What's a good gift?

Does she have a nice Christmas tree skirt? Or holiday mantel scarf?

Does she use table runners?

Some people are hard to make gifts for. My DMIL is one of them. The place mats I made for her are on the garage floor with the cat dish on them. The pillows are in the top of the closet. It's hard to get motivated to make something for someone who doesn't value your gifts....

good luck... I totally understand!

Oldsters I know don't need a lot more 'stuff'. Many seem to appreciate consumable type presents. Maybe a nice set of sheets that you trim with a strip of piecing, fancy stitching, monogram or embroidery? Would a holiday wall hanging work for her? When my dad turned 70 I made a wallhanging with 9 blocks that represented parts of his life. That was a huge hit. How about matching hat and tote if she is in a sunny climate?

Taria

Sunny wrote:

I know, I know. Make her a Minkee pillowcase. Don't accept a substitute "as good as"; it must be spelled Minkee. Make a white one. Even CrankyPants people like me who are most peculiar about their likes and dislikes think white is a great color and everyone who has one dearly loves their Minkee. I understand that I sound as though I am affiliated with the Minkee folks and I am perfectly willing to be bribed if they appreciate me. Anyhow. A yard is plenty and will set you back about $16 - not bad, really, for a great gift. Do get the vacuum cleaner out before you begin. The cut pile of Minkee does make a blizzard. Nobody's died from it. Polly

Last year, I made tote bags for several of my friends. The good news is that they all use them regularly! How about a tote bag & a cosmetic bag to match? And a jewelry roll? I have made Xmas tree skirts in the past & they went over big. I was going to make aprons this year, but, I won't be able to sit at my machine until the end of this month, so it may not happen. Aprons are making a comeback! How about placemats & coasters? Potholders - I've just finished cutting out a bunch of Handy Heart Potholders (my favorite potholders in the whole wide world & my friends always hint that they would like more), so they will be ready to go when I can sew.

Pauline Northern California

oh my goodness, Kate. perhaps tis more appropriate if you leave the D off her abbreviation. tis just plain rude and inconsiderate doing that with your gift. that is worse than when i was about 8 yo and mom gave me an ant farm for xmas. i hated ants but she didnt know that, i still refused to keep it tho. not sure she ever did understand why i hated them. i'd not bother making a gift for your MIL at all. just give her a voucher to buy what she wants somewhere. she clearly doesnt appreciate your talent and the love you put into making something special for her. some people, eh. j.

"Kate G." wrote... Does she have a nice Christmas tree skirt? Or holiday mantel scarf?

Does she use table runners?

Some people are hard to make gifts for. My DMIL is one of them. The place mats I made for her are on the garage floor with the cat dish on them. The pillows are in the top of the closet. It's hard to get motivated to make something for someone who doesn't value your gifts....

good luck... I totally understand!

How 'bout a gift certificate to the dollar store

Nana ............ducking & running

DH wants ta get these for the grand kids for Christmas

What does she do for hobbies or pastimes?

B> I told DH I was planning to make a quilt for his mom and he said

What about some quilted pot holders, or perhaps a quilted shower curtin topper?

-Irene

Well, now, Jeanne. Since we're friends, let me disagree without being disagreeable. I remember well the afghan DMIL made for our DD2. For DD2's newly done room in her choice of bright pink, DMIL crocheted an afghan of that dreary dull dusty rose. It simply sat on the bed and puked.(Sorry if I offend delicate sensibilities but that's what it did.) It was Awful. We hauled it out for DMIL's visits. One of our SILs was enamored with what was called at the time "Early American" and constantly gifted us with paintings and such to Her taste. Another one was into Elegance and gave us incredibly fussy silver. I'd rather have a can of tuna fish, a roll of stamps or an ant farm any day. Polly

hmm, i'm a bit dense today, Polly. i'm not sure which part you're disagreeing with? j.

"Polly Esther" wrote... Well, now, Jeanne. S> oh my goodness, Kate.

I dunno, Jeanne. I guess I was saying that you are placing a great burden on the recipient when you 'assume' that they will treasure something that 'you' like. OTOH, I reckon I did good if I was disagreeing and you couldn't tell. Polly

oh ok. i was more thinking that tho i dont expect anyone to 'treasure' what i like, i'd think they'd at least show enough respect and not put it on the garage floor with the dogs food bowls atop it. i love my cat but i'd never ever do that with a gift someone had made for me that was obviously meant to be used on a table not the floor. i'd be devastated to know or even think someone would show such little respect. no, come to think of it, i'd tell them what i thought of what they'd done. probably i'd mess up the relationship totally but then again, seems to me they'd already done that. shrug, j.

"Polly Esther" wrote... I dunno, Jeanne. I guess I was say> hmm, i'm a bit dense today, Polly.

I once made a tube quillt for one of me GK. (took me some time to get it done) Was over there one day & saw it in the dog's crate. Vowed not to make anything for them again!! Nana

Sunny,

Have you thought about making felted slippers or clogs? The breath nicely and don't cost that much. The wool allows the feet to be cool in the summer and warm in the winter.

Rick Boesen Olivet, Michigan

I was at my favorite thrift store the other day and there was a row of what looked like brand new afghans. They had just put them out for the cool season. I was wondering how many of those were gifts given to folks that had no use for them. I was nearly sick. I got to talking to a gal in line that was buying one for her dog's crate. Too bad the new ones hadn't been donated to a rest home or somewhere they might have been appreciated. So what is a tube quilt? Taria

Nana.Wils> I once made a tube quillt for one of me GK. (took me some time to get it

Sunny, I also live in a really hot climate, and I have quilts. What about a summer-weight quilt with no batting for your MIL?

Wow - you all have so many fun gift ideas! This is great, I'm getting some ideas for the holidays here :)

Steph

Why take DH's word for it? Ask her is she'd like a quilt that you made. Tell her that it would be really light weight. Ask her what colors she'd like. Explain that it is quite a bit of work for you and so you want it to be something she would use.

Julia > I told DH I was planning to make a quilt for his mom and he said

And by doing so, you won't have to have it done by Christmas. you could give her weekly progress reports.

SIL loved it when I was. I stopped at her HB. she thinks I'm still 'sewing the blocks together.

Butterfly (Anyway, that's what I hope she thinks)