Showing up empty handed?

[mudnuri]

DBF and I will be going to his parents for thanksgiving dinner this year, as DD's will be with their dad. I know his parents well etc... however......

I cant get ANYTHING from his mom for me to bring. She is all set with everything for the meal and desserts, and keeps saying "just bring yourself". That's fine, but I can't walk in their empty handed...

other than doing the dishes after dinner, and helping her pick up while the men sit in the living room....what can I bring? They're not wine drinkers, so that's out.

I thought maybe a pointsetta, but is it too early for that?

HELP!

Brandy

 

[disney junky]

Even though it's probably covered, how about a desert, or at least something sweet. You can never have enough sweets. Or cheese, a nice Hickory Farms box...picky food. Or your idea of the pointsettia. That will stay nice until Christmas. Or how about a Christmas cactus. We keep them out all year long, but they only bloom around the holidays.

 

[BirdsOfPreyDave]

How about a box of chocolates or a selection of party nuts. I like to stop at the Fannie May counter before Thanksgiving and pick out something like this to take with me.

 

[ducklite]

If they drink, bring a nice bottle of Scotch or a couple bottles of wine--they can open and enjoy them at a later date. Champagne is a great choice--Vueve Cliquot is a fuller bodied champagne which is probably the best value for the dollar we've run into yet--not cheap, but no good champagne is--and it's the one wine that goes with EVERYTHING. (We drank a bottle with Italian take-out from Carraba's last night LOL!)

You could send her a nice bouquet of flowers to use as the centerpiece or just have in her home.

Or how about making a banana bread or basket of pumpkin spice muffins and telling her to keep them to enjoy them for breakfast the next day so she doesn't have to cook again?

Anne

 

[gina2000]

Cut flowers in a vase. They're always appreciated.

 

[pjb_hockey_mom]

How about some mums (Chrysanthemums)? I picked some up the other day - orange, gold...really festive.

 

[barkley]

if they are coffee drinkers a nice bag of freshly ground 'holiday blend' would likely be appreciated. you could even do up a little gift basket with coffee, some teas and a container of hot chocolate (dh swears by ghirardelli).

some of the grocery stores with florists inside have realy nice, inexpensive thanksgiving floral arrangements. it does'nt have to be a huge centerpeice for the dining table, it could be a pretty item for coffee table or on the kitchen counter.

 

[aprilgail2]

a nice bottle of wine is good to take!

 

[snowwite]

How about some cider or a fruit basket?

 

[The Mystery Machine]

If she said just bring yourselves and you do not want to show up empty handed a flower arrangement would be terrific!

 

[Tracey1974]

I agree with the flowers- that is what I bring when I'm told not to bring anything!

 

[golfgal]

I would bring a Christmas type centerpiece or poinsettia for her to enjoy over the next few weeks.

 

[KelNottAt]

My MIL is the exact same way. I always just bring a bottle of wine.

I'm always terribly hurt and insulted on Thanksgiving. MIL allows her other children and S/DIL to bring dishes to her table, but not me. No matter what I suggest (wine, a bag of rolls, pie, etc.) it's always met with a loud, clear, "No. Nothing."

Of course, God forbid I ever turn down her offers to bring something to my house. There'd be Hell to pay.

 

[mickeyfan2]

We are going to be making pilgrim hat treats. They are extremely easy. They have a video on family fun.

 

[Nancyg56]

I agree with the flowers or a nice bottle of wine.


KelNottAt: I don't understand why someone is left out of the meal if others are allowed to participate. I am a MIL and I would never hurt my DDIL by telling her not to bring anything to a family meal.

 

[salmoneous]

She is all set with everything for the meal and desserts, and keeps saying "just bring yourself". That's fine, but I can't walk in their empty handed...

Why not? I think we should start a movement on the DIS called, "believing what people tell us and respecting their wishes"

No gifts will mean "no gifts". I don't want a party will mean "I don't want a party" and "just bring yourself" will mean "just bring yourself"

 

[Martha7]

My in-laws love the potted Amaryllis that the stores have at this time of year. You just water it, and keep it in a dark place, and later you have a beautiful flowering plant!