Received cruise as a gift - how to thank her?!

[newcruisers04]

I did one for my grandmothers 97th birthday of all the family members at various functions with her...she shows it to everyone she meets.

 

http://www.snapfish.com

 

 

 

I've never heard of book templates...could you please suggest websites because I googled and couldn't find anything.

[BaconIsGood]

She says she doesn't want a suite cause she doesn't want you to pay for it :-P but really, who doesn't want a suite?? :-)

[Christina M.]

I'm looking for suggestions and hope you all don't mind pitching in a few...

 

My mother just surprised DH and I by paying for our cruise we have with her and some extended family in a few months. We'd love to upgrade her to a suite, but she's already threatened me not to do it - she doesn't want a suite! :rolleyes:

 

She eats like a rabbit so anything to do with food isn't going to be very impressive to her. I'm leaning towards getting her a few spa treatments - maybe doing them as a mother-daughter thing, but I just don't know if that's the right idea. She's already got a new camera - so I can't do that one... and she's already paid for the excursion she wanted us all to do. She's really something else!

 

Does anyone have any meaningful/sweet suggestions that seem unique and express the right amount of thanks? :o

 

I appreciate your suggestions!

 

There are so many thing you can do for her , but the one thing you can do. Is just give her a hug and tell her you love her and one night on the cruise just the 2 of you watch the sunset and make a toast to your mom that she is the best and you love her.

That is what my DH and I do every cruise to my mom. If is was not for my mom I would have never gone on my first cruise. The only thing I wish is her and I could have gone on a cruise before she died.

Good luck.

[kbmeow]

You can make beautiful books on line now. They provide the template and you add the pictures and captions. Make one of the trip and give it to her as a thank you. I am sure that she will treasure it.

 

 

We used the software and books in iphoto to make our wedding books. They came out great. Good pricing, quality book and everyone was suprised that apple did these.

 

Also what about helping with airfare or travel to and from the port. I love the idea of the formal picture

[Julienatul]

the spa idea is great, that or pay for a nice dinner for everyone in the specialty restaurant. We did that with our parents last cruise. It was a nice family time, I knew my in-laws would never shell out the cash to go (they are conservative) so we paid for them and my parents. We had such a good time together. Its quieter and much more intimate than the main dining room.

[bigboatrider]

OK, I'm not a mom, but I agree with several posts, there's no "thing" that you can give a parent in return that will bring more happiness than your own true happiness, and a little gratitude. Simply let her know how much you love her and thank her for her generosity, then enjoy yourselves, especially in her presence.

The DW and I have been fortunate enough to cruise with our adult children a few times, and will be doing an Alaska cruise this May. The look on their faces when they pealed open the envelope at Christmas with the Itinerary printed out, was worth every penny. It's a parent thing, not just a mom thing, lol.

[RWolver672]

I wouldn't buy the fruit basket. Fruit is readily available in the Lido deck for free and she wouldn't be able to take any left over off the ship after the cruise.

[avandrie]

You guys are truly amazing - these ideas are really fantastic and have my mind swimming with possibilities!

 

Being a mom myself, I fully understand the parent-side of things - I'm certain I'll want to do these same things for our daughter as she goes through life.

 

And yet... I'm still compelled to show her how important she is to me along with how very much I love the gift.

 

I think I agree with the person who said hold off on the fruit basket since there's plenty to go around. I really wish the woman ate more (sort of a big uptick in my opinion of cruising - the awesome food), but she's a twig, but that's a different post probably on a different website altogether. :rolleyes:

 

And to the person who said just no matter what, keep that upbeat attitude no matter what - I absolutely agree!

 

Thanks ya'll - you're input has been really fantastic!

[audekat]

I'm looking for suggestions and hope you all don't mind pitching in a few...

 

My mother just surprised DH and I by paying for our cruise we have with her and some extended family in a few months. We'd love to upgrade her to a suite, but she's already threatened me not to do it - she doesn't want a suite! :rolleyes:

 

She eats like a rabbit so anything to do with food isn't going to be very impressive to her. I'm leaning towards getting her a few spa treatments - maybe doing them as a mother-daughter thing, but I just don't know if that's the right idea. She's already got a new camera - so I can't do that one... and she's already paid for the excursion she wanted us all to do. She's really something else!

