Help with inlaws gift

[jstbcuz]

I am in desperate need of ideas for my inlaws for Christmas. MIL wanted to cut down this year as her mom passed away and she doesnt have any room for anything else. Plus she says she doesnt need anything. FIL is diabetic, will go out and buy what he wants, and if I buy him something.......its never the right thing.....even if thats what he told me he wanted.

My DH, me and the 3 grandkids are the only ones there for CHristmas and I always feel like I need to do a little extra for them. However, this year I have NO IDEAS

I just am clueless. Please help......

 

[Perditamarie]

Here are some ideas:

* gift cert to fave restaurant
* tickets to show/concert
* Omaha steaks
* calendar w/kids pics or photo book of your year
* Netflix subscription

Hope that gets some ideas started!

 

[Lisa_M]

Here are some ideas:

* gift cert to fave restaurant
* tickets to show/concert
* Omaha steaks
* calendar w/kids pics or photo book of your year
* Netflix subscription

Hope that gets some ideas started!

excellent suggestions! I second these. Also, my dad also loved a coffee mug with his granddaughter on it, so if they are coffee lovers that might be an idea.

 

[clh2]

Quote:

calendar w/kids pics or photo book of your year

You can't go wrong with the calendar. You can even include some of their artwork! When my grandparents were with us, we did this, and tried to include some pics of the great grandkids with the great-grands. One of my favorite pics is a pic with my 5 year old nephew and my grandpa who was abou t 88 at the time. They were somewhere where my Grandpa was behind the wheel of a convertible. While my grandpa would never have been that extravagent when he was driving, or throughout his life, he just looked like a natural! That was shortly after my grandpa gave up driving!

 

[dizneechic]

We are doing an artwork calendar, stuff the kids have drawn through the year or brought home from school. Just scan them all in and create a simple collage by month and viola! We love the artwork too because unlike the pictures, they won't be dated when they roll around to the following year.

 

[figment52]

a family portrait

 

[StephMK]

I agree w/the calendar & a restaurant cert. My inlaws & parents both look forward to their new calendars each year. I think Snapfish has a coupon code out for them and usually other places do as well. I have been getting one for each set of g-parents for the last several years and they still ask about them.

Edibles or other things that can be used are also good. We usually get MIL/FIL stuff like some new holiday dish towels & hand soap, candy, fancy popcorn, scarves, etc. because they don't need anything either.

 

[jstbcuz]

Actually, we already do a calendar. I take care of picking out the pics, and Dh puts is together. Yes they do look forward to this. But thats only one gift.

They wouldnt like net flix. They dont even know how to work their dvd player. I on the other hand, would love it. LOL

Is there something I can order somewhere so they have something to open. I hate just handing them a giftcard. KWIM?

 

[jstbcuz]

excellent suggestions! I second these. Also, my dad also loved a coffee mug with his granddaughter on it, so if they are coffee lovers that might be an idea.

Already done this. I love this cup.

 

[englishteacha]

You could put the gift card in something to open. Last year my DH wanted cash for some geek stuff. I got small bills and wrapped them in stuff...socks, soap, a box of cereal. He had lots to open!

 

[mom2d&b]

how about sending food like steaks from Kansas City? You could wrap up some seasoning or kitchen utensils for them to open and include a card to indicate the food will be sent soon.

 

[surfgirl]

I do things that are 'extras' that make it easier for them...

- greeting cards (mil send birthday cards to about 40 cousins)
- stamps
- gift card to Staples (so fil can buy the printer cartridges, etc.)
- restaurant gift cards
- some special food things that they love... expensive mixed nuts, good choc covered cherries, Starbucks frappacinos
- fil loves Starbucks, so he gets a gift card there - he enjoys getting coffee there
- good coffee is another thing...
- I've also done the flower of the every other month thing for the entire year.

I also donate to *their* alma mater in their name... they get the donation credit, I get the tax credit. that is much appreciated.

 

[CTdiznymom]

My sister got my mom Fruit of the month and she liked it alot. It was for six months I believe. Little pricey, but she enjoyed it.

 

[clanmcculloch]

How about donations to several charities in their names? You can make it fun by putting notices in nested boxes so they have to open several boxes to get to each one.

If you want to get them physical items, how about a nice digital frame that will match their decor? You preload it for them with all sorts of family pictures.

Do they drink alcohol? Get them a really nice bottle of their favourite kind. One year I got my husband a wine of the month club membership. He loved being able to sample different kinds of wines that he wouldn't normally buy.

 

[HeyIt'sMe]

My in-laws are hard to buy for. I did buy them a digital picture frame a couple months ago but have since learned another family member just gave them one. I was so excited because I thought it would be the perftect gift - a great compliment to the digital camera we got them last year. I returned the picture frame and was back to square one.

My MIL did mention that they'd like a gift certificate to their favorite restaurant (a non-chain restaurant near where they live). Guess that's what they are getting. I can think of a few things my MIL would like so I can get her some other things but my FIL is so hard to buy for.

 

[Perditamarie]

My in-laws are hard to buy for. I did buy them a digital picture frame a couple months ago but have since learned another family member just gave them one. I was so excited because I thought it would be the perftect gift - a great compliment to the digital camera we got them last year. I returned the picture frame and was back to square one.

Maybe you can get them a SD card loaded w/family photos for the digital frame.

 

[tink_lover]

A few years ago, I did the fruit of the month for inlaws. Their only comment was that while the fruit was good, it was too much for the 2 of them and I think they felt bad that a lot of it went to waste. This year they are getting a photobook.

 

[wendygrace]

I recommend food such as Harry and David's or the one with the meats and cheese whose name escapes my brain right now. Oh, Hickory Farms.

 

[jstbcuz]

We got them a digital frame last year, but they never use it. Its always off when we go to their house.

I've tried to think of "out of the box" ideas this year as I think maybe Im in a rut. DH says no magazines, didnt think diabetic care pkg was a good idea either.

You all have good ideas, just that we have done a lot of them. Keep them coming. Im sure something will hit home soon.

 

[tink576]

A photobook of your family and the things you did that year, or of a trip that you might have gone on with the in-laws. Everytime we vacation with my Grandmother I make her a photobook, which she loves to show off to her friends. I also made one for my counsins grandparents as the gift from my cousins on their year. It's something unique and different at least.