The 40 Best Mother-in-Law Gifts

It’s easy to find reasons to celebrate your mother-in-law, even beyond traditionally gift-oriented days like Mother’s Day or the holidays. Sometimes, giving to someone you’re particularly close to can prove to be tricky. Especially if your mother-in-law is one of those “person who has everything” types.

Elisabeth Noel Jones, founder and CEO of GiftMeChic, a platform dedicated to timeless and considerate gift giving, agrees that this gifting dynamic can be tricky, but is contingent on two things: how long you’ve been in each other's lives and whether or not you have a warm relationship. “If she’s newly your mother-in-law, I’d first do my best to understand her lifestyle, her personal style, her hobbies, and her values,” she tells PEOPLE. “Once you’ve done that, then pinpoint something you know she likes and find a gift that correlates.” As for mothers-in-law who go way back, try something a little more personal. “For example, if you know she’s spiritual, a tarot reading is a unique and memorable gift, and something you’ll perhaps talk about after,” she shares.

From classics like candles and cashmere to more out-of-the-box gifting ideas, like face tools and experiences, we’ve asked some of our favorite gift-givers’ advice for a list that’s as wide-ranging as mothers-in-law themselves.

Keep reading for PEOPLE's 40 best mother-in-law gifts, including recommendations from Marlo Thomas, Ashley Graham, Whitney Port, Chrissy Teigen, Kit Keenan, some of the Real Housewives of New Jersey cast, and more.

Ouai The Three Ouai Kit

OUAI

Chrissy Teigen loves the idea of mixing and matching a curation of your favorite products from OUAI for your mother-in-law. She calls it “the perfect gift for someone who needs some me-time.” This particular kit includes the brand's detox shampoo, leave-in conditioner, and the famous wave spray.

Stoney Clover Classic Duffle Bag

Stoney Clover

The Bachelor’s Kit Keenan, who also co-hosts the podcast Ageless with her mom Cynthia Rowley, recommends upgrading your mother-in-law’s travel essentials with a chic and functional duffle bag by Stoney Clover. “I love this bag so much because it’s a classic shape that comes in a ton of different colors so you can purchase to match to your luggage,” Keenan tells PEOPLE. “These bags are also customizable so I added text on mine with my name — super cute! I also love that this duffle is big enough to fit a ton of extras but not so big that I can’t sneak it on as my personal item when traveling light.”

Béis The Weekender

Beis

Keenan also suggests gifting her this weekender bag by Béis, the travel brand founded by actress Shay Mitchell. “This bag is a top seller for a reason,” says Keenan. “The design is so perfect for travel because there’s a bottom compartment so you can keep your shoes or toiletries separate, and there is a trolley sleeve on the back of the bag so you can attach it to your roller and it won’t slip off — genius!” Knock this gift out of the park by wrapping up other travel essentials (we’re thinking a reusable water bottle, eye mask, and hand sanitizer), and putting them inside the weekender for added thoughtfulness.

CINCOM Hand Massager

Amazon

It’s true: Our hands deserve way more TLC than we give them. Teigen loves this gift for a mother-in-law, noting the device’s heating feature for those chilly digits and adjustable settings. Compared to other models, this one is quiet, portable, and can be used on either hand.

Kola Goodies Tea Latte & Strainer Gift Box

Kola Goodies

Samah Dada, cookbook author and host of "#Cooking" for TODAY All Day and Peacock TV, recommends Kola Goodies if your mother-in-law loves tea. “Kola Goodies partners with farmers in South Asia to source their ingredients, which is a total game changer in the wellness industry and gives back to the cultures where these ingredients come from,” explains Dada. “The Oat Mylk Tea Latte is so creamy and unique — allowing your MIL to slow down and savor every sip.”

