Gifts from Daughter-in-Law for Mother-in-Law Day

Let's be honest. Women do the majority of shopping and gifts for Mother's Day, birthdays, anniversaries, and holidays. Mother-in-Law Day, the fourth Sunday of October, seems to be the latest is the string of "Hallmark Holidays." It began in 2002 as another opportunity to celebrate motherhood, and now is yet another day for women to circle on their calendar.

However, Mother-in-Law Day, celebrated this year on October 28, represents an opportunity for a woman-to-woman expression of goodwill. Regardless of if you are one of the lucky women with a close relationship with your mother-in-law or like the vast majority of women with a slightly frosty one, it doesn't have to be expensive or take much time to say thank you. Here are ten suggestions.

Manicure: Everyone likes being pampered, and a manicure is something she might not do for herself. Make it a double manicure to spend time together if you are close.
Coasters: Coasters can be simple and inexpensive, yet meaningful gifts that speak to a mother-in-law's interests. For example, the National Geographic Map Machine has a range of downloadable maps that you can use an adhesive gun to apply to coasters. Or apply a special picture underneath a class coaster.

Gift certificate to a gardening shop: Instead of the traditional gift of flowers, give your mother-in-law a gift certificate to a gardening shop where she can pick out a live plant. If she is a gardener, she can pick out gardening supplies, if not she can get a simple houseplant. Either way, she will appreciate the beautiful sentiment.

Picture of her and her son: Or of her entire nuclear family before marriage entered the scene. Or make it a double frame with a before and after shot that includes you (and your children).

Personalized calendar: Photo websites such as Shutterfly have giving personalized calendars a relatively simple gift. Include pictures of her son, grandchildren, you, and any of this combination with her so she can see how happy your family is all year round.

Birthstone earrings: Give her stud earrings with her son's birthstone. They'll be pretty, remind her of her son, and simultaneously tell her that you care about her and her son.

Outing: If you live nearby, take your mother-in-law out for lunch or cocktails. Use Mother-in-Law Day as an excuse for girl time.

Alone time with her son: Even with the best mother-and-daughter-in-law relationships, she probably misses being the number one woman in her life. Give her an afternoon with his undivided attention.

Call and say thank you: Good men are hard to find so tell your mother-in-law how much you appreciate the way she raised such a good son. A phone call telling her that her son is a wonderful man is guaranteed to make her day.

And if none of these options seem like the right one for you, how about givihng her "One free pass for a judgment about your parenting skills/housekeeping/wife abilities." Whether you tell her or not, this forgiveness might be the best gift you can give to give on Mother-in-Law Day.