Gifts for mother and mother-in-law

implausible

My mother has absolutely no appreciation for flowers whatsoever - she would be doing well to fake a smile when given them at the top table. A friend of mine suggested a gift basket of beauty stuff, but that too would be wasted on her, as would jewelry, she'd probably give out about the waste of money. (I'm not exaggerating here - Christmas and her birthdays are nightmares too!) I don't think it'll look great to give them envelopes with gift vouchers. My MIL is very easygoing and will appreciate anything she's given but I want to give them both the same gift.

Any ideas folks?

implausible

Nobody? Help...

kizzyr

Its very hard to come up with something given what you've said about your own mother and her lack of interest in the usual stuff. Even though you don't want to give an envelope what about a spa treatment. You could say at the end of your speech that in recognition of the stresses and strains that go with helping to organise a wedding you've booked both women into Spa X for a treatment?
If the money spent on things she sees as frivolous would really bother her how about buying one of the mother and baby packages Trocaire have in their catalogue? It ensures that the woman in whatever country has a midwife with her during childbirth.

implausible

Thanks KIzzy, I didn't think about my speech, was just worried about handing over an envelope and how miserable it might look... The thanking for all the help might be a bit OTT though - she's showing no interest in the whole thing! Might give her a voucher so, doubt she'd use the spa.

Awkward doesn't even cover it...

kizzyr

deemark wrote: »

Thanks KIzzy, I didn't think about my speech, was just worried about handing over an envelope and how miserable it might look... The thanking for all the help might be a bit OTT though - she's showing no interest in the whole thing! Might give her a voucher so, doubt she'd use the spa.

Awkward doesn't even cover it...

It doesn't really though does it:eek: She has to like something though. What about something that will be for her and your Dad too like a voucher for dinner in a favourite restaurant?
Good luck with it anyway, sorry I wasn't more help but most of all enjoy your day! Is it close?

Laurs_civic

i give my in -laws all smelly stuff like this year got a dove set for the mother and a umbro set ofr the father.. they always like them

Malari

deemark wrote: »

Thanks KIzzy, I didn't think about my speech, was just worried about handing over an envelope and how miserable it might look... The thanking for all the help might be a bit OTT though - she's showing no interest in the whole thing! Might give her a voucher so, doubt she'd use the spa.

Awkward doesn't even cover it...

Yikes, maybe ask her? Say that you know the traditional thing is flowers and you know her so well that you'd like to get her something she appreciates?

If she's really not that concerned about material gifts though, and not interested in the wedding (is that what you mean) it sounds a little ungrateful...

implausible

getting hitched end of march, just trying to get some things paid for out of the way before Christmas.

The meal could be a goer, for her and dad, as he has actually been far more helpful and interested anyway!

It's just the way she is, I'm used of dealing with her. On my big day though, I want to pass her off as the typical mother of the bride:o

smelltheglove

I gave the mothers flowers but I gave everyone something and everyone else got gift bags, it was mad funny i had to give 9 flg and pgb 3 bms 3 gms 2 dads 2 mams, took ages, but all but mams got giftbags. Would you consider giving giftbags with a fancy frame or photo album for pics of the day a voucher or maybe something they may like themselves, a scarf, an embroidered nightcoat or something along those lines.

ecaf

If you think the vouchers will look a bit plain when you hand them over, why not put them in a little gift bag or put some ribbon / bow around them / or something similar, just to make them look a bit fancy?
I was going to give the two mothers some kind of voucher too, but maybe have flowers on the day - they would both like them thankfully!
Sorry I'm not much help, but if would like the voucher for a meal for two, then just decorate it a little and there will be nothing wrong with it.

kizzyr

ecaf wrote: »

If you think the vouchers will look a bit plain when you hand them over, why not put them in a little gift bag or put some ribbon / bow around them / or something similar, just to make them look a bit fancy?
I was going to give the two mothers some kind of voucher too, but maybe have flowers on the day - they would both like them thankfully!
Sorry I'm not much help, but if would like the voucher for a meal for two, then just decorate it a little and there will be nothing wrong with it.

Thats a good idea. You can buy nice small gift bags, put the voucher into the bag and fluff some coloured tissue / crepe papers around it and it looks great. Also both women don't have to get vouchers for the same thing OP.

daiixi

Can someone enlighten me as to why the mams get gifts?

ecaf has it nailed, tbh I think this is quite obvious, buy nice gift boxes, put the vouchers in, even with a little tiny present just to give them something to remember the day, just get a nice box, put in the giftcard, wrap it up all nice with bows/ribbons etc and hey, noone knows you gave them a voucher and they're happy!

gemsan

we're getting the mums a pampering weekend away in a hotel (our hotel sorted us a great deal in a sister hotel in Cork) - they get on well so I suppose it'll be a good trip for them !!