Gift ideas for MIL

[lyralalala]

My MIL has been amazing recently.

Life has been really difficult. My youngest has had three (planned) operations and each one hasn’t quite gone to plan.

My teens have been teens. My pre-teen has been practising for his teenage years.

I’ve really been struggling with moods (not depression but I know DH is worried it’s heading that way).

DH has been wonderful as well, but MIL has gone above and beyond. I’ve had a d&v big so DH has been at the hospital with youngest. MIL swung into action - sent me to bed like a mum would. Dealt with kids, house, pets and sent me lots of chicken soup as and when.

I want to get her something nice. Not from the kids or even from “us” but just from me as a thank you for being the closest thing to a mum I ever had.

Bless her! My MIL is like this also and swings into action with disasters!

She cherishes cards I send her where I do write how loved and appreciated she is.

Does she have any hobbies or would she appreciate 121 time with you? After a major op 2 years ago where she pretty much nursed me, I took her for afternoon tea, just me and her and she loved it. Is a she a keen gardener, could you buy her a nice plant?

Hope things improve for you!

Sounds like you have a great MIL!

Here's a few things that i've given as thank you gifts...

Afternoon tea out
DVD & popcorn
Selection of mini bottles of wine
Flowers & chocolates
A hamper of GF treats
A children's book that had been brought up in conversation (recipient phoned me up in tears as she was so grateful)

I might be overthinking it but I’d like to buy her a daughter-ish present, if there is such a thing

I had to live with my grandparents since 7. They were amazing but I’ve never had a mum. She’s always treaded very carefully but she is like a mum to me and I’m now comfortable and wanting to acknowledge that.

Gardening she loves, but she lives with us so it’s a bit like “here’s a plant for our garden”.

Her room is all done nicely so nothing to add to that.

A card is a great idea though! She treasures letters and cards so I’ll do that.

Have a look at the Fortnum and Mason hampers

So lovely to hear 😁 she sounds like a gem

My mum really treasures photo cards (moonpig/funky pigeon). She keeps them up all year round.

You can do a single photo or multiple, and it can be huge size or normal card size. You can pick ones you add text to on the front also. Ebay also have cards if your search 'like a mum to me'. If you message the seller in sure they would change text from happy birthday to thank you etc

Mum loves a good afternoon tea (although I think they are over priced but a lovely experience all the same )

Trying to think what else I buy for mum... She's very hard to buy for tbh. But I'll come back if I've any other ideas xxx

So lovely you want to cherish her like this. ♥

...just from me as a thank you for being the closest thing to a mum I ever had.

Whatever you decide to get, I think a card with the above written in it would probay mean just as much!

How about a spa day for both of you? Or a trip to the theatre and dinner? She probably has enough stuff and some experience that she might not indulge in for herself would be lovely, especially if you can do it together.

A lovely card and afternoon tea tor both of you.

Something you can do together just you two and a lovely card

When I was in a similar situation, I bought the people who were so good to me lots of little things and put them in a nice gift bag.

A bottle of wine/ elderflower cordial
Chocolate
Hand cream
Fancy socks
Face masks
Eye masks
Hair turban (as they are fab and nobody had seen them before)

I can't remember what else went in but anything lovely that takes your fancy could be included. The people receiving the gift really seemed to like it and enjoyed delving in.

The list was on separate lines but paragraphs don't always work on the mobile!

My mum loves afternoon teas.

What you wrote made me cry!
I would buy a bottle of Chanel perfume! It's not something you buy yourself! It's classy and generous!

I got MIL a really nice locket when she did something similar for us with an engraving on the back: You mean the world to me. She never takes it off.

Spa weekend?
Seriously though some people love them. Or buy her something she loves but doesn’t buy herself.

What about a necklace with all the family names on it? You can buy them online.

Your post brought tears to my eyes, she sounds amazing.

If she likes gardening, and depending on where you live, why don't you take her out for the day to a garden show/flower show? Whether that is Gardeners’ World live, Chelsea, Hampton Court or Wisley (beginning of September). Even if next year, give her a voucher that entitles her to a day out with you.

She sounds wonderful, as do you.

Some lovely suggestions thank you.

We’re not really spa goers, but I like the thought of a cream tea.

Cream tea and a nice card.

I’m very lucky. Both she and other-MIL (DH was widowed when we met, his 1st mil is lovely) have been amazing. I wouldn’t be half as confident a parent without them.