Parent Gifts

coop-a-loop

So my parents are paying for our wedding.  They've gone way over budget to make sure we have the best wedding possible.  Fi and I want to get them something great to show them how much we appreciate what they've done for us, but we're stuck on what to get and our own budget is slim to none.

What kind of gifts have you all gotten (or plan to get) for your parents or in-laws for the wedding?

caitm730

I am in the same situation, so I flat out asked my mom the other day "What did you get for your parents?" And she said "I didn't get them anything." She said that she doesn't expect a gift at all. This made me feel a lot better because, from what I was reading on The Knot, I thought that I was supposed to go out and buy some big, elaborate gift for them, especially considering the amount of money that they are spending on the wedding. We are just going to write both sets of parents a nice card and make sure that we thank them multiple times in person.

sunkissed212

I am getting embroidered handkerchiefs for both sets of parents. We will give them those an a nice card expressing our thanks for all of their love and support. I think the biggest gift is that they get to be with their children on the happiest day of their lives (so cheesy right but it's true).

Jacks21583

We did a gift certificate for dinner to their favorite restaurant, and then we're making them "Parents" photo albums.

cwimer6154

We got FMIL an embroidered hankerchief and a photo album that we had engraved for a fairly reasonable price (she's the only person really helping us with the cost of the wedding).  If you do want to get them a little memento without spending a ton, I found www.personalizationmall.com to be a pretty good resource.  Good luck!

cmkuno

I personally think the Knot has kind of blown gifts out of proportion.  I've heard a lot of parents don't expect gifts, so I wouldn't worry about getting them anything big or elaborate.  I honestly think a sincere thank you card or letter (make it a little over the top cheesy) is the only thing a parent really wants.  They're paying for your wedding because they know you can't afford it, and I'm sure they want you to save the money that you have for starting your lives together - not spend it on them. 

We wanted to get our parents a little something, so we got each of them two 5x7 picture frames.  They're nice, but we waited for a half-off sale at Mcihaels and got them on the cheap.  After the wedding, we'll give them each two 5x7 photos to go in them - one of just us, and one of each parent with their child.  

coop-a-loop

In Response to Re: Parent Gifts:
[QUOTE]I personally think the Knot has kind of blown gifts out of proportion.  I've heard a lot of parents don't expect gifts, so I wouldn't worry about getting them anything big or elaborate.  I honestly think a sincere thank you card or letter (make it a little over the top cheesy) is the only thing a parent really wants.  They're paying for your wedding because they know you can't afford it, and I'm sure they want you to save the money that you have for starting your lives together - not spend it on them.  We wanted to get our parents a little something, so we got each of them two 5x7 picture frames.  They're nice, but we waited for a half-off sale at Mcihaels and got them on the cheap.  After the wedding, we'll give them each two 5x7 photos to go in them - one of just us, and one of each parent with their child.  
Posted by cmkuno[/QUOTE]

I agree with you on that one...I still think it's important to get them something to try and convey our gratitude though.  But, seeing all your ideas has been really comforting, our original plan was to get them a weekend in the poconos (where they spent their honeymoon).  Maybe I don't have to go quite that far. 
I like the idea of a wedding album, but of course, we get 2 parent albums in our photography package...which they are paying for....so there goes that idea.