Revlon ColorStay Suede Ink Lipstick

Walmart

Model Ashley Graham recommends supplementing your mother-in-law's beauty collection with Revlon's new Colorstay Suede Ink Lipstick (the model is a global ambassador for the brand). "I love a bold lip and Revlon’s new lipstick comes in so many gorgeous reds — perfect for the holiday season," Graham tells PEOPLE. "Plus it's smudge-proof so that means infinite hugs and kisses for the babies! My mother-in-Law also loves the Revlon Super Lustrous Nail Polish in Chameleon. It’s a beautiful bright and bold color that can match any holiday look.” And to that we ask why not gift both inside the Cuyana Leather Travel Case Set?

LVSENLIN Electric Garlic Chopper Mini

Amazon

This is the perfect gift for the mother-in-law who simply can’t get enough gadgets in the kitchen. Teigen, who loves to do things the old-fashioned way in the kitchen, even admits to the tool’s brilliance. “It’s my go-to for busy school nights when dinner needs to move a little faster than those slow-going home-cooked weekends,” Teigen tells PEOPLE. Plus, it’s electric and rechargeable.

Spring & Mulberry Discovery Collection

Spring & Mulberry

“Aside from their gorgeous packaging that makes for the perfect 'wow' gift and the story behind these two incredible female founders, Spring and Mulberry Chocolate is sweetened just with dates, is totally plant-based, and absolutely delicious,” Dada tells PEOPLE. “The Discovery Collection gives you a little taste of everything.” If you feel like making your mother-in-law a homemade treat using dates instead, try Dada’s easy Hot Dates recipe.

Williams Sonoma Marlo Thomas Cheese Tray

Williams Sonoma

Legendary actress Marlo Thomas recommends this gorgeous cheese tray from her Williams Sonoma collection. “Any mother-in-law would love my cheese tray,” she tells PEOPLE. “I designed it myself so I can carry everything out on one tray — cheese, grapes, and a special place for crackers. It puts an end to schlepping!”

Williams Sonoma Marlo Thomas Ceramic Ice Bucket

Williams Sonoma

Thomas also recommends this versatile ceramic bucket which is perfect for the next event or holiday your mother-in-law hosts. “I love this beautiful ceramic ice bucket with a wood handle,” says Thomas. “ It also looks great with flowers in it. I love pieces that can be used for more than one thing."

Venus et Fleur Luxury Robe

Venus et Fleur

Give your mother-in-law the gift of relaxation, minus the overdone spa gift card. “There is nothing more buttery and incredible than this Venus et Fleur Robe,” shares the brand’s founder Seema Bansal Chadha. "My mother-in-law lives in hers and loves it." The higher price matches its high quality — not only will last her years, it will make her feel treated every time she slips it on.

Diaspora Co. Bestseller Dabba

Diaspora Co.

“Diaspora is one of my favorite spice companies,” says Dada. “They source 30 single origin spices from 150 farms across India and Sri Lanka, bringing equity back into the spice trade.” Dada recommends this giftable brass dabba that includes the brand’s bestsellers to “stock your mother-in-law with high-quality spices to make for an exciting and incredible meal.”

Sandro Roco, Founder & CEO of Sanzo, also recommends Diaspora Co.’s Aranya Black Pepper to elevate any family recipe. "Until I began using spices from Diaspora Co., I don’t think I fully appreciated just how much of a difference the quality of your spices mattered and just how low quality the average store-bought grocery product is,” Roco shares.

Cravings By Chrissy Teigen Baking Mix Bundle

Cravings By Chrissy Teigen

If your mother-in-law loves an excuse to fire up the oven, give her the gift of something special and incredibly easy. Enter: Teigen's Cravings Baking Mix Bundle. Think chocolatey banana bread, soft and fluffy mochi pancakes, and the latest, with the perfect amount of chew and crunch, salted white chocolate chip macadamia nut cookies.

Covey Level Up Face + Body Routine

Covey

Fashion model and new mom Emily DiDonato calls this set her go-to gift of the season. “The full routine is a great way to tackle the general dryness and irritation that comes with the colder winter months," she tells PEOPLE, noting that "the routine makes for a relaxing morning/evening ritual." Covey's products are dermatologist formulated and approved, making them safe for most skin types, but we recommend patch testing or speaking to your dermatologist if you have sensitivities.

