Ladies.. Would you want this for Christmas?

[Rora]

Hi girls!! I know it's a little early to start thinking about Christmas but I just found out that I will be going to visit my Future Mother in Law and the rest of DFiance's family before Christmas. I have everyone's gift figured out EXCEPT my mother in law's.. . To put this nicely, she is a very fussy lady who doesn't seem to approve of anything or anyone (UGH. That's all I'll say. ). I'm at a loss as to what to get her for a gift.

Here's my only idea, please be honest and feel free to suggest other things!:
I was thinking about getting her a monogrammed tote bag and filling it with something. I've been tossing around the idea of maybe filling it with stuff from Bath and Body works but I'm not sure.

What do you ladies think? Any recommendations of what to put in the bag? Or a completely new gift altogether? Keep it kinda budget friendly- I'm already spending a lot on their other gifts and my plane tix!

 

[N.Bailey]

I like the idea IF she carries totes. If she doesn't or you're not sure, you could always do a basket up. I like the Bath and Body Works idea, but you could get Yankee candle, Yankee car freshener, etc too. Most women love this type of stuff.

Add some foods, chocolates, snacks, teas, specialty coffees etc.. according to what she might like.

Then, toss in the movie, "Monster in Law" and a bag of popcorn. Just kidding about that.

 

[Mouse House Mama]

I like the idea of the monogrammed bag. Perhaps a book of manners would be nice to put inside?

Or, a positive pregnancy test?

Or, papers that detail a sex change with yours or fiance's name on them?

OKay, okay. I am a bit punchy today but I couldn't help myself.

Skip the Bath and Body works. She may not like the scent. What are her interests?

 

[lovemygoofy]

Does she have any activites or particularly enjoy something like the movies or baking or underwater basket weaving? Does she work in a particularly professional field?

I'm not big on giving B&BW for presents because everyone has their own individual taste about that stuff.

Would it be possible to take her for a night out like dinner and some kind of event? What about a package for a family picture with your finacee and his family? Most moms dig that?

Last year I gave my MIL the gift of warmth. She received a super snuggly robe with snuggle pajamas and slippers and throw blanket. She lives in Northern Indiana where it snows alot and she is always cold.

One year I put together a big picture fram thingy with pictures of my husband and his two siblings in all ages until now.

 

[Rora]

I like the idea IF she carries totes. If she doesn't or you're not sure, you could always do a basket up. I like the Bath and Body Works idea, but you could get Yankee candle, Yankee car freshener, etc too. Most women love this type of stuff.

Add some foods, chocolates, snacks, teas, specialty coffees etc.. according to what she might like.

Then, toss in the movie, "Monster in Law" and a bag of popcorn. Just kidding about that.

Great idea about Yankee Candle!! And I LOVE your idea about Monster in Law!!! If only!

I like the idea of the monogrammed bag. Perhaps a book of manners would be nice to put inside?

Or, a positive pregnancy test?

Or, papers that detail a sex change with yours or fiance's name on them?

OKay, okay. I am a bit punchy today but I couldn't help myself.

Skip the Bath and Body works. She may not like the scent. What are her interests?

Your post actually made me laugh out loud!!
All she likes to do is bake, shop, and sit around. I'm not kidding or trying to be petty. That's what she does. I should also add that I think she has everything in the world when it comes to baking so I couldn't even get her some fun kitchen gadget. AND, she's offended by gift cards so I can't do that either.

EDIT: She doesn't work and she doesn't like to eat out because she believes it's her duty to do the cooking (can't complain- she's a great cook! ).

 

[java]

The best "gift" I ever gave my MIL is a letter I wrote her our first Christmas together. I thanked her for raising such a wonderful man. (It was sappier than that) well we've been married for 19 years and she still has that letter framed in her room!

I would skip the bath and body works stuff for a tough one to please. Does she entertain? Perhaps you could get her a serving platter. Does she drink? You could buy her 2 flutes from Tiffanys for about $30. And that looks nice. Anything in that box I think looks nice.

Oh and here's something else about my MIL (she was a seamstress and worked in a bra factory) Our first christmas together she made me BRAS!! Oh I love that lady!

 

[eeyore65]

You could get her baking ingredients and put them in the bag. I like to bake and I would love King Arthur's flour, real vanilla, parchment paper and some fresh oven mitts.

 

[liamsaunt]

If she likes to bake, perhaps a gift crate with some spices would be a nice gift? I usually buy these from penzeys. Here's a link to their page of gift boxes. You can click on them to see what's inside. They have everything from small boxes with four spices/flavorings up to huge wooden crates filled with just about everything imaginable. I gave my sister the bakers crate for Christmas one year and it was a huge hit:

http://www.penzeys.com/cgi-bin/penzeys/c-Gift_Boxes.html?id=F7LhazBi

 

[amid chaos]

A book.

Take it from someone who has been trying to find the right gift for a mil for 30 years. Now she gets nothing but books.

 

[dakcp2001]

Not a huge fan of monogrammed anything! Sorry! But if she hates anything, then it doesn't matter what you get her anyway, pressure is off Get her a bathrobe or some jammies.

