Help with inlaws gift

[Swimalie]

What about a shirt? I still get my parents things like I got a Livestrong shirt for my dad (he has cancer) and a set of the John Adams movie. My mom is getting a couple of Hummels. My parents don't go for the things with their grandson on them since I do them throughout the year.

Maybe some slippers?

 

[momxx5]

A small fleece throw with embrodiered "grandma" and another one "grandpa". They can use them or hang them over a chair.

 

[samshane]

I make calendars every year with photos of the kids and no one ever complains!

 

[NaplesRI]

Someone mentioned stamps- one thing we have also done is make up a little folder with different cards in them- birthday cards, get well, sympathy, etc. Great for those times when you need a card quick.

Now, I don't know how old your kids are, but speaking as a grandma, there is nothing I would love more than something my grandson made. Right now we have a turkey he colored hanging on our refrig. Ok, he is only 7, but gosh we love that stuff. There are many things a child can make, and I bet all would be treasured. If they are older, maybe they could go to the movies together or something.

I found with my parents and all older folks... time is what they treasure most.

 

[Kat77]

oh how I wish I had a photo right now... Inlaws have one of these and love it:
http://www.awarmmemory.com/ http://www.personalthrows.com/Woven_Photo_Blankets_s/6.htm
The color woven blankets look great. Landscape pics can be displayed the best imo.

 

[Topper]

How about a spice/herb gift box?:
http://www.penzeys.com/cgi-bin/penzeys/c-Gift_Boxes.html?id=YQxFfCLj

 

[Maddie2]

My ideas are along the same lines as mentioned above, but with a little twist ... last year we gave each of the in-laws "date night" packages .... a dinner gcard and 2 tickets to movies/plays. We also gave them a photo book "year in review" book of our kids.

We've done the last couple of years and they may very well be looking forward to a repeat of that, but I have come across some other things to give them this year. MIL is getting photo coasters -- JCPenney glass coasters that you insert photos into and Red Sox crocs. FIL is getting Patriots crocs and a Red Sox hammer. They are at the beach quite a bit each year and I think (I HOPE!) they will love having the crocs for the beach. We don't spend a ton of money, but hopefully they will think of these as fun gifts.

Do your in-laws follow a certain sport or team?

 

[C.Ann]

Do they have a good sense of humor? My dad was always very difficult to buy for - yet practical, so he never spent much money on himself..

One year I found a glass jar with a cork stopper.. I filled it with change, put it in a box, wrapped it up, and wrote on the tag: "Thought you might like a little change.."

Another year I took money (bills), went outside and got a tree branch with lots of little branches sprouting off of it and attached the money with paper clips.. Put that in a big box, wrapped it, and wrote on the tag, "Dad? Didn't you always tell me that money doesn't grow on trees?"

Another year I got him a bunch of scratch-off lottery tickets - something he would never spend money on himself, but always thought they were fun.. Put them in a box, wrapped it up, and attached a tag that read, "This could be your WORST Christmas gift ever - or the BEST!!" (He won $10 - LOL)

He loved all of them - laughed till he was in tears..

Just a thought..

 

[Soulsearching]

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......

How about finding out where they get the hair cut and get them gift certificates from there. Add Lottery Tickets if you wish, a couple of scratch offs could be fun.

Another suggestion would be for you to give your MIL her favorite perfume and your FIL his favorite cologne.

 

[stephbillalec]

I'm always trying to think of something to give my inlaws each year because they are both all set with "stuff" and always seem to buy themselves whatever they need. Last Christmas we made up a "gift certificate" for a homemade gourmet dinner (app, main course, dessert) that would be delivered to them the first Sunday of each month for all of 2009. This went over REALLY well. I think they really appreciated it, plus they enjoy my cooking, lol.

 

[lovepurple]

Your IL's sound just like mine. I wish my DH would pick what to get them because they are his parents, not mine. I am thinking of getting them snuggies this year, because I have just run out of ideas.

 

[quentina]

We had this with a grandfather. I bought a laundry basket, a really nice throw blanket and filled the basket it all of his favorite snacks....it was a huge hit.

 

[britfish]

I am right there with you. We have also done the calendars, mugs, photo everythings, night out, etc.. I am at a loss and they say they have everything they need.. what to do?

 

[finz2left]

If they are college grads, alum t-shirts and sweatshirts are often a hit...or favorite sporting events tix?

