A Christmas quilt is a great idea.
I did a white work as a wedding gift that was very well-received. Their are some nice ones out there that are already stamped on the fabric now.
I think a log cabin is always popular because non-quilting people see it as an easily recognized pattern.
If you do their "colours" be sure you know what their colours really are. Their idea of "purple" might be totally different from your idea of "purple". (Ask me how I know.)
Watson