likewhoa Posted November 12, 2007 Posted November 12, 2007 I'm newly married and my mil and fil have everything! I swear. They're not exactly hard off money-wise either so if they want something they just buy it. My husband and I just completed a round trip move from VA to FL back to VA and now we're kind of broke. So, any suggestions on what to get a couple who has everything? I don't think they really have any hobbies - unless going out drinking counts heh. They don't need any electronics like digital picture frames, already have them. My DH suggested gift cards to go out to eat and the movies but after talking to my mil and her saying she thought gift cards are impersonal I'm back at square one. We did a Harry and David gift basket we put together one year. Another it was a bunch of movies and a chinese tea set which I've never seen her use. I need help! Please?
cassgurlie04 Posted November 12, 2007 Posted November 12, 2007 a gift card may seem impersonal but it still makes nice for someone who has everything.... and now you dont even have to get a store specific one..... VISA makes gift cards with amounts ranging from10 dollars and up that are good at any place that accepts VISA. other then that maybe you could ask someone else if they suggested any ideas for what they wanted.
conj Posted November 12, 2007 Posted November 12, 2007 can you knit? a homemade - useable 0 gift is usually welcome... like a nice afghan
likewhoa Posted November 12, 2007 Author Posted November 12, 2007 can you knit? a homemade - useable 0 gift is usually welcome... like a nice afghanNo, but I've wanted to learn forever seriously. I'm a hands on person and learning from a book just doesn't work for me and I don't know anyone who knits to teach me. I'm not very close with them, they intimidate the heck out of me otherwise I might be able to think of something they might enjoy.
jbrawn26 Posted November 12, 2007 Posted November 12, 2007 maybe for the mother in law a gift basket of shampoo and conditioner from the salon? Or some nice lotions? FIL I'm not so sure on =/ Could get him one of those dispensers that hold 6 bottles of alcohol and dispense a shot at a time if he's a drinker lol
likewhoa Posted November 12, 2007 Author Posted November 12, 2007 maybe for the mother in law a gift basket of shampoo and conditioner from the salon? Or some nice lotions? FIL I'm not so sure on =/ Could get him one of those dispensers that hold 6 bottles of alcohol and dispense a shot at a time if he's a drinker lolHah! I think he might actually like that considering they have a bar set up in their basement for parties, that might get some real use. I got her Burberry perfume last Christmas actually and she had no idea who it was, I was all hoping to impress her with designer but she was like oh, this is nice who is it? Maybe something like BBW or Body Shop with a real household name she might appreciate. But that was my default plan for his college aged sister.
pogiporkchop Posted November 12, 2007 Posted November 12, 2007 I say make a Christmas card and tell them that you've made a donation in their name to a charity (of their choice, if they name any preferences). That way the money does some good instead of being a trinket tht lays around :)
dmmiller Posted November 12, 2007 Posted November 12, 2007 Since you say they drink.. What about a wine/cheese/cracker basket? Or Margarita/chips/salsa basket?
likewhoa Posted November 12, 2007 Author Posted November 12, 2007 Since you say they drink.. What about a wine/cheese/cracker basket?Or Margarita/chips/salsa basket?They own their own business and get tons of gift baskets like that from companies they do work for, employees, etc.. they're really making my life difficult here! There's a few surround sound systems for $70ish which was our price range but I'm not sure how to tell if it's good or not. If they hate it, hey that's what gift receipts are for, right? That's something they don't actually have! Anyone know anything about surround sound? Heh.. though I am tempted to be evil and do the donation in your name thing cause really, they don't NEED anything. If only I wasn't trying to make them like me..
krissy904 Posted November 12, 2007 Posted November 12, 2007 I say make a Christmas card and tell them that you've made a donation in their name to a charity (of their choice, if they name any preferences). That way the money does some good instead of being a trinket tht lays around :)or just be like george and make up your own charity (wasn't his the human fund??). anyway, it is not possible for someone to have it all. you can give them something that would (hopefully) cherish, would be unlike that of any other gift and something that they do not have... a piece of your time. what about an invitation to a dinner (lunch?). Even if that is out of your budget (you didn't say), I can't imagine any person alive, even those in possession of every toy on the planet, that wouldn't love the caring feelings that go into a plate of homemade cookies. Most people that seemingly "have everything", at least to me, are the simplest to gift because they truly understand the "it's the thought that matters" stuff. Personally I think I am a pretty darn cook pastry and cookie baker. Even those that "have it all" don't have a plate of my mouth watering specialties unless they make it to the "list".This post is my opinion only. No hate mail please. Free cookie recipes upon request, but please let me know what kind you love. Oh, sorry no free samples and I do not sell cookies or pastries :). God I'm a weirdo.
conj Posted November 12, 2007 Posted November 12, 2007 are they nearby? can you invite them to dinner for a home cooked meal? My inlaws never needed/wanted stuff. the best received gift was a roll of Duct tape.... which reminds me... need to buy duct tape.
citrixgirl Posted November 12, 2007 Posted November 12, 2007 my hubby is a total tech guy. I will ask him about a surround system when he gets home.
