Need nice gift for Mother in law I'm not close to. Every other year I have gotten her something great! I'm not feeling it this year. What is a nice gift that isn't expensive?
138701
She's not your mother.  Let your husband do it.  It's his mother, he needs to do it himself.
262755
One year not so long ago...I found myself in a similar situation.  Money wasn't really the problem, it's just that I was so tired of the "traditional" gifts. Mom once told me that the most valuable thing you can give a person is your time....so that year I got some real pretty stationary and wrote her a long letter.  I thanked her for all the things that she taught me and how that I wouldn't be the person I am today without her as my mother.  I was real specific, even using particular examples both from childhood and adulthood.  Just to give you an example:  From you, mom, I learned honesty.  Remember when I was 5 and we were playing checkers and the phone rang?  You got up to answer the phone and because I was losing I decided to move some of the pieces.  When you came back you noticed and punished me by not playing any games with me for a week because you didn't play with "cheaters". From you, mom, I learned how to get the most for my money.  We were in a grocery store one time and I noticed that you were counting the slices in a loaf of bread.  I asked what you were doing and you told me that you were trying to get the most slices for the money.  I was a teen-ager then and rolled my eyes. Now that I understand the true value of money, I understand.\n\nI'm sure that you get the idea.  Mom cried when she read my letter, it was probably about five or six pages long.  What it did, was point out to her what she accomplished.  It honored, acknowledged, & respected her.  She said that that was the BEST mother's day gift I could have given her.  It took some time and thought but it was worth it...for many reasons.....mom passed away in October of last year.  I am so thankful that I was able to let her know how much I learned from her.  This Mother's Day will be my first without her, and I'm trying hard not to think about it too much.  \n\nOn another note, your mother and mother-in-law probably know your financial situation.  They won't (and shouldn't) be expecting a lot.  Acknowledging their special day with the meals you have planned is more than enough.  Maybe you could combine both meals into one????  This would be less expensive.\n\nAs far as the baby shower...concentrate on the mom. Buy her some pamper stuff...bath stuff, candles, chocolate, hair ties, etc.  She'll be getting plenty of stuff for the new arrival...she'll appreciate it and won't feel so unimportant.  Hope some of this helps.
102063
Just give her the $200! I would have rather get $200 then get something that i may not be able to use. Or take her on a shopping Spree!
354070
I got my mum  a jewelry box for xmas in argos.I got my brothers wristwatches and a tracksuit. I didnt get my dad anything cos he's expensive. Check argos catalogue for more ideas.\n\nGudluck
362180
Dude, if you're willing to pay under $100, then get her a sterling silver necklace with her birthstone in it.  It will be a sure hit and a Christmas to remember.  But if it still costs too much, then just use www.overstock.com.  Okay, so yeah.
486017
That sounds like a thoughtful alternative.\nWhen my dad died, we received so many flowers, cards, and fruit baskets (oh my, the fruit flies were horrible!).\n\nMy mom was a widow with three minor kids, and she appreciated the people that volunteered to watch us while she made arrangements, or the meals that were prepared so she didn't have to worry about it, and the ladies from church who came over and cleaned our house up a bit.  If geographical restrictions aren't an issue and she is your mother-in-law, maybe you could send a fruit basket or gift basket, but also volunteer your time or talents.  Just a thought...
187328
The letter & the photo ideas are nice ones. As a mother, I can tell you that the best presents are always those that come from the heart. They needn't cost much (if anything at all). just so long as it's given with all the love you have for your mother. My daughter has given me "World's Best Mum" certificates & stuff like that, but the best thing ever from her, was a photo of her at her school prom with a poem that she'd writen herself, about how she felt about our relationship. Stuff like that is totally unique, a keepsake, memories that you can look back on with love in years to come. Give her something that shows how much you love her - I know she'll be more pleased with that than if you spent loads of money on something that any daughter could buy for her mother.
432049
My fave cute gift is a gift certificate for say In N Out or McDonalds or something and a sweet Christmas card. They come in $5 increments, so it would be cheap and something they would actually use.
424348
I feel the same way about my mom!  She and I are like and we both like clothes.  My mom's favorite store is Chico's (upscale clothing for women).  I like giving gifts she really like or want.  I try to pay close attention for subtle hints or just in general what she like or is into at the time.  I always give her a second gift whether it is some type of gift basket that "I MAKE" of her favorite things (a special personal touch) -- candles, lotions, perfume, a framed picture of my children, tickets to the movies, etc.  The basket is a mixture of different things she like.
652202
I would say that 25.00 in a nice card would be suitable. I assume she is a relative--it just might bring the ties together for the next function.
273345
I know you don't want to break the bank, but one year anniversary???  It's gotta be a little more special than that!!  I'm sure she's expecting more.  It doesn't have to cost much to be special!  A love note would be awesome, tell her in it how much she means to you and recall some of the best times you've had this past year-talk about the year ahead and how you are so lucky to have her love, blah blah blah.  I married my high school sweetheart and I still have all of the love letters he wrote me!!  Get some special paper and a nice envelope, my hubby would do little doodles on the paper too, I thought that was really cute.  Think about it!!  Good luck!!
333099
Ok, it won't be ready on Mother's Day, but it WILL matter. Ever heard of scrapbooking? Any of your family around that remembers her younger years? Get an older family member to go through pictures and pull out important ones. Things like her child (ren's) birth, marriage, her parents. Then attach them into a scrapbook and have family members write down things about the pictures. It doesn't have to be big or elaborate, but it would mean a whole lot to her on her lucid days. Just a thought.
457724
If she's kind hearted, be thankful. Many mother-in-laws do MUCH worse things. Get a tub, put a label on it, store the clothes. Think of it as shopping in advance. If you must, donate them. Don't assume what her reasons for this are, it may make complete sense to her. By the way, if she does this every year you must have clothes that fit them from two Christmases ago. Personally I think, be kind, let it go, life is short.
422042
This year my bf and I are trying something new. NO GIFTS. No one gets anything. We do send out homemade cards with personal notes in each card.\n\nWe are trying to get out of the extreme holiday behavior this world is coming to. We shouldn't have Christmas stuff for sale in all the stores before Thanksgiving and have to spend so much money on gifts for everyone. Gifts should be homemade and well thought out. We are trying to do what we can to change our families and teach them that we dont need gifts, we just want love and quality family time during the holidays!!\n\nIs it me or did I just go way off track on that answer? ;-)
328914
The perfect mother's day gift comes from the heart, go out to eat and to the movies with her, spending quality time with her will be worth more, and don't buy her a gift make it, it has more sentimental value that way. make her a picture frame and put a pic of the two of you in it, or buy a small photo album and decorate it, fill it with special pics of you guys, or give her a hug and tell her how much you love her.....
354075
Perhaps you could offer to take her dog to the groomer, and while you have some time alone with him or her, have the pet's picture made in a Santa hat or other cute attire.  Find a nice frame that will go well with her home or office.  This will show that you actually put thought into the gift as well. I'm not sure where you live, but Wal-Mart has a photo package for under $10 that comes with some 8x10s and a 14xsomething as well as wallets, etc. Petsmart does grooming for under $30, and a nice picture frame will definitely be under $50.
531109
well give her something handmade. what are you good at.?? something that will keep close to remember you and know that you put extra effort not just spend some of your money..