Bridal shower gift from future mother in law?

BrenNew

I need suggestions for a bridal gift for my future daughter in law. My husband says to just give her a gift card for like JC Penny's or Walmart. But, do you think that's too impersonal?

BrenNew

I need suggestions for a bridal gift for my future daughter in law. My husband says to just give her a gift card for like JC Penny's or Walmart. But, do you think that's too impersonal?

arewethereyet

OOPS:blushing:
I would love a simple gold heart necklace.

réalta

defo something from the heart . . . maybe a framed photograph of the happy couple

crystal photo frame or something

oohh, or you could get a double photo frame and get a picture of the happy couple when they were of a certain age, like 5, two photos of them as cute kids

that would be very cute and special

zoepane

My MIL gave us a dinning room table, that she let us pick out

réalta

is this a present just for her or for both of them?

MattySparky

furniture is always good. but it doesn't have to be big or expensive either to mean alot.

MyaPapaya75

I need suggestions for a bridal gift for my future daughter in law. My husband says to just give her a gift card for like JC Penny's or Walmart. But, do you think that's too impersonal?

a nice locket or charm bracelet

Mickie17

Here's a thought....if you do want to give her a gift card, how about including a heartfelt, handwritten letter telling her how much you're thrilled that she's joining your family. That letter may be the one thing she treasures more than anything you could give her. ???

Or jewelry...can't go wrong with jewlelry, right? :laugh: (But try to find out if she's a gold or silver person first)!

3babybeans

If she has a registry anywhere, check that out & see if anything is on there that you would like to buy them.

A set of dishes or pots & pans with a bunch of your son's favorite recipes tucked inside for example.

A cookbook that you could start for her with room for her to fill in her own recipes.

You are such a good MIL already for thinking of this! My MIL made me a shawl to wear for my wedding day (November in Ohio + sleeveless = COLD) and I treasure it dearly! Good luck to you!:flowerforyou:

arewethereyet

defo something from the heart . . . maybe a framed photograph of the happy couple

crystal photo frame or something

oohh, or you could get a double photo frame and get a picture of the happy couple when they were of a certain age, like 5, two photos of them as cute kids

that would be very cute and special

:blushing:

réalta

defo something from the heart . . . maybe a framed photograph of the happy couple

crystal photo frame or something

oohh, or you could get a double photo frame and get a picture of the happy couple when they were of a certain age, like 5, two photos of them as cute kids

that would be very cute and special

or dual pix of the parents when they got married and your wedding photo:drinker:

awh, that would look great too, something that they will always have

amymeenieminymo

I would stick to the registry if she has one and perhaps try to find something from that that is a little more personal.

I know the dilemma, blindly picking some curtains or sheets or something from the registry doesn't seem as personal for someone close like your future DIL, but they ARE things that she has selected that she wants.

My best friend just got married a few months ago, and I had that same problem. I hated to go off the registry because it seemed too impersonal, but yet everyone always thinks they know what the couple will just love, and veer off the registry....but the couple does not always love the gift that the gift giver loves so their stuck with this stuff they have to return.....yes any gift is the thought that counts, but it's so much nicer to get a gift you know you can use.

So, I found something on the registry that kind of showed that I knew her better than most....her and her husband both love the Detroit Tigers, and she had a Detroit Tigers throw on her registry from Bed Bath and Beyond so I got that for her. I also drew her a little cartoon picture of her and her husband dressed in Tigers clothes in front of Comerica park.....she loved it because it was a little more personal and showed I cared enough to put that much time into a gift.

So I vote for something from the registry, and if there is anything you have a talent for, like drawing or knitting or something, then include that as your "gift from the heart".

BrenNew

That was one of my reasons for asking all my wonderful MFP friends what I should get, since I don't even know if the bridal gift is just for the bride, or if it's supposed to be something for the two of em! My own bridal shower (for the first husband!) was over 30 years ago, and all I can remember getting is a bunch of crock pots and cook books. None of which I used very much, since I am "NO BETTY CROCKER"! :laugh:
I don't really know my future daughter in law very well, since she doesn't come up very often with my son. She seems nice enough and is very smart, just passed her exam and is a full fledged nurse now! But I don't feel comfortable enough to write her a gushy letter about joining our family.
Anyway, thanks for the suggestions. I gave her a necklace for Christmas, so I suppose I shouldn't do THAT again? Maybe I CAN get some sort of frame, but gee, that doesn't sound like a very good gift to me, but, then again, that's why I'm asking! Thanks again!

arewethereyet

Maybe that is just what you guys need, an ice breaker of love.

You could tell her how much you loved your son when he was born, how you enjoyed raising him and celebrating his acheivements. How you always hoped he would find some one to love him as much as you.

I would have KILLED to get that letter!

My mom died when I was 28 and his family was the only one my kids would have. I insisted on vacation every year at Omis so my kids would know their family. I still would love to hear my MIL tell me I am good for her son and she is glad he found me and it has been 27 years!!

