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The 55 Best Gifts To Impress Your Mother-In-Law

For every type of mother-in-law—even the one who seemingly has everything.

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Collage of the Voluspa Japonica Archive Votive Gift Set on olive green patterned background

Southern Living / Brian Kopinski

She’s the one who’s always there when you need her, and as the family matriarch, your mother-in-law keeps everything running smoothly all year long. You want to treat her with a special gift to demonstrate your love, but sometimes it is difficult to know exactly what she’ll want. 

“Put thought into your decision, ask for suggestions from someone close to your mother-in-law who will know what she loves to receive, and always gift wrap with love,” recommends etiquette expert Diane Gottsman. “Personalized or monogrammed are always welcome details with a gift, and another idea is to pool resources with other adult children to purchase a bigger item that she will love or just needs.” 

From gifts that make her feel pampered to nostalgic gifts that show how much you care, we’ve curated a list of gift options so that you can give with confidence, no matter the occasion.

Meet the Expert

Diane Gottsman is a Southern etiquette expert, author, speaker, and founder of the Protocol School Of Texas.

Cooking is her jam, and her bookcase is chock full of cookbooks that house many of her well-loved recipes. This stand is ideal for keeping most cookbooks and tablets upright and visible during cooking. When not in use, it can decoratively display a beautiful cookbook atop the kitchen counter.  

To help lift her spirits and create mindfulness about the precious moments in life, consider gifting a daily gratitude journal to your mother-in-law. This journal includes six months of daily prompts that only take five minutes to complete, and there are seven different colors to choose from.

Whether they’re placed in linen closet, chest of drawers, or under a cabinet, these lavender-scented sachets are ideal for placing in any nook and cranny throughout her home. With 12 sachets enclosed in each pack, she’s sure to have her entire home smelling lavender fresh. 

This silky lip enhancer is the queen of all lip glosses for shine, moisturization, and protection. Shea butter, jojoba seed oil, and vitamin E all contribute to keeping her lips moisturized, so she can look forward to having silky smooth lips no matter how dry the air is. Choose between two different scents, including floral rose and soft vanilla.

Pairs Well With: Nisolo Cleo Convertible Crossbody

Your mother-in-law can keep her feet warm and cozy all day long with these slippers. With their memory foam sole and cute bow design, these slippers will keep her relaxed as she’s watching TV or reading her favorite book. All she needs now is a throw blanket for full relaxation.  

Pairs Well With: Gotcozy Heated Electric Throw Blanket

This popular scent is a perennial favorite, and Anthropologie’s version comes in a gorgeous mercury jar that looks great with any decor. If this style isn’t your jam, it’s also available in an ivory capiz jar and a moody matte black jar. Choose from four sizes—extra small has a 25-hour burn time while extra large has a whopping 250-hour burn time.

Tell Me Your Life Story, Mom is a gift she can pass on to others. You've heard many of her nostalgic, heartwarming stories about her past or maybe picked up on bits and pieces here and there, but having the complete story written down in one place is a gift she can pass down to all her loved ones. With thought and discussion prompts to help her put pen to paper, this journal will help her create a keepsake treasure for grandchildren and later generations.

If your mother-in-law prefers a cup of tea over coffee, then this unique tea kettle is the perfect gift for her. It features bright pink polka dots and a floral design, so she’s sure to always reach for it when it’s time for her daily cup of tea. And, whenever she’s hosting a party or family get-together, this kettle is ideal to display.

She needs her beauty rest, and this luxurious silk pillowcase ensures she gets the rest she needs and deserves. This silk pillowcase is made from 100% mulberry silk for a flawless feel, and with a variety of colors to choose from, you’re sure to find one that matches the bedding she already has.

These are the ultimate comfort pajamas. She can lounge comfortably in the silky smooth Pima cotton material (a premium type of cotton prized for its softness and breathability). Want her to match the grandkids? If she is in the mood to match with little ones, be sure to check out the kids’ sizes in the same patterns.  

These durable, shatter-proof plastic wine glasses are ideal for entertaining in a more casual setting. Personalization is available, and colors include clear, navy, and blush. Add a bottle of her favorite red or white, and she and all her friends will sing your praises for your gift-giving ingenuity. 

A sore neck or back is never a good thing, and this Homedics massager is just the remedy your mother-in-law may be looking for. It targets the upper and lower back, neck, and shoulders with additional heat to relax tense muscles, and has optional vibration settings to really loosen tight muscles.

