I am looking for ideas on gifts to give to our parents. first of all, is this something most people do? Also, can anyone share what they have done or are thinking of doing? thanks!
We are having silk and dried flower wreaths made up to match our flower arrangements. We will use them to decorate the front doors of the venue for the reception, and then will present them to my mom and FMIL. We spent a lot of time trying to come up with ideas, which is difficult. We would get them wedding albums, but my parents are paying for the photography already - so we tried to think of something else specifically related to the wedding, and therefore meaningful in that way, but also something they could reasonably use or display. They are both really into decorating, and have some seasonal wreaths already, so this can be part of their spring/summer decor from here on out!
My plan is to use extra material from my dress and have handkerchief's made , then I'll have their monogram embroidered on it. My dress is made of silk, so I figured it could be pretty.
We got our parents digital picture frames. Since we are getting all of our photos on a DVD, I figured they could have them all without having to choose favorites for an album. I also thought it would be a fun way to stay in touch since we all live in different states (i.e. we can send them new house pictures, new baby pictures, etc. as new milestones occur) :) I got them for sale $79.99 with a $10 rebate from Bed Bath and Beyond; they are on the same sale until May 31st.
We made a picture book from shutterfly.com that has a time line of photos from when we were both babies, up to now. It is very cute -- I found matching photos for each of our different stages of growing up. For example, I found one of him at 4 yrs old with a cowboy hat, holster, and a toy horse and one of me at 3 yrs old wearing the same hat and riding a rocking horse! Anyway, we printed one album for each set of parents. They cost about $22.00 each.
For the day of they wedding I got them all custom hankies. My parents are paying for the reception and also a lot of other stuff but not the photography, so I am getting them an album from the photographer.
For his parents we acctually bought them $400 work of BedAndBreakfast.com gift certificates.
My parents explicitly stated they didn't want us wasting money on a present. So I ended up making a mypublisher photobook with family photos from the time of my parent's marriage to now. It didn't cost much. And as an addition, I hosted a really nice dinner for the entire side of my family. Our wedding was a bit of a family reunion for my side.
I am not sure how common it is to get parents gifts. The last wedding I was in they got their parents a small gift but my FI has never heard of this. We also asked a couple of older married friends of ours about it and they had never heard of getting parents gifts either.
My parents are doing so much for the wedding that I really wanted to get something for them. I didn't spend too much because I know they wouldn't want me to. I got my mom earring & a necklace to wear at the wedding and I getting my dad a membership to a cigar of the month club for 6 months. We will most likely make both of our parents a photo album once we get our pictures back too.
I am looking for ideas on gifts to give to our parents. first of all, is this something most people do? Also, can anyone share what they have done or are thinking of doing? thanks!
posted by Domino Newbee: 33 posts 8 months agoWe are having silk and dried flower wreaths made up to match our flower arrangements. We will use them to decorate the front doors of the venue for the reception, and then will present them to my mom and FMIL. We spent a lot of time trying to come up with ideas, which is difficult. We would get them wedding albums, but my parents are paying for the photography already - so we tried to think of something else specifically related to the wedding, and therefore meaningful in that way, but also something they could reasonably use or display. They are both really into decorating, and have some seasonal wreaths already, so this can be part of their spring/summer decor from here on out!
posted by suzanno Bumble bee: 2,425 posts 8 months agoMy plan is to use extra material from my dress and have handkerchief's made , then I'll have their monogram embroidered on it. My dress is made of silk, so I figured it could be pretty.
posted by Lillindy Busy bee: 635 posts 8 months agoWe got our parents digital picture frames. Since we are getting all of our photos on a DVD, I figured they could have them all without having to choose favorites for an album. I also thought it would be a fun way to stay in touch since we all live in different states (i.e. we can send them new house pictures, new baby pictures, etc. as new milestones occur) :) I got them for sale $79.99 with a $10 rebate from Bed Bath and Beyond; they are on the same sale until May 31st.
posted by ErinMarieMack Busy bee: 594 posts 8 months agoWe made a picture book from shutterfly.com that has a time line of photos from when we were both babies, up to now. It is very cute -- I found matching photos for each of our different stages of growing up. For example, I found one of him at 4 yrs old with a cowboy hat, holster, and a toy horse and one of me at 3 yrs old wearing the same hat and riding a rocking horse! Anyway, we printed one album for each set of parents. They cost about $22.00 each.
posted by caliocteach Busy bee: 799 posts 8 months agoWe think we're going to do the digital picture frames with wedding pictures as well.
posted by missm Busy bee: 784 posts 8 months agoFor the day of they wedding I got them all custom hankies. My parents are paying for the reception and also a lot of other stuff but not the photography, so I am getting them an album from the photographer.
posted by Candi1024 Helper bee: 357 posts 8 months agothanks for all the great tips ladies. I think we might end up going the sentimental route too and do something with photos.
posted by Domino Newbee: 33 posts 8 months agoFor his parents we acctually bought them $400 work of BedAndBreakfast.com gift certificates.
My parents explicitly stated they didn't want us wasting money on a present. So I ended up making a mypublisher photobook with family photos from the time of my parent's marriage to now. It didn't cost much. And as an addition, I hosted a really nice dinner for the entire side of my family. Our wedding was a bit of a family reunion for my side.
posted by cyshas Helper bee: 277 posts 8 months agoI am not sure how common it is to get parents gifts. The last wedding I was in they got their parents a small gift but my FI has never heard of this. We also asked a couple of older married friends of ours about it and they had never heard of getting parents gifts either.
My parents are doing so much for the wedding that I really wanted to get something for them. I didn't spend too much because I know they wouldn't want me to. I got my mom earring & a necklace to wear at the wedding and I getting my dad a membership to a cigar of the month club for 6 months. We will most likely make both of our parents a photo album once we get our pictures back too.
posted by nash0922 Worker bee: 75 posts 8 months ago