Gift Ideas - HELP!

[Independent Gal]

Hi Ladies,

I need some ideas here. I have two difficult gifts to buy.

1) My FI''s boss is throwing us a wedding party for our in-town friends since he and his wife won''t be able to come to our actual wedding. They are about 50, definitely don''t need / wouldn''t want something for their home, they like delicious things to eat and drink, and are very cultured and educated. My first thought was to get them a very special bottle of wine, or a particularly beautiful coffee table book, but ... is the former appropriate ? and is the latter, well, dull??

Other ideas?

2) One of my mom''s friends, who was my step-dad''s assistant for about 15 years, is hosting a shower for me right before my wedding. So, I want to get her something. She''s in her late 40''s, loves Tiffany and designer purses and stuff, but she''s pretty wealthy and I don''t know what she''s got /doesn''t have. Her tastes are really expensive and label-oriented. I want to spend $100 or so (does that sound about right for a shower hostess gift?) but want something that will meet her er ''standards''. Ideas? Oh, and her husband owns a chain of gourmet food stores, so nothing jam-gift-baskety since that won''t be exciting for her.

Thoughts?

Thanks in advance!

 

[Efe]

What I have done in the past is send a really nice bouquet of flowers the day before the party saying how much I am looking forward to the evening, etc. Serves as a nice gift and adds to the party.

 

[MissErin]

Date: 1/8/2008 1:46:55 PM
Author: BizouMom
What I have done in the past is send a really nice bouquet of flowers the day before the party saying how much I am looking forward to the evening, etc. Serves as a nice gift and adds to the party.

I am still learning about things like this but the flowers seems like a GREAT idea. And maybe a basket that you think would fit them. I know you talked about the wine, and you''re still waivering, but what if you make a wine and cheese basket so it is a little less focused just on the wine.

 

[mirre]

I''m not sure if this is the route you want to take or how much it would cost (or even if I''m using the right words to this) But hopefully you''ll get what I''m trying to say.

What about a trip to a vinyard or wine tasting event or something like that. I was going to say gift certificate to a vinyard but that didn''t sound right and I don''t know if they have them. Anyway, good luck finding a great gift and hopefully you knew what I was trying to get at.

 

[Independent Gal]

Well, given the location of the shower, it would take some serious moola to get them to a vineyard! Although that is a nifty idea. And I have a kind of block against giving someone something as smelly as good cheese. You should never give a stinky gift, it seems to me, even if it tastes delicious.

But I love the idea of sending flowers. I think that is perfect. Thank you Bizou Mom!!

 

[~*Alexis*~]

A crystal Vase?
A pair of tickets to a theater show?

Whats the area they live?

 

[mirre]

I like Alexis''s idea of theater tickets...

 

[MissErin]

Yes the theatre gift would be lovely. Or if not that, a movie basket with movie passes, popcorn, candy, and other movie items may be clever/cute.

 

[MissErin]

Date: 1/8/2008 3:23:02 PM
Author: Independent Gal
Well, given the location of the shower, it would take some serious moola to get them to a vineyard! Although that is a nifty idea. And I have a kind of block against giving someone something as smelly as good cheese. You should never give a stinky gift, it seems to me, even if it tastes delicious.

But I love the idea of sending flowers. I think that is perfect. Thank you Bizou Mom!!

I think because of my recent wine tasting time in Solvang, I thought this would be devine but thinking about it, you''re right. Stinky cheese is not so sweet. haha

 

[crown1]

i like the idea of something monogrammed. something uniquely from you. i see several ways to go with this.

for the intellectuals how about something with a great quote on it. the quote can be embroidered or engraved. lots of textile items and plenty of silver, pewter, stainless steel or gold things. since you mentioned the wine baldwin used to make a nice wine bottle holder that would go great with the wine.

lap blankets, throws, terry bathrobes ( if not too personal) fine handkerchiefs and hankies. money clips, key chains, bookmarks. leather goods with the gold embossing-planners, wallets, address books other small goods of that nature.

have fun shopping!

 

[ladypirate]

Good wine is never inappropriate, IMHO (with the exception of giving it to people who don''t drink, of course). It''s a really nice gesture and one that will surely be appreciated by wine lovers (as long as it''s a good bottle!). Another idea is to get them a gift certificate to a nice restaurant close to where they live. That way you''re giving them a nice evening, just as they''re giving you one.

For the other woman, perhaps you could find out what her favorite spa is and get her a massage or a facial? That''s around $100 and a nice treat if she enjoys spa treatments.

Whatever you get them, a warm handwritten note expressing your appreciation is probably the most important aspect of the gift, but from what I''ve seen around this forum, you''re way on top of that.

 

[msb700]

I havent read all the replies, so i apologize if i said something that has already been suggested!!

1) For your FI''s Boss, how about you get them theater tickets or tickets to the ballet or opera?? would they love something of that line??

2) I think getting her an engraved item would be nice. Perhaps a nice silver frame with a ''thank you message'' and a picture of u and ur FI or a picture of you with her in a group shot or something? Usually silver frames show they have a higher price tag than they actually do, and customizing it by engraving it will make it more personal..

 

[bee*]

Before I had even read that 1) likes wine I was going to suggest that. I did that for my boss a couple of years ago when they had been very helpful and they adored it. It''s nice receiving a lovely bottle of wine.

For 2) I like the idea of theatre tickers or if she likes Tiffanys, they have these nice sterling silver bead earrings for $80.I bought these for FMIL as I thought that they are quite plain and you could wear them daily.

 

[zoebartlett]

I think flowers or wine would be perfect. If it were me, I''d probably opt for sending flowers the day before the shower instead of getting a bottle of wine. That''s just me though, as I hardly drink and I''d have no idea about what wine to get. If you went that route, maybe you could try to find out what their favorite is.

 

[Independent Gal]

Yeah, I''m really tempted to do the flowers thing. EVERYBODY likes getting flowers.

But Bee, those earrings are calling me! So simple and elegant. It''s my birthday tomorrow and FI is at a loss... so I might have to send him a picture of those!

 

[bee*]

Date: 1/9/2008 8:52:49 AM
Author: Independent Gal
Yeah, I''m really tempted to do the flowers thing. EVERYBODY likes getting flowers.


But Bee, those earrings are calling me! So simple and elegant. It''s my birthday tomorrow and FI is at a loss... so I might have to send him a picture of those!

They''re a replica of the ones on Tiffanys as I wasn''t able to copy from their website but the ones on the Tiffany site are much prettier. Not bad value either!

 

[bee*]

Also, happy birthday in advance!! I''ll be on my way to NY for the majority of tomorrow so probably won''t be posting until I get back! Hope it''s a good one!