When you care enough to send... um..

May 17, 2008 10:20 AM

Am looking for something nice I can send to someone to thank them for a wonderful kindness, but it probably shouldn't involve food or flowers. Any thoughts?

I'm getting married in a couple of weeks. The groom's father has been incredibly kind and is hosting the reception at his house. Immediately afterwards, we're going away for a week on a cruise. Which is also a gift from him. I'm not really even sure how to thank someone properly for such a wonderful thing.

I would like to send him and his wife something nice while we're away to thank him, but he's going to be swimming in leftover food and flowers after the reception. I'm looking for suggestions on what we might send him instead.

Thanks in advance!

posted by FortyT-wo to Grab Bag (12 answers total)

what's your budget?
posted by dirtynumbangelboy at 10:23 AM on May 17, 2008

A nice handmade card expressing deep-felt appreciation. The last thing a new father-in-law, especially a generous one, would want would be his new daughter to go and spend money on something for him.
posted by TheManChild2000 at 10:49 AM on May 17, 2008

Really good tickets to a performance of something he'd like? Concert? Sports event?
posted by otherwordlyglow at 10:55 AM on May 17, 2008

A gift certificate for a cleaning service? Might come in handy after the reception! Seconding the performance tickets. Would he appreciate a really fine bottle of wine or scotch?
posted by platinum at 11:01 AM on May 17, 2008

Make sure to order or make for them a nice album of the event. Make sure to have the photographer take some nice photos of them and their house -- perhaps the family, too.
posted by cior at 11:14 AM on May 17, 2008

Play to their interests. If they have plenty of money than get an experience. If they don't have a lot of money than get them something they always wanted. Get them something they like but wouldn't get themselves. And certainly do the warm hand written card thing.
posted by Murray M at 12:02 PM on May 17, 2008

While you're on the cruise, write him a letter, and mail it from wherever the cruise goes.
posted by Stylus Happenstance at 12:12 PM on May 17, 2008 [3 favorites]

Perhaps a good book in a subject he likes? Or some music? Obviously this isn't about how much you spend but you want what you give to bring surprise and delight. Generally these are simple things. Wool socks, fine cheese, a good wine, cigar, driving gloves...and of course a card and a call from the cruise.
posted by dawson at 1:00 PM on May 17, 2008

Gift certificate for two for a fancy-pants restaurant? Technically it's food-related but it's not perishable.

Also, chiming in on the very heartfelt thank-you card.
posted by cadge at 4:53 PM on May 17, 2008

A hand written, heart felt letter expressing your deep appreciation for the all that he has done to create the man you are marrying, gratitude for the way he welcomed you into the family, and hope for a future as rich in love as he demonstrates. Hand it to him discretely on the day of the wedding.
posted by peace_love_hope at 7:07 PM on May 17, 2008

Take them out to dinner when you return, and let them be the first to hear about what a wonderful time you had and tell them how they made that possible.
posted by ocherdraco at 7:51 PM on May 17, 2008

Name your first born son after him.
posted by HeyAllie at 10:00 PM on May 17, 2008