Guest mldepalma Posted November 12, 2007 Posted November 12, 2007 How about a spa service at a local spa for your MIL? Like a manicure/pedicure or a facial? It is a gift certificate, but it is a little more personal... Or even (if you could stand it...LOL) suggest that you two go together to get your nails done and then lunch... You could create a certificate or something like that to give her. Then you could do the bottle holder/shot thing that was suggested a few posts above for your FIL.
dealluvr Posted November 12, 2007 Posted November 12, 2007 check out the heading here called omaha steaks you could get the selection which is chosen for $49.99 and get them a gift certificate to their place of choice for dancing and drinks also the deal is for today only
likewhoa Posted November 12, 2007 Author Posted November 12, 2007 check out the heading here called omaha steaks you could get the selection which is chosen for $49.99 and get them a gift certificate to their place of choice for dancing and drinks also the deal is for today onlyI'll check that out, thanks!
likewhoa Posted November 12, 2007 Author Posted November 12, 2007 How about a spa service at a local spa for your MIL? Like a manicure/pedicure or a facial? It is a gift certificate, but it is a little more personal... Or even (if you could stand it...LOL) suggest that you two go together to get your nails done and then lunch... You could create a certificate or something like that to give her. Then you could do the bottle holder/shot thing that was suggested a few posts above for your FIL.I'm not sure I can stand it! I'm trying really hard to like her but I still have flash backs to our first Christmas together where she screamed at my hubby about how I was selfish to want him around on Christmas day. Keep in mind, my mom passed away late October of that year so.. I am trying to forgive and forget that moment still to this day. my hubby is a total tech guy. I will ask him about a surround system when he gets home.Thanks. Let me know if he has any opinion on the ones that are on sale BF. Or actually, there's one on sale at BB this week that's $79, which is pushing our limit but is do-able I suppose. are they nearby? can you invite them to dinner for a home cooked meal? My inlaws never needed/wanted stuff. the best received gift was a roll of Duct tape.... which reminds me... need to buy duct tape.They live literally five minutes from us. We're renting a townhouse from them until we buy our own home. I am like crazy surrounded by them all the time! And dare not step on toes for fear of getting the boot! Side note, I just figured out how to multi-quote.. hehe I am proud of myself!
PerkynPunctual Posted November 12, 2007 Posted November 12, 2007 I would do the charity donation, but we already do that in my family and we know that everyone is okay with it. If they wouldn't be, don't go the gift card route either, since they have already made their feelings known. I don't like to receive gift cards either. Sorry, I know that isn't popular, but it's true. I'd rather that someone didn't bother. That being said, Do they drink wine? Find a little wine shop and buy the best wine in your gift budget. Even people who drink inexpensive wines can appreciate really good ones. Not wine drinkers? How about a good Scotch or Bourbon? I always find consumables work well for those that get themselves everything they want/need. Another idea would be a wine chiller or small wine fridge for the bar.
likewhoa Posted November 12, 2007 Author Posted November 12, 2007 I would do the charity donation, but we already do that in my family and we know that everyone is okay with it. If they wouldn't be, don't go the gift card route either, since they have already made their feelings known. I don't like to receive gift cards either. Sorry, I know that isn't popular, but it's true. I'd rather that someone didn't bother. That being said, Do they drink wine? Find a little wine shop and buy the best wine in your gift budget. Even people who drink inexpensive wines can appreciate really good ones. Not wine drinkers? How about a good Scotch or Bourbon? I always find consumables work well for those that get themselves everything they want/need. Another idea would be a wine chiller or small wine fridge for the bar.Actually if the surround sound thing doesn't work, I'd rather not buy something that sucks just because it's cheap.. anyway, if that doesn't work they make some really nice looking wine holders that I could fill with inexpensive and maybe one expensive bottle. You guys are great for ideas!
