then add a cute caption with it.... to personalize it and say what it means to you.
And add photos of him and your family.... in it too. Sentimental things for the photo book...
Something like photos or personalize with your own sentiment is nice.
OR write a poem... yourself. Then hand write it or type it, and frame it.
It does not have to be a professional type poem, just written by yourself/your child and how much he means to you... and that is always real special. And irreplaceable.
Wow, your BIL sounds really great and wonderful.
What a great guy!
all the best,
Susan
How about making him his favorite dinner, and explain that you're making this because you appreciate everything he does and is doing for you.
I'm not sure how he's your brother in law, but assuming he's married to your sister, why night give them a date night. Offer to watch the kids and give them a gift certificate for dinner (and maybe a movie). You've said that you want to show your appreciation. I think this shows your thoughtfulness for all the kind things he's done for you. I think a heartfelt note or card can also be included or enough to express your deep gratitude to him. I just thought of something else. If he won't accept anything, maybe you can make a donation to a cause that's important to him or perhaps to that ESDA organization in his name. Good luck!
You could get him some ticktets to a baseball game or other sports event or if he is more into music to a concert. Another possibility would be to take him and his family out for dinner, or have a dinner party in his honor at your house.
