Do I get my MIL something else or not?

[lucysmam]

She asked for a jigsaw for Christmas, then chose the one she wanted & bought it for us to wrap for her when she did her shopping at Netto the other day.

It was only a quid. & I feel a bit tight because she found it for herself & bought it then got the quid back from us.

Do I get her something else to go with it that's a surprise? Or just leave it at the jigsaw?

She has no hobbies apart from knitting & hasn't done that in ages. Rarely goes out unless she comes here to see the kids or with us for the day.

I'm a bit stumped. She always tells us just get whatever, but it's a bit hard when there's nothing to draw inspiration from!

Oh, I would! She sounds very humble and I bet she would just love the gesture.

Does she eat sweet things? Box of chocolates.
Does she wear perfume? Bottle of her favourite.
Does she drink? Mini bottles (Marks does them) are really nice and only a glassful so no excuse for her not to treat herself!
Flowers?

I bet she will like some small token - of course you don't have to get it, but it might make her very happy.

She always has chocolates for her birthday in October, always Dairy Box as well. & her older sister got her perfume for her birthday she's hardly touched. Not a drinker & not into flowers.

That's why I'm stumped.

I got her gloves as well as the choccies for her birthday this year as she always puts her finger nails through the ends.

& can't think of anything else

But thank-you for trying, I'll have a browse of amazon later maybe, see if there's anything on there she might like

I even debated a crossword book or two as she sometimes does those, but have no idea where to get the books

Could you give her a framed picture of your dc? Or a picture of your dc with her?

A pretty candle and holder.
Something for the shower or bath.
Where does she shop herself? She might like a gift voucher.
Does she like a magazine? There are dicounts to be had on annual subscriptions, depending on your budget.

mogs0, you might be onto something good there.... will start looking for a nice frame & take a nice phtot of the kids in front of the tree tomorrow.

Not sure if she'd put it up but I don't have to buy the frame just yet, just print the photo. We'll use it if not. Will test the water & see what her reaction is if I ask about putting photo's up (there's none anywhere in their house, just framed prints)

Ah, that is tricky ... I love mogs's suggestion.

Maybe something luxurious but practical, like a cashmere jumper, would be nice? Tesco does cashmere that my granny always loved, and there are posh versions out there too?

You sound like such a lovely DIL - I hope I get one like you when the time comes!

Could you get her one of those jigsaw rolls to go with the puzzle - you know the things you do the puzzle on and then can store it away til you finish it hang on... this type of thing

What about a book she can read with the kids - barefoot books do a lovely one called Grandmothers Stories - folk tales involving wise older women.

It would be nice to get her something else. Posters suggestions of pctures of DC is nice. If she likes jigsaw puzzles could you get more in a similar style or a roll/storage mat. My mIL doesn't finish hers very quickly so the rollmats go under the sofa.

If she likes knitting why not something similar-ish like cross stitch - perhaps not so daunting and light to send if you are not seeing her.

Definitely get her something else.

You can get posh looking hand wash and hand creams that don't cost a lot and will appeal to her useful gene if she doesn't want treats as such.

Something for the garden?

Voucher for a manicure? Massage, hair cut?

Family photo
nice jumper
nice scarf set
vouchers
vase/piece of crystal
ornament - is she into any kind of ornament/decorative plate type thing?
tea selection
posh biscuits
books
magazine subscription
national trust membership
nice creams/hand etc
digital radio

I found a little handbag sized photo album with grandmas boasting book written on cover
she loves it >>> poss amazon

How about a subscription for a puzzle magazine?
New gloves/hankies/scarf/slippers etc?
Things she never gets herself till they wear out?
Potplant?

Another jigsaw, since she clearly likes jigsaws!

Cheese and biscuits?

Nice tea or coffee?

A new coat/jumper/nightie?

What about a jigsaw made from a family picture? :) Or a special roll up jigsaw mat?

Roll up jigsaw mat sounds like a good one as well,will add that to my list of possibilities. Am going to check with my dp & see which he thinks she'd like most.

I feel awful having to ask for suggestions but she's really not that bothered about material things so much. She's the best MIL I could have asked (only one minor disagreement in 5 years & that was caused by my SIL)

She's also very set in her ways food/drink wise so may not go down that road. New nightie or pj's would be nice (I wouldn't mind some myself just in case dp sees this ) I don't think she's had any of those in the five years I've known her!

Am off in the bath for a soak so will have a think while I'm in there & if I can tear dp away from dd1 will see what he thinks. Thank-you all so much for thinking for me, I really appreciate it

does she look after her nails? - manicure?

or a health spa treat (two tickets - one for you, one for her)

tickets for a show?

what about a tea caddy from john lewis (cannot do link sorry i just searched for tea caddy n their website and one shaped like an elephant turns up).

new soft towels.

I think the idea to focus on your DC is a good one. You don't say how old they are? Maybe as well as a photo ( if she doesn't have them on display then maybe get copies of some of your fave snaps from the last year or so and put them in a little album for her, snapfish do this for you if you don't have time, just upload online ), you could buy a canvas and get the DC to either paint a pic or write a message to her or handprints with some glitter etc.

Thank-you all for the ideas. After much deliberation last night & this morning I'm going to go with new pj's this year & a little photo album of the kids from babies to now if I can find enough pictures.

I'm going to make a note of the other ideas though, I think I'm going to find myself in this position more & more as the years go on so think it'd be good to be prepared for it.

I really appreciate all your help, has made it a lot less stressful than it could have been finding something for her. Merry Christmas to you all