 

Does anyone have any meaningful/sweet suggestions that seem unique and express the right amount of thanks? :o

 

I appreciate your suggestions!

 

How about taking great pictures of everyone together and having fun and present her with a Photo Album of the Cruise when you get home?

[Sherrybaby412]

Speak for yourselves. ;) I'm a Mom who is taking my 2 daughters on a cruise next week. I have paid for entire cruise, excursions, and tips. I'd love a spa treatment as a surprise. :p

[sewut]

You could carry the family portrait idea a little further and get it enlarged on canvas. Carnival did a great job with a picture of our DGD with us on a cruise. We have it hanging over the mantle.

 

Sewut

[lovethesun40]

Avandrie......This is too funny!! We are going through the same thing! My in-laws gave us a cruise as a Christmas gift, and we will travelling with them on April 10th for a week. What an amazing gift!!:)

A couple of ideas that my husband and I have been throwing around, is trying to book a cabana for all 6 of us at HMC. Maybe decorating their room with the Bon Voyage package and a bunch of thank you banners. And definetely get a group photo that we can get framed for them to keep in their family room!! Not sure what else to do.......??

Since they have some health issues, we have omitted flowers (asthma), spa treatments (she wouldn`t go!!) and excursions (they have been to all the islands, (21 cruises and counting) & my MIL had a mild stroke in the fall, and she isn`t comfortable with a lot of walking!)

I`m reading all the responses on this thread along with you.......thanks for starting it!!:D

[TortieGal]

A lot of good ideas and I would vote for something like the photo coupons. At about $22 a pop for those portraits, I know I would appreciate those! :)

 

Also, someone had mentioned one of the specialty restaurants. If you haven't booked already, maybe think about taking her to the Chef's Table? We've done it twice now and really enjoyed the experience. I know you said she's not a big eater but it was fun to talk with the chef, see the galley in action, etc.

[lilnan]

When you are in all the ports, keep an eye on anything that your Mom liked, but didn't purchase. On the sly, you purchase them for her and present them to her on the last night, or something.

Something else to consider...the photo book is a great idea...or gather a few little momentos from the trip and a photo or two, and put them in a shadow box-type frame. You can get them at any craft/hobbie store, and they are fun. It is also a way to put your own personal touch on the gift.

I like the formal portrait idea, too.

[richbum]

I love the idea of the portrait. I ended up buying 5 on our cruise, and taking over 1000 pictures. I love to look at them and relive our happy times on board.

Whatever you choose, go and have a great time!!!!:D

[avandrie]

Avandrie......This is too funny!! We are going through the same thing! My in-laws gave us a cruise as a Christmas gift, and we will travelling with them on April 10th for a week. What an amazing gift!!:)

A couple of ideas that my husband and I have been throwing around, is trying to book a cabana for all 6 of us at HMC. Maybe decorating their room with the Bon Voyage package and a bunch of thank you banners. And definetely get a group photo that we can get framed for them to keep in their family room!! Not sure what else to do.......??

Since they have some health issues, we have omitted flowers (asthma), spa treatments (she wouldn`t go!!) and excursions (they have been to all the islands, (21 cruises and counting) & my MIL had a mild stroke in the fall, and she isn`t comfortable with a lot of walking!)

I`m reading all the responses on this thread along with you.......thanks for starting it!!:D

 

That's awesome! Congrats and good luck too! ;)

 

So I've been toying around with this idea... 7 days/nights of gifts. So for instance...

 

Day 1: Bon Voyage Room Decor

Day 2: Carnival Robe (my Mom is extremely cold natured)

Day 3: Flowers & Fruit Basket (I know, I know... fruit is free elsewhere)

Day 4: Pampering Gift Set

Day 5: Towel Folding Book

Day 6: Manicure or some sort of spa treatment

Day 7: ...still working that one out.

 

Along with my Mom, her significant other, and our family of 3, we have my mother's sister & her husband, and their son & his wife joining us. A family portrait with all of us and another with just the more immediate family (our family, and my Mom & her s.o.) - we will do that too.

 

**QUESTION** Does anyone know if the Pride spa offers some sort of private bath relaxation spa package? She loves soaking and I think she'd thoroughly enjoy something like this. If nobody knows, or specifically for the Pride, is there a number or e-mail I can contact to ask?

