My MIL is still with us but she is from a whole different culture (I married a wonderful Mennonite man) and she made each child a quilt at birth and a sock monkey for their 1st birthday. That is about it. That is her way and she is a sweet woman. Nothing she gave has really been signed but I made sure to document. I want my children to know her and that she cared. I have nothing from my grandparents and I regret not having that. People don't realize how important little things like that can be later on even if the item seems inconsequential to the adult. I think any book, regardless of price, deserves an inscription. It is the sentiment not the value that is important. One of my most treasured books is a Little Golden Book that I've had since I was a year old. I learned to read that thing by the time I was two. I read it to my kids and many neices and nephews.