Hello Moms,
I was hoping someone might be able to help me out with some special gift ideas. My sister-in-law has watched our daughter for three years now (free of charge at that) anyway it has really meant a lot to us that she has been able to spend that time with our daughter. Well today was the last official day of her watching her for us. She is pregnant and expecting her own little bundle of joy and will not be able to contuine watching our daughter and soon to be born son. I am very emotional about the whole thing, becuase it has been such a joy to have them spend time together. Any how I would like to get her something special from all of us to simply thank her and let her know how much we appreaciate everything she has done for us and we couldn't have done it without her. I looked online at Things Remembered and nothing really looked like it was what I am looking for. Any ideas or suggestions would be great. I thought about making her a collage photo thing, but I really don't have many pictures of the two of them together.
IDEAS?????? Thanks in advance!
I take care my friend's little boy one day a week free of charge, and it hard work... I can't imagine everyday, but I would get a video camera if she doesn't have one. She will defiantly want one of them seeing she is now expecting her own little one! Good Luck to her!
I second the spa day. Give it to her & maybe go with her a few weeks after baby is born. I happened to have one with my mom & sister when my daughter was 3 weeks old. It was so great & helped me feel human again.
Three years free of charge? Wow, that is a lot!
Sounds like it would be nice to get her something special from your daughter (such as a photo gift -check Walgreens or Walmart web sites- or a card "signed" by your daughter) AND something she needs that is of financial value. It could be a new vacuum cleaner, kitchenaid, jewelery, digital camera, whatever she needs. It will still be a small fraction of what you would pay if you had to pay for childcare for three years, and sounds like she very well deserves a big gift!
Spa Day!!!! This is something most women enjoy but would never pay the money to splurge on for themselves. Google Spa locations in your area to compare packages and prices, also inquire which would be good for her if she plans on using the gift before baby. I know some procedures are not recommended for expectant mothers.
We too went through this but due to a change of employer. Our sitter lived near the old employer and the new one is much farther away, making it very inconvenient to take our munchkins there. BOO! We still plan a day or night about once a month or so they can visit. It's a strange transition, we figured they'd go there forever.....
Hi, how lucky you are! The suggestions below are great - if you can afford to buy a crib or some such thing, that would be so meaningful. The spa idea thrown in is nice. But how about also a booklet that you make of "coupons" every new mother can use -- some offers to babysit, to listen, commiserate, bring a meal, take her for coffee, etc. Your daughter could have a few too, like "be a great cousin," "play with baby," "share my toys." You could put lots of thought into it and really personalize it. It would be a nice addition to the bigger ticket gift.
Hi K.. A few ideas:
1. She has physically and mentally helped you so why not a massage/spa package
2. We own a photography business www.photosbysri.com May be you can get her a maternity and baby photo session. Look for professional photographers in your S-I-L's area. http://www.marketingtool.com/channel/photo/b.465.g.15.html is a link to a directory
3. This one is much better than the last two - TELL her how valuable her help has been and return the favor when she is ready. You can make a short video clip thanking her. While it doesn't cost you any/much money, it will be treasured.
Hope this helps.
J.
i think something from you and your child is in order. a gift for her and her baby seems to me like something you do as well, but not as a thank you. these are different gifts in my opinion. and you should do both!
i like the idea of making something with your child. for example, you can use a large piece of heavy linen paper and have your child make a pattern of handprints with paint. then you can write a meaningful poem about childcare in the corner - or something else meaningful to you. then have the whole thing hung and framed in a nice frame. this is something you can give her from your family, and that she can also hang in her own child's room perhaps. then a crib or some other such thing for her own baby.
why not a hand made gift and a spa day?!
I'm not sure how much you are looking to spend but how about a Pandora Bracelet? If you don't know what they are you can just google it. It's a simple silver bracelet that you add beads to. I got one last year for Mothers Day. Then people can buy her meaningful bead or she can just add her own as time goes on. I like it bc you can make it as simple or as glitzy as you want! You could get her the bracelet and one or a few beads to start.
I definitely think you should get something for her and her family, not something sentimental from your (although you could do that as well). What about buying them their crib, or something like that. Something that they will have for a long time and will know it is from you. Three years of free childcare was a gift!! She deserves something nice in return. A spa gift is nice too, but I think I would rather give something tangible, as I am sure they would appreciate it as well!
Get her a splurge item for the new baby that is above and beyond what you would spend for her baby gift. One of her big ticket items.
Or get her a spa day - that always shows appreciation.
Maybe a gift certificate for a mommy and me kind of play place for when she's ready to take her baby out.
I think a hardbound book of pictures of your daughter would be wonderful. I like the spa idea, but she has a special relationship with her niece and some special pictures of her saved in that way would really be nice. After the baby comes you could do another one of him.
