My son's engagement party is today, which has brought up the whole question of wedding presents.

The engagement present was easy, actually. His sisters and I all chipped in to buy him a whopping great gift voucher from his local hardware store so he can get the bits and pieces he needs to build the decking at the back of his new house.

This is the son who wanted 10 cubic metres of dirt for his birthday, remember...

So, I started to wonder, what do you get a couple who already has their own home and pretty much everything that goes with it?

(No, son, the answer to that question is not a 71" plasma TV)

Anyway, I had a brainwave. I will give them a honeymoon, I decided. Airfares and couple of weeks in the location of their choice. Now obviously, it would be easier if I just gave them the money and let them organise everything themselves, but that seems a bit tacky, I thought...

I said as much to Secondborn, telling her I didn't want to give my future daughter-in-law the idea I was trying to buy her affection.

"Don't you worry about that," says Secondborn with a devious smile. "You go right ahead and give them the money, Mum. Buying our affection is a good thing. Don't let anyone ever convince you otherwise."

Methinks Secondborn is another evil overlady in the making...

I am so proud:)

You can't argue with the Secondborn's logic! I think most daughter-in-laws would be thrilled to have the M-I-L trying to buy their affection rather than muttering "She isn't good enough for my boy," under their breath. I hope the party was a be-all and end-all of fun.

hah, and proud you should be. Hope the party is everything your son and his fiancee could want, and the honeymoon is a great idea. *g*

It all sounds good, especially the engagement. Though I admit Secondborn is beginning to scare me.