Cuyana Leather Travel Case Set

Cuyana

If you’re gifting for a mother-in-law on the go, try this set of leather travel bags DiDonato loves to give. “I can't travel anywhere without my Cuyana Leather Travel Case,” she says. And we can see why — they're made with gorgeous pebbled leather, come in a bunch of different colors, and can even be personalized.

Bookshop Gift Card

"I love a gift card to an independent bookstore," says Real Housewives of New Jersey star Jackie Goldschneider. "It not only supports your community and keeps a local bookstore in business, but it also lets you browse through actual books and find something you love!"

Alesis Recital 88 Key Digital Keyboard

Amazon

Below Deck Mediterranean’s Captain Sandy Dawn recommends helping your mother-in-law learn a new hobby or practice by giving them piano or dance lessons. “Gifting [your mother-in-law] with a new learning is engaging and fun,” she tells PEOPLE. “It also gives them an experience and memory that is everlasting."

Brightland Cold-Pressed Olive Oils

Nordstrom

This set of four artisan olive oils never disappoints, according to DiDonato. This gift is great for any mother-in-law who loves to cook, or at the very least, as DiDonato puts it, the set “looks great sitting out on any counter.” Included on Oprah's Favorite Things, The Artist Capsule includes the Ardor olive oil (infused with red chili peppers, jalapeno peppers, chipotle peppers, and paprika), the Rosette olive oil (infused with garlic), Lucid olive oil (infused with lemon), and the Arise olive oil (infused with basil).

Naked Cashmere Lissa Cape

Naked Cashmere

DiDonato notes that this gift checks both the practical and luxurious boxes for gifting. “It pairs well with anything, for anyone,” she says. It comes in three neutral colors and is 100 percent pure cashmere. Cashmere wraps are perfect for traveling, wrapping up with on the couch, or even wearing in a chilly office. We also love the Cashmere Travel Wrap from White + Warren, a great alternative if your mother-in-law loves wearing bold colors.

NuFACE FIX Line Smoothing Regimen

NuFACE

Also on Tera’s list is this line soothing device and matching serum. “The mascara-sized microcurrent device feathers away fine lines in minutes for skin that is holiday party ready,” she says. This gift is ideal for the skincare-obsessed mother-in-law — just make sure she won't be offended by receiving skin-firming products.

Piecework Tutti-Frutti Puzzle

Piecework

Try giving something that creates the space for meaningful time together. “Piecework is the perfect gift for your mother-in-law because it's experiential," shares Piecework co-founder Jena Wolfe. "It's something you can do together — over a great conversation or quiet company." This 500-piece puzzle features a gorgeous modern still life that may even be worth framing once completed, essentially making it two gifts in one.

Melinda Maria XL You Have My Heart Necklace

Melinda Maria

Know your mother-in-law’s taste in accessories by heart? Prove it with this exaggerated pendant. Melina Spigel, Chief Creative Officer/Founder of Melinda Maria, suggests taking it one step further. “Engrave any words of love, special date, or quotes on this heart," she says. Made in Los Angeles, this necklace is offered in two options — 18k gold plated over sterling silver or solid sterling silver.

Eleonora Frey Red Gossip Cross Stitch Pillow

The Six Bells

Audrey Gelman, founder of The Six Bells, thinks a needlepoint pillow is just the gift for a mother-in-law. “I have fond memories of pillows like these in my grandmother’s house," she shares. "Now, what’s old is new, and our re-interpretation of the iconic needlepoint pillow is a perfect gift for a mother-in-law with a sense of humor." This pillow is hand-embroidered in Switzerland and features silk velvet backing.

Airbnb Gift Card

 Amazon

If your mother-in-law is already planning her next getaway, encourage her traveling habit with a gift card in any denomination to Airbnb. It will never expire and you can choose from several different designs. Gift it inside a travel jewelry box or toiletry bag so she has something substantial to open while still staying within the jet-setting theme.

