Unique 80th birthday gift for mother-in-law

Best birthday gift for a woman who has everything

It’s always heartwarming when my clients get my family tree art for their in-laws. Be it for their in-laws’ wedding anniversary or one of their in-law’s birthdays. I find it especially touching when a daughter-in-law commissions me to paint a family tree illustration for her husband’s mom. There is this gross misconception that there should be some kind of rivalry when it comes to moms and their sons’ significant others. More often than not I find that daughters-in-law respect and appreciate women who gave life to men they love. Of course, I get to deal only with people who love their in-laws so much that they take their time to look for a truly unique gift for them.

80th birthday gift for a special woman

This family tree illustration was commissioned by my client for her husband’s mom’s 80th birthday. I imagine it to be somewhat difficult to find a unique 80th birthday gift for a woman who has everything so I was flattered my client chose my art for such a special gift. By the way, she described her mother-in-law I knew this lady was a very special woman. Loving, caring, warm and family-oriented. I wanted to bring her warmth into the painting. My client agreed on gold leaves for the family tree. In my mind, the golden leaves in this illustration came to represent a heart of gold. Of course, I also wanted to add some details that would signify that this family tree painting was created for a birthday. I doubt there are many women who want a reminder of their age commemorated in a painting so I decided to go with a birthday cake instead. To make the painting look even more festive I made the couple toast champagne.

As I do with each one of my family trees I also found out about my client’s in-laws’ hobbies and occupations.  They were both in the medical profession, so I added an antique doctor’s bag with a stethoscope to the painting.  He likes to play golf, she likes to travel.  I painted a golf bag with clubs behind the husband and luggage with a globe on top of it behind the wife.

The rest of the family I painted as headshot portraits in round gold frames hanging off the tree branches.  I also added a customized family banner to the bottom of the painting.