Oh well, maybe I am just mushy today!

I am so happy for your family!!!:flowerforyou:

Georg

I made a quilt for my future DIL for her shower, using colors & themes she likes. A shower gift is usually something for the home - decorative or useful. What about some family recipes in a nice binder she could add to? Or family photos? Or a sheet set or household appliance? When I got married, my parents made a deal with my future in laws that one would buy the washer, the other would buy the matching dryer.
My mother in law also stocked our refrigerator while we were away on our honeymoon.

BrenNew

Maybe that is just what you guys need, an ice breaker of love.

You could tell her how much you loved your son when he was born, how you enjoyed raising him and celebrating his acheivements. How you always hoped he would find some one to love him as much as you.

I would have KILLED to get that letter!

My mom died when I was 28 and his family was the only one my kids would have. I insisted on vacation every year at Omis so my kids would know their family. I still would love to hear my MIL tell me I am good for her son and she is glad he found me and it has been 27 years!!

Oh well, maybe I am just mushy today!

I am so happy for your family!!!:flowerforyou:

Awww, thanks. I wish I COULD be all mushy and come up with something, but, I don't think I can. Like I said, we don't get together very often, so I'm just not comfortable writing a bunch of stuff that I don't really feel.
Maybe I'll try the registry thing, if I can find out where they're registered. I just tried JC Penny's and Walmart, nothing.

Georg

Ask your son what she'd like.

BrenNew

Ask your son what she'd like.

I guess I will, but, knowing him, he won't have a clue! Kinda runs in the family I guess! :laugh:

beagle595

I never got a bridal shower gift from my Mother-in-law. She never even responded to the invitation or the messages from my family. But I still respect and love her... The most cherished things I ever received from her after we were married was all my husbands school pictures from Kindergarten thru High School.. Thank God because her house burnt down years later and everything was lost.
Something from the registry is nice and also something sentimental like his childhood photo's (** Don't forget the gift receipt...)
Remember you don't want to lose your son, you just want to gain a nice Daughter-in-law.. Because not all Daughter-in-laws are forgiving like me..

BrenNew

I never got a bridal shower gift from my Mother-in-law. She never even responded to the invitation or the messages from my family. But I still respect and love her... The most cherished things I ever received from her after we were married was all my husbands school pictures from Kindergarten thru High School.. Thank God because her house burnt down years later and everything was lost.
Something from the registry is nice and also something sentimental like his childhood photo's (** Don't forget the gift receipt...)
Remember you don't want to lose your son, you just want to gain a nice Daughter-in-law.. Because not all Daughter-in-laws are forgiving like me..

Well of COURSE I'll get her SOMETHING, I've just gotta figure out WHAT. :laugh:
I think that stinks that you didn't get anything! She doesn't sound like a very nice mother in law!
As far as childhood photos go, I made a DVD of my son's whole life, which includes pics of him with her at the end of it, and gave it to him for his birthday 6 months ago.
What do you mean about a "gift receipt"?

thejarviclan

Nah, I wouldn't give her a gift card unless it was accompanied by something special. Is there a family heirloom you'd like to pass on to her? I realize you don't know her very well, but my MIL gave me a broach that had been my husband's grandmother's. I have always loved having it and felt warmly welcomed into the family when she gave it to me.

LuckyLeprechaun

if you tell the store where you bought it that it is a gift, they will give you a receipt that doesn't list its price, but allows her to exchange it if she wants to. any store can give you one, you just ask.

beagle595

if you tell the store where you bought it that it is a gift, they will give you a receipt that doesn't list its price, but allows her to exchange it if she wants to. any store can give you one, you just ask.

Thanks for answering.. I was inputting my calories...
When I registered I went with my best girlfriend... we were getting married 2 wks apart and standing up in each other's wedding... Well we scanned almost everything in JcPenny's and Marshal Fields into our registry.. Some things we would never used... And people ended up buying the items.. So it was nice when they included the gift receipt... It doesn't reflect the $ amount spent... But that is found out if the item is returned or exchanged at the store purchased at.

KatWood

I just got married this fall.

For my bridal shower, my mother in law gave a bunch of great kitchen accessories that match the decor of our kitchen.

As a wedding gift, she bought us a great Group of Seven painting.

She also worked really hard helping with the wedding plans. She sewed 90 little bags to use for the wedding favours and hand made icing flowers and chocolate butterflys for the cupcakes. The gifts she gave me were great, but it is her help and enthusiasm helping with the wedding that I really appreciated and will always cherish. Her excitement and help really made me feel welcomed into the family.

I definitely won the mother in law lottery!

beagle595

I never got a bridal shower gift from my Mother-in-law. She never even responded to the invitation or the messages from my family. But I still respect and love her... The most cherished things I ever received from her after we were married was all my husbands school pictures from Kindergarten thru High School.. Thank God because her house burnt down years later and everything was lost.
Something from the registry is nice and also something sentimental like his childhood photo's (** Don't forget the gift receipt...)
Remember you don't want to lose your son, you just want to gain a nice Daughter-in-law.. Because not all Daughter-in-laws are forgiving like me..

