My Dad is getting remarried. Mum and Dad have been separated and living apart for nearly a decade but remained close & good friends, to the extent that they never got round to getting divorced until Dad decided he wanted to re-marry. Mum will be going to the wedding and has asked me for suggestions on what she could get them as a wedding present. Does anyone have any ideas? I have no clue on the etiquette of these things, but I think the hope of all concerned is to remain/become friends, so don't want any present that could inadvertantly be interpreted as an insult. The only idea I have come up with so far was a lamp, to symbolise the "passing of the torch" and all that. Any other ideas?
2006-11-20 06:24:15 · 13 answers · asked by lynetter 1 in Family & Relationships ➔ Weddings
Ooo, the fun of managing etiquette at "split family wedding" time. Points to you and your parents for keeping things civil, even friendly, up until now! Many people don't manage it.
So what can your mom give that won't upset that great situation?
Nothing sentimental, unless it involves both of them - for example, a beautiful frame for a photo of the new bride and groom, to be displayed prominently, with a note that says, "May you build many happy memories together." Ditto for a really nice photo album - especially if you already have photos of them together that you can put on the cover, or inside.
Um, lamp, passing torch... you know them all better than I do, but see, it isn't up to your Mom to pass the torch to her successor... unless all three of them already have some sort of in joke to that effect, one you know they ALL find amusing, I'd pass on that.
Next choice -- see what they've registered for and pick something from the list. Hard to get in trouble, unless they're registered at a lingerie shop. Hard to misinterpret a set of matching serving spoons or a vase, especially if they've chosen it for the registry.
Next -- a set of goblets or glasses, etched with his first initial, and hers. Also something your mom and you could do at home (craft stores have kits - practice on glasses from a thrift store until you're ready to do the gift glasses - it's easy to do).
Good luck!
2006-11-20 06:33:34 · answer #1 · answered by peculiarpup 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
No to the lamp idea. It's not going to drive the "passing of the torch" idea home. Something off the registry is best. Keep it simple and non-sentimental. Sentimental is inappropriate. You want something that blends into the background.
If she is totally against it, make a scrapbook of pictures of his life/children that she has missed.
2006-11-20 11:56:52 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
The fact that she is willing to go to the wedding is a great gift by itself! Nonetheless, a Dom Perignon Champagne of 88 vintage is a good gift! It symbolises celebration. Its an occasion and moment to cherish,remember?
2006-11-20 06:50:53 · answer #3 · answered by PhiloPhobic 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
first of all congratulations to this adult attitute, I think it is absolutely great if couples break up that they remain friends and even attend the ex-partners weeding, I think that is already the greatest gift, as this shows how uch your mom still appreciates your dad as a friends, that's admirable, and I wish more former couples could act like that
i think a good present would be something very nice and personal, depending how well she gets along with the new wife, just to show her that she wants them to be happy, maybe engraved flutes with their names, wedding date and location...
greets and have a great wedding party
Anne
2006-11-20 06:38:24 · answer #4 · answered by Anne 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
flowers with a note of the mistakes they've done during the stay of the marriage which resulted in the divorce so that ur father will never do a mistake like the earlier 1 and the new couple will remain married.
2006-11-20 06:36:13 · answer #5 · answered by hyderabad 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Tell her you hung it on the door and it gives your house a nice curb appeal. Ask her how in the world she could give up something or even lose something so great. I guess it is kinda mean considering she is a lost soul but sometimes people need to be put in their place. Ya know, I can't help this because of how I am but is there any way you can feel sorry for her and treat her accordingly? If not, let her have it. It might actually get her moving.
2016-05-22 00:00:19 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
How about your mother paying for all of the expenses relating to the divorce and frame the final divorce decree as proof? If they remainded friends, they will get a chuckle out of it.
2006-11-20 09:02:16 · answer #7 · answered by Joe S 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
She shouldn't be going to the wedding - it's not fair to the new wife. Thus, no gift.
2006-11-20 09:03:01 · answer #8 · answered by Lydia 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Chrystal champagne flute. No lamps! Something elegant,understated. No reference to past at all.
2006-11-20 06:28:00 · answer #9 · answered by life coach 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
i agree - no reference to the past - something that is nice, but nto a huge deal:) A nice photo frame maybe or a vase? Check their gift registery as well.
2006-11-20 07:52:02 · answer #10 · answered by Chrys 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