Buongiorno gift for my girlfriend's Italian mother?

May 25, 2015 4:09 PM

Tomorrow I'm meeting my girlfriend's 60 yo mother for the first time. She's Italian, lives there and is just visiting. Any ideas for a small token gift, to make a lasting good impression?

Disclaimer: I do not think all Italians, women or people of a certain age have the same preferences. Sadly I have little to go on and am prostrating myself before the hive mind for some inspiration.

Also worth noting she is rather wealthier than me so flashing the cash is unlikely to make any kind of impression, not that I would want to attempt that anyway.

posted by tzb to Human Relations (9 answers total)

Make sure she leaves with a nice framed photo of you three having a good time from this visit. If you wanted to give something on her arrival, maybe you could give dual frame with a photo of you and your daughter or her daughter and her on one side, and give the photo from the visit later.
posted by beaning at 4:17 PM on May 25, 2015 [3 favorites]

Scarf.
posted by Oyéah at 4:48 PM on May 25, 2015

How about something related to her visit? Eg a shawl if it is chilly this week. Or something touristy, like fancy tea if you are in the UK, maple stuff if you are in Canada.
posted by leslievictoria at 4:49 PM on May 25, 2015

Local packaged delicacy (chocolate or whatnot, depending on location) upon arrival. Framed photo upon departure.
posted by 256 at 5:22 PM on May 25, 2015 [1 favorite]

How about some lovely locally made soap or lotion?
posted by skycrashesdown at 5:57 PM on May 25, 2015 [2 favorites]

Best answer: I think a nice bouquet of flowers upon arrival would be lovely, and the framed photo upon departure would be an extra nice touch.
posted by vignettist at 6:39 PM on May 25, 2015 [4 favorites]

Best answer: Flowers and chocolates are standards for a reason. a small, really nice bouquet, and a small box of the very best chocolates available. Also, ask your gf for ideas.
posted by theora55 at 7:00 PM on May 25, 2015 [1 favorite]

Response by poster: Thanks all. Decided to play safe with a large bunch of flowers as she's here for a week and will probably already have lots of luggage.
posted by tzb at 7:13 AM on May 26, 2015 [1 favorite]

Response by poster: She loved the flowers. I picked a nice selection and the florist wrapped them in the most god-awful plastic imaginable, so that was a fun talking point. I helped her with a few chores at my girlfriend's house which she needed a strong/tall guy to do, and when I left she whispered something in Italian to my girlfriend. Turns out, referring to my ex (who I know she's concerned about), she asked my gf "Why on earth did she let him get away?"

Thanks all :)
posted by tzb at 1:57 AM on May 27, 2015 [3 favorites]