Susan Patton — aka “the Princeton Mom” — gained notoriety for imploring young women to lock down their future husbands while still in college.
The thing is, once you snag the man, you’ve got to make good with his mother. Because everyone knows that the way to a man’s heart is through his mommy.
But fear not — Patton to the rescue! The author of “Marry Smart: Advice for Finding the One” gave The Post her Mother’s Day tips for what to gift a mother-in-law (future or current).
“The mother-in-law needs assurance that you won’t take her place as the apple of her son’s eye — of course, you will, but let’s reassure her of her value in the new reality of your marriage — and that you are good enough for her precious son,” says Patton.
And what better way to reassure than through presents?
Patton shares her tried-and-true gift picks here:
Pictures speak louder than words.
“Give her a fabulous photograph of her handsome son. Put it in a nice frame, and enclose a note saying that although he will soon be your devoted husband, he’ll always be her devoted son. I live on the Upper East Side, so my go-to frame shop is Morning Calm Gallery (1588 First Ave., 212-737-6431). They have a wonderful sense of the proper color mat for the right kind of frame.”
A little warmth goes a long way.
“Knit or crochet her a scarf, or craft something else with your own hands. This will let her know that you are creative, thrifty and resourceful — all desirable qualities in a daughter-in-law.”
The best present of all?
“If you really want to give a future mother-in-law a gift that will make her love you, tell her that you hope to start a family immediately after the wedding.”
Reward yourself, too!
“Treat her to a spa day with you — or, more economically, a mani/pedi or a massage. A special girlie activity will let her know that she can start thinking of you as the daughter she never had. I like the Elizabeth Arden spa. It’s luxurious and has an old-school charm to it.”
Subtly show her your sweet side.
“Bake her a dessert for a special Mother’s Day brunch. It will be comforting for your future MIL to know that you are good in the kitchen and her son won’t go hungry.”
Especially if you make the Princeton Mom’s Orange Cake:
Ingredients
- 4 eggs
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1-½ cups sugar
- ½ stick butter, softened
- 2 tablespoons Cointreau
- ½ teaspoon salt
- Zest of several oranges
- 1 tablespoon milk
- 2-½ teaspoons baking powder
- 1 cup confectioners’ sugar
- 1 or 2 teaspoons orange juice
Directions
1. Preheat oven to 350°F. In a large bowl, mix eggs, flour, sugar, butter, liqueur, salt and ¾ zest until well combined.
2. Add milk and baking powder, and mix.
3. Grease an angel-food cake pan, with a removable bottom well, then dust with flour. Pour batter into prepared pan, and bake about 45 minutes, until top is golden. Set aside to cool.
4. In a small bowl, make a glaze by mixing confectioner’s sugar, orange juice and remaining zest. Add more confectioners’ sugar or juice to adjust consistency. Drizzle glaze over cooled cake.
And a tip for the guys:
“If you are a man interested in impressing your mother-in-law on Mother’s Day, buy her lovely flowers — not cheap carnations! — and deliver them personally.
A gift of expensive posies will give her the impression that you will always recognize and celebrate her offspring’s special occasions in an elegant way.
But remember: You don’t get your mother-in-law red. You get your sweetheart red.”