Love, Whit by Whitney Port Cream Sherpa Jacket

Rent The Runway

Port recommends gifting your MIL something that will make her feel fancy — may we recommend renting her a faux fur coat paired with a lunch reservation at her favorite spot? "This jacket is one of my coziest pieces from my collection Love, Whit (a collab with Rent the Runway)!" says entrepreneur Whitney Port of The Hills fame. "Its shape is so beautiful and is meant to be worn dressed up or down. Your mother-in-law will love." Port says the coat can be either rented or purchased (you can use code WHITNEY for 40 percent off a two-month trial of the eight-item plan).

Gmundner Keramik Alpine Flowers Breakfast Mug

The Six Bells

“Whenever I wake up at my mother-in-law’s, the first thing I hear is her making coffee downstairs,” shares Gelman, who loves this coffee mug in particular for the sheer amount of coffee it can hold. This ensures your mother-in-law stays happily caffeinated.

Jenni Kayne Cashmere Cocoon Cardigan

Jenni Kayne 

Especially if your mother-in-law lives in a closer climate, there’s really nothing like cashmere. NuFACE Co-Founder & Chief Creative Officer Tera Peterson suggests this slouchy option. “A good stylish, cozy sweater is a must-have in every wardrobe," she says. "It can effortlessly be worn over a white T-shirt and jeans or even thrown over PJs in the early morning hours. Jenni Kayne is my favorite.” With 11 color options and sizes up to 3X, this oversized cardigan offers something for everyone.

ArtOnBoard Custom Pet Portrait

Etsy

"If your mother-in-law loves her fur-baby as much as her grandkids, take advantage of Etsy's talented and affordable pet portrait painters," shares Carmel Hagan, founder and CEO of Supernatural. "There's one for every artistic style, breed, and budget, with turnaround times as short as a week." Painted by Michelle Martin, this option can offer a custom watercolor of your mother-in-law's pet. You can't get more special than that.

Flamingo Estate Monthly Subscription Box

Flamingo Estate

Give the gift of fresh produce every month with a subscription to Flamingo Estate — who thoughtfully curates a revolving collection of essentials for every part of your home and delivers them right to your front door. “This is the perfect gift for those who love to explore the kitchen and garden — novices and connoisseurs alike,” says Teigen.

Westman Atelier Squeaky Clean Lip Balm

Sephora

For Westman Atelier co-founder and Creative Director Gucci Westman, there’s something charming about gifting the most luxurious version of an everyday item, like a lip balm, to a mother-in-law. The Squeaky Clean Liquid Lip Hydrating Lip Balm by Westman Atelier provides a weightless hydration and a high-shine finish she'll surely appreciate, especially in the dry winter months.

Schostal Pure Cotton Pajamas

Schostal

Westman also thinks that a pair of chic Italian PJs makes a thoughtful gift for a mother-in-law — bonus points if you get them monogrammed. These pajamas by Schostal (a Rome-based brand that's been around since 1870) is made from pure cotton and designed in a classic tonal stripe style, so you can get plenty of use out of them year after year.

Tickermaster Gift Card

If it was up to Westman, she would buy her mother-in-law in London tickets to see Jodie Comer in the play "Prima Facie." By giving a gift card to Ticketmaster, you’re giving your mother-in-law a brilliant night out on the town, even if you can't be with her IRL.

Westman Atelier The Petal Edition Set

Westman Atelier

Make your mother-in-law’s day with this covetable set of Westman Atelier’s rosy favorites — she’s certain to love the way products glide onto her skin, offering an instant glow. The beauty set (which is made in Italy) includes a blush stick, highlight stick, and liquid lip balm, beautifully packaged in a gold box. All you need is to add a card and bow.

New York Old Friends Somebody's Brownstone Candle

New York Old Friends

Give the gift of a warm and welcoming atmosphere with this candle tailor-made for nights in. Inspired by the lingering smell from a dinner party next door, this musky scent is a true crowd pleaser. Hand-poured in Brooklyn, this candle has a burn time of about 75 hours, so it's literally the gift that keeps on giving.

