guys, I canNOT think of what to get my MIL

[amandasw]

what do you guys buy your MIL? Or basically the person on your list who is SUPER difficult to buy things for? H was like "why are you getting in stress-mode now?!" and it's because I don't want to wait until the last minute and still have nothing. Plus, I want to leave enough time if I can come up with something to make (the ONLY things she won't try to give back, return or give us money for are sentimental things). I feel bad because she probably gets the least number of presents but it's because it's SO hard to think of things. Also, they are coming here for Christmas, which means I also need to help my mom think of something to give her/them.

[amandasw]

Nov 26, 2012 14:02:07 GMT -5 @legalbritt said:

My MIL loves to get home, put on PJs and cozy socks and curl up on the couch after work. So I got her a really nice pair of calf high Muk Luk knit slippers. Look at Macy's online for ideas. I jsut started scanning through the "Cyber Monday" deals and found all kinds of good ideas for family members who are hard to buy for.

that's a good idea! she does like slippers and comfy clothes at home (and they live in AK so it's like always winter, ha).

[Deleted]

I got mine a clarisonic

[amandasw]

Nov 26, 2012 14:02:45 GMT -5 @jennuinne said:

Get nice photos of you and DH done and framed? Or some other sentimental artwork?

I feel like we've done this several times - every time she 'loves' it but I think we're both tired of trying to be sentimental, lol. Maybe if I can think of something new.

[livinitup]

For these hard to shop for types, I usually give a nice gift with a store receipt (the real receipt so they can get the full value of the return, not just store credit). I've long ago stopped trying to overcome other people's hang-ups with gift giving/receiving.

[amandasw]

Nov 26, 2012 14:17:52 GMT -5 @legalbritt said:

What about sheepskin slippers? Like UGGS but there are other good brands

good idea, I think there is one at Northgate this time of year... I feel like this is a good option, I'm going to email H...

[FrozenSunshine]

Nice slippers. Scarf. Good hot chocolate and/or tea.

[georgeharrison]

Nov 26, 2012 14:08:11 GMT -5 @amandasw said:

Nov 26, 2012 14:02:45 GMT -5 @jennuinne said:

Get nice photos of you and DH done and framed? Or some other sentimental artwork?

I feel like we've done this several times - every time she 'loves' it but I think we're both tired of trying to be sentimental, lol. Maybe if I can think of something new.

I am totally with you on this...this is my dad exactly! Have you tried one of those canvas photos? We gave one to my dad for Father's Day and he cried. It was different, but still a photo.

[amandasw]

Nov 26, 2012 14:54:34 GMT -5 georgeharrison said:

Nov 26, 2012 14:08:11 GMT -5 @amandasw said:

I feel like we've done this several times - every time she 'loves' it but I think we're both tired of trying to be sentimental, lol. Maybe if I can think of something new.

I am totally with you on this...this is my dad exactly! Have you tried one of those canvas photos? We gave one to my dad for Father's Day and he cried. It was different, but still a photo.

do you get that printed somewhere online?

oh also, a good idea for you that we did last year was make a puzzle out of a picture: we covered the top so they didn't know what it was and we all put it together last year.

[amandasw]

Nov 26, 2012 14:28:39 GMT -5 @legalbritt said:

Nov 26, 2012 14:26:07 GMT -5 FrozenSunshine said:

Nice slippers. Scarf. Good hot chocolate and/or tea.

Good hotchocolate is a good idea too. Like real drinking chocolate. Yum.

she doesn't really like anything sweet

[InBetweenDays]

Last year we got MIL one of those GurglePot pitchers. They are so pretty and she thought it was neat to get something "from Seattle" (the live in NJ).

