Okay, this will sound petty, because it is. Background: My SIL makes a lot of money and likes to flaunt it. She always leaves things with brand names lying around where we will see them (leaves her Prada purse at my spot at the kitchen table, etc.) and describes things by brand name so we'll know they're expensive ("Have you seen my Gucci sunglasses? I can't find them.). But when it comes to spending money on others, she always says she'll do generous things, but never follows through. For example, she said she was going to give us $1,000 for our daughter's college fund for her 1st birthday, but never did, and she said she was going to buy us a new wineglass when she broke one of our expensive ones, but never did. The list goes on. When I wear something she'll often ask what brand it is, and then look sort of disgusted when it's not a designer brand. Anyway, she has asked me to make a wish list for Christmas. I don't really need anything, so I am looking for ideas for really extravagant things to put on my list. So far I have a Kate Spade purse and expensive gourmet salt. Ideas?
Thanks so much to everyone who responded. With your suggestions, I came up with what I thought was a really good list! It was on Amazon so there were limits to what I could add, and I couldn't figure out any way to add donations to the college fund. But I added charities, a set of the wine glasses like the one she broke, Jo Malone candles ($345 - does anyone spend $345 for a candle??!), 3 months of cheese from Williams Sonoma, and a completed Pandora bracelet. I kept going back and looking at my list because it made me chuckle! There were some less expensive things - the charities, gourmet salt (expensive for salt, but not that expensive), a family membership to a local botanical garden, so it's not like everything was incredibly expensive. So, do you know what she sent? Nothing! She did send a toy for my daughter, but nothing for me or my husband. So who knows if she even looked at the list. Typical of her to ask me to make a list, and then not send anything!!
put the wine glasses on there and the 1k for the college fund! Dont forget anything with diamonds...
I would look at the Oprah Favorite Things list for starters.
http://www.oprah.com/oprahshow/Oprahs-Ultimate-Favorite-T...
Something I have always wanted to try is the Giant Carmel Apples from Williams-Sonoma ($22.95 each) or set of 4 mini holiday apples ($32.95) Not a huge ticket item but expensive enough for apples. They are suppose to be divine.
Good luck! What a great "problem" to have.
You could also go the other direction and make it a learning experience for your SIL. Make your list full of places/causes to donate. Be specific and include links to charity websites so it's easy for her to follow through.
Don't fall into that trap. Just tell her that whatever she wants to give would be greatly appreciated. People who make lots of money and buy lots of expensive things don't really "have" all the money you think. It goes to purchase that lavish lifestyle. I bet she has more debt than you care to know about. Enjoy your life and your family and let her pretend to enjoy hers.
I would put the college fund for your daughter on the list--it might jog her memory about a promise she made for your child. You could also tell her you want a girls weekend for the two of you with spa, dinner, etc. Before you leave each other, have her open up her calendar and set the date and make the reservations. (Vegas, NYC, Bahamas??? where do you want to go?)
Pandora bracelet?
Tiffany's signature heart charm necklace? And matching bracelet?
Hermés scarf?
Nice Mont Blanc Fountain pen?
iPod Touch?
Hmmm she may assume your kidding with this one
Hermes bag
Bacarat Vase or wine gobblets =).
Christian Louboutin Shoes
$1K college fund money for your daughter =).
If you want her not to know whether your serious or not, I would go with this list
Cashmere sweater
Tori Burch flats
Dinner for 2 at Ruth's Chris' Steakhouse
True Religion Jeans for your toddler and you to match
Burberry dress for your kid
Have fun making your list =).
How about Gucci boots, and don't forget a matching belt!
Tell her you would love some Hanky Panky underwear($18 dollars each), Christian Dior sunglasses, Lanvin sneakers, A BCBG sweater, a John Varvatos jacket for your husband, Ugg boots for you and your daughter, True Religion jeans for your daughter, some Hugo Boss sweaters for your husband, Some Jo Malone perfume for you, some body lotion by La Mer, and finally, a diamond encrusted watch by Michele(the butterfly collection). I wish I could be in the room when she reads your list,LOL!!!
