A nice order from Hickory Farms to be delivered before Thanksgiving. If she wants to use it for Thanksgiving she can, if not, it is something her family will enjoy later. The web site says they guarantee T-day delivery if ordered in the next two days.

One thing I'd do is to make a large special coffee cake and tell the hostess it's for breakfast the following morning.

There are lots of other places to mail order cheeses and meats than Hickory Frams...consider other options if that's what you would like.
How about a gift certificate to a family type restaurant.
Linda C

Linda, I'm not pushing Hickory Farms, but that was the first one I thought of because I have always been happy with their product. I was just trying to give her an idea and I checked that one to see if they could make a delivery be T-day. I'm sure there are other good ones, I just don't know about them.

Its a day trip the day before so I'm not cooking because anything I brought would already be 2 days old before it was served.
If I drive a different way I go by Ann Arbor. I'd like to have a pretty bag or basket with something for her (food and/or something girlie?) and maybe a couple of little things for the two boy babies. 3 and under 1 - I'm not up on the latest things for little kids.
Ann Arbor has a Whole Foods and Zingermans...they probably have some new cutsey cup cake shop too...that's a start maybe. She likes to watch her weight so I don't want it to be all food and it would be nice if a food gift was sort of 'for everybody'

If you can get to a good orchard/farm market type place and bring good apples and cider, that's always appreciated. If you're going by ZINGERMAN's, well by all means stop there and get some good bread, and some fru fru jam or whatever. They sell coffee cakes and good cheese too. Maybe buy a basket ahead of time and fill it up there. Focus on stuff that can be eaten later, or for breakfast. A small cutesy bottle of some maple syrup, pancake mix, etc. I sent a couple of loaves of Zingerman's bread to my folks for their birthdays, since they can't (well shouldn't) eat sweets. That bread is like no other. But not everyone likes that type of hefty bread, but I dunno, I guess they have lots of stuff. If you're going anywhere near Zingerman's, it's worth it just for the sheer FUN of it.

Below is a link to a thread I posted last week about this same subject. In it I linked to an "Eating Well" Web page with lots of suggestions for "make ahead" Christmas gifts, which would suffice for Thanksgiving too.

I am making carrot cake jam today, and homeade bread. That's going to suffice for my offerings, lol!

Here is a link that might be useful: Thanksgiving travel foods

Sooner - I understood perfectly what you meant by your suggestion of a cheese/meat basket.

All of the Cost Plus World Markets closed in Minnesota a couple of years ago. They had a section of gift basket items: small jars of mustards/jams/chutneys/maple syrup/honey/lemon curd. And small packages of specialty coffees/biscuits/mini sausages and a whole lot of other stuff. It was conveniently next to their basket section. I made up a gift basket a couple of years ago. I put in some of my hand harvested wild rice, a jar of lingonberry jam I had made from the lingonberries I grew that year, a jar of Chestnuts I purchased there, and a bunch of the little jars of goodies. I also included a canning jar of flour/etc and a recipe for a quick bread using the lingonberry jam. This lady just loved it.

So I know exactly what you were getting at with your suggestion!

Teresa

Go to your local farmers market and buy some homemade jams or make them yourself if you can can. Food is always good for gifts, especially if you don't know one very well. I sell many jars of jams in little 4 ounce jars as well as the 8 ounce size. For under $20 you can get a nice selection of little jars that last in the pantry unopened for a very long time, but is just enough for one or two breakfast treats.

Nancy

I'd say stay away from food if you aren't sure of her likes and dislikes. Particularly food baskets. I have tossed so many jars of fancy jam, tapenade, expensive crackers, smoked cheese (blech) and other "gourmet" fare. I used to bring it to the food pantry with the other stuff I buy for them but they told me that no one touches the fancy stuff so now it just gets tossed. Zingerman's brownies, however, are ALWAYS appreciated! A certificate for a family restaurant is also a thoughtful idea. That's something I would love.

Homemade jams are wonderful, and while I would certainly appreciate them, if you don't know her taste they might go untouched.

As a busy mom, I'd say bring or send a plant or flowers (already cut and in a vase) and some books, coloring books, crayons for the kids. The crayola color wonder books are great, the markers only color on the pages, so no markers on walls or sofas. I love anything that keeps my kids busy and out of my way on Thanksgiving, even if just for 15 minutes.

Have a wonderful holiday, your family sounds lovely and I'm sure anything you bring will be very much appreciated.

AM

What about asking her if you can bring the Thursday morning breakfast. You'll be arriving the day before, right? What about coffee cake and fruit for her to serve for Thursday morning?