bayhaysay Posted November 12, 2007 Posted November 12, 2007 I think that the surround sound thing sounds great. What do they like to do? Where do they like to go? Do they travel, have any other hobbies?
likewhoa Posted November 12, 2007 Author Posted November 12, 2007 I think that the surround sound thing sounds great. What do they like to do? Where do they like to go? Do they travel, have any other hobbies?Hmm. They go to parties and go drinking with their friends, I swear they're kind of like over grown college kids sometimes. They don't really travel besides the beach once a year. She likes Yankee Candle stuff, but I'm not sure if I can get a good deal on anything. He likes Green Bay Packers but I'm not sure he'd actually want something with their logo. I married into a very strange family.
Shortness Posted November 12, 2007 Posted November 12, 2007 Good luck with it all. I don't envy you. I have a stepmom and dad who have everything they could want--and buy things on a different level than we do--if you know what I mean. I have just gone to homemade things or food. Last year, I embroidered (very easy with stamped on patterns) a set of pillow cases for her, and gave my dad a huge tin of shortbread cookies from Costco. Another year, I did a photo album that I did an applique thing on the cover. This year, I'm stumped so far... It's really hard--especially when they might be the sort to comment on what you get...
Marcster Posted November 12, 2007 Posted November 12, 2007 GPS navigation unit? They're really low priced this year (over last year): http://forums.gottadeal.com/showthread.php?t=87388
erijane Posted November 13, 2007 Posted November 13, 2007 If you are all out of ideas you might wanna check out things that are new for the 07 season- you can see some of them in use at expotv. com and even better gift ideas shown here: http://www.expotv.com/holiday/gift-o-matic- and I agree with what had been said by others- one person can have everything.
amyers12345 Posted November 13, 2007 Posted November 13, 2007 What about doing a little digging into their childhood, and finding that toy they wanted but never received? Ebay is perfect for that, and it would be something they never expected. That's my nice idea.. if you want to be mean, I'd make her some homemade fudge, with ex-lax. I think that's what mine's getting. She loves my fudge, so she'll never expect it! (yeah, a little tension there, could ya tell?)
freesia39 Posted November 13, 2007 Posted November 13, 2007 No, but I've wanted to learn forever seriously. I'm a hands on person and learning from a book just doesn't work for me and I don't know anyone who knits to teach me. I'm not very close with them, they intimidate the heck out of me otherwise I might be able to think of something they might enjoy.go to youtube. they have several knitting instructional videos - i was using it figure out some crochet stuff and a cross stitch stitch i couldn't figure out. type in "learn to knit" or something along those lines.
Scanner420 Posted November 13, 2007 Posted November 13, 2007 If they go out drinking alot...why not a GC to their favorite bar?? Or make arrangements with the bartender, (If they don't serve food that is) To have a dinner delivered for them when they go out drinking for a night.
abentley Posted November 13, 2007 Posted November 13, 2007 One year I ordered Prime rib roasts for all the diificult people on our list from a local steakhouse(pre-cooked, but frozen, about 14# each). I was nervous, and as it turned out, it was great as a gift. I am about to repeat next year, as I am running out of ideas.
jax81772 Posted November 13, 2007 Posted November 13, 2007 How about a trip to the local opera/show/ballet. I know at Christmas time there are quite a few things like that in Tulsa, that are not expensive. Or a limo ride of all the holiday lights in town. There are quite a few of those in the area as well, they also do helicopter rides of the lights. Try some of the local museum displays, tickets to that would seem fancy smancy but really are reasonable.
vsa3janes Posted November 13, 2007 Posted November 13, 2007 Hmm. They go to parties and go drinking with their friends, I swear they're kind of like over grown college kids sometimes. They don't really travel besides the beach once a year. She likes Yankee Candle stuff, but I'm not sure if I can get a good deal on anything. He likes Green Bay Packers but I'm not sure he'd actually want something with their logo. I married into a very strange family.My SIL and he hubby drink wine and like to take it along with them. Last year I found a great wine tote at Target. It had an insulated place for the bottle, wine glasses, cork screw and a pretty wine stopper. It was under $50 and they loved it. She told me they take it with them all the time. Another thought is a gift card for a winery tour. We have several wineries here in the Mid-west and my SIL & friends go there often. I also saw a leather wine tote on thingfling.com for a reasonable price. It was just a tote without the accessories. Good luck I have several hard people to buy for in my family.
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