Anything from Waterford - perhaps a lovely picture frame to put your family photo in or one of the pieces from their Araglin Prestige collection.
I liked CAWriterMom's suggestion of worthwhile charities to which she could donate.
Happy hunting.
I love the charity idea below - I am sure your SIL is incredibly aggravating but try to be the bigger person. Who knows maybe your generous giving attitude will make her think differently and if not you have still helped a charity in need. She sounds insecure to me. Next time she asked where her Prada purse is or her Gucci glasses are I would say "Oh I think I saw them next to my Walmart glasses or next to my new Kmart purse" I would just make a joke about it.
Just take a look at the Sharper Image web site.
Without trying too hard, you can come up with a $2699 massage chair or a $2999 Pac Man arcade machine. They have a 5 1/2 day Rock n Roll Fantasy camp for $7499 if you're interested in that kind of thing.
http://www.sharperimage.com/si/view/category/Luxury-Gifts...=
How could I forget Hammacher Schlemmer?
They have some wonderfully extravagant gift ideas!
http://www.hammacher.com/Product/11464?refsku=11078&x...
if she asks what designer name is on something you bought, LIE, just because she is hung up on expensive things, doesnt mean you have to be, if she broke something of yours, then she is obligated to pay for it, dont let her off the hook simply because she has conviently forgotten about it, send her a list of things she has broken or damaged,and a bill, and dont let her near anything of yours until she has paid you.
K. h.
This website has some great ideas. There's also a contest involved, but maybe you can look at the top 20 or so gifts and see if there's something there you'd like. http://www.itsthoughtful.com/gift-ideas/christmas-contest/
Neiman Marcus had an adorable life sized gingerbread house for $15,000-it was really cute and edible!
Boy, I wish I had this problem...
Look at Nordstrom, Bergdorf's, Nieman Marcus, and Hermes websites. Some ideas:
* a good (real) cashmere sweater
* All Clad cookware
* Wustof or other high quality knives
* Tiffany jewelry
* awsome luxurious high count sheet you can buy at the Ritz or other hotels
* gift certificate to a great resort like Greenbrier or Homestead or a B&B like Inn at Little Washington
*Coach bag with coordinating wallet, etc.
* good quality makeup brushes (Trish Mcavoy)
+ new makeup (Bobbi Brown or trendier)
* expensive perfume
* iPad or iPhone with a year service plan
Gucci sunglasses, Prada purse, and a set of those expensive wine glasses ;) I know people like that and they make me nuts! I think what you're doing is a taste of her own medicine! Have fun!
I would ask for something you could really really use like a new Nikon camera for your family... something that would be useful that you wouldn't necessarily purchase for yourself but that you've perhaps secretly been pining after. That way when (IF) she actually DOES pull through with the gift it's not going to waste and there's a genuine need for it.
Plus if it's not TOO out of range maybe (just maybe) miss show off money bags will come through for once.
Hand her the "Harry & David's" catalog
Winter sweaters from LL Bean
FAO Swartz catalog
If your child is into legos:
http://www.toysrus.com/search/index.jsp?fbn=StorePrice%7C...
XBox360 with Kinect system
Swarovski crystals.
http://www.swarovski.com/Web_US/en/91105/promotion/Unique...
Do you like Thomas Kincaide? Some of his prints aren't too cheap! *L*
I saw a gift suggestion this morning in the Post that mentioned an umbrella that cost $75. Put it on your list and see if she'll go for it. She definitely sounds like their target market.
Okay, you've gotten some awesome answers, but why not mix things up a bit and see if you can actually get her head to explode. I mean, since she loooooves her brands and all. *giggle*
Like these darling heels from the New Rock Boots Hell Collection, for only $219.99 - http://www.newrockboots.com/collections/hell-collection/4...
Or these, also from New Rock Boots, for $273.99 - http://www.newrockboots.com/collections/vintage-collectio...
What? New Rock Boots is a great brand. Not to mention their stuff lasts practically forever. If you want, I know of a great custom corset maker ($2000.00 a pop), and a guy that makes the most beautiful chain maille dresses ever.
