What do I get for the future in laws xmas gift?

[Anonymous]

We're newly engaged. They live in another state. I've visited them a handful of times, but don't know them super well. DF has been unhelpful in making any gift suggestions.
Should I do a joint gift for the both of them or individual gifts?

Any good gift suggestions for what's appropriate? I'm not talking about fruit baskets or fruit cake.

[Anonymous]

OP, can you tell us something about them?

Why are you buying them a gift? Are you spending the holidays with them? I'd just do a Harry and David Tower for the both of them.

[Anonymous]

If the parents live out of state, they probably don't get to see your fiance as much as they'd like. I would get a nice photo frame, either one of those that takes multiple pictures or maybe a digital one, and give them good photos of their son that you've taken over the last year or two. I gave a gift like that to my MIL once and she loved it. She has it on the wall in her house in a prominent place.

[Anonymous]

I think if you don't them well, a joint gift is a good idea. Do they live in a city? If so, ask your DH what restaurants they like and get a gift card there. It's easy to mail etc.

Otherwise, just go with something really generic. An orchid for his mother, a book for his father. Wrap them nicely, pack them up nicely and ship it off with a nice note.

[Anonymous]

Op. I'm seeing them Dec 26 so that DF and I can spend our xmas with our families, but he wants me to get to know his family better so I'm spending a few days with them. I feel like I don't know what kind of book to get the FFIL because he doesn't strike me as someone who reads much.

I have never felt stress from Christmas shopping til this point. I always know what to get and I usually get great gifts for the people I know and love, but this time I am dead on stumped!

I didn't want to attach a monetary value like a gift card so I was thinking it's more fun to open a present,but if it's just junk then a gift card might be the better option. Problem here is that they live in a somewhat rural area so the main places I would get restaurant gift cards to isn't doable.

I recently learned that my FMIL has major dietary restrictions which threw out my original Harry and David tower idea. I have seen some lovely holiday gift baskets at Costco, but I don't want to give my FMIL something she can't eat.

[Anonymous]

I'd send a flower-plant thing.

[Anonymous]

I don't need to send anything...I need to wrap and bring it with me when I visit them the day after xmas.

[Anonymous]

I like Shari's Berries, Harry and David pear gift baskets, Godiva gift baskets, or Wine Country gift baskets for out of town relatives.

[Anonymous]

Bring a high end candle, like jo malone. Or even better, one that is made in their home state, your state or your hometown. Pair it with a bottle of wine. Or find something that it from your hometown that is consumable and share it with them. Smoked salmon from Washington State. Vermont maple syrup. Iowa....corn? Just something you can share with them about yourself since they are getting to know you too.

For my first Xmas with my ILs I brought tomato sauce I had jarred from my tomatoes and paired it with some fancy pasta and a bottle of wine. I don't suggest you have to get crafty, but it was sharing something of me I could share with them that was also an easy spark in conversation about my hobbies, their hobbies, gardens, food, etc, just easy convos.

[Anonymous]

I made my inlaws a big gift basket with tea towels, pot holders, Christmas plate and some other Christmas themed things. I can't remember too well. But they loved it!

[Anonymous]

A book about boundaries and how to be a good visitor when you have a baby.
A gift that will keep on giving!