[karebear219]

We got our MIL a tree skirt with our last name embroidered on it

[amandasw]

Nov 26, 2012 15:07:04 GMT -5 InBetweenDays said:

Last year we got MIL one of those GurglePot pitchers. They are so pretty and she thought it was neat to get something "from Seattle" (the live in NJ).

ok, this is kind of awesome, I love these! Never seen it before. I will add it to the list of things to send H

[amandasw]

Nov 26, 2012 15:08:35 GMT -5 karebear219 said:

We got our MIL a tree skirt with our last name embroidered on it

hmm, this is a good idea, maybe there is something else we could do that's similar too. thanks!

[georgeharrison]

Nov 26, 2012 15:05:35 GMT -5 @amandasw said:

Nov 26, 2012 14:54:34 GMT -5 georgeharrison said:

I am totally with you on this...this is my dad exactly! Have you tried one of those canvas photos? We gave one to my dad for Father's Day and he cried. It was different, but still a photo.

do you get that printed somewhere online?

oh also, a good idea for you that we did last year was make a puzzle out of a picture: we covered the top so they didn't know what it was and we all put it together last year.

Yes, I used Artscow (at the referral of jennlin). They have super good prices, but the shipping does take a little longer.

Thanks for the puzzle suggestion.

[jennlin]

i would go with a scarf.

[hallows]

My MIL has one of the pandora-type bead bracelets, so we bought her a sparkly dark green bead to remind her of us and their visit to the "Emerald City" this summer.

[amandasw]

Nov 26, 2012 23:39:30 GMT -5 spunbutterfly said:

www.crateandbarrel.com/bodum-assam-tea-press/s245674

www.amazon.com/Prince-Peace-Korean-Ginseng-instant/dp/B001CZHAPU/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1353991026&sr=8-1&keywords=ginseng+tea

lol you either have a good memory or are great at guessing, she might actually like this... thanks!

[jennlin]

Nov 27, 2012 2:09:51 GMT -5 spunbutterfly said:

Nov 27, 2012 1:53:06 GMT -5 @amandasw said:

lol you either have a good memory or are great at guessing, she might actually like this... thanks!

Part both? You have a Korean mother in law. I have a Korean mother. I'm guessing what your mother in law might like based on what I might get for my mom, if I didn't know her specific tastes.

With my mom, I usually get her dvds of movies she likes (cause she'd never buy that stuff for herself). Like, my mom /loves/ Indiana Jones and James Bond, so I've gotten her the complete sets of those. My mom doesn't drink enough tea for the teapot to be worth it, and she has one of those big Asian hot water boiler-holder things, but it's kind of cute, kind of useful while useless/frivolous at the same time. I figure the teapot is sort of a generic Asian mom gift that isn't lotion or sweets or scarves (which my mom would hate ;-.

The ginseng tea doesn't go in the pot since I think it's a powder that dissolves, but it expresses how much you wish her a long and healthy life. XD She might never /drink/ the tea, but it's the thought that counts.

i might be stealing your ideas for the ginseng. my MIL would love it.

and my parents have so many hot-water thingy's it's ridic.

[amandasw]

Nov 27, 2012 2:09:51 GMT -5 spunbutterfly said:

Nov 27, 2012 1:53:06 GMT -5 @amandasw said:

lol you either have a good memory or are great at guessing, she might actually like this... thanks!

Part both? You have a Korean mother in law. I have a Korean mother. I'm guessing what your mother in law might like based on what I might get for my mom, if I didn't know her specific tastes.

With my mom, I usually get her dvds of movies she likes (cause she'd never buy that stuff for herself). Like, my mom /loves/ Indiana Jones and James Bond, so I've gotten her the complete sets of those. My mom doesn't drink enough tea for the teapot to be worth it, and she has one of those big Asian hot water boiler-holder things, but it's kind of cute, kind of useful while useless/frivolous at the same time. I figure the teapot is sort of a generic Asian mom gift that isn't lotion or sweets or scarves (which my mom would hate ;-.

The ginseng tea doesn't go in the pot since I think it's a powder that dissolves, but it expresses how much you wish her a long and healthy life. XD She might never /drink/ the tea, but it's the thought that counts.

thank you! this is awesome