Chosson album - do you like receiving it?

amother

OP ↓

Wed, Aug 07 2024, 8:17 am

I can see how it would be fun for the mother of the chosson to make an album of her precious son to give to his kallah. But does the kallah like it? I'm interested in hearing from women who've received the gift, not from MILs who gave it and received thanks and compliments from the kallahs.

My MIL has given US pics over the years, just as she was clearing out. I really have no use for them! I've looked through her albums at her house, but why would I want my own? My husband tosses the pics his mother gives us (US, not me).

Do the girls like it?

amother

Steel

Wed, Aug 07 2024, 8:20 am

I got one as a kallah. It was fun to look at but not esp needed
My mil made a photo book but in baby board book form. In my circles it's referred to as the baby book...

scruffy

Wed, Aug 07 2024, 8:21 am

I'm not from those circles so I didn't get one, but would have enjoyed it. It's cute to see pictures of my husband as a baby/ little kid.

amother

↑ OP ↓

Wed, Aug 07 2024, 8:24 am

scruffy wrote:

I'm not from those circles so I didn't get one, but would have enjoyed it. It's cute to see pictures of my husband as a baby/ little kid.

It's cute to see pictures. So she should sit with you over a shabbos and show you the albums. Does she need to spend $200 on a special album for you, pay someone to write a poem, etc? That's the thing I'm wondering about. A 20 year old wants this?

amother

↑ OP ↓

Wed, Aug 07 2024, 8:30 am

mha3484 wrote:

Wont your kids like to see what their father looked like when he was their age?

Sure. Not for $200 though.

amother

Maize

Wed, Aug 07 2024, 8:32 am

I didn’t get one. Would have been a waste of my in laws time, energy and money at such a busy and expensive time for them. It’s such an extra.

I loved looking at pictures of my husband as a child when I went to my in laws for Shabbos early on. By now I’ve taken pictures of those pictures and have them on my phone so I can compare my kids faces to them and see who looks like him.

baked ziti

Wed, Aug 07 2024, 8:36 am

I loved mine. I looked at it a lot as a kallah and now my kids enjoy looking at it . My husband's sisters made a beautiful scrapbook. It doesn't have to cost a lot.

ftm1234

Wed, Aug 07 2024, 8:39 am

I got one and thought it was really cool. We still have it.

My husband was upset that he didn’t get one from me lol

amother

Slategray

Wed, Aug 07 2024, 9:29 am

I got one as a kallah, it was definitely not $200.
I really enjoyed it and still look at it with DH.
(Married 3+ years)

gr82no

Wed, Aug 07 2024, 9:45 am

Not something thats done in my circles but I love the idea. I love seeing pics of my husband from when he was young.
It can be done for twenty dollars

amother

Thistle

Wed, Aug 07 2024, 9:47 am

It’s so common in my circles I would’ve been disappointed if I didn’t receive one. But I do really do appreciate it and still look back at it and now that I have children of my own I love seeing how they look like their father as a kid.

amother

↑ OP ↓

Wed, Aug 07 2024, 9:57 am

Thanks everyone who replied who got one. It's so nice to see that you like it and it's not one of those things that they do just to be yotze. Very sweet.

amother

Oak

Wed, Aug 07 2024, 10:36 am

I absolutely loved receiving it. I looked at it every day from when I received it until the wedding.
Most kallahs love it and I heard many say it's their favorite gift.
Plus it's eventually very interesting for the kids to look at.
PS the real professional ones cost more than $200. More like $400-600.

amother

Lemonlime

Wed, Aug 07 2024, 10:48 am

amother OP wrote:

I would’ve have loved one, but unfortunately I never received one although the rest of the kids did.

It still bothers me to this day. I’ve hardly seen any pics of DH as a kid.

flowerpower

Wed, Aug 07 2024, 10:51 am

I loved getting one as a kallah. My kids still look through it and enjoy seeing dh and his siblings when they were little. I don’t know anyone that pays someone to make a poem for them though.

amother

Snowflake

Wed, Aug 07 2024, 11:03 am

amother OP wrote:

Sure. Not for $200 though.

Hate to break it to you but they're more than $200. More like $4-500.
I think it's very expensive but very much appreciated. It's your husbands childhood in one convenient book.
And for most mothers it's not fun to make. It's a huge pressure and expense.