My son is getting married in a couple of months and the bridal shower is in 1 1/2 weeks. For the wedding present we are giving them a cruise to the Med. (we've always been a little over-indulgent :) ) Having never been in this situation before, I understand that it is proper to also bring a gift to the shower. What is an appropriate gift from the mother-of-the-groom and the groom's sister? I'm sure all you wonderful moms will have some great suggestions!
Thanks for all the great ideas. I sort of combined several. I bought a small storage tote in her favorite color, green. Then from the registry, I bought several serving pieces, such as a slotted spoon and cake server. I will wrap each of them individually and attach a family recipie with a ribbon to each, and will use the tote as a 'gift bag'. Oh, I'm also cross-stitching a wedding sampler, but it won't be done in time for the shower, so it will be an additional wedding present. I have already kept a photo album/scrapbooks as he was growing up, and I'll pass those along when they have a home/apartment with a little more storage space :)
HI D.,
Get something off their registry. It's something that they want and you don't want to overwhelm the other guests at the shower. The wedding gift is indulgent :) enough!
Sounds like you have already found a new daughter!!!
M.
How about a photo album of the groom growing up? Or some really nice travel necessities for the cruise?
My Mother-in-law gave me a very nice gift for my shower. She hand wrote out all my husbands favorite christmas recipies. The cookie recipe from the husbands god mother. The Christmas coffee cake recipe. Her mother's cookie recipe. She gave them too me with an angle food cake pan, which I needed to make the Christmas coffee cake, and a recipe box. She threw in a few other cooking things -- pot holders, measuring cup and spoons. It is was nice and not too much, because like you she gave us a very large Wedding present. If she had given me something really big for the shower, too. I think I would have felt a little funny.
I have been married for almost 14 years and I still use these things, and remember that they are from her. My daughter has learned to make these recipes both with me and with her grandmother. These gifts really made me feel like part of the family.
Just and idea ... hope it helps.
The nicest gift I ever got from my MIL was the shower gift I got from her. She made a photo album that had pictures of my husband all the way from when he was a baby up until when I started being at family functions. His old school pictures were in there, birthday photos, etc. First of all, I was so touched that she was giving them to me, and secondly, it's just such a nice thing to have. Nothing that she could have bought would have been as meaningful. Congrats on the upcoming wedding.
Find a small bag/zippered pouch and fill it with anything she might need in an emergency during her wedding: stain-remover packets, safety pins, needle/thread pack, Q-tips, band-aids, etc.
Does she have her toasting glasses? I got a beautiful pair engraved for my sister and her fiancee.
This is the sweetest gift for a bridal shower, but you'd have to get on it now and possibly rush the shipping. It's totally appropriate and not uncomfortable for a bride to receive from her mother-in-law. It's very sweet when read allowed at a shower and sure to cause some watery eyes.
http://www.uscandleco.com/candle/bridal-shower-poem-candl...
I got a whole china set from my MIL at my bridal shower. Something you could think of they might need for their home. I really like the camera idea.
How about a fantatstic camera to document their fabulous trip to the Med. and all their new adventures they will have together. My mom got us a camera for my baby shower, it was the best gift ever!
D. G., since you are giving a trip for their honeymoon, why not give them some travelers checks. That would save them time to get all that ready on their own. As for the other family members, they do what all the other guest do ,,, and go were they registered for their gifts and get what the party can afford. I have never been able to afford the expensive stores that some of my family register with, but I can find out what they need/like and go get it at a lower priced venue . When my sister got married I was part of the team that worked to get the day together. As part of my gift to her I took pictures because the photographer could not get to us as early as we wanted. And had only a three or four hour window in which to take pictures.(I am an amateur photographer and got to use my my new SLR for the shots).That was my gift for the wedding, and as for the two or three showers I was Invited to, I got things the couple asked for that fit my budget. Oh, the new American express or Mastercard or Visa gift cards would also work well for them from anyone. Most of all remember to have the time of your life.
It depends on wether or not they have a household already set. If they don't have things for their home yet, just about anything that you use in your home they would need. However, if they already have what they need for thier home and they aren't registered some where...a nice serving plate for parites, gift cards, a blanket/throw. Possibly something they would need for their cruise such as lugage or carry-on type bag. How about a book; Love & Respect or check out Womenoffaith.com - I just seen a book on their cite along the title of The First 90 Days of Marriage (and they ship within 24-72 hours). Congrats
Don't know if this would be appropriate since you are the mother of the groom, but I always give the same bridal shower gift, "Getting the Love You Want" by Harville Hendrix. It will save them decades of frustration if they can learn in the beginning of their marriage exactly where the other is coming from so they can avoid accidentally pushing each other's "buttons."
They should read it together and it will open their eyes to each other immensely!
I actually preferred it when people (including close family) just stuck to the registry. Its the stuff I really needed and wanted. Your wedding gift is extravagant enough. You don't need to keep up with that president at the shower.
I love the candel thing below
. when my sister got married I threw the shower. I had a theme party of "house wives from hell" I dressed as peg bundy. It was the 90's and there where a lot of great housewives to choose form and it made the party fun.
anyway, I also ahd all of the guests bring their favorite dish to share and a recipe card with the recipe. I made or bought (i dont remember) a recipe box for my sister and we put all of the recipes in it. I remember one of my moms closest friends bringing bbq pork from vons and taping the reciept to the card and saying that this was her favorite recipe after a long day. out of all of the recipes this is the only one I remember.
I think a book or box of favorite recipes will mean a lot to her and be a nice gift. If I had had a shower I would have loved to receive something like that. but, all in all the best gift a mother in law can give is her son. remember that you are giving the most important gift and it is a gift that she will love and cherish for the rest of her life.
Crystal? China?
New grill?
Since you are giving them an exceptional wedding gift of a cruise..I would do something personal. Perhaps a booklet of favorite family recipes...and or traditions. When I got married over 35 years ago..my mother gave me a copy of the "Good Housekeeping" cook book. It was very helpful back then...and I still refer to it. It's pages are torn and tattered..and even the girls have used it while growing up. I will give (and have given their best girl friends) this same cook book..new of course! I also add their favorite recipes...it has always been a hit. Congratulations!
