Ok I need serious Christmas help.

[Angie4b1g]

We go through this every year. My MIL is the hardest person to buy for, period. And I don't really know my SIL that well, aside from her being in a completely different place in her life than I am.

I need Christmas gifts for them. I am determined to be done shopping AND wrapping by Thanksgiving so I can enjoy the holiday and my guest CT spots in December *snicker*.

My MIL lives in Vegas with her new husband in a million dollar home with $30k in patio furniture, etc. She's a part time nurse, it's the husband with the house. I've never met FIL, btw. She won't let her husband put pictures of his kids around the house to remind her that he had a life before her (in fact, he had that life when they started dating, but I digress), so in turn she's not allowed to hang anything either. I did a photo book last year, not sure how or if that went over, she didn't say much. She's a total OCD anti-clutter nazi, so anything that just sits around won't do. One year we got her a car detailing thing, THAT was a huge hit. She already has a cleaning lady, so that's out. Ideas?

My SIL is in her mid 20s, newly engaged. She lives with her fiance in MILs old house (paid for by MIL), but still they are broke. GCs would be the most practical, but I would hope to do something more meaningful, even if it is on top of the GC.

I've rambled on way too long just to say WHAT CAN I BUY? I'm willing to spend about $100 on SIL and up to $200 on MIL. Ideas?

[DawnMarch]

Um. no offense, dear, but why are you buying for your MIL? Isn't it your DH's mom, and shouldn't he be the one agonizing over this? I simply don't buy the gifts for my DH's side of the family -- I do my side, he does his.

ETA, oh, and I should add that I do photobooks for some of my relatives, so I do make copies as gifts for my husband's parents too, and they love them. If I were you, I'd do that again -- it is a very thoughtful gift, whether they are polite enough to acknowledge it or not!

[Angie4b1g]

Haha yes you'd think.

Not gonna happen. LOL

[Teresa]

I can relate to having to think of the Christmas/birthday gifts for in-laws.

Sounds like your MIL enjoys things that are easily consumed or enjoyed, but not necessarily long-lasting! Maybe something like a "flowers of the month" or "fruit of the month" club? You could do 3, 6 or 12 months depending on the gift. Hmmm....or maybe a spa package? I'd love one of those too! LOL

There are some ideas here-
http://www.club-offers.com/
http://www.amazingclubs.com/
http://www.ftd.com/monthly-gifts-ctg/product-monthly/

I think for SIL, I'd probably just go with what's most practical- maybe you could find a beautiful frame for an engagement photo and put a few gift cards to different places in it?

Hope you get some helpful ideas!
Teresa

[Angie4b1g]

Oh the monthly things might work! Although she's always on some kind of wacked out diet or another. LOL

I like the frame idea, too. I'm a photographer and could even take the photo except they live 3 hours away. Maybe we can work that out, though.

[Teresa]

One more note on the spa idea. You could get her a gift card to SpaFinder, that way she could pick what services and spa she'd like to go to- takes that pressure off of you!

http://www.spafinder.com/Catalog/spa...rtificates.jsp

(just make sure they have some that take the cards in her area) LOL

[Angie4b1g]

Hmm ya we did the spa thing a few years back, wonder if she ever used it. LOL

[lovely1m]

Wow, that's rough. I agree about the using it gift. I always think that the Edible Arrangements look awesome. The 'of the month' sounds like a good idea, too. And I think the frame and taking the pictures is a fantastic idea, too. I also buy for my in-laws, dh used to just have his sister do it before we were together. lol

[stayawake]

At my local drugstore they sell these 'experiences' - it's a rack of little gift cards that you can buy ($25 - $500) that are actually good for real experiences. Like gourmet cooking classes, flying lessons, a wine tour... etc. Is there anything like this - an experience- you could give either them together, or each? Then they don't have anything sitting our their house?

[AnnieBananie]

Give her a meat basket. For some reason I thought of that and now I can't stop laughing... where's my coffee? MEAT BASKET!

Sorry I can't give you anything useful... though I'm enjoying the visualization of my own MIL receiving a basket o' meat. Go ahead... imagine it... feel any less stressed now?

[Angie4b1g]

LOL the meat basket would be appropriate.

The experience thing sounds good, too. Y'all rock. (except Annie - you suck).

[ajoyfulheart]

OMG Annie.....YES!!! Meat is the one thing in the world that totally conveys ANY message you want to send...perfect idea

I was originally thinking Spa too...but she sounds like she'd have plenty of money to do that on her own now. Hmmmm...do you make jewelry at all? Or maybe get her some sweet mom/grandma kind of jewelry on Etsy? Not sure if she would wear it...just a random thought, and yes, I realize it is not as good as meat...*le sigh*

[SeattleSheri]

It's hard to buy for people that already have it all! How about tickets to a show for her and her husband. Okay, I just realized I shouldn't give gift suggestions, I suck at it, lol. I do like the flower idea.

[AnnieBananie]

Originally Posted by Angie4b1g

LOL the meat basket would be appropriate.

The experience thing sounds good, too. Y'all rock. (except Annie - you suck).

Yes yes, I know...

[AnnieBananie]

Originally Posted by ajoyfulheart

OMG Annie.....YES!!! Meat is the one thing in the world that totally conveys ANY message you want to send...perfect idea

AAAAAAAAAAHAHAHAHA! I choked on muh coffee, thankyouverymuch.

[arenee]

I have issues with my MIL, so now I do photobooks. This year I will be doing photos for a digital frame. We can change out a card-less than $10.00 to change it out when ever I want.
Good Luck!!

[~ashleigh]

Red Envelope is one of my favorite stores for unique gift ideas at different price levels.

[Angie4b1g]

Oh I love that digital picture frame keychain they have on there. I might get that and fill it up

[emilyscout]

You could do godiva chocolate club:
http://www.godiva.com/catalog/produc...E_Category=100

Or if they're more health nuts you could do Harry and Davids fruit of the month clubs:
http://www.harryanddavid.com/gifts/s...nth-club-gifts

I so know what its like. I do all the christmas shopping in our house and his parents don't want for anything. Finding something to give each of them every christmas is a challenge. This year I found out that they do a formal tea at what used to be the ritz in Boston. So I'm going to take my MIL there sometime in December.