 

Thanks again all for your help!!

[Kel040]

Not sure if this has been mentioned or not, but how about making her a scrapbook of the trip...

 

When we were on our cruise last October I knew I was intending on making SIL a scrapbook at the end of the cruise, so during our time on the ship I was getting good pictures and saving memoribles to put in scrapbook. Plus Carnival sells scrapbooking stuff on the ship..

 

Just a thought.... :)

[hoop4321]

walgreens has the photo books previously mentioned. You up load the photos, choose where they go, add captions. It is printed out and binded like a regular book. They are fabulous. If it were me, i would do the flowers in her room, and do a spa treatment. I agree with the previously mentioned no fussing even if it is bad and after she is home, take her out to dinner and surprise her with the book. That way, you will have numerous times to say thank you, but more importantly....that you love her. :) Hope your cruise is wonderful.

[JRock59]

I'm looking for suggestions and hope you all don't mind pitching in a few...

 

My mother just surprised DH and I by paying for our cruise we have with her and some extended family in a few months. We'd love to upgrade her to a suite, but she's already threatened me not to do it - she doesn't want a suite! :rolleyes:

 

She eats like a rabbit so anything to do with food isn't going to be very impressive to her. I'm leaning towards getting her a few spa treatments - maybe doing them as a mother-daughter thing, but I just don't know if that's the right idea. She's already got a new camera - so I can't do that one... and she's already paid for the excursion she wanted us all to do. She's really something else!

 

Does anyone have any meaningful/sweet suggestions that seem unique and express the right amount of thanks? :o

 

I appreciate your suggestions!

 

 

 

Every chance you get on the ship have a photo taken of the two of you. Not just the elegant ones do some of the fun backgrounds too. Buy a frame that has the ships name on it and put the photo in it. Also take lots of photos on your own of the group out and about and put them in a nice album for her.

[PlanoTim]

You can make beautiful books on line now. They provide the template and you add the pictures and captions. Make one of the trip and give it to her as a thank you. I am sure that she will treasure it.

 

A similar idea would be to get her an electronic picture frame and load it with pictures from the cruise, family, etc.

[VIRGINIAKATHY]

When you get back have a bound book made for her with pictures telling the story of your trip with the family. I don't remember the site name but saw one a daughter-in-law did for her mom-in-law. It was wonderful and was greatly appreciated.

[craftykitty]

i am with the other mothers here. we take our adult kids with us as often as possible. hearing them retell stories of things they did and the great times they had on each of our cruises is worth more than anything they could give me. can't wait till our granddaughters are old enough to go!

have a great trip!

 

Beverly

 

You know I'm the exact opposite, I don't take my kids .... I take my mom with me on every vacation I can, because I know there won't be vacations forever. I love to hear her tell stories of when I was little and the times she and my dad had when they were young. As long as she is able, my DH and I will be bringing her because unfortunately it's too late to bring the other parents in our lives. Certainly glad my DH is patient and my mom and him enjoy each others company.

[icanshine]

Have a blast!

 

Tell her how much fun you're going to have, how excited you are about the cruise, and then while on it, have a great time and let her know about how great it is. That will make her feel really good about gifting you the cruise. I wouldn't mention too much negative things as she may feel responsible and a bit guilty. That's just how Moms are. :)

 

I think the flower idea is a great idea! She'll enjoy them the entire time she's on her cruise.

[capndinghy]

Perhaps you could all pose for a Family Photos which you could give to Mom.

[ooulio]

I wouldn't give her a fruit basket. We have gotten one twice. We wasted it. We eat fruit on the Lido and everywhere else. We got flowers last year. They stunk. To be truthful, I gave them to some elderly lady walking by. She was so happy when I gave them to her. I couldn't breathe with them. The Supper club is beautiful. You don't have to eat a lot to go there. It is just elelgant. Spa is nice. Don't give change. Casinos use bills. Give her a big bill for the casino. That is very nice of your mom. Have them take some nice pics and buy them for her too. Just a few ideas. We love the JR suites . Our favorite rooms. If I can't do that, I like the balconies. Have fun. We just got back from the Miracle. Did the Dream last Feb.