 

[semo233]

My FIL's birthday is in December and I have to come up with enough gift ideas for both BD and Christmas!!! Every year, I come up with a great idea and feel that he doesn't think they are that great. They include a 10" digital picture frame, tickets to concerts and a machine that will convert all thier slides to digital format on computer. I put a lot of thought into them, but he never seems happy!

 

[jstbcuz]

My FIL's birthday is in December and I have to come up with enough gift ideas for both BD and Christmas!!! Every year, I come up with a great idea and feel that he doesn't think they are that great. They include a 10" digital picture frame, tickets to concerts and a machine that will convert all thier slides to digital format on computer. I put a lot of thought into them, but he never seems happy!

I know this feeling all too well. Thanks for sharing your ideas. I like the fruit of the month idea, but wowwy..........dont think I want to spend that much. Are there any discounts for this?

Also like the gift certificate to hair cutting place, but MIL is a former beautician, and cuts everyones hair........except hers of course.

Keep them coming. Surely with all the ideas, we can help each other out.

 

[KAPTink]

Two gifts that my inlaws have enjoyed were...the children made them those fleece blankets where you tie the knots. Each child chose a fleece pattern that they thought 'fit' grandma and grandpa, and we put them together. They were wild, bright blankets, and not color coordinated in the least, but they were a hit. Now they use *only* those blankets for their nightly TV viewing. A little more personal than a snuggie.

Second, last year, I took the kids (I have 2) and we made hand painted ice cream bowls for them. One says 'grandpa's ice cream' and the other 'grandma's' then my son decorated one bowl, daughter the other in colors and designs they thought were fun. My in laws eat ice cream at 9pm every night, so those were a hit, too.

Of course, I'm checking out the thread, because I'm stuck for this year. Already done the mugs, mousepads, calendars, books with photos...

 

[WendyLovesPeter]

something from Vera Bradley... they have more than just purses - their line keeps growing to all kinds of unique things. Last year I got one of the large cosmetic bags and filled it with travel sizes of all the necessities. I don't know if your MIL still travels, but that would be handy for when she goes even if she doesn't go away often.

I got one of our older nieces the "bucket tote" She is a college girl and uses it for everyday purse/tote.


I got my dad a home office paper shredder one year. OMG that was a surprise success gift - he was so tickled.

 

[eeyoreforever]

Do they have a good sense of humor? My dad was always very difficult to buy for - yet practical, so he never spent much money on himself..

One year I found a glass jar with a cork stopper.. I filled it with change, put it in a box, wrapped it up, and wrote on the tag: "Thought you might like a little change.."

Another year I took money (bills), went outside and got a tree branch with lots of little branches sprouting off of it and attached the money with paper clips.. Put that in a big box, wrapped it, and wrote on the tag, "Dad? Didn't you always tell me that money doesn't grow on trees?"

Another year I got him a bunch of scratch-off lottery tickets - something he would never spend money on himself, but always thought they were fun.. Put them in a box, wrapped it up, and attached a tag that read, "This could be your WORST Christmas gift ever - or the BEST!!" (He won $10 - LOL)

He loved all of them - laughed till he was in tears..

Just a thought..

C Ann - I love these ideas. My dad is super frugal and definitely does not like "stuff". These ideas would be great for him. Actually every year I get him the Jeopardy calendar (the small ones with a page for each day of the year). He loves those, but I think this year I will throw one of these other ideas in. I'm thinking the change jar right now, but may change my mind.

To the OP - Your inlaws sound like mine - I think some people are just really impossible to buy for. I'm very rarely satisfied with what I end up getting mine (they probably are too-lol). I think the best thing I got my MIL was a throw that had a family tree on it and I had all of the family names embroidered on it - this was several years ago and she still has it displayed. Acutally, I should probably get it from her and have the new additions to the family added to it. Good Luck and let us know what you end up getting.

 

[AndreaDM]

I have the same problem, every year. This year I ordered a Land's End tote with their last name monogrammed on it and I will fill it with stuff from our area. We are in Ohio (near Amish country) and they live in NY, and they like our local treats, wines, etc., so that should be pretty easy. My fil is also diabetic so I have to be careful what I put in there though. I think the older people get, the better it is to give consumables instead of "stuff" even though it can seem boring to the giver. One year I gave DH's grandma a box of blank cards and a book of stamps, she LOVED it.