As every year I am stumped on what to get for my in laws. There are 6 siblings in the family with a variety of incomes so a group gift is usually out as it can't be split and some of them have nothing to contribute and the others don't want to make up for the difference.
I have gone the route of gift cards seperately and together resturaunts, grocery. They don't do the movies or theater or anything like that. Not big drinkers (thought of wine of the month). 2 years ago we got them a gift card to one of their favorite resturants $100 and they invited the whole family to go out to use the gift card and then picked up the tab for everyone!
Each of them have few hobbies and I have gotten them things in the past....so been there done that. My husband wants to get them a plant! because he doesn't know what to get them. I was like umm no. Some of the other siblings have a standard gift they give every year. Fruit of the month and membership to arboretum by our house...btw that's what my in laws give us. I already got my MIL some personal things for her stocking stuffers as I do that every year for her, I don't care if I have to print something up for them to unwrap and get it to them later...tick tock, tick tock any suggestions?
Thank you for all of the great suggestions...some I have done in the past and I always wanted to do the photo thing, but out of town siblings, grandkids was always to hard to coordinate. We do try to get a family photo every christmas with whomever is present. So.....in short we went the gift card route to a resturant again...but my hubby couldn't leave the plant idea alone. So in short they got a bush to be planted in the spring and they are all going to hang the gift cards, certificates from the bush. So kind of like a money tree! I think the 5 boys did a great job and I didn't have to do a thing! Happy Holidays!!!!
Sounds like you don't want to give a restaurant gift card because they use it to feed the whole family. I suggest that it's a great gift. They enjoy treating the whole family. It's a gift that keeps on giving.
Not sure if you've ever done this or anyone else has...but I always suggest this because I think its a great gift every once in awhile especially if you haven't done it.
A portrait session, so that the whole family can get their portrait taken.
A plant sounds nice, but boring.
Bed and Breakfast gift card - if they would be into that?
I like the portrait session idea below- most would love that, but you'd have to find a time that all can get together, if that is even possible.
How about starting a "standard" gift? Would they like a membership to a local zoo or museum that changes exhibits frequently?
Different gifts instead of a couple gift? - like game tickets for FIL and manicure for MIL, or tickets to a concert?
We got my in laws a digital frame this year. They have a 7 inch one and LOVE it!! My MIL takes lot of pictures and hubby suggested getting them a second one since they love the first one so much. I wouldn't have thought of it because they already have one. LOL But I guess he figured if they love that one, they'd love another! We also then got them each something small.
I was out of ideas for a gift for my father's wife this year. I bought her a tool for her quilting last year that she loved, but couldn't think of anything more around quilting which is her main hobby. So, I came across a charity that accepted donations to buy women in poor countries sewing machines, so that they could sew for their families and to make an income. I did this. I'm not sure how she will take this gift, but I feel good about it.
http://www.mercycorps.org/gifts
Their website helps you find specific gifts that a person might appreciate.
I am just going to throw out a list of ideas (indiv for FIL & MIL):
costume jewelry (inexpensive ring, necklace)
embroidered His & Hers towlel (do it yourself)
Poem (your write yourself, make it short). Frame it
Magazine subscription for each
Framed photo of your family
A nice, cozy throw for each of them
scarf w/leather gloves (for her)
Do they enjoy a sport? Buy them tickets online
How about an activity (hubby & I took a 2 hr trip on a big sail boat (loved it
Find their favorite author & buy a book for each of them
A book of their hometown?
If they grew up where they currently live, how about a photo album of their favorite haunts if you know them: childhood house, their high school,
place of their first date.
Good luck!
I usually make my MIL a calendar with pictures of the family on it. She loves it and I hear about the pictures she gets to look at every month.
I say families don't get together like they should anymore and the restaurant giftcard makes it easier for them to bring everyone by them another day of the year. Do they enjoy any of the downtown museums? Or brookfield zoo? Or do they like or need to be pampered a couples spa. Or does she have a favorite salon? A gift cert and a high end shampoo conditioner? Go on groupon and resturant.com and just look to get other ideas. Good luck only a few hours to go.
Have you done a personalized calendar? I did one with family pictures and coordinated the pictures with the month of their birthdays/ anniversaries, etc. It was fun to use a couple of "old" pictures on the page. Lots of fun for the maker and the reciever.
I do a lot of my holiday shopping online because it's easier and I find more original ideas than when I'm shlepping store to store at the mall. Too late for you to use some of these idea now, but maybe next year! Check out Red Envelope. Tons of cool stuff and you can shop be person "mom", "dad", etc. Also, I watch QVC, they have neat gift ideas too. Stuff you wouldn't think of but that everyone could use, like a beautiful throw. What about frozen meats from Omaha Steaks? Could give along with a neat cookbook on grilling. My in-laws also love anything printed with pics of the grandkids-coffee mugs, mouse pads, etc. A shop like zazzle.com has
many options like this. Google is your friend. Type in "what to buy in-laws"... You'd be amazed at the ideas that pop up!
Hope this helps and happy holidays!
I know you have decided for this year, but maybe this for next year...a Family Tree engraved plaque that has everyone's names and birthstones. Here is what one looks like. We have one and it's really nice:
http://ourfamilyreunionstuff.com/ReunionPlaquesandTrophie...
An alternative and similar gift is a Grandparent's Plaque from the same company. We got one this year for my grandma and she loved it.
Here is what it looks like:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Family-tree-plaques-laser-engra...
We bought both of ours from a local trophy shop who ordered them through the company.
