gift ideas needed please

Jinx · 29 July 2011 at 8:14PM

I bought my friend the Yankee 'wedding day' candle and a beautiful white ceramic holder with hearts cut out of it. Not expensive, more thoughtful and she loved it and had the candle burning while getting her hair n makeup done. In Scotland we call a little gift like this 'a wee minding'...

Mrs.W_2 · 29 July 2011 at 11:48PM

Sorry to be the worry wart here, but a couple of points worry me about Pandora bracelets. At the moment they are very fashionable, but give it another year and the next 'must have' coming along will see ebay awash with them. After that point, high street stores tend to lose interest in stocking the beads because they can be bought so cheaply elsewhere. A classic charm bracelet or locket might be safer options.

Asking your future DIL a discrete question or two about wearing jewellery might also help you out. If she does not wear much jewellery there might be a reason why.

Wishing you and yours a wonderful future.

emay · 30 July 2011 at 12:24AM

Why not suggest a shopping trip, or a quick meet up for a coffee and stroll round the local shops and casually stop and look at some jewellers and see if she suggests anything.

And to echo what Mrs.W says she may not have much jewellery as she doesn't like wearing it, I remember my Sis being an absolute nightmare when people wanted to buy her jewellery for her 21st as she the slightest bit interested (10 years on and I think the only jewellery she owns now is a simple chain, earrings and wedding ring!!!)

Treed · 15 December 2011 at 3:12PM

If pandora bracelets are out of your budget then you could always get a nomination bracelet.. which over the years you can give her charms for.

flutterby_lil · 15 December 2011 at 3:22PM

spa voucher?

krlyr · 15 December 2011 at 3:24PM

I don't wear much jewellery but I cherish the bits I've been given by family for their sentimental value. However, I've had input on most of them which is important - I don't have the daintiest of hands so the thin little ring my mum had picked out for my 21st was no good, ended up getting a very similar design that was just a bit thicker and suited me better. Ditto with the watch OH bought me, he picked two and I ruled out one straight away as it was a thin strap and I knew it wouldn't look right on me, his second choice was a slightly chunkier (but still girly) design with square links, suits me much better. So jewellery may not be the best choice if she doesn't wear much to compare your choices to.

tea_lover · 15 December 2011 at 3:35PM

Some lovely ideas so far (although I second the note of caution where Pandora is concerned), just wanted to say what a lovely thought this is. I'm sure whatever you pick will be appreciated, as it's such a lovely gesture.

ktb · 15 December 2011 at 4:34PM

I don't know how old your DIL to be is - but I am 32 and I can't stand the current *must have* charm bracelets (Pandora/Links of London etc). I was sat in a meeting yesterday and 2 of the women had them on - which, had I also been wearing one, would have lessened the 'special' piece of jewellery for me. However my 2 best mates both have one and they love them - so I realise that i'm probably in the minority here as I rarely follow trends! I also can't stand Uggs which they both love

Personally I would prefer a pair of timeless earrings - eg precious stone solitaires. I had a stunning pair of white gold & aquamarine earrings made up by our local jewellers for my best mate on her 30th and they cost me approx £50 I think & they were obviously one of a kind. I would also love anything handed down to me by my future MIL, even if it wasnt necessarily my exact taste. Jewellery is a lovely idea as can be kept and passed on.

pinkclouds · 15 December 2011 at 4:54PM

Counting_Pennies wrote: »

Alternatively a string of pearls

I thought pearls traditionally go to the eldest/first daughter to get married? I.e. they should be given by the bride's side? (Although I've been busy googling and can't find a decent supporting reference for this... I'm beginning to suspect I've half invented it out of Louisa May Alcott's "Good Wives"... lol)

I think a bracelet is the best type of jewellery to get - stands a higher chance of being worn, even if it doesn't exactly match the bride's taste. But any piece of jewellery will have the sentimental value attached and can always be handed down to one of her future daughters/in-laws so it's not like it would ever be "wasted".

Btw, in case you haven't thought of this and haven't previously noticed/asked... do check if she has any allergies or whether she actually has pierced ears, etc. It's amazing the number of people who gift earrings to girls who can't actually wear them!! Not that I'm saying you would. Er.