What should I get my (new) MIL for Christmas?

[Anonymous]

The ask: What gifts have you gotten from a daughter in law or son in law that you loved and/or were meaningful?

Context: I did not grow up celebrating Christmas, and the family I married into isn’t super religious but does Christmas. Love my MIL, FIL and I have never hit it off. Last year I realized that MIL was always the “fill her own stocking” person — she got gifts for her husband and herself and signed her kids names. I want to do something special for her and have some ideas, but would love to crowdsource if you have a suggestion!

Happy to give more context if more is needed.

[Anonymous]

Tell us more about what she is like, what her hobbies are, are you looking for stocking stuffer ideas or larger gifts. What’s your budget?

[Anonymous]

Your MIL doesn't need a gift from you. I'd let your dh take the lead and sign it from both of you. But honestly I dont give gifts to adults anyways lol.

[Anonymous]

Digital picture frame loaded with pics of everyone in the family.

[Anonymous]

You can encourage your husband to buy someone nice for his mom himself, or maybe take her out for lunch himself.

[Anonymous]

Why doesn’t the son she raised put anything in her stocking? Why are you perpetuating that type of neglect from the son she raised?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The ask: What gifts have you gotten from a daughter in law or son in law that you loved and/or were meaningful?

Context: I did not grow up celebrating Christmas, and the family I married into isn’t super religious but does Christmas. Love my MIL, FIL and I have never hit it off. Last year I realized that MIL was always the “fill her own stocking” person — she got gifts for her husband and herself and signed her kids names. I want to do something special for her and have some ideas, but would love to crowdsource if you have a suggestion!

Happy to give more context if more is needed.

I'm that way, and it's because I am extremely picky and prefer not to receive gifts I don't like. I choose them myself.
Don't assume MIL is a downtrodden housewife.

[Anonymous]

I don't understand. You've never hit it off with them?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Tell us more about what she is like, what her hobbies are, are you looking for stocking stuffer ideas or larger gifts. What’s your budget?

A little bit of both? Her father passed this year after a stressful illness (mom had already gone), so I feel as though I mainly have gotten to know her through a time when she isn’t really “herself” - basically her hobbies as I know them are her dogs and decorating the house. I want to try to do something special for her, and do know her well enough to know she’d be touched by the effort even if I missed the mark.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The ask: What gifts have you gotten from a daughter in law or son in law that you loved and/or were meaningful?

Context: I did not grow up celebrating Christmas, and the family I married into isn’t super religious but does Christmas. Love my MIL, FIL and I have never hit it off. Last year I realized that MIL was always the “fill her own stocking” person — she got gifts for her husband and herself and signed her kids names. I want to do something special for her and have some ideas, but would love to crowdsource if you have a suggestion!

Happy to give more context if more is needed.

I'm that way, and it's because I am extremely picky and prefer not to receive gifts I don't like. I choose them myself.
Don't assume MIL is a downtrodden housewife.

You sound ungrateful.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Why doesn’t the son she raised put anything in her stocking? Why are you perpetuating that type of neglect from the son she raised?

Oh believe me. It’s being addressed. But I also want to do something nice for her from me.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don't understand. You've never hit it off with them?

Just with FIL

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The ask: What gifts have you gotten from a daughter in law or son in law that you loved and/or were meaningful?

Context: I did not grow up celebrating Christmas, and the family I married into isn’t super religious but does Christmas. Love my MIL, FIL and I have never hit it off. Last year I realized that MIL was always the “fill her own stocking” person — she got gifts for her husband and herself and signed her kids names. I want to do something special for her and have some ideas, but would love to crowdsource if you have a suggestion!

Happy to give more context if more is needed.

I'm that way, and it's because I am extremely picky and prefer not to receive gifts I don't like. I choose them myself.
Don't assume MIL is a downtrodden housewife.

I’m not - but I do know she’d love to be delighted by something.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why doesn’t the son she raised put anything in her stocking? Why are you perpetuating that type of neglect from the son she raised?

Oh believe me. It’s being addressed. But I also want to do something nice for her from me.

Clarifying: Her son has gotten her variations on a theme for about eight years but sometimes forgets and tells her what is coming on Christmas instead of having a gift. I’m making sure he gets things on time, not changes his theme.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Tell us more about what she is like, what her hobbies are, are you looking for stocking stuffer ideas or larger gifts. What’s your budget?

A little bit of both? Her father passed this year after a stressful illness (mom had already gone), so I feel as though I mainly have gotten to know her through a time when she isn’t really “herself” - basically her hobbies as I know them are her dogs and decorating the house. I want to try to do something special for her, and do know her well enough to know she’d be touched by the effort even if I missed the mark.

Dog toys, a picture frame with her dog, a gift card to a local restaurant or a boutique.