Mother of the Bride Gifts

What if you take her out to dinner or to a show?

I like the dinner and show idea. If you have a little more $ in your budget maybe a weekend or night getaway to somewhere nice around you...not sure where you live but 2 good central places in PA are Nemacolin Woodlands and Bedford Springs. You could even do Seven Springs. If you are more eastern you could do the shore. Or just a nice B&B in a pretty town. You and her could go together or she could go with your father. This would give her some much needed relaxation.

How about finding a neighboring Tea store. And go for high tea. In the Souderton area there is one called Tilly Mints. A great place. Open wed- sat. It is on the web. Spending time is much better than a gift.

Dear T.:
If you know the plays, concerts or operas that she likes, buy tickets for your mom and you to go and possibly lunch or dinner. It's really a nice surprize, especially when the concerts only come to your area once a year.
Have a wonderful time at the wedding!!

What about a maid service for a month or more? If not that how about a dress and hair cut? Maybe hire a chef to cook for her for a night at her house for her and her friends? Do any of those sound like good ideas?

I have to ask, is this the relationship you have always had with your sister and your mom?
I understand that your sister isn't being appreciative of your mom. If you want to do something nice for your mom, that is one thing, but in my opinon (which i know you didn't ask for) a mother of the bride gift should come from the bride.
When you give your mom a gift of appreciation for all she's done for your sister, it sounds like you are trying to "one up" your sister and rub it in that sis is unappreciative.

If you haven't considered it from that point of view you might want to take a second and do that. Obviously I have no idea what your sister or your mom is like, and i do think it is sweet of you to think of your mom and taking her out to be pampered after all the fuss is over is a great idea, but calling it a Mother of the bride gift sounds a little power-struggle-ish to me.
You know best though how your gesture will go over, so if i'm totally off the mark, please excuse me and forget i said anything.
I hope you enjoy your sister's celebration.

Is she into stationary? What about very fine personalized stationary? Or if she is a beach person, a bag (like from Land's End or Pottery Barn) that is personalized and filled with beach knick-knacks? Check out Etsy.com. They usually have some really, really neat & unique gift ideas on there.

Good luck!

T. :)

What about a nice framed photo of your family? The plus to this is that it is a very personal gift (and one she can keep for years). The minus - if you choose to use a large group photo from the wedding - is that it wouldn't be complete to give to her at wedding time. Of course, you could buy and wrap a nice frame with a cute note that the photo is coming later.

It is too bad that your sister doesn't appreciate your mom, but I hope she learns from your example rather than thinking that you are trying to compete with her or show her up . . .

How about a gift card to a favorite restaurant, book store, or clothing store? You could couple that with a bouquet of flowers or a plant and a card. Or, maybe you can treat her to dinner and a movie, just the two of you, and you can tell her how much you appreciate what she's done. You are very thoughtful for thinking of this, by the way!

you are SO thoughtful to think of your mom & all she's doing for your sister at this time!!

How about food? Everybody eats!! Tastefully Simple has wonderful gifts, or you could just pick some of your mom's favorites & send your special selection to her.

I also have dozens of easy, healthy recipes for each product, so let me know how I can be of help! tastefullysimple.com ID# 15230 ____@____.com

~ M.

Maybe a really nice frame for her to put a wedding photo in. This is what we got our moms for our wedding. We did nice Lenox wedding frames.

Has anyone taken photos along the way? You can upload the photos online a create an album for her. I like shutterfly a lot but there are other good ones and I believe you can do this is most stores that print photos now as well. You can theme and personalize the album and even add letters of appreciation from the bride and groom or some old photos of when you and your sister were growing up. Good luck! I am sure anything you do will be greatly appreciated.

Does your mom garden ? How about a hanging plant she can put outside all summer ? Get her something similar to what you would for mothers day.

Brunch out at an extravagant place? Several flats of flowers for her yard? A nice splurgy hand bag?
I'd think of what she IS "into" and go from there--be it gardening, reading, sewing, working out, etc......
How sweet of you to want to make sure she is appreciated! Good luck.