Daughter-in-law Gift ideas

[jensen]

What are some great gift ideas you want to share for gifts you gave to your daughter-in-law, or received from your mother-in-law?

I’m struggling with mine right now. I love her dearly and really want to get her gifts she will appreciate. Especially because she’s the best gift giver I’ve ever known, and unfortunately, I am a very bad at choosing gifts.

Please share with me, your creative and unique ideas.

 

[MICKIMINI]

...oh, sounds like my DIL!

I find it nearly impossible to shop for them, but thankfully we can gift DVC points and SWA flights and give Visa gift cards for their travels. Travel and/or gift cards, boring but practical. Everyone loves to be able to travel and/or shop with someone else's money LOL!

 

[fla4fun]

What are some great gift ideas you want to share for gifts you gave to your daughter-in-law, or received from your mother-in-law?

I’m struggling with mine right now. I love her dearly and really want to get her gifts she will appreciate. Especially because she’s the best gift giver I’ve ever known, and unfortunately, I am a very bad at choosing gifts.

Please share with me, your creative and unique ideas.

Does she have any hobbies or special interests? I find gifts to be more meaningful if they tie into something I enjoy doing. For example, I like to read, so a gift card for Amazon to load up on Kindle books is always a great gift for me. Same thing with a Disney gift card, since I have an AP for WDW.

Have you discussed this with your son? He might have some good ideas to share that would go beyond a gift card.

 

[jensen]

...oh, sounds like my DIL!

I find it nearly impossible to shop for them, but thankfully we can gift DVC points and SWA flights and give Visa gift cards for their travels. Travel and/or gift cards, boring but practical. Everyone loves to be able to travel and/or shop with someone else's money LOL!

Good point! I’m buying them TSA Precheck, already!

 

[jensen]

Does she have any hobbies or special interests? I find gifts to be more meaningful if they tie into something I enjoy doing. For example, I like to read, so a gift card for Amazon to load up on Kindle books is always a great gift for me. Same thing with a Disney gift card, since I have an AP for WDW.

Have you discussed this with your son? He might have some good ideas to share that would go beyond a gift card.

That’s what makes her tough! She has no hobbies or interests that I can really play into. She can’t drink, so no wine or liquor ideas. She’s a super picky eater who eats almost nothing, so no gourmet cooking ideas.

My son gave me her Amazon list which has things like a cross-cut paper shredder and home safe.

It did have a candle warmer, which I ordered. Son is choosing a candle to go with it.

 

[jensen]

I did get her a shirt for her favorite pro sports team, a jewelry box, and a charcuterie set. But, still interested in more ideas.

 

[MICKIMINI]

OMG, they must be twins LOL! Last Christmas, DIL asked for a large scarf to wear as we were taking them out for breakfast. (They visit NH from TX). I pulled out a gorgeous, cashmere scarf she bought for me years ago and she happily wore it! The gift that gives back...

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

A few years back my mother-in-law really embraced the amazon shopping lists. My husband's family (his mom, dad and grandmother) asks for lists and over the years it's been difficult to find stuff to put on there mostly because of trying to find something reasonable in cost and something that the person buying will actually buy as in the correct model, color or type. Even the amazon lists haven't completely absolved that mis-purchase somehow but it's been a lot easier.

My husband still puts a few things here and there from other places but I've been sticking with Amazon. I just share the link to the list and create separate ones based on the person the list is going to. I am not expecting all items either but put enough on the list to give them choices. Often my husband's grandmother (well it's usually the aunt buying it) will get me something completely off the list these days Disney related things (which is what others have also purchased a lot for me).

In the last 2 to 3 years many of the items asked for have been travel related from packing cubes, to international converters, to travel neck pillows to travel laundry detergent, Christmas 2022 I asked for a new carry on and personal item because we were starting to do international travel where the carry on sizes are usually smaller than what is allowed in the U.S. and most especially in the carry on size. I had found a set that was about $50 total for the two items so not too expensive (especially for luggage). Every year I always ask for slippers from my mother-in-law, I live in those throughout the year so they don't last but the year. I'm a coffee drinker so I ask for k-cups normally as well. When we knew we were going to Disney (so in 2017 and 2022) we'd ask for Disney gift cards for Christmas and I would ask for them for my birthday as well. Those paid for souvenirs while at Disney as well as meals.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

That’s what makes her tough! She has no hobbies or interests that I can really play into. She can’t drink, so no wine or liquor ideas. She’s a super picky eater who eats almost nothing, so no gourmet cooking ideas.

My son gave me her Amazon list which has things like a cross-cut paper shredder and home safe.

It did have a candle warmer, which I ordered. Son is choosing a candle to go with it.

