Gifts for Parents

[Autumn Bride]

I'm kind of unsure how the whole gift thing works...hence b/c I've never been married before...LOL

Is it generally the bride and groom giving the bride's parent(s) a gift? A gift for each parent or one combo gift? And vice versa for the bride and groom giving the groom's parent(s) a gift? Each or together?

Or is it just the bride gifting her parent(s), and the groom gifting his parent(s)?

Any info would help clear up my confusion! Thanks so much!

[CarlosHoney]

You can do it either way. I personally think it's sweet to give one gift from both of you, because you guys are now a unit. You can give anything you dream of, and I always think something that caters to their interests is much better than something like a picture frame or photo album. Give them that too, but if mom loves to cook, a trip to Williams Sonoma might be in order. I read about a lady who got the Groom's Dad some season tickets to his favorite college team.

Good luck!

[SueMartin]

for us, it was easy .. both myparents are dead. but fromlistening to other brides, it would seem to me that a present for each of them from BOTH of you is the way to go.

[WhiskeyGirl]

This is my honest opinion. I don't think you need to give your parents a gift. This is just more money you will need to find and spend in this already expensive time. I think that if you want to give them something, write them a nice letter from the both of you telling them how much they mean to you and how they have shaped you into the people you are today. I think this is a far more treasurable gift then something you go to the store and buy! Or if you want you could write seperate letters to both sets of parents. (So you would write a letter to your new inlaws and to your parents! And he would do the same!)

We didn't give our parents presents, being on a budget and the only money available for planning being my husband's father's we did not think it fair to use his (my FIL) money to buy gifts for my parents and my new in-laws.

~CanadianBride~

[CarlosHoney]

I love that idea! I'm probably going to paint something for each parent. Carlo and I are both artists, so that is a nice thing. I like the idea of a photo album, and even a collage is a nice, inexpensive thing to do..

I think that a gift is a nice idea, but a keepsake is more from the heart.

I like giving gifts, just becuase it's something that they will look at and think of you. I don't like giving expensive gifts, I think it's kind of weird, especially at a time that is so expensive.. I always give gits that aren't terribly expensive, but terribly thoughtful. I am a 'perfect gift' person. I'd rather give something that I know they will love than anything at all.