Your wedding day is a big deal for so many special people in your life, no more than the people that helped you become the person you are today – your parents. They may have helped you in many ways on the lead up to this momentous occasion – perhaps they footed part of the bill for your dream wedding, stayed up till all hours making personalised favours or were just a shoulder to cry on or a place to get a hug over the years. If you’re looking to say a big thank you, check out these 14 thoughtful gift ideas for your parents and in-laws…
For the Dads
Father of The Bride/ Groom Socks
Dad’s tend to get lumbered with many a sock come Christmas and birthdays. But these one’s will definitely warrant a smile. These cute chequered socks from Etsy have a customised sleeve and will be a lovely little touch for a dad, brother, godfather or father-in-law. We also have a brilliant range of plain black socks in the weddingsonline shop with the likes of Father of the Bride, Father of the Groom, Grandfather of the Bride or Groom printed on the side, at only €5 each. Shop them here!
Personalised Ties
Surprise your dad on the big morning by sneaking one of these little heart tie patches with heartfelt embroidered message on to the back of his tie – there are lots of cute phrases you can add to it from ‘I Loved You First Dad’ to ‘Always Your Little Girl’, but whatever you put, he is sure to be very touched by the gesture when he catches a glimpse of it as he gets ready on the wedding morning. Another practical yet thoughtful gift for the daddies or big brothers is an engraved tie pin like this cute one over on Etsy or a keyring that will double as a lovely keepsake – and he can carry with him everyday (they’ll work for mams and in-laws too). Or if you’re looking for something nice you can pick up for your dad before the wedding, a notebook for his wedding speech is a practical and thoughtful gift, you’ll love flicking through over the years as a reminder of his lovely sentiments and words.
Cuff Links
If you’re looking for a gift idea that serves a purpose, think cuff links. Your proud papa will be able to don them for special occasions over the years and they will always remind him of you and your Big Day. The cuff links pictured above are from NotontheHighstreet but we also stock Father of the Bride and Groom Cuff Links in the weddingsonline shop, at just €12 each.
For the Mams
Image via Etsy
A Special Piece of Jewellery
You don’t have to go the traditional route and get something wedding related, if you know your mam is a fiend for some pretty jewels, invest in a timeless piece she will cherish forever whether it be earrings, a necklace, brooch or bracelet.
Personalised Gifts
If you’re looking to pamper your mam and make her feel the part on this special day, make a fuss of her role with a Mother of the Bride Robe or personalised hanger for her gorgeous new gúna (if you’re looking to make your own, try this nifty DIY here). There are lots of other little tokens you can get from Personalised Candles with Gift Bag or a Wedding Tote that you can fill with her favourite chocolates or bottle of vino.
For Both
Image via Etsy
Photo Memories
A simple letter or card with how you’re feeling on this momentous day will no doubt mean the world to them. But if you want to go one step further, presenting your parents with a photo album, a home-made collage or a framed photo of you is a lovely way to say thanks. Or work wonders on your iPad with some childhood photos and a mix of your favourite songs and make a little video memento for them and show them how much they mean to you.
Tears of Joy Hankies & Personalised Gifts
It’s no secret we’re a big fan of this sweet and sentimental idea – not only are tears of joy hankies something your parents can hang on to as a little keepsake but they’ll more than likely use them on the Big Day as you say your vows. There are lots of places offering this service with two great companies based in Ireland – Kitchen Stitchin’and WowWee.
There are lots of other sweet keepsakes out there too – we love this Parents Wedding Heart in personalised box, that can be hung in pride of place on the kitchen door or mantelpiece or you can pick up some fabulous prints made with parents in mind like the one above, available from NotontheHighstreet or the cute cut-out heart print above from Etsy.
A Practical Thank You
They’ve been hoovering the house from top to bottom in anticipation of the photographer arriving on the wedding morning, chauffeured you to fittings and advised you on who to seat where and the like, so if you’re looking for a practical way to say thank you, think beyond the big day. There will be a bit of a lull after the wedding so they’ll be delighted to have something to look forward to after all the madness. Ease that anticlimax with something you know they’ll love whether it be a night out for dinner and drinks with you and the new hubby or wife or tickets to a great show. Or if you think they deserve a bit of pampering after all their help and hard work on the run up to the wedding, get them a night or weekend away somewhere lovely or treat them to a massage or spa day. If they’re not big in to nights out, you could always cook up a special meal for them at home or surprise them with a gorgeous bottle of something they can sit down and relax with when all has settled down.
The In-Laws
If you’re on the hunt for something for the soon to be-in laws, they will be bowled over by this adorable keyring token – Thank You for Raising the Man of my Dreams. Not only is it a gorgeous statement about their son or daughter and them, but it’s a little something they’ll no doubt cherish too as you become family. There are lots of other cute options on Etsy for both guys and girls (see Thank You for Raising the Woman of my Dreams here) from pendants and bracelets to bottle openers and frames that would work well for the parents of the bride or groom.
