I also need a gift idea...pretty please Update post 18

[clh2]

I am going to a bridal shower in a couple of weeks. I do not know the bride, she is the fiance of a cousin I do not see very often. I adore my aunt, but am not in contact too much, due to a divorce in the family, and she moved across the country due to a job.

So - I have already purchased some "dessert or appetizer" plates that were on her registry. They are cute little square things.

Nothing else on her registry is "grabbing" me as a cool present. I know - her registry isn't about me. Generally - even if I know the bride/groom well, I will get them something from their registry, and something else. For example - a close friend of the family had a kitchen aid hand mixer and some mixing bowls on her registry, so in addition to the bowls and mixer, I got some stuff that could be used to make chocolate chip cookies (i.e. chips and a bottle of nice vanilla).

I am at a loss on what else I could get for the dessert plates. She just added (i.e. it wasn't on her registry last week) some silicone baking liners. Or, at a different store, she registered for a spring-form pan.

I'm just not feeling that if I got the spring-form pan - that and the dessert plates is just a "boring" gift. I do not know if the bride/groom like to cook, or if any sort of cookbook would be good. No matter what else I get - I would definitely include the gift receipt.

What can I do to "dress it up" a bit? I am looking to spend about $20 more.

Thanks!
clh2

 

[golfgal]

http://www.penzeys.com/cgi-bin/penzeys/shophome.html

This is my fallback gift for pretty much everything. Since you are getting her some appetizer plates, you can get some of the dip mixes or fun spices. They have great recipes on the site so you could print off some of the appetizer ones and get the spices to go with those. We had the chicken/bacon wraps that use their BBQ3000 and they are amazing!!!

 

[AKL_Megs]

What about a set of champagne or wine glasses, and some of those funky stem charms? I have come to find out that you can never have enough stemware glasses, because your MIL is bound to break them... and those stem charms are fun when entertaining.

 

[babylisa4]

My sister in law got be started on it. I buy their vanilla a flaked kosher salt. I can't find that anywhere else. A salt keeper box/flaked kosher salt would be cute. You just leave the box on your stove and grab a pinch the way real chefs do.

 

[clh2]

What about a set of champagne or wine glasses, and some of those funky stem charms? I have come to find out that you can never have enough stemware glasses, because your MIL is bound to break them... and those stem charms are fun when entertaining.

The stemware she has registered for is REALLY expensive - i.e. ~$50/glass. I loved the idea of the wine opener she requested, but it is no longer available. And...I also love stem charms...my DD makes great ones, but would be better if I was doing a "wine-related gift". And - I could top it off with a bottle of wine...

And for the other posters...I was actually going to mention Penzey's spices specifically, as they are very local to where I live, but I didn't realize others would have ever heard of them. So - I may just go and "check out their store". I'm just afraid it will be an expensive visit...before I ever get to the gift! I do - love the idea of the dip mixes. And, again, they are located within a couple of miles of were I work.

 

[wdwmom2]

http://www.penzeys.com/cgi-bin/penzeys/shophome.html

This is my fallback gift for pretty much everything. Since you are getting her some appetizer plates, you can get some of the dip mixes or fun spices. They have great recipes on the site so you could print off some of the appetizer ones and get the spices to go with those. We had the chicken/bacon wraps that use their BBQ3000 and they are amazing!!!

I agree!! Penzey's spices are amazing. I just love walking into the store. And they sell all kinds of gift boxes that are in any price range.

 

[starann]

I was going to suggest Tastefully simple www.tastefullysimple.com as they have some easy dessert items, so even if the couple doesn't like to cook it's something easy!

 

[golfgal]

Penzey's is actually very reasonable--very comparable to what you pay in the grocery store but MUCH better quality. You will probably be able to buy 5 or so smaller jars of spices to go along with some recipes if that is what you choose to do.

 

[clh2]

Tastefully simple...another great idea...and I have a neighbor that sells it too!

 

[dawson5]

what about one of those two or three tiered serving plates that you put the appetizer or desserts on? or cheese knives with the neat little handles.

 

[figment52]

I always give a trifle bowl as part of the shower gift. They always make such elegant looking dessets when in reality you are just layering in cake, fruit, pudding whipped cream.cool whip, well, you get the idea. A trifle bowl with a recipe or some basic ingredients would be a nice compliment to the dessert plates.

 

[Mom-to-2-Princesses]

what about one of those two or three tiered serving plates that you put the appetizer or desserts on?

oh, I like that idea!

 

[erincon23]

Even with the really expensive glasses on their list, you can't go wrong with a set of inexpensive glasses. I have pricey crystal, have used it a couple of times in 20 years, but would be too nervous to bring it out when "the guys" come over (with "the girls," of course!). Some funky, interesting wine glasses, maybe with colored stems (if you can tell what colors they're doing their house in, maybe look at towel colors) would be neat.

Erin

 

[quentina]

At Personalization mall . com, they have welcome mats that say the XXX family. They are cheap, around $25. IF you google a coupon code, there is always one.

I got this for a bride a few months ago.... I still have people calling to find out where I got it.

OOPs sorry, didn't realize you were looking to stay in the same theme (I really did read post...just didn't comprehend it).

 

[mvazul]

What if you write out a recipe for one of your favorite dessert or appetizer recipes and add the ingredients to make it? Package everything in a nice basket.

Good luck!

 

[clh2]

What if you write out a recipe for one of your favorite dessert or appetizer recipes and add the ingredients to make it? Package everything in a nice basket.

Good luck!

If I have to bring a dessert - I usually bring a fruit tart...purchased from a local specialty bakery. I panic if I need to come up with an idea on my very own. Same with appetizers! For a competent person in the kitchen - that would be a great idea. I really just don't have good ideas for this idea.

Just a couple of other answers - the welcome mat mat is an interesting idea, and we STILL have the one that was given to us for a housewarming gift 16 years ago. The couple will be living in an apartment, so not a good idea.

The bride has added some "cheaper wine" glasses to one of her registries, and those are $40 for 4 glasses.

She does have a trifle bowl - quite lovely I might add - but it is out of my budget.

I think I am pretty much "sold" on either the Penzey's spices or the Tastefully Simple...

Thanks everyone!!!

 

[mvazul]

If I have to bring a dessert - I usually bring a fruit tart...purchased from a local specialty bakery. I panic if I need to come up with an idea on my very own. Same with appetizers! For a competent person in the kitchen - that would be a great idea. I really just don't have good ideas for this idea.

Then maybe you could give her the number of your favorite bakery!!

 

[clh2]

I did get some penzy's spices. 2 for baking (vanilla and cinnamon) and 2 that were salad dressing/dip mixes.

The shower was today, so I met the bride for the first time.

I couldn't have picked out a more perfect gift...the bride has gone to culinary school and loves to cook/bake. So - while I was originally torn, I am glad I did the spices instead of Tastefully Simple.