Hi - Well, my wedding is on Friday.... as in 3 days from now... and I still don't have a gift for my father. My mom and dad are divorced, so no joint gifts. We got FI's parents a digital picture frame, my mom a Vera Bradly weekender tote (she's been wanting one), and now I have NO CLUE what to get my dad. Can't order anything online, because its too late to ship... I was thinking about doing a gift basket with 2 bottles of red wine, some cocktail napkins with something funny on them, and a silver picture frame engraved with our wedding date (to be filled with a picture of me and dad dancing). Thoughts?
Backstory: He wasn't super involved in planning (as in not at all involved) and we don't talk that often, but I can't imagine giving everyone gifts and not him... do you think the wine basket will look weird if my mom has a Vera Bradley tote (not that he knows how much it costs) and FI's parents get a digital frame (expensive, but got on eBay for cheaper)??? I'm panicking, and there's not too much time left. Thoughts??? Ideas???
If you think the present is appropriate go for it- you can always give your dad something more later if time is short now...
I don't think you should worry about expenditure discrepancy. I think you should consider something touching, or something simple but heartfelt:
Why don't you give him a cute lil book all about you growing up? Scan some old childhood photos of you two, then put it in a little book with a nice little poem? Too touchy feely?
How about a shadow box with momentos that make you think of him in a nice little way? Still too touchy feely?
What if you find a funny book at the bookstore and write a little note in it to him?
Try to recall an interest he has and see if you can focus on that and make it about you two? ex. My dad likes to fly planes: so I got him an autographed book by a NASA astronaut- and enlarged a photo of when I flew with my dad once. The autograph was free, and the photo just needed to be framed.
Maybe he wasn't involved with your wedding too much because of the divorce, and any tensions- but at least try to make something personable about it. You are his daughter and he did contribute to bringing you into this world. My estranged grandfather called my dad in tears one fathers day saying he was proud of my dad for having grown up well, and my grandfather cont'd on to say his biggest regret was not having a better relationship. I think deep down all parents want a touch of heart felt bond between them and their kids.
<span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'"><span style="font-size: 8pt; font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'">I have a similar relationship with my father. I know my dad never wants gifts for Christmas, Birthday, Father's Day, etc. He just always asks for pictures of us and what we've been up to. He is not a communicator at all, so the pictures give a peek into our lives. I think the picture would be loved by your father or just like Sparkles said…some pictures of you growing up would be appreciated, also. If you think the wine would be enjoyed by him, go for it! I know some people think gift cards are not the best gift, but my dad is a huge outdoorsman so he would probably enjoy a gift card from Bass Pro Shop or Cabela's, too. Good Luck.
Hi - Well, my wedding is on Friday.... as in 3 days from now... and I still don't have a gift for my father. My mom and dad are divorced, so no joint gifts. We got FI's parents a digital picture frame, my mom a Vera Bradly weekender tote (she's been wanting one), and now I have NO CLUE what to get my dad. Can't order anything online, because its too late to ship... I was thinking about doing a gift basket with 2 bottles of red wine, some cocktail napkins with something funny on them, and a silver picture frame engraved with our wedding date (to be filled with a picture of me and dad dancing). Thoughts?
Backstory: He wasn't super involved in planning (as in not at all involved) and we don't talk that often, but I can't imagine giving everyone gifts and not him... do you think the wine basket will look weird if my mom has a Vera Bradley tote (not that he knows how much it costs) and FI's parents get a digital frame (expensive, but got on eBay for cheaper)??? I'm panicking, and there's not too much time left. Thoughts??? Ideas???
posted by ktdid23 Worker bee: 157 posts 2 months agoIf you think the present is appropriate go for it- you can always give your dad something more later if time is short now...
I don't think you should worry about expenditure discrepancy. I think you should consider something touching, or something simple but heartfelt:
Why don't you give him a cute lil book all about you growing up? Scan some old childhood photos of you two, then put it in a little book with a nice little poem? Too touchy feely?
How about a shadow box with momentos that make you think of him in a nice little way? Still too touchy feely?
What if you find a funny book at the bookstore and write a little note in it to him?
Try to recall an interest he has and see if you can focus on that and make it about you two? ex. My dad likes to fly planes: so I got him an autographed book by a NASA astronaut- and enlarged a photo of when I flew with my dad once. The autograph was free, and the photo just needed to be framed.
Maybe he wasn't involved with your wedding too much because of the divorce, and any tensions- but at least try to make something personable about it. You are his daughter and he did contribute to bringing you into this world. My estranged grandfather called my dad in tears one fathers day saying he was proud of my dad for having grown up well, and my grandfather cont'd on to say his biggest regret was not having a better relationship. I think deep down all parents want a touch of heart felt bond between them and their kids.
posted by Sparkles Worker bee: 182 posts 2 months ago<span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'"><span style="font-size: 8pt; font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'">I have a similar relationship with my father. I know my dad never wants gifts for Christmas, Birthday, Father's Day, etc. He just always asks for pictures of us and what we've been up to. He is not a communicator at all, so the pictures give a peek into our lives. I think the picture would be loved by your father or just like Sparkles said…some pictures of you growing up would be appreciated, also. If you think the wine would be enjoyed by him, go for it! I know some people think gift cards are not the best gift, but my dad is a huge outdoorsman so he would probably enjoy a gift card from Bass Pro Shop or Cabela's, too. Good Luck.
posted by thefuturemrsdarb Newbee: 9 posts 2 months ago