A gift for a new member of the family?

February 2, 2008 8:22 PM

A gift for a new member of the family?

My uncle has recently been in contact with a daughter he put up for adoption 35 years ago. They are both very excited, and they've planned a dinner for next week where she will meet the rest of the family. I won’t be able to attend, but what is a nice gift my mother can get for her? My aunt has bought her a locket, and my uncle is putting together a package of photos and genealogy information. My mom would like to give her an equally thoughtful gift. Any ideas?

posted by drycleanonly to human relations (5 comments total)

Off the top of my head, something my sister recently made for another sibling, a hand knitted blanket or hand-made quilt/throw blanket.
posted by Sufi at 8:46 PM on February 2, 2008

Are there any items or gifts that have any special relevance in your family? Chartreusse (the drink) has a lot of history in my father's family, for example. Perhaps something like that, with a note explaining its history?
posted by twirlypen at 9:26 PM on February 2, 2008

What my husband values most from his birth mom is information-pictures, history, medical stuff-esp info about his daughter's mother, if she doesn't have that already. A letter from your mom with stories about her brother as a child, and about their family growing up, would be treasured. Genealogy is great, but stories are better-and information about family likes and dislikes, habits, etc is great (so THAT is where I get my hatred for peas! That's where I get my nose!)

We also love the quilt she made our baby and the pillowcases she embroidered for our wedding.
posted by purenitrous at 12:34 AM on February 3, 2008

Do you have any family recipes that have been passed down? I am a "lost" daughter's daughter, and my grandmother gave me some little handmade trinkets and family recipes when we met.
posted by adiabat at 9:12 AM on February 3, 2008

Thanks for the suggestions! Neither of us are particularly crafty, so I think knitting something is out, but I do like the idea of a letter with some memories and maybe some recipes.
posted by drycleanonly at 7:15 AM on February 4, 2008