 

[lovemygoofy]

The best "gift" I ever gave my MIL is a letter I wrote her our first Christmas together. I thanked her for raising such a wonderful man. (It was sappier than that) well we've been married for 19 years and she still has that letter framed in her room!

I would skip the bath and body works stuff for a tough one to please. Does she entertain? Perhaps you could get her a serving platter. Does she drink? You could buy her 2 flutes from Tiffanys for about $30. And that looks nice. Anything in that box I think looks nice.

Oh and here's something else about my MIL (she was a seamstress and worked in a bra factory) Our first christmas together she made me BRAS!! Oh I love that lady!

We can trade if you like One year my MIL gave us monogrammed paper which was neither of our initials. A different year we received bags and bags of hard candy with flavors like sassafras and black liquorice. For the last couple of years we have been getting these "african" made baskets with whatever stuff she can put in it. We now have a complete set of baskets in our basement.

The BEST gift ever EVER was our wedding gift. It was an antique potty chair. I kid you not, it's a wooden box with a white porcelain pot inside. She said we could use it with our kids. I asked Matt if he trained on that and was like hell to the no It now has a television on top of it in our basement for the kids that watch television down there. So it is useful

OP, what about a cooking class at william sonoma or some local school? You could do a monogrammed grocery bag and fill with a new apron, pot holders, and kitchen towels.

 

[Christine]

If she likes to bake, perhaps a gift crate with some spices would be a nice gift? I usually buy these from penzeys. Here's a link to their page of gift boxes. You can click on them to see what's inside. They have everything from small boxes with four spices/flavorings up to huge wooden crates filled with just about everything imaginable. I gave my sister the bakers crate for Christmas one year and it was a huge hit:

http://www.penzeys.com/cgi-bin/penzeys/c-Gift_Boxes.html?id=F7LhazBi

I'm thinking this is a VERY good idea. Penzey's spices are revered by cooks and bakers everywhere. They have some great spices and spice blends.

 

[Rora]

The best "gift" I ever gave my MIL is a letter I wrote her our first Christmas together. I thanked her for raising such a wonderful man. (It was sappier than that) well we've been married for 19 years and she still has that letter framed in her room!

I think I'm going to do this for our first married Christmas together! Great idea!

You could get her baking ingredients and put them in the bag. I like to bake and I would love King Arthur's flour, real vanilla, parchment paper and some fresh oven mitts.

Good idea!! Any other things you'd like in the bag?

The BEST gift ever EVER was our wedding gift. It was an antique potty chair. I kid you not, it's a wooden box with a white porcelain pot inside. She said we could use it with our kids. I asked Matt if he trained on that and was like hell to the no It now has a television on top of it in our basement for the kids that watch television down there. So it is useful

OP, what about a cooking class at william sonoma or some local school? You could do a monogrammed grocery bag and fill with a new apron, pot holders, and kitchen towels.

First, I LOVE that that is what she gave you for your wedding gift!!!
Second, great idea about the monogrammed grocery bag!!

I knew I could count on my DISers! Keep the ideas coming if you got 'em!

 

[Plannin'Shannon]

The best "gift" I ever gave my MIL is a letter I wrote her our first Christmas together. I thanked her for raising such a wonderful man. (It was sappier than that) well we've been married for 19 years and she still has that letter framed in her room!

I absolutely love this idea. In fact, I may steal it from you!

OP, does she drink wine? A bottle of her favorite wine with two glasses is always appropriate. Include a nice card for a touch of sentiment.

 

[mjkacmom]

You could get her baking ingredients and put them in the bag. I like to bake and I would love King Arthur's flour, real vanilla, parchment paper and some fresh oven mitts.

 

[Rora]

OP, does she drink wine? A bottle of her favorite wine with two glasses is always appropriate. Include a nice card for a touch of sentiment.

That would be lovely (AND EASY!!) but she doesn't drink anything.

Another Question: Would I be able to get baking supplies on the plane? I'm traveling from FL to CA and just concerned about TSA if I fill a nice bag with baking supplies.. Anyone know?

 

[JerseyJanice]

I like the baking idea much more than any scents unless you know of a specific fragrance that she likes.

If you're going to check luggage, baking supplies shouldn't be any problem. If you're carrying on, check the TSA website to be sure. There are definitely restrictions on the amounts of liquids and gels you can carry on. Not sure about powders.

 

[wendypooh]

I like the baking idea too................ you could add a new spatula or a calphalon baking pan, cake decorating kit, other things too.......... like chocolate chips or ingredients for her fav. thing to bake............. Williams Sonoma has a lot of little things you could get to make up a basket.................

http://www.williams-sonoma.com/shop/cooks-tools/baking-pastry-tools/

http://www.williams-sonoma.com/shop/bakeware/baking-pastry-tools-bakeware/




Also, for shipping, could you just ship a box to YOU - at the location where you'll be staying?

 

[momoftwins]

What about a bread bag with an apron, the book "The Art of French Cooking" by Julia Child and the Julia/Julia movie.

 

[wendypooh]

I like the apron idea too............. customize one for her...........

here's one from Disney if she likes Disney........ but, there are tons of places to get one customized.

http://www.disneystore.com/kitchen-...own-apron/p/1233813/59534/?CMP=KNC-DSSYahooPI