Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Flowers from a really good florist that is local to her -- not Teleflora or TheBouqs or whatever. Find one on Instagram or Yelp.

Flowers are so boring and 'typical' women gift. It requires zero creditivity and thought.

Next someone will suggest candles or soap. Boring!

And there it is -- the kindness that DCUM is known for, and without any helpful answer whatsoever to the OP's question. I love flowers, particularly if it's clear someone went out of their way to find an unusual florist who works with locally grown stuff, not like a bouquet of carnations and baby's breath from FTD.

OP, my wonderful MIL recently passed away and I was touched by your post.

I think a gift certificate for a babysitter to use to go out how she wants is a nice idea.

I personally would like flowers if they weren't the usual generic or from a local arty florist. It's the thought and gesture.

I personally love things like nice postit notes and an elegant pen, a good quality key ring type thing (From Cuyana), and for a beach house, some luxurious new flip flops would be appreciated.

A gift certificate for an upscale grocery/store near the beach she likes?

I'm sure I'll get flamed as "boring" or whatever but I think you are looking for something that shows you are paying attention and care -- and you are and do. She'll be appreciative!

You sound like a great MIL. I loved when mine sent gifts as my mom never buys me anything. What does she like? I wouldn't like a lot of these things. I'd like a Marshalls gift card, restaurant gift card, a meal with you (I loved my MIL) or flowers.

I need a MIL like you, OP. Come on over to sip some tea in my garden, chat, and I’ll make a flower bouquet for you to take home.

My in-laws ask. I know what their price range is, and that they will ask and make a couple of suggestions. Love my new yoga mat. To be fair, I’ve been married 25 years, and it took some misses to get here.

For a busy mom though? You give her the gift of time for herself. However that looks for her. For me, this looks like a massage. A yoga class. A dinner out with a friend. An afternoon by herself at a bookstore. A gift certificate AND an afternoon to spend it.

The part of this gift that matters is that you talk to your son and between you, you take 100% responsibility for childcare/ childcare arrangements. If you are nearby, you babysit. Otherwise, your son steps up or gets a babysitter. She does not have to worry about finding someone reliable to care for the kids, make the arrangements, or otherwise expend metal energy on childcare. Here’s your gift. To be used next Sunday afternoon. The kids are taken care of.

Chocolates and flowers? Armatures.

Anonymous wrote:Flowers from a really good florist that is local to her -- not Teleflora or TheBouqs or whatever. Find one on Instagram or Yelp.

Flowers are so boring and 'typical' women gift. It requires zero creditivity and thought.

Next someone will suggest candles or soap. Boring!

Flowers

Flowers from a really good florist that is local to her -- not Teleflora or TheBouqs or whatever. Find one on Instagram or Yelp.

If you do above, I think it’s fine if comes day or two after. It’s definitely nice to pull stuff together, but call and tell her you had fun putting it together.

Anonymous wrote:Kristin Hannah’s book The Women. Order it from Amazon. An incredible historic fiction book about female nurses in Vietnam and their lives upon returning.

This! Get some really nice tea, lotion, bar of chocolate to go with it. FedEx or UPS today or Monday.

Anonymous wrote:Burdock's chocolate box

I wouldn't get chocolate personally

Kristin Hannah’s book The Women. Order it from Amazon. An incredible historic fiction book about female nurses in Vietnam and their lives upon returning.

Burdock's chocolate box

My MIL always sent a generous check which I always appreciated!

Help me think of a great b day gift for 51 year old daughter in law. I need something that can be delivered quickly since her b day is in a few days. No gift certificates—she’s so busy that sometimes they don’t get used.

She loves reading, tea, and the beach. They have a beach house.

She works a lot, has two teenagers and not a lot of time. Wonderful person! Going to spend about $75 but flexible on pricing.

Even better if it can be delivered quickly since I’ve waited to the last minute!