Or ask your nephew if you aren't too sure about talking to her.

Ask about coffee, would they like a specialty coffee?

This is my hostess gift for my Mom.

Fluffy socks, Burt's bees lip balm and a handmade crocheted lip balm holder (took me 20 minutes to make), oil and vinegar gift box from the Olive Tap, Lindt Chocolate truffles and a handmade name frame. Costco has imported Chocmod French truffles for about $11 for 2 pounds. The same ones on Amazon are $23.

In your case I'd round it out with a nice bottle of wine and some books for the kids and if you have time to swing by Zingerman's their Pecan Raisin bread is to-die-for and would be perfect for Friday breakfast. Definitely have them slice it at the store.

Here is a link that might be useful: Zingerman's Pecan Raisin Bread

How long are you staying?
A gift certificate for a massage...

pay for a sitter or sit for the children yourself, so they can have a date night or tickets to whatever they enjoy.

Just give the toddlers empty boxes, they love them! J/K they would probably enjoy the toy later but my GS loves empty boxes!

Di

You didn't say where you live but if you can get to Zingerman's maybe you can get to Horrocks?? There's one in Battle Creek and Grand Rapids. Man that place is awesome! All the fun foodie stuff PLUS every other thing you can imagine too--jewlery, soaps, kitchenware, flowers, plants, decorative items, books. I just love that store for gift shopping.

Thanks for the ideas. Arabelle I think you are onto something. I rarely ever use all the little jars of stuff either.
I have heard her say breakfast is her favorite meal of the day...
So the suggestion of a nice nice maple syrup, maybe a animal pancake mold for her and the kids together (well not the baby, I never know what to buy babies), the coloring book, brownies for the family

Whoops, that last was sitting unsubmitted for awhile and other good ideas came in while it was.

Like the coffee idea too - certainly goes with the breakfast theme,

lpinkmount - Horrocks. I lived in BC for 10 years and LOVE Horrocks. There are two ways for me to drive up, one that takes me up 69 to 94 east, I could go west to Horrocks and backtrack, or up 75, 23 to Ann Arbor then west. Hmm. Well my mother wants buckwheat and I know I can get that at Wholefoods so it will probably be Ann Arbor.
Honestly I wonder if any food will be left an Zingermans Wednesday night.

I think you can't go wrong at Zingerman's... They have REAL cheeses and sausages if that's the route you want to go, and I am sure that pecan raisin bread would be much appreciated.
As for the kids, why not a cute sweat shirt for each or those adorable hats from Baby Gap?
I just think you are saying you want to give them something they will really use as well as something "gifty".
A fancy basket of fruit is always nice too...if you know they are fruit eaters.
Linda C

Here is a link that might be useful: Baby Gap hats

I would do a nice potted amaryllis, a jug of maple syrup, a jar of raw honey, a homemade or good bakery coffeecake, some good cheese and a nice dishtowel in a basket.

Mary you will be driving thru my neck of the woods. I did my student teaching in BC, lived in Jackson and am originally from Coldwater MI. My brother went to "that other college" in MI, not Michigan State University like me and my dad. Actually I used to have a lot of friends in A2 and I still have one friend in S. Lyon.

BTW, if you're going to be anywhere near Jackson, you definately want to check out the Flavor Fresh Fruit Farm. They have the BEST apples and cider. They're on S. Jackson Rd., just off of US 12 near Somerset City. Lots of other goodies at their farm market. Their baked goods are very good too.

Here is a link that might be useful: Flavor Fruit Farm

I liked Lindac's suggestion of a restaurant voucher. A busy Mum and wife can have a night off from cooking and cleaning.

lpinkmountain, I knew you were in Michigan but up in the northern lower I thought. I'm from and going to Albion. I was full time in the Air Guard unit in BC for 14 years. Lived in A2 before that and yes, went to college there.
Do you think the Flavor Fruit Farm has Northern Spy's? They are hard to find.

I think the breakfast theme is great!

Coffee, maple syrup, jams, you could even make up one of those dry mixes for muffins, add the recipe and all she has to do is fold in the liquids and bake. You could even add a muffin tin or a nice set of coffee mugs.

The pancake molds for the kids are perfect. Get the baby a bib!

lpinkmountain, I knew you were in Michigan but up in the northern lower I thought. I'm from and going to Albion. I was full time in the Air Guard unit in BC for 14 years. Lived in A2 before that and yes, went to college there.
Do you think the Flavor Fruit Farm has Northern Spy's? They are hard to find.