Gold or silver hoops are a go-to for everyday wear as well as a dressed-up night out on the town. The Colette Hoops from Kendra Scott are a perfect pair of high-quality, chic earrings from everyone’s favorite jewelry brand. Timeless and stylish, these earrings will be a staple accessory for her wardrobe.

This tumbler holds a substantial 50 ounces, helping her stay hydrated throughout the day with fewer refills. It comes complete with a handle and a slender, graduated bottom that can easily slide in and out of cup holders. This cup will keep drinks cold for the entire day, and with 24 different colors (we love Pink Clay and Alpine), you are sure to find her favorite. 

This stylish tote from Tory Burch combines style, sustainability, and function. The bag is made from 64% USDA-certified, bio-based content with a cute emblem logo. With a 13-inch laptop sleeve, adjustable straps, and a deep cavity, this purse will store everything your mother-in-law needs in her day-to-day life.

With this non-blue light book light, reading at night won’t affect her natural circadian rhythm. Flexible, rechargeable, and with three light levels, this book light is ideal for reading in bed past daylight hours. Pair it with a new best-selling novel, and she’ll love winding down even more at the end of the day.

The Good Gain picnic blanket is made for picnics in the park and adventures at the playground. It’s waterproof for easy cleanup and comes with a handy carrying strap. With several color and pattern options to choose from, you’ll find that this is the ideal picnic blanket for your mother-in-law to make memorable moments outdoors.

Amanda Klein’s state notecards collection is the ideal gift whether she is near or far. After all, sending and receiving handwritten notes is one of life’s little treasures. Each high-quality note card features wildflowers specific to each state. Each set includes eight note cards, eight kraft envelopes, and eight envelope closure stickers, available in all 50 states plus Puerto Rico. She will remember your thoughtfulness each time she writes a note to friends and family.

The Spanx AirEssentials Half Zip is all about comfort without sacrificing style. With breathable fabric, a four-way stretch, and a relaxed fit, this is the perfect pullover for running errands, walking around town, or lounging at home with a relaxed, casual style. 

Every woman needs a reliable handbag, and this beautiful leather bag from Nashville-based Nisolo might be the perfect one. It can be worn as a clutch, belt bag, crossbody, or over-the-shoulder bag, and has an interior wallet to keep her possessions safe and secure.

This stunning cake stand mirrors the exquisiteness of the cakes she bakes. Designed in South Carolina and made by glass artisans in Poland, the Estelle Colored Glass Cake Stand is a statement piece of serveware she will cherish for years. There are a variety of colors from which to choose, including mint green, lavender, yellow, and more. 

If you haven’t used this salt, you’re missing out. Loved by chefs everywhere and even Southern Living editors, Maldon Sea Salt Flakes can be used on grilled meat, chocolate chip cookies, and even fruit salad. This is sea salt she simply cannot go without in her kitchen, and if she’s never experienced it, then take this as your cue to gift her a foodie item that she’s sure to enjoy using in the kitchen.

If your mother-in-law loves to accessorize, a subtly personalized scarf is a great way to keep her comfortable during cooler days. Designed by New Orleans-based artist Juliet Meeks, each scarf is decorated with the flower associated with each birth month. You can choose the scarf that corresponds with her birth month, or just pick the flower that she loves the most.

Grand, timeless, and incredibly useful, this beautiful Dutch oven can be used for everything from dinner parties to weeknight meals. The 5-quart size is ideal for serving four to six people, and there are a variety of rich colors to fit her taste or match cookware she may already have. 

Pairs Well With: Williams Sonoma x Morris & Co. Mitt & Potholder Set

Whether preparing for cold weather or looking forward to cozy, rainy days indoors, this blanket is the perfect thing to keep her warm and toasty. It features ultra-soft plush on one side and faux shearling on the other, as well as high-quality heating filaments running throughout. With four different heat settings and various chic colors, this is the perfect functional accent for her home. 

Pairs Well With: Homedics Back and Neck Massager

This customizable photo collage is perfect for the mother-in-law who likes unique art and showcasing her family photos (so every mother-in-law!). This collage comes in various colors, sizes, textures, and patterns. Just choose your photos, upload them onto the site, and deliver your masterpiece straight to her door. 

Help her say goodbye to makeup stains on white towels with this functional, not to mention super cute, set of towels designed for removing makeup. Made of 100% long-staple cotton, these small makeup towels will leave her feeling pampered in a big way after a long day. Plus, you can choose from three styles, including a custom option.

