What to get the in laws?

3plus1

OH and I are currently separated because of work, and I think his parents have been really supportive of us, by inviting me over to stay at theirs for weekends whilst OH is temporarily living with them. Okay, I'm not exactly high maintenance, but the extra heat and light adds up, and I'd like to get OH's parents a token present for Christmas, more as a thank you, than a Christmas present. (The background story is that my parents have not been supportive at all of OH and I - we're not married, so our relationship means nothing, and we should be content to live 100s of miles apart and never see other, as far as they're concerned.:rolleyes:)

Trouble is, I'm not really sure what would be a suitable present!! My initial thought was to get a big bunch of expensive Christmassy flowers for the mum, but OH's parents are jetting off on hols for new year, and there's not much point buying something that they won't really be able to enjoy.

I don't want to buy something that looks overly expensive - I sincerely doubt they'll even get me a card (well, I wouldn't bother, if I were them) - because I don't want them to feel bad about not getting me anything in return.

Any suggestions?

Both parents smoke, apart from OH they have a dog they absolutely adore, are really down-to-earth and like good food, but don't care much for the pretentious stuff. Sort of people who would buy good quality meat and veg from farmers' markets and put together something yummy, but not fiddly. The mum works, the dad doesn't (ill health). I think the dad is quite into his family history, and also really likes animals. The mum has less time for hobbies, seeing as she's the breadwinner!

As far as I'm aware, OH is buying them quite dull presents along the lines of books and dvds.

I'd like to get them something with a bit of thought, rather than just a bottle of something, but if no one can help me come up with something better, I guess that's what I'll end up doing!!

Any ideas appreciated

sarahlouise210

how about an ornament of the breed of dog they have? Or Personalised passport covers to take on their holiday, or artifical flowers - wont matter if they go on holiday then ! Or a gift set on tracing family tree, or name a star??
Lots of personalised ideas on his site
www.gettingpersonal.co.uk The calendars are fabulous..I have bought several and they always go down well.

3plus1

Thanks for that - I hadn't even thought about exploiting the travel angle - I mean, if they go off on hols every year, then something travel related might be useful. Not sure about passport holders, but I reckon some posh leather luggage tags by Radley or the likes of, would be a cute little present for the mum. :j

The dog ornament would be perfect, but I think they already have one. I'll have to have a wee snoop next time I'm down, but I'm pretty sure I've seen one somewhere in their home already.

Any other bright ideas? I've already picked out OH's gift and am determined to get his folks something nice too.

computerwoman

each year my brother and SIL buy me something expensive for around £30 and same for my son so this year as they seem to have everything I have bought then a bluetooth digital photo frame from www.UKdvdr.co.uk cost about £52 with postage then a 2 gb SD card for a tenner from memorybits also some avon smellies a personalised photo mug from trueprint/snapfish on offer and some choc's so all in all I have spend around £80 on them which I do hope they appreicate...so maybe a digital photo frame as it'll last for years to come...:Dmerry christmas:D


http://www.ukdvdr.co.uk/shop/5.6-Digital-Photo-Frame-Bluetooth-enabled-Model-DPF-056T-pr-19762.html

3plus1

Big bump because I've just found out that his parents have definitely got me something! Panicking now! Any more last minute ideas for me...?

It's his dad who's difficult to buy for. I think I can just about pick something out for the mum.

wickychoo

What about getting them tickets for something to do together? I know its not a tangible present, but maybe they could make a day of it and go to see a show or play or an exhibition?There's plenty in London or any big city that's close. It might give them a nice night out together that they wouldn't do normally. If you can't get the tickets in your hand, make a voucher up on the PC and put it in a nice box. I did that for my mum's birthday last year and she was well chuffed (especially as it was tea at the Ritz! :rotfl:)What about tickets to Crufts or something if they're doggy people? Probably not very MSE though...

3plus1

wickychoo wrote: »

What about getting them tickets for something to do together? I know its not a tangible present, but maybe they could make a day of it and go to see a show or play or an exhibition?There's plenty in London or any big city that's close. It might give them a nice night out together that they wouldn't do normally. If you can't get the tickets in your hand, make a voucher up on the PC and put it in a nice box. I did that for my mum's birthday last year and she was well chuffed (especially as it was tea at the Ritz! :rotfl:)What about tickets to Crufts or something if they're doggy people? Probably not very MSE though...

That's a lovely idea and I might use that one on my parents. But unfortunately, because of OH's dad's health, I don't really want to get a present which means he definitely has to leave the house to enjoy it.

Told you he was difficult to buy for!

debs66_2

I like to buy people 'memories'. so the tickets idea is a good one. my mum really helped me out one year, so for christmas i bought her and her partner tickets to a west end show (Tonight's The Night) and paid for a hotel room for the night. they had a ball and ended up booking an extra night and staying on in london to see the sights. she still talks about the show.

for other family members i have made up 'evening in' gift bags (DVD, chocolates, wine etc). I have also bought cinema gift tokens for our niece and her boyfriend. large cinemas often have gift packs of a night at the cinema, which include tickets/popcorn/a drink etc. they usually come in nice presentation wallets.

often tickets don't cost that much (when comparing against what you can buy in the shops for the same money and realistically get once you've taken it out of the box!), and the whole day or evening out is a great change for someone who might not usually do that for themselves.

good luck!

LuciferTDark

One way ticket to the Arctic for my MIL as she's a nightmare.

3plus1

LuciferTDark wrote: »

One way ticket to the Arctic for my MIL as she's a nightmare.

Lol, mine's alright, fortunately. Are you getting a nice gift box for the ticket for yours? :rotfl: