My MIL is VERY speshul pls help me Gift

[PepperPottsJ]

So...  MIL usually buys herself a big ticket item and we give her cash for it.  As she is a true peach...  this year all she wants is for "us" (read: her sons) to spend more time with her.  Well no,  not going to happen.  Generally we go to IL's Christmas Eve and she used to spend Christmas day alone.  As insane as it makes me,  this breaks my heart so we take her to my Dad's house so that @wallflwr926 and I can have an extra special Christmas day. (Triangulators, if you know me this will definitely seal the deal).

Gifting:  Christmas eve they do this weird cash hidden in the tree thing... then her sons give her the money for the big item (lacking this year), then I like to buy her gifts to open with my family.  My Dad makes the opening process lengthy...  so I buy a few smaller things.  I have also gotten her her own stocking to have at my Dad's for this year.  With that back story,  so far I have purchased personalized stationery and 2 journals for her - the woman loves to write,  and am at a complete loss.  She is VERY outdoorsy,  and basically anti any and all things modern.  the traditional grandma gifts just don't fly with her.  Please help my brain come up with something unique?

thank you!
~ Desperate Pepper

Oh added bonus she is not a gracious receiver,  so if she hates it she will tell me on the spot.

[PepperPottsJ]

also debating if i should cross post on parenting for wide distribution, the woman is that speshul

[PepperPottsJ]

Dec 9, 2016 13:07:06 GMT -5 ****** said:

If she gardens, maybe new gardening tools, gloves, or gift card to favorite gardening center.
Warm socks and gloves or scarf?

Outdoorsy? How? Hiking? Check out sports stores for gift ideas

She basically lives in a log cabin in the mountains.  we talked about getting her new cross country skis at thanksgiving,  that was quickly ixnayed.  This woman drives me to drink.

ETA she also has a black thumb

[PirateCat]

Can you tell us some of the things she's asked for in the past to give us more ideas?

[PirateCat]

Snow shoes? High performance long underwear. Goretex mittens. Smartwool socks.

[PirateCat]

Day pack. Slippers. Anything from L.L.Bean.

[PepperPottsJ]

Dec 9, 2016 13:14:01 GMT -5 PirateCat said:

Can you tell us some of the things she's asked for in the past to give us more ideas?

We got her a fancy recliner, a new TV, a gem similar to this.

last year I got her fitflop slippers and boots,  a yoga journal and a story of my life journal.  She is obsessed with bears,  and clutter does not begin to describe the cabin.  I am trying to track down the helper who comes in once a week for the hair salon she goes to.  She has a senior membership to a wellness center,  so that cancels out a bunch of gift cert possibilities.

[PirateCat]

PepperPottsJ , oh so whacky. Maybe you can get her this to go along with it. There is also a matching serving tray...

[PepperPottsJ]

/ded PirateCat, /ded

I really want to, but food safe hygiene is not her friend so i fear what disease or germ will ruin such a lovely vessel.

[PirateCat]

Dec 9, 2016 13:25:59 GMT -5 PepperPottsJ said:

/ded PirateCat , /ded

I really want to, but food safe hygiene is not her friend so i fear what disease or germ will ruin such a lovely vessel.

I would definitely recommend the serving tray then. With matching serving utensils. You're going to be her favorite DIL this Christmas. 

[teraiin]

If she's outdoorsy maybe a pass to a local state park (if there is one) for hiking and stuff?

[rooskie]

Heavy wool socks, nice pens, Yetti cup?

Fancy candy or coffee?

[PepperPottsJ]

I feel like adding that she makes friends with the cave crickets in her basement will indicate the level of speshul... and lives as though she is still in the end of the depression.

[PepperPottsJ]

Dec 9, 2016 13:45:13 GMT -5 ****** said:

Ant farm?    

Oh Sea Mokeys may do the trick!!  You are a genius!

[PirateCat]

Food saver? Canning supplies?

[PirateCat]

EcoSphere?

[PepperPottsJ]

This may also be a winner:

DIY Kombucha

[ironbaby]

Team You've Done Enough over here.

Bless her heart.

[cjchio]

Personally, you've given enough, especially since she's a real treat to deal with.

[butlerfan]

What outdoorsy.....gardening? Hiking? What?

[butlerfan]

Walking stick? Thermos/water bottle?

Is she into canning? Or home brewing? Make your own sun tea-pitcher?

[butlerfan]

Dec 9, 2016 14:17:12 GMT -5 ironbaby said:

Team You've Done Enough over here.

Bless her heart.

I agree

[Rama]

Fancy pens/pencils to go with the journals? Those work on me.

[butlerfan]

Adult coloring books and colored pencils?

[gabride2010]

PepperPottsJ How about a Life Straw?

www.cabelas.com/product/EARTHEASY-LIFESTRAW-WATER-FILTER/1675088.uts?productVariantId=3620121&WT.tsrc=PPC&WT.mc_id=GoogleProductAds&WT.z_mc_id1=03752738&rid=20&gclid=CI7Z6obH6NACFQkJaQodYhsO_w&gclsrc=aw.ds

Or maybe something from Le Creuset? I love their enamel-coated cast iron!

[PepperPottsJ]

Dec 9, 2016 21:16:29 GMT -5 gabride2010 said:

PepperPottsJ How about a Life Straw?

www.cabelas.com/product/EARTHEASY-LIFESTRAW-WATER-FILTER/1675088.uts?productVariantId=3620121&WT.tsrc=PPC&WT.mc_id=GoogleProductAds&WT.z_mc_id1=03752738&rid=20&gclid=CI7Z6obH6NACFQkJaQodYhsO_w&gclsrc=aw.ds

Or maybe something from Le Creuset? I love their enamel-coated cast iron!

OMG i think  I am now getting everyone a lifestraw for their stocking!!!!!  that is amazing!

[gabride2010]

Dec 9, 2016 21:18:30 GMT -5 PepperPottsJ said:

Dec 9, 2016 21:16:29 GMT -5 gabride2010 said:

PepperPottsJ How about a Life Straw?

www.cabelas.com/product/EARTHEASY-LIFESTRAW-WATER-FILTER/1675088.uts?productVariantId=3620121&WT.tsrc=PPC&WT.mc_id=GoogleProductAds&WT.z_mc_id1=03752738&rid=20&gclid=CI7Z6obH6NACFQkJaQodYhsO_w&gclsrc=aw.ds

Or maybe something from Le Creuset? I love their enamel-coated cast iron!

OMG i think  I am now getting everyone a lifestraw for their stocking!!!!!  that is amazing!

H and I both have one. I haven't used mine yet though. H said the water through his tasted really good.

[wannabmama]

That lifestraw is amazing! I want one...not sure when I'd need it but I want it anyway.

Your NIL sounds very speshul...good luck!

Funny aside on MILs: I bought my MIL some jewelry two years ago, but she has blown us off each year, so I just freshen the bow and bring it with us in case she shows...I honestly have no idea what it looks like at this point.

[Deleted]

Dear Desperate Pepper,
Just put a bow on YH.
It's the only answer.
-Your sister

[PirateCat]

Dec 9, 2016 22:07:04 GMT -5 @wallflwr926 said:

Dear Desperate Pepper,
Just put a bow on YH.
It's the only answer.
-Your sister

Or how about a gift card or whatever for an activity she and your H (and maybe others too) can do together? A whitewater rafting trip or some such outdoorsy thing or movie theater gift card for a mother-son movie date or whatever. And then you can make your H do his part.