Gifting Gold to Your In Laws
When you get married, your spouse’s parents also become your parents and her/his siblings become yours. That’s why people say with marriage, you are blessed with a second family. Unlike what’s portrayed in television serials and movies, most people have a good relationship with their in-laws. And what better way to celebrate and strengthen this bond than with the perfect gift on special occasions!
When you buy jewellery for your in-laws – whether it is your father-in-law, mother-in-law, sister-in-law or brother-in-law – don’t take their interests for granted. By the time you enter their family, your parents-in-laws will probably be in the mid-50s or even older. Thus, what appeals to your tastes may not necessarily match theirs. The same goes true for your spouse’s brothers and sisters. Even if your spouse likes subtle and minimalist jewellery, it’s highly likely that their siblings have a penchant for everything bold and fashionable.
All these can make finding the perfect gift a little more difficult than you imagined. It isn’t reason enough to get yourself stressed out though! Jewellery is a gift that people like to receive in any season and for any reason. Whether you are shopping for your mother-in-law or your husband’s younger sister, you can’t go wrong with jewellery. Here are a few tips on how to find the perfect jewellery for your in-laws.
Think About What They Usually Wear
As you get to know your in-laws, you will get a fair idea of their tastes in fashion and jewellery. When you shop for jewellery for them, don’t look at what you would like to wear or what is trending currently. Instead, look for something that you think they would like to wear. For example, if your mother-in-law wears yellow gold jewellery, do not buy her something in rose gold or platinum, even though they are trending hot these days. Though platinum may have a higher monetary value than gold, in this case, gold has a higher symbolic value. So, for someone who loves the classic glitter of yellow gold, a pair of gold earrings or gold bangles would be an ideal gift.
Similarly, buy your father-in-law jewellery only if he wears it. Men typically like functional jewellery than ornamental pieces. So, look for a pair of cuff links or jeweled watches to begin with. If he wears a pendant, you could also buy him a gold chain. Gold or white gold rings are something you might want to avoid unless your father-in-law likes wearing rings. For a brother-in-law who likes fashion jewellery, you could look for diamond earrings or a bracelet that complements the style of jewellery he usually wears.
Think About the Occasion
The occasion you are buying jewellery for is as important as the person you are shopping for. Most jewelers have special ranges for festive occasions like Diwali, Christmas etc. as well as birthdays and anniversaries. A pair of earrings is the perfect birthday gift for your sister-in-law or your mother-in-law. Similarly, on their anniversaries, you could get your in-laws matching his and hers watches or coordinated pendants. You could also choose to buy gold for your in-laws on special occasions like Akshaya Tritiya. Plain gold jewellery, which doubles as a fine form of investment, would be an ideal pick for such occasions. Likewise, on birthdays, zodiac diamond pendants make a great gift.
What Do You Know About Them?
When it comes to jewellery, you will only wear what you like. So, when you buy jewellery for your in-laws, it should be something they like. Think about their personality. Are your father-in-law and mother-in-law still working in an office with a dress code or have they retired? Are they more comfortable in ethnic wear or western wear? For example, if your mother-in-law favours sarees over trousers, she will probably prefer classic, traditional styled jewellery.
If your father-in-law starts his day with a puja or prayer and is religiously inclined, you could buy him a religious pendant. From Om to cross, Trishuls and the Khanda, jewellery designers cater to almost all main religions.
On the other hand, your sister-in-law may prefer geometric jewellery. Again, you will need to think of who they are before you buy them jewellery. Are your siblings-in-law in college or working? Do they have to adhere to any kind form of dress codes? What are they most comfortable wearing? If your brother-in-law is the ‘cool dude’ of his college, a funky sports pendant or a bracelet could be the perfect gift.
Look for Age-appropriate Jewellery
There is no wrong age for wearing jewellery but the same jewellery does not suit people of all ages. When it comes to your mother-in-law, you can’t go wrong with traditional jewellery. A pair of studs, short drop earrings or a bangle can be ideal. As a general rule of thumb, look for classic designs in plain gold for elderly people. If your sister-in-law is elder to you, look for sleek jewellery that is elegant without being loud. For younger siblings, you could pick bolder designs with animal motifs or statement pieces.
However, remember that age doesn’t define a person. So what if your mother-in-law is sixty? If she likes heavy jewellery, it’s no use gifting her slim bangles that will be kept in the locker forever.
Get the Size Right
When you buy clothes, you can hold it up and take a guess as to whether it will fit or not. You could take a guess with jewellery too but there’s one slight difference. Altering clothes is easy but changing the size of a ring or a bangle is a lot more work. Hence, when you buy jewellery like diamond rings and bangles you must be sure of the sizes. A difference of a few millimeters can make your gift unwearable. If you don’t know your in-law’s jewellery sizes, pick jewellery that is available in universal sizes. For example, buy a pair of earrings, a pendant or even a nose pin.
Talking of sizes, it is also important to keep the person’s body type in mind. For example, you may want to buy your father-in-law a gold chain. If he has a thick neck, look for a long chain instead of a short chain. Similarly, if your mother-in-law has a slim wrist but broad hands, look for bangles or bracelets that have an openable clasp.
When it comes to gifts, the thought behind the gift matters more than the value of the gift. It doesn’t matter whether you buy a single pendant or a necklace set. What matters is how much thought you put into it. So, take your time. Browse through designs, imagine what they would look like on the person and buy them only when you are satisfied that the person would love wearing them.