I've told this story several times before on the DIS but I had been casually but often enough mentioning over the years (I mean like 12 years lol) that I would love a shredder. Well first year of the pandemic for my birthday my husband got me a micro-cut shredder and I was the happiest girl around. Not saying go buy that shredder for her but sometimes we ask for things that we want but just don't really want to purchase ourselves, in my case I would think "oh I can do without it" even though I really wanted one. I think the one my husband bought was around $100. He said he looked at nano-cut (which is what I had been mentioning since they came out with that version) ones but their reviews were not as good as the micro-cut, not sure if in the more than 4 years it's changed.

 

[jensen]

I've told this story several times before on the DIS but I had been casually but often enough mentioning over the years (I mean like 12 years lol) that I would love a shredder. Well first year of the pandemic for my birthday my husband got me a micro-cut shredder and I was the happiest girl around. Not saying go buy that shredder for her but sometimes we ask for things that we want but just don't really want to purchase ourselves, in my case I would think "oh I can do without it" even though I really wanted one. I think the one my husband bought was around $100. He said he looked at nano-cut (which is what I had been mentioning since they came out with that version) ones but their reviews were not as good as the micro-cut, not sure if in the more than 4 years it's changed.

Shredder it is, then! Thanks!

 

[OlliePop27]

I've told this story several times before on the DIS but I had been casually but often enough mentioning over the years (I mean like 12 years lol) that I would love a shredder. Well first year of the pandemic for my birthday my husband got me a micro-cut shredder and I was the happiest girl around. Not saying go buy that shredder for her but sometimes we ask for things that we want but just don't really want to purchase ourselves, in my case I would think "oh I can do without it" even though I really wanted one. I think the one my husband bought was around $100. He said he looked at nano-cut (which is what I had been mentioning since they came out with that version) ones but their reviews were not as good as the micro-cut, not sure if in the more than 4 years it's changed.

100% I make a list for extended family, as does my wife. I struggle to find things to put on the list. I put items on the list that have actual practical applications in my day to day life, such as a shredder, other office, or household items. Many people don't want to get these items off my list because they aren't exciting. I find it to be extremely helpful to receive these items because they are practical things I need and will use all the time, and I don't want to get them myself.

I think if people provide a list with items, that's a great place to start. I may personally feel bad or perceive something as not being a good present, but the person created a list and said they wanted it! They'll probably find the shredder to be the best present they get!

 

[LoveDaisy]

I always love giving and getting an experience. Could you get them tickets to something they enjoy? Concert, broadway show, cirque, spa, dinner at a fancy restaurant, etc. You could offer to watch the kids if they have them.

 

[DisneyHardin]

Since she has an Amazon Wishlist, I would just buy things from there. If she is like me, she puts things on her Amazon list that she wants, but isn't willing to buy for herself. For my birthday this past year, my Mom bought all the small things off my Amazon list and it was such a great gift - bunches of little things I wanted, but wasn't willing to splurge the money on.

 

[Tygerlilly]

Agreeing with everyone else, that even if you don't think it's exciting, the stuff on the list is going to be 1000% appreciated.

As I get older I realize I really don't *need* a lot of typical gift type things, but this year hubby is getting me a 4 slice toaster and I'm absolutely thrilled. It's something that makes my life just a tiny bit easier and will get used every day. Practical items are the perfect gifts.

 

[focusondisney]

I did get her a shirt for her favorite pro sports team, a jewelry box, and a charcuterie set. But, still interested in more ideas.

My DIL & son buy themselves what they want when they want it. They’re also at the point of needing no more stuff. DIL regularly gets massages & her hair & nails done from specific salons. She’s asked for gift cards for those so that’s what I’m getting her again. Along with Amazon & Disney gift cards since they’re DVC & APs. She appreciates those over stuff that will never get used.

 

[jensen]

My DIL & son buy themselves what they want when they want it. They’re also at the point of needing no more stuff. DIL regularly gets massages & her hair & nails done from specific salons. She’s asked for gift cards for those so that’s what I’m getting her again. Along with Amazon & Disney gift cards since they’re DVC & APs. She appreciates those over stuff that will never get used.

Thank you! I hadn’t thought of that. She’s not a nails girl. But, everyone gets their hair done. I’ll ask DS where she goes.

 

[wdwfan51]

I would get the shredder. She will probably be so happy knowing you cared enough to take the time to check her Amazon list.
It’s refreshing to see a nice relationship between MIL/DIL. My MIL would be happy if I had just disappeared. Very sad.
Enjoy your holidays!

 

[CookieandOatmeal]

My MIL gives me a GC to my favorite spa. It’s much appreciated!

 

[bnf0522]

Cozy blanket and a gift card to a streaming service they don't subscribe to but might like to try! Could also throw in some popcorn and bowls for an at-home movie night!

 

[Shanna-like-Banana]

EXPERIENCES is what we keep asking for. We don't want more 'things'