Every year around this time my did usually enlists me to help him shop for a gift for mom. While Dad let me take the reigns, I always kept him updated and asked for his input along the way. It was always one of my favorite Christmas traditions.
Well, as you know, my Dad passed away last June. This year will be the first Christmas without him. I’m missing out on our annual Christmas gift planning.
I still have this want/need to shop for a gift for mom from dad but obviously it isn’t the same.
Last year about this time, Dad and I were going to get her jewelry. I had gone to our local jeweler but nothing seemed right. Mom isn’t very blingy and she doesn’t get dressed up for work. I wanted something meaningful but something she would also wear.
Mom has a necklace from Julie at Me and My Stitches. You can follow her here. https://www.facebook.com/Me-My-Stitches-121655861247257/
I messaged Julie and told her my plan. She was ON IT! She was so so fun to work with and was so excited to help! Each grandchild has a charm – Scotty has a flag from the 4th of July, Carver has a pumpkin quilt charm for his September birthday, Lucy has a Christmas tree charm for her December birthday, Gannon has a snowflake charm (not shown) because he was born right after a blizzard, and Georgia has a clover for her March birthday.
Last year at this time when we gave her the bracelet, there were only three grandkids. I bought her two more in the Spring and now after our new arrivals come in the Spring again I’ll buy her two more.
Julie is so fun to work with. If you are looking for something unique for a quilter in your life I highly recommend finding her on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/Me-My-Stitches-121655861247257/ or her website http://www.meandmystitches.com/
I still get really sad when I think about how mom won’t get a gift from dad. Do you have any suggestions? Mom HATES the gaggy memorial angels and statues and quotes about heaven. I have plenty ideas to get her as a daughter to mom but I just still really feel a responsibility to help dad get mom a Christmas gift.
Here’s a link to mom’s blog about Christmas 2018: https://www.joscountryjunction.com/my-christmas/
I try and find something that speaks to me. I have plates with horses on them to remember my late brother in law. Cut pink depression glass for grandma. Character glasses for a family friend
The Mary’s Moo Moos from Enesco had cows on green tractors.
Two ideas, but both involve your dad’s wedding ring. My mom had my dad’s ring melted into a nugget and wore it as a necklace. Not sure of the process but something akin to pouring a hot liquid into cold water. A neighbor had a small cross inserted into her husband’s and again, turned into a necklace.
Why don’t you get her to make a charm for your mom and dad for her bracelet? I love the idea of this bracelet. I may have to suggest this to my daughters for me next time they ask what I want. 🙂
I was also going to suggest a charm for her bracelet — maybe something representing your dad’s birthday or their anniversary
Is your mom the type who’d love a denim-and-work-clothes memory quilt made from some of your Dad’s things? My favorite jeans quilts are just big squares sewn together with a plush fleece blanket as backing. Super heavy and warm, not hard to make, but special if they’re made of real jeans. Sometimes, quilters are the ones always giving quilts, but never getting them. 🙂
Adding charms for Jo’s children and / or Roger.
Print out or have printed some photos of him and frame them or put them in a collage frame.
Do you have a really good picture of the 2 of them from the last couple years you could print and put in a nice frame?
From comments by your family about your Dad he was willing to help others whenever he could. You and your siblings may want to make a donation in your parents name for your Mom
First thing that comes to mind are plants for your mom….gift cert (or something similar) for flowers for her planters. She talks about the landscaping and planters so why not have something living from your dad?
Love the idea someone suggested of a charm for her bracelet representing your mom and dad. Maybe a heart with their names and wedding date on the back?
Keep listening and keep reading what she writes on her blog… she is really enjoying her independence and trying to do things that she can do alone. My suggestions will sound boring but they might be things that would be im ortant to your dad… gift certificates for gas, for an oil change for her vehicle, movie tickets? Window cleaning service? I am thinking of the things that your dad used to do for her and now he isn’t there and she doesn’t want to bug her son in laws to do everything for her.
How about a barn quilt square to put above the garage door or side of the house. Perhaps determine her favourite block and make it for her.