Give her the gift of easy hair-styling with this popular blow-dry brush. This editor-loved hairstyling tool can produce a salon-style blowout, help control frizz, and even serve as a hair dryer. With three heat/speed settings, the brush head is designed to work on multiple hair types. Taking her from damp to style in one step, this tool will save your mother-in-law both time and money.

A reliable duffle bag is essential for the mother-in-law who’s always traveling, and this bag from Stoney Clover Lane stands out for its unique assortment of color options. There are bright and cheerful colors like flamingo pink and peach, as well as more neutral hues like sand and navy blue. Plus, you can customize it further with patches and embroidery for an extra fee.

A set of reusable linen cocktail napkins is a unique hostess gift that can be displayed on a coffee table or used by guests while she’s entertaining. Choose white for a color that goes with any season, and add a monogrammed initial to each in a sophisticated script for an even more personal touch. Don’t be surprised if she pulls them out for each special occasion or family get-together.

For any holiday or occasion, a board filled with meats, cheeses, crackers, and vegetables is the trick to keeping hungry guests happy as they arrive. For any entertaining or holiday meal occasion, this acacia wood serving board will be the first thing she reaches for.

The Lunya washable silk robe is dreamy for nights spent at home. This robe is flawlessly designed for comfort, with 100% washable and thermoregulating mulberry silk to help maintain a comfortable temperature. It also comes with a removable belt and pockets for her phone and other essentials.

With pickleball picking up steam in the South, help her make the first step by gifting a new pickleball set with all the essentials. This set includes two paddles, four balls, grip tape, and a handy carrying case for her to tote to and from the court. She’ll be thanking you for the encouragement for a new pastime and asking you to play a game.

If her favorite place is the kitchen, then gift her these oven mitts from Williams Sonoma’s collaboration with Morris & Co. They’re available in two patterns (fruit or pimpermel) and have a traditional style that will add a cheerful yet sophisticated touch to her kitchen.

As time passes, bakeware can start to show its age, and if your mother-in-law could use a new staple piece, consider this small rectangular baker on your next gift-giving occasion. Simple, timeless, and incredibly functional, the versatility of this small baker is endless. It’s dishwasher, microwave, and oven safe, and is equally useful for serving a side dish at a potluck and preparing dinner for a few friends.

Popular with long-distance runners, these Goodr sunglasses stay put once you put them on, no matter the activity. Even if she isn’t a runner, your mother-in-law can still enjoy staying safe in the sun with these bestselling (and affordable) sunnies. You might even consider snagging two pairs for her, one for home and one for on the go.

This small monogrammed dish makes the perfect catch-all for smaller jewelry pieces, such as rings, earrings, and bracelets. Each ring dish is hand-pressed with lace and a gold-lettered monogram—but the best part is that Prodigal Pottery employs women who are escaping homelessness and abuse. This is the gift that keeps giving, especially knowing that your purchase changes lives.

Pairs Well With: Kendra Scott Colette Large Hoop Earrings

Whether she loves all things vintage or she’s an avid gardener, this sign is a beautiful way to show your mother-in-law how much you know and appreciate her. The sturdy construction allows it to withstand the brutal summer storms, making it an ideal decorative piece for her garden. Customize the art, name, and date to ensure that the sign reflects her and her interests.

If your mother-in-law loves plants and gardens, but she doesn’t have the space for a full garden, then this adorable heart-shaped succulent garden might be the perfect solution. It needs to be watered every two weeks and doesn’t require direct sunlight, so it’s super easy to take care of. You can buy it as is, or add a pink candle to complete your gift.

Scrambling through various cords and outlets to charge all her devices is a hassle your mother-in-law does not want to deal with. However, thanks to this nifty product by JoyGeek, she can keep all her tech charged and collected in one place. Compatible with over 40 Apple devices and phone case-friendly, this three-in-one charging station is convenient and hassle-free.

A functional hair tie that doubles as a stylish bracelet? Yes, please. These no-crease, durable ponytail holders work double duty as bracelets. Each Mini Stack includes five different hair ties adorned with a unique pendant. Super stretchy and durable, this may be the last hair tie she wants or needs. 

We could all use a fresh take on Southern cooking and entertaining from time to time. Vera Stewart gives us that option with her latest cookbook, The Very-Vera Cookbook: Occasions, and it makes an ideal gift for your mother-in-law or any cook for that matter. This book is full of tips, tricks, and recipes from Stewart’s many years of catering. 

Pairs Well With: Yamazaki Home Tosca Tablet and Cookbook Stand 

The Yeti