Grandparent Journals?

[readyin07]

So all of my sweet, thoughtful ideas for my SIL's baby shower have not panned out. You may remember that her mom recently passed and I was trying to frame a photo of a special place for their family for the baby's room. I couldn't get the photo to work and it was too pricey to have someone do an artist's rendering of it. I tried a few apps and they looked terrible too.

Someone on here had also suggested doing a teddy bear with MIL's clothes, which I originally thought was overstepping, but I had my DH talk to FIL about it -- only to find out someone was already doing it. And probably giving to her at the shower (which I think is a bad idea).

The only other idea I could come up  with besides something off the registry that was thoughtful was a grandparent journal for FIL to fill out. My mom's friend did one recently and she thought I should get one for her, my dad and FIL to do for my kids. Of course when I asked her about it, she couldn't remember which one it was. Does anyone have any suggestions?

[readyin07]

And now my mom says she doesn't think that is an appropriate baby shower gift. I give the fuck up. I will just buy something off the registry.

[macmars45]

That's fine to just get something off the registry. Sorry all your sentimental ideas went bust.

[themysteriouswife]

Do you have her signature or a phrase in her handwriting?

www.etsy.com/listing/215022337/handwriting-sign-custom-memorial-sign?ref=market

[readyin07]

Jan 22, 2017 12:36:00 GMT -5 @pnkbride said:

I don't understand why the teddy bear is a bad idea or overstepping. What am I missing here? Anything personal regarding her mother is going to make her cry, so why would the teddy bear be any different that a photo? I'm not being snarky I promise, I just don't understand.

Sorry, there was back story. Basically FIL hasn't wanted anyone to touch MIL's closet.  SIL also wanted to go through it first to pick out things she might want. I felt like it was presumptuous of me to ask to take some of her favorite clothes without it being cleared with SIL first. SIL can be really sensitive about stuff like this. So after my photo idea failed, I asked DH to just float it by his dad, but one of the women who is helping with the shower had already asked. And I wasn't going to give her ANY sentimental gift at the shower. Obviously this is a really really hard time for SIL and she is already a really emotional person so I hope that they think about this too. It could be fine or it could be really hard, I wouldn't have chanced it personally.

[lilac05]

I don't think there's anything wrong with just sticking to the registry.

If you still want to do something personalized and sentimental, what about the jewelry you can have made with someone's handwriting? Maybe a necklace/charm that says "mom" for your SIL to wear (if that's her style), or something else in her handwriting for the baby's room? I think you really have to know SIL well to do those, though. Some people would see that as heart warming every time they looked at it. Others would see it as heartbreaking,

[lilac05]

I think the Grandpa journal would be a good Father's Day gift for your FIL. There are several online now, but I'm sure they'll be easy to find in stores closer to June.

[jmc325]

I lost my mom really suddenly 3.5 years ago. If I was your SIL I'd appreciate any sentiment of finding a way to include my mom. My sister gave birth to a daughter November 2015, the first grandchild on our side of the family, so it was definitely bittersweet. I'm not sure what your budget/time constraint is, but my mom used to always say, "smile God loves you". I found a seller on etsy who wrote out my mom's phrase in watercolor along with lambs to match the nursery decor. It was beautiful! I had it matted, framed and gave it to my sister at her shower and she loved it.

Another thing, when my sisters and I lost my mom our cousin gave us a beautiful Willow Tree journal and told us the purpose was to have people who knew my mom write memories of her in it for her future grandchildren. I haven't had the heart to read through it, but I love knowing that when I'm ready, those memories will be there for me to read about. Plus, my niece and any other future grandchildren will have this journal to read and learn about their Abuela. I saw it was mentioned above; I also received a bracelet with my mom's handwriting and I love it.

My mom was my best friend and yes when I receive thoughtful gifts that include her I cry, but the gesture means the world to me. You know your SIL best, but I just wanted to encourage you to continue thinking up ways to do something special for her during this time. I'm sure it was mean so much to her.

Sorry this turned into a novel... best of luck!!

[cabbagecabbage]

I think a registry gift now and a personal small gift later is the perfect thing.

[readyin07]

Jan 22, 2017 12:22:10 GMT -5 themysteriouswife said:

Do you have her signature or a phrase in her handwriting?

www.etsy.com/listing/215022337/handwriting-sign-custom-memorial-sign?ref=market

Oh gosh I love this so much. I will be looking tomorrow to see if I can find something with her signing her "grandparent name" to my kids. If that fails I am just bringing diapers lol.