Well of COURSE I'll get her SOMETHING, I've just gotta figure out WHAT. :laugh:
I think that stinks that you didn't get anything! She doesn't sound like a very nice mother in law!
As far as childhood photos go, I made a DVD of my son's whole life, which includes pics of him with her at the end of it, and gave it to him for his birthday 6 months ago.
What do you mean about a "gift receipt"?

No.. :noway: . I didn't mean you wouldn't buy her anything... I swap your right now for my Mother-in-law just for asking us for advice... You're very thoughtful. I think my Mother-in-Law was jealous at that time... My husband and I built a brand new home a year after we got engaged. I was always taught to save and invest my money since I can remember. Doesn't matter if you live in a cave.. Love makes anything a home. :flowerforyou:

BrenNew

I never got a bridal shower gift from my Mother-in-law. She never even responded to the invitation or the messages from my family. But I still respect and love her... The most cherished things I ever received from her after we were married was all my husbands school pictures from Kindergarten thru High School.. Thank God because her house burnt down years later and everything was lost.
Something from the registry is nice and also something sentimental like his childhood photo's (** Don't forget the gift receipt...)
Remember you don't want to lose your son, you just want to gain a nice Daughter-in-law.. Because not all Daughter-in-laws are forgiving like me..

Well of COURSE I'll get her SOMETHING, I've just gotta figure out WHAT. :laugh:
I think that stinks that you didn't get anything! She doesn't sound like a very nice mother in law!
As far as childhood photos go, I made a DVD of my son's whole life, which includes pics of him with her at the end of it, and gave it to him for his birthday 6 months ago.
What do you mean about a "gift receipt"?

No.. :noway: . I didn't mean you wouldn't buy her anything... I swap your right now for my Mother-in-law just for asking us for advice... You're very thoughtful. I think my Mother-in-Law was jealous at that time... My husband and I built a brand new home a year after we got engaged. I was always taught to save and invest my money since I can remember. Doesn't matter if you live in a cave.. Love makes anything a home. :flowerforyou:

Aww, I KNEW you didn't mean that I wouldn't buy her anything, so don't worry about THAT! :laugh:
I still say she wasn't very nice to you at all! Sorry about that! :sad:

BrenNew

Nah, I wouldn't give her a gift card unless it was accompanied by something special. Is there a family heirloom you'd like to pass on to her? I realize you don't know her very well, but my MIL gave me a broach that had been my husband's grandmother's. I have always loved having it and felt warmly welcomed into the family when she gave it to me.

I kept thinking about your suggestion of a family heirloom, and I DID come up with one!
At first I didn't think I had anything, since I'm no longer with my son's Dad. BUT, then I remembered that I have the Christmas stocking that was originally my ex's, (handmade by his mother!) and that I have put out every Christmas for my son. (till just this past Christmas, when I decided that a 25 year old was too old for a stocking!) :laugh:
So I can give her THAT, plus maybe some little note welcoming her to the family. And then I'll STILL have to get her something else too though I guess.
Anyway though, thanks soooo much for the suggestion!

Georg

Can you make or buy her a matching or coordinating stocking? Our whole family hangs stockings - adults & everybody. It could be the beginning of a nice tradition for their new household.

TudorRose

She's so very lucky to have such a thoughful mother-in-law. I'd say to get her something which is although primarily for her, somehow involving your son. That way it's not just a gift, it's giving her your blessing.

ccano

I am young and newly married. I've only met my mother-in-law ONCE. Yes, once. My husband and I have been together for almost a year and a half (that's when we started dating), but I've only met his entire family once. We even got married at the courthouse here and neither of our families were involved with it. (He's deployed and we plan on having a big ceremony when he comes home from Iraq). Do you know how his mom and the rest of his family COULD have reacted? They could have resented me and been irritated at their son for marrying someone they've only met once. But let me tell you, I LOVE my in-laws, even if they never give me a material gift. Wanna know why? They accepted me, warmly and with very open arms. They have been nothing but supportive. His mom calls me "mija" (daughter in Spanish) and refers to herself now as "Ma" when she talks to me. She is absolutely wonderful. I think I have hit the in-law jackpot...so many moms out there would have been completely horrified if their 21 year old son married a girl they barely met. Instead she has been so loving and sweet and accepting.

I hope this can shed some light on your relationship with your soon-to-be daughter in law. I'm just trying to offer a perspective from the "other" side. The fact is, your son loves her...she shows your son love and devotion and is about give her life to your son. You might not know her well, but you could always let her know you look forward to getting to know her as she becomes part of your family. It would be such a great icebreaker and will set you up for a great relationship with her, and I know from my own experience how much she will appreciate your kindness and acceptance.

Love and acceptance is the best gift you can give!!!