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Original poster

What are you getting your mother-in-law for Christmas?

76 replies

OrribleOliveoil · 20/10/2005 15:32

And no comments like 'another face' or 'a hitman' etc please, serious suggestions only (unless too funny to keep to yourself obv).

My mil has my girls 3 days a week and I want to spoil her....however, she has no hobbies, doesn't like pampering things and hardly goest out. Hmmmmmmmm.

She like trashy biogs about Lady Diana that I do know.

Ideas?

OP posts:
charliebat · 20/10/2005 22:02

on second thoughts a coffin

Passionkiller · 20/10/2005 22:04

note re cheap - she is very not poor BTW.

Passionkiller · 20/10/2005 22:04

Oh Charliebat love it! Maybe next year

WigWamBam · 20/10/2005 22:05

I really, really, really want to buy mine a goat from Oxfam.

She'd probably not get the hint, though

overdraft · 20/10/2005 22:06

Big wooden spoon

overdraft · 20/10/2005 22:06

or a gag

eidsvold · 20/10/2005 22:58

mine is fab but she does not celebrate Christmas as such - however I buy presents for FIL that they can share - unfortunately unless buying online it needs to be something not heavy.

We usually buy them a fab calendar of aussie landscapes, wildflowers ( love gardening) and then send them sone aussie fare - like macadamias, ginger treats or something like that. Always include pics of the girls but as they live in the Uk and we are in Aus - that is understandable. Last year I also sent her a little photo album that had grandmas' treasures on it.... so she could put pics in there when we send them to take and show her friends etc.

suedonim · 21/10/2005 00:31

My 85yo mil said she'd like a cuckoo clock!!!

bobbybob · 21/10/2005 00:37

I always buy earrings. MIL must have more pairs than me by now. I have been extra good this year and bought them off a friend who has just had another baby. I saved, she got the money and another present has been purchased.

pinotgrigio · 21/10/2005 01:51

National Trust membership was invented for MILs.

LunarSea · 25/10/2005 13:50

Or English Heritage membership if you've done the NT one before.

saltire · 25/10/2005 14:09

I have a MIL and a step MIL! The MIL is a nightmare to buy for. Everyyear we get her something, only for it to never be used. Two years ago she wanted a pancake maker, which we duly bought her, its never been out the box, last year she wanted a leather bag to go with a new jacket she had bought, both bag and coat have never been out the cupboard. Last year I gave her the "how clean is your house?" book and she wasn't too happy.
The step MIL is also difficult to buy for, but we usually give her perfume and make up which we find out later is being used by my SIL.

Original poster
OrribleOliveoil · 25/10/2005 14:11

oooh, great tips here, thank you.

Do you think she will take offence if I get her the Trinny and Susannah book? It is supposed to be a good read. Or will she think I think she looks a right mess????

OP posts:
Enid · 25/10/2005 14:12

everyone I know who got that book last christmas was offended

am buying Mil a picture I think

wallopyCOD · 25/10/2005 14:13

t and s books are ont he hwole crap
hence htey are alwasy discounted

Original poster
OrribleOliveoil · 25/10/2005 14:17

hmmmmm, I suppose it is like saying 'my god woman, you look like a bag of crap, read this'.

dd1 had pic at playgroup the other day and both girls are due a joint one next month at the baby group. But I do that every year zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.

She doesn't like pampering things like massage, manicures etc. I pay for her hair cut and colour on the sly sometimes and she is always pleased but has a go for wasting money! She prob saves me £500+ a month, what's the going rate for 2 children 3 days a week at nursery?????

OP posts:
Furball · 25/10/2005 14:20

A suitcase each for FIL and MIL, they go away 2-3 a year and borrow ours all the time, so they're gonna get their own!

Bozza · 25/10/2005 14:23

When mine were both there I was paying £750 a month for 3 days. So needs to be a nice present.

Bozza · 25/10/2005 14:23

Does she like flowers? Could you arrange with a local florist to deliver flowers monthly?

DissLocated · 25/10/2005 14:23

Have not got the faintest clue what to get MIL. I always cause her unintentional offence. 2 years ago I bought her a card shuffling machine (amongst other things) Not as bad as it sounds cos she plays cards with friends every week but can't shuffle cos she has a dodgy thumb.

FIL got very, very offended by it, phoned up dp had a big rant wanting to know what we thought we were playing at, how dare we bring our cheapskate prezzies round, he was deeply ashamed of us etc etc

Presents are now a complete nightmare. I saw a lovely handpainted mirror in a shop the other day but didn't buy it as it had a slightly 'distressed' look to it and I'm not sure whether mil would just think it was old and tatty and get offended by it.

I'm currently trying to persuade dp that gift vouchers are the way to go.

Original poster
OrribleOliveoil · 25/10/2005 14:24

EXACTLY Bozza. But she won't have it, says it is a pleasure ha ha ha ha ha, the liar, a toddler and a baby?????? HA HA HA HA HA HAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHA

OP posts:
teeavee · 25/10/2005 14:27

sorry, dislocated, but the card-shuffling machine idea is hilarious!
IKWYM, though, about getting them something 'useful' - that is bound to go down like a lead balloon I reckon. Needs to be something frivolous/pleasurable rather than utilitarian.

suedonim · 25/10/2005 16:00

I received this astonishing catalogue this morning. Surely there's something for everyone in it - I mean, who wouldn't want this?

gscrym · 25/10/2005 16:02

I don't know what to get her that would encourage her fabulous hobby of winging about her health constantly.

Loved the fibre-optic orchid!

tribpot · 25/10/2005 16:03

My god. I think my MIL would actually like that fibre-optic orchid.