We celebrated our 50th last May and I got my husband a Seiko mantle clock. It plays six different songs and they are all so pretty. They had several clocks to chose from and each clock had different songs. We have had so many compliments on the clock and the beautiful music. My husband was so pleased and that is saying a lot as he usually doesn't pay much attention to such things. I had a plate engraved and put on the front of it. Felt like it was a real hit. The cost was around $300. Bought it at a jewelry store, but you might google and find one on line. By the way, it doesn't have to be a mantle clock, but that is where we put it. Congratulations! Dora Lou

Slight tangent: she has tried for *three* *years* to get a HS history teaching job??!! Oh dear, this has me very worried. My own daughter graduated in May with a history major and secondary teaching certification and her dream is to teach exactly that. She has been shocked and dismayed that although she has been diligently applying all over, even hand carrying personalized application packets directly to schools and has at least had several interviews, she hasn't gotten a job. School starts here a week from Monday and she is feeling devastated...I'm puzzled that the field seems so incredibly difficulty to enter. I didn't dream she wouldn't be hired somewhere by this point. She says once school starts, and she doesn't get a permanent position (which seems likely), she will try to substitute but at this point we're worried nobody will even deign to give her that chance. And she graduated cum laude from a well regarded university! Is it really that tough to get hired as a teacher? Seems all one hears is that the pay is bad, teachers are overworked, disrespected etc, leaving the profession in droves....so why is it impossible to get a job? Semi-facetious, but only semi. Any experience or thoughts welcome. Ann

Like I said above, it's just a personal preference/reaction, but I always felt cash gifts said "we didn't put any thought into this." My late mother-in-law always gave me generous cash gifts, but I always wished she had bought something instead. I used to take the cash to Tiffany's and buy a piece of jewelry and then tell people, "My mother-in-law gave me this." Only technically true, I guess, but it felt so much better to me than saying, "My mother-in-law gave me the money to buy this." Unfortunately, it's all moot now since my jewelry got stolen years ago. :-( I should add that for certain recipients, like teenagers and college students, cash is probably the most appreciated gift of all. This post was edited by alisande on Thu, Nov 20, 14 at 12:47

These are all excellent ideas! I'm going to get my nails done this afternoon and will pick up some polishes, etc. dgw, the sloth thing is what they are stuck on and I looked at ordering some tiny felted sloths on etsy, but yowza they were expensive (which I get 'cause they are time consuming to make). I settled on the pins instead and they are really cute and well made. I love those little sea creatures! mtn, I am always stuck when I have to get gifts for boys - girls are waaaay easier - IMHO. becky - yes - keychains! They need those - always losing house keys. I might as well just leave the spare in the door lock. annie, great ideas - but what are pocket charms? rockypointdog - I love the idea of something they can do together. There is such a spread in their ages, they don't always do that, but now that the youngest is getting older (and slightly less annoying) they are starting to get along better and do more bonding. That would be really lovely b/f the oldest leaves. gsciencechick, yes, I could do more giftcards. I needed the reminder I could do smaller amounts to ice-cream places, Mcdonalds, etc. Thanks, all! Off to do some shopping.