Gift for Hard to Shop for DIL

Updated on December 17, 2013
S.W. asks from Clovis, NM
19 answers

I'm racking my brain trying to find a nice gift for my DIL. She is a hard person to "buy off the rack" for and I want to make it nice. I did pick up a gift certificate from Ulta for her. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks ladies.

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So What Happened?

I had asked her before I came up with the Ulta GC. She has a black winter coat and blonde hair. When I was at Hancocks they had a beautiful lavender fleece the mottled shades. I bought 2 yards to make a hat (lined) and a scarf. There was enough for me to make a set for my daughter as well.

Thank you for all your wonderful responses.

Have a great holiday season and stay safe to write again next year.

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M.W.

answers from San Francisco on

Ask her what she would like.

What are her hobbies/interests and then get creative instead of an "off the rack" kind of gift.

Would she like to be pampered for bit? How about a gift certificate to a local nail salon.

The Ulta certificate sounds great! Put it in a little basket with a magazine, a couple nail polishes and lotion socks.

I personally would love simply the gift certificate. You are so thoughtful!

5 moms found this helpful
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O.O.

answers from Los Angeles on

Something of good, lasting quality....leather gloves, leather bag, etc.

Updated

Something of good, lasting quality....leather gloves, leather bag, etc.

3 moms found this helpful

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F.B.

answers from New York on

Mine buys me pearl jewlery and purses.

I would really appreciate -
a deep clean of my kitchen (maid service)
a deep clean of my pores (facial)
a deep clean of hubs car (detailing)
a night at the opera (a deep clean of the soul)
a lavish indian supper.

F. B.

5 moms found this helpful
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G.D.

answers from Detroit on

I agree that te Ulta card is great! I have a SIL that is tough to shop for. She gives my brother all kinds of grief about his horrible attempts (she was once grieving the loss of her cat so he bought her a roomba-ROFL). I recently purchased her a personalized item from Etsy and she said it was the best gift she has ever recieved! My brothers in big trouble now, lol.

1 mom found this helpful

T.S.

answers from San Francisco on

Well what is she into? Does she like to read, does she have hobbies like cooking or crafting or home improvement? It's hard to give advice without knowing more about her.
If you want it to be personal try to tailor it around her interests, otherwise an Amazon is a good gift card for ALL :-)

1 mom found this helpful
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J.B.

answers from Boston on

What does she like to do? What are her hobbies? My ILs are generally good at getting gifts for me because my MIL is tuned into how I spend me free time and remembers that (well except when she buys me earrings and apparently hasn't noticed in 10 years that I don't have my ears pierced LOL).

Some gifts that I've really liked from my ILs: a bracelet with a charm representing each child, a funky tote bag with my name embroidered on it that I use as my gym and a overnight bag, a running hat and good quality running socks, a gift card to a sporting goods store so that I can treat myself to exercise gear, gift cards to my favorite clothing store, new cookie sheets because my old ones were an abomination, a nice roasting pan with a rack, a piece of jewelry or scarf that she thought would look nice on me, really nice & pretty salad tongs, etc. Obviously I like to exercise and spend time in the kitchen.

Does she have a kindle or other e-reader? Can you get her Amazon cards or iTunes cards so she can buy herself some books? Maybe an e-book gift card with a cozy throw would be nice if she's a reader (I know I'd like that LOL),

1 mom found this helpful

X.O.

answers from Chicago on

If you're local to her, I'd give her a spa or salon gift card, along with a "coupon" for 3 hours of free babysitting from you.

1 mom found this helpful
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R.K.

answers from Appleton on

Ask her.....simple as that. Everyone is different and has different tastes.

I would love to get a nice tea pot. I told my children I don't care if it is from Goodwill. But a nice China tea pot that holds several cups of tea and has a nice antique look to it would make me happy.

1 mom found this helpful
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E.T.

answers from Rochester on

I'm probably considered a DIL who is hard to by for. Partly because I feel like my in laws have never really bothered to get to know me and my interests. I usually get gift cards. Usually to Target. This year (we already did Christmas because of work schedules) I got two Target gift cards and a gift card to a clothing store that I really don't like. I honestly will probably end up using the Target gift cards for groceries or things for the kids because I can't think of anything special that I need or want. I don't know if I will even use the other one. Please find out what she would like. What are her interests? Get a gift card that fits her. I would much rather get gift cards to a bookstore, coffee shop, or for tickets to a stage play along with free babysitting. A spa gift certificate would not be for me and probably be something that I would "regift" or donate to a fundraising event. Same thing for clothing stores gift cards. Don't give a gift just to be giving a gift. Be sure it is something that she will like.

1 mom found this helpful
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J.T.

answers from Dallas on

go to www.tervis.com and use a pic of her kids/dogs/her and your son to make her a cute custom cup. the cups themselves are AWESOME and the personalized ones are super cute!

1 mom found this helpful
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J.C.

answers from Anchorage on

Without knowing more about your DIL it is impossible to say. Think about her interests, her passions. Is there something she looks at but never buys because she feels it is too expensive to splurge on?

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B.Z.

answers from Minneapolis on

This year I am into finding gifts that involve spending time together so I would make a gift certificate for a day out with you. Maybe get your nails done, then go to lunch and a movie or dinner and a play. You would be able to get to know each other better. If they have children and your son cannot be home, pay the babysitter also. Make it a great day!

S.G.

answers from Grand Forks on

Gift card for a spa.

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D.P.

answers from Minneapolis on

Find a fun gift store and get a really nice candle or one of those wooden signs now with a quote on it that you think she might like. Yoga jackets are really hot now so something from LuLu Lemon or Athleta is always good. What does she do in her spare time? Does she like wine? Get her those charms you put around the bottom of wine glasses. Just a few thoughts...

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S.F.

answers from Fargo on

Wow, you already did a GREAT job! If you want to dress it up, Momma W. had a great suggestion for you!

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S.H.

answers from Honolulu on

I have a relative like that... so I always include the gift receipt because then she can return it or exchange it.

So anyway, this year we got her a personalized item.
Via Etsy.

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K.C.

answers from Denver on

I'd love to get an Ulta gift card from my MIL. Maybe supplement it with a nice candle (I saw some yummy smelling peppermint ones at Williams Sonoma recently!). I also love Momma W's suggestions.

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K.C.

answers from Dallas on

I think you can never go wrong with offering to take care of the grandkids one night and giving her a gift card to her favorite restaurant for a date night.

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C.B.

answers from Dallas on

My wife loves James Avery. They have a good selection of Christmas jewelry in gold and silver from $50 to $150. I gave my wife a Christmas pendant last year.

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