Womanswork Women's Gardeners Gloves

Goop

Encourage your mother-in-law’s green thumb with these chic gardening gloves, which are designed specifically for a woman's hand and made in the USA. The goat-skin gloves feel luxurious and durable, and are conveniently machine-washable, as well. This idea was inspired by Melanie Masarin, founder of Ghia, as well as my very own mother-in-law.

Yolo Journal Yolo Journal Annual Subscription

Yolo Journal

André Hueston Mack, an award-winning sommelier, winemaker, wine educator, and restaurateur, recommends a subscription to Yolo Journal. “This travel journal will inspire adventures around the globe," he says. "[It's] a stunning publication without ads." The first issue usually arrives within 10 days, so plan your purchase accordingly.

Dear Media Happy Days Tote

Shop Dear Media

"I designed this tote for my amazing podcast community!" Port tells PEOPLE. "It's the perfect, happy grab-and-go for all of your mother-in-law's must-haves while out and about." Being 15 x 15 inches, it's large enough for anything from a quick grocery run to toting a laptop or iPad.

Envy By MG Faith Long Puffer Jacket

Envy By Melissa Gorga

If you'd rather gift something you know they'll get a ton of use out of, Real Housewives of New Jersey star Melissa Gorga recommends this coat from her online store, which she describes as "the perfect long puffer coat for the winter months."

Jennifer Aydin The Ultimate Beauty Pillow

Jennifer Aydin

Is your MIL someone who never misses a lash or lip appointment? Another Real Housewives of New Jersey star, Jennifer Aydin, recommends this beauty pillow, which helps "stabilize facial recovery" after Botox, filler, eyelash extensions, and lip injections, according to the brand.

Candie Couture by Margaret Josephs Cosmetic Brush and Mirror Set, 6 Piece

Candie Couture by Margaret Josephs

Amp up your MIL's vanity setup with this fun cosmetic brush set by Candie Couture, which came recommended to PEOPLE by RHONJ star and creator of the brand, Margaret Josephs.

Frequently Asked Questions

• How can you make a gift feel more thoughtful?

  An easy way to enrich any gift is by including a handwritten card. This lets your mother-in-law know that you’re thinking of her, even if you’re playing it a little safe on the gifting side. Stuck on where to start? “Tell her how grateful you are to have her in your life and why, or explain why you bought that specific gift for her, as examples," says Elisabeth Noel Jones. "Whatever you write, make it genuine and thoughtful and I have no doubt it will be appreciated!”

• How should you wrap a gift for your mother-in-law?

  As for heartfelt wrapping, Jones suggests something simple and classic. “Simple wrapping paper and a pretty ribbon always look chic," she says. "I wouldn’t go overboard — keep it clean, classy, and thoughtfully done."

• Do I need to give my mother-in-law a gift if we're not close?

  Even if your relationship with your mother-in-law isn’t straightforward, you can still show her appreciation through what Elisabeth Noel Jones calls a “neutral gift” — think a special box of chocolate, truffle oil, or a selection of gourmet jam. “Either way, the gift should reflect that time and thought were put into it, regardless of the closeness of the relationship,” she shares. “Showing her that level of respect will be recognized.”

Take Our Word for It

PEOPLE contributor Erika Veurink has over five years of experience writing gift guides for all sorts of occasions. In fact, she even has a mother-in-law of her own, who seems pretty pleased come holidays and birthdays. She thinks you can’t go wrong with gifting a magazine subscription or a book-of-the-month program.

Erika Reals is a commerce editor at PEOPLE. She updated this gift guide to include more product picks and interviewed Marlo Thomas, Kit Keenan, Samah Dada, and Captain Sandy Dawn, for their own gift recommendations.

Up Next: The 27 Best Gifts for Women of 2023

ncG1vNJzZmiolaS9rbGNnKamZ5KawLV5xqKdratdm7yzecyoq6GdomK2r3nLmq6sZWZtf3WEkG4%3D

---

• ← Previous Post
• Next Post →