I'm really struggling with an idea of what to get my in laws. We know we are doing family pictures in the spring after LO2 is born, but we need something for them to open on Christmas. Any ideas? We would like to keep it something that they would both enjoy (or two separate gifts) without going over $200.
They are the type of people who buy what they want. Last year we got MIL a Kurieg and FIL a sound bar for their new TV just examples.
pomelo / 5129 posts
Is there an experience they'd enjoy (a concert or sporting event)?
My siblings have done season tickets to a local music conservatory for my mom before, or I've taken her and my dad to see bands they enjoy.
Or a giftcard for a nice dinner and the movies. Or Omaha Steaks so they have a nice dinner, but can stay in if they are more of homebodies.
pineapple / 12802 posts
My IL's are hard to buy for because my MIL is a complete impulse shopper. She has whatever she wants.
I made them (and my parents!) personalized photo calendars this year, so they can see their grandbabies and furgrandbabies each month. 
wonderful pomelo / 30692 posts
My in-laws are hard to shop for too. I always just end up asking them if there's anything on their "wish list" that they just haven't gotten for themselves yet! It's taken a few years, but now they actually give me stuff to work with, which helps! For a few years, they just got baked goods because I couldn't think of anything!!
GOLD / wonderful olive / 19030 posts
@MaryM: Not really any music acts, not really their thing, they might like sporting event tickets, at least FIL. We get my dad Omaha Steaks every year, but they raise beef, so that doesn't work for them. No gift cards, DH says it's not personal enough.
@.twist.: I did think of this, but with a new baby due in March, I wanted to wait until the whole family could be represented! My in laws aren't compulsive, they just buy when they need, but they are frugal. They don't replace things unless broken (even if old, dated, ect.)
coconut / 8861 posts
For this Christmas, we're giving inlaws a Shutterfly calendar of LO, a mouse pad, and something that FIL will get during Thanksgiving.
pomelo / 5129 posts
I usually err on the side of gift cards not being personal, but I think if it's for something someone really enjoys, or something that's slightly above a person's usual spending habits (especially if they're frugal!) sometimes they really can be thoughtful.
do they enjoy beer or wine? You could look into something like a wine of the month club.
Or if they enjoy gardening, we've gotten a plant of the month thing for my mom before.
wonderful kiwi / 23653 posts
Prob very below your price range (well, they have expensive options I guess), but I've gotten them Harry & David stuff. Their pears are really good!
pineapple / 12802 posts
@LuLu Mom: Good point about waiting for the whole family. I think, based on what you've mentioned about them, I would definitely go for an experience gift rather than material. Sounds like they would really enjoy and appreciate something like that! Good luck!
pomelo / 5129 posts
I was trying to think of who does the plant by the month, and I think Harry & Davids has them.
I've also used Wolferman breakfast foods for hard to buy for people. Their English muffins are amazing! Especially if they host a brunch around Christmas, it can be a thoughtful gift to send a few days ahead of time.
GOLD / wonderful olive / 19030 posts
@snowjewelz: @MaryM: I've never heard of Harry & David's, I'll give it a look! FIL likes beer, but only Budweiser (he really is the stereotype of a Midwest farmer) haha and MIL isn't really a big drinker.
pear / 1787 posts
not sure if this has been mentioned but every year for christmas we get both my parents and DH's parents (and ourselves) tickets to a musical. they are also the type that can just buy whatever they want so we figure an experience and night out with us/all together is much more of an enjoyable gift. we've been doing it for 3 years now and it's so nice, we all always look forward to it! we just bought tickets to Once today 
just a thought!
GOLD / wonderful olive / 19030 posts
@loki: My FIL wouldn't enjoy that but I think my MIL would, if I found something that I knew she would enjoy, she never does stuff like that. I"ll have to see what is coming up at the performing arts center here in town.
pear / 1787 posts
@LuLu Mom: maybe get your FIL tickets to a sporting event for him and your husband and then tickets to a play for you and your MIL? if you have that kinda relationship, that is! i just know my in laws & parents appreciate it soooo much and it makes me feeel like i'm not just wasting money on people who can buy whatever they want for themselves.
eggplant / 11824 posts
@LuLu Mom: If they raise beef, what about something sort of related to that: a smoker or dehydrator for making jerky, a selection of spice rubs and sauces?
Gift certificate to a "fancy" dinner out? Or a "night away" package - hotel room and gift card to dinner?
Our parents love anything to do with the grandkids - mugs, calendars, mouse pads, blah blah
persimmon / 1129 posts
@LuLu Mom: My parents and in-laws are both the "if we want it we just buy it" type so I know what you mean!
We like to do super customized gifts. Etsy has been great to us for that. Here are a few things from the past few years:
-A custom home illustration of my in-laws' cabin
-Custom pet portrait of the family dog
-Doggy DNA test for my parents' mutt (tells you the different breeds your dog is!)
-Art illustration of one of my grandmother's recipes for my mom
pomegranate / 3272 posts
We tend to default to wine and wine accessories. . . but after awhile, how many decanters, wine glass sets, aerators, chillers, etc. do two people need???
persimmon / 1404 posts
We got my MIL a really nice blanket and some tea and a mug to go with it. No idea what we're getting FIL yet.
honeydew / 7091 posts
@LuLu Mom: Your In-Laws sound a lot like mine! And, I have no ideas either...
A go-to gift for MIL is some nice coffee beans because she would never spend the extra money on them. But, that is so overdone by now. And I feel like they're not really the photo-gift type... And they don't have any hobbies... 
watermelon / 14467 posts
I got my MIL some locally made bath soaps and lotion bars, and I'm going to get some other stuff to go with it. She loves taking baths. I got my FIL a book from an author who spoke at a lecture we had at work, it's Appalachian tales and I think he'll like it.
GOLD / wonderful olive / 19030 posts
@swurlygurl: They might be the same people, they don't have hobbies either! haha I'm making a photo calendar for my MIL since she will like it, but it's not enough. FIL I told DH he's in charge of because he's too hard, I don't know enough about hunting/fishing to purchase.
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