Need ideas for birthday present for my daughter in law! - PassPorter - A Community of Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Disney Cruise Line, and General Travel Forums
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Need ideas for birthday present for my daughter in law!
I am at a loss as to what to get our daughter in law for her birthday.
Last year I thought I found her something she would love. I had a wall plaque made with her favorite bible verse about family on it. When I showed it to our son, he said she would love it! I was so excited to have found something I thought she would enjoy! Well, I guess not.... I have never seen the wall plaque anywhere in their home. I have no idea what happened to it.
I have asked her mother for ideas and every time I do, she tells me that since her daughter is so low maintenance ( really??) she would love anything! Just get her some gift cards that she can use! In other words, don't give it any thought, she wants to buy her own gift!!!
As much as I dislike giving gift cards for birthday gifts, I am beginning to think that is what I should do.
I thought about giving her a spa day, but our son is doing that for her this year.
Any thoughts???
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Hmmm, tough one! I gotta say, though, in my family, married people don't get birthday gifts from their in-laws, only Christmas presents, which is only half as hard!
Do you know of any particular interests she has?
How about a Date Night? Gift cards to a movie theater and a nice restaurant you know they love (and a "gift card" offer to babysit if they have kids, but sounds as if they don't). I've done this for DH on our anniversary. It's still gift cards, but a little more special.
Oh, I like the idea of 'dinner & a movie' gift cards. Or just a really nice dinner is good.
For the longest time, my m-i-l gave me packs of those fuzzy footlet type socks. I hated them. And I had a drawerful. But then the year she stopped those, I got a squirrel candle. No joke. The wick was on the squirrel's tail. It was hideous. I decided that was my punishment for not appreciating the socks.
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Years ago, my Mil started gifting me a subscription to Southern Living magazine. I love it and it's not something I would generally spend money on for myself. Is there a magazine she enjoys reading?
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Jambo
Years ago, my Mil started gifting me a subscription to Southern Living magazine. I love it and it's not something I would generally spend money on for myself. Is there a magazine she enjoys reading?
Good idea! I give my Mom a subscription to Cook's Illustrated, and she loves it -- kind of a Consumer Reports for cooks, with cooking tools rated and recipes. I remember once they tested a lot of recipes and came up with the best cupcake recipe. That's an awesome magazine, kinda pricey though.
I must admit I hate giving gift cards bc like you said there is nothing special about it. They are practical though. I do like the date night ideas & a subscription to a hobby type magazine (mine would be an HGTV one or birdwatching) is at least a gift that keeps on giving.
I don't like giving gift cards either. However, I think in this case, you might want to. I find it odd that you're doing something for your DiL's b'day. Around here, acknowledging the b'day is all that is done.
What about taking them out to dinner? A dinner with you. That's all we do at most.
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My late MIL wasn't the best gift giver; twice she gave me a handheld mirror. (I wondered if she was sending a message) But my favorite MIL gift was a photo of my DH as a toddler. It's still displayed in our living room 25 years later. But a gift card is also a good idea if you're worried about her tastes.
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I think a gift card is a good idea, especially of you don't know your DiL all that well. I think getting one to a favorite restaurant or store would be lovely.
I say a generic giftcard like those Visa ones or simply cash or check. That way, she can buy whatever she likes.
So often what you think the person would like (even in a specific giftcard) isn't to their liking at all unless you've overheard an expressed wish and can fulfill that.
As for the wall plaque, try to release any hurt feelings. Giving means letting go in every sense, particularly expectations of seeing such a gift displayed. You could have had happen what did to me after spending hours and hours hooking a rug for a dear friend. I later saw it at his parents' home as a mud rug on their back patio, a very used looking one, too. Obviously, he didn't care for it.
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I think it's nice to give your DIL a birthday gift. My parents always acknowledge their children-in-law's special day. Since you are not sure of her taste, and if your DS is not coming up with any ideas, a gift card for her favorite hair or nail salon is a good idea, as is a dinner at her favorite restaurant or movie theatre (or both). What about a really nice picture frame? Does she like to read? Then maybe a nice bookstore/amazon/i-tunes card. Or a gift card for travel (an airline or Marriott or another hotel chain). Sorry she didn't seem to like the plaque. Maybe she just doesn't know where to put it or just hasn't gotten around to displaying it...Good luck!
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I have never seen the wall plaque anywhere in their home. I have no idea what happened to it. 
really??) she would love anything! Just get her some gift cards that she can use! In other words, don't give it any thought, she wants to buy her own gift!!! 
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