My husband and I are both artists. Especially, my husband. For Christmas this year, we are making some people nesting dolls. So far...we will be painting forest animals, Lord of The Rings, trains, abstract designs, fairies, and gnomes. We are stuck now.
We are totally undecided on my mother in law. We had the idea of a nesting doll Nativity set, or snowmen. We really don't want to give a Christmas themed one, though. She will have to put it away so soon after receiving it. She is easy and would be happy with any theme, we think. After so much brainstorming for the other sets, we are just burnt out. We can't come up with any more ideas. I was hoping some you would have some really neat ideas!! Help!
To answer some questions. She's in her mid sixties, not traditional or out there. She is really open, I guess you could say. There is no real theme to her home decor. They don't really know anything about their heritage. I do LOVE the family tree idea, but her family is too big. Even just the immediate family, would be too big. I'm going to use that idea for my mom, though :) We have her only grandchild
Awesome answers already. Thanks!!
how about an aquatic food chain LOL - plankton pattern on the smallest and then progressively larger fish for the larger ones?
ooh - how about a set to the old children's song "There was an old lady who swallowed a fly" - then you could have from smallest to largest, fly, spider, bird, cat, dog, goat, cow, and old lady?
How about trees during different seasons? For example, a bare tree with snow on the branches for winter, one with buds for spring, full leaves for summer, autumn colors for fall. Everyone loves nautre, right?
Snow White & the Seven Dwarves
Themes to consider:
Animals
Art & Culture
Cartoons
Fairytale
Family & Fun
Famous People
Fantasy & Fairies
Floral
Music
Professions
Religious
Southwest
Sports
Traditional
Winter Fun
I have a few around the house....my favorite is a winter green/silver green and white set, done in a traditional style girl....but so pretty when lined up for Christmas.
Traditional Matryoshka dolls are often done with flowers or fruits, the smallest doll has the seed or start of flower, and then each doll the flower blooms more or the fruit grows and grows more fruit. The four we brought back from Ukraine when adopting our daughter all have this, except the large special one we got just for her, that one has a scene from her birth town painted on each dolls belly, and she's beautifully ornate. That could be a great idea too, a scene from her favorite cities, or where she's visited?
How many levels deep do the dolls go?
If it goes to 12, you could do
months or
astrological signs (Capricorn, Taurus, Libra, etc) or
even Asian astrological signs (Tiger, Snake, Ox, etc).
Harry Potter
Star Wars
Simpsons
Lion / witch and wardrobe
Charlotte's web
how bout one that goes the seasons or the holidays of the months
cartoons are a huge part of the culture do old or new ones
How about their grandchildren?
International, countries, flags, flag colors, native people, wording etc. I would like to place an order please.
It made me think of the seaons. Maybe combining weather elements with trees, plants, flowers and animals to recall the themes the seaons. Also times of the day - sunrise, high noon, sunset, night. Maybe combining the times of day to represent the human lifecycle.
Love the tree idea.
How many kids does she have or how many grandkids?
Charlie Brown
Her houses from when she grew up, the first one she had when married,
What a neat idea. What does your MIL like, and how does she decorate her home? For instance, my MIL is really into roosters and they live on a farm. So farm animals or different roosters would be cool to her. What about "decades" nesting dolls, in 20's, 30's, 40's, 50's etc garb? Or Family nesting dolls, start with her hubby, then her, then her kids and grandkids if there are not a ton of them. If I think of anything else I will add on. Good for you, to give such unique and thoughtful gifts this Christmas!
What about birds...macaw, parrot, cockatiel, parakeet, finch....
Dogs....Saint Bernard, Lab, terrier, chiuauha (forgive my spelling - I'm tired!)
Cats - Lions, Cheetahs...etc.
What about famous awesome women with beautiful inspirational quotes that they are known for?
Does she have a favorite song? You could do lines and notes from it.
Fruit?
Could you somehow do memories from your childhood? Family vacations etc?
Different countries?
I'm thinking, mil is a bit older, probably pretty traditional, but raised an artist, so may have a flair for music or art herself?
Whats her nationality? You could do one that gives a nod to heritage.
You could recreate famous Fadrege Eggs.
You could do nesting dolls of his family, with her or dad, being the largest and the youngest kid being the smallest.
If she has a Patritotic side, you could do past Presidents
How about reproductions of stained glass from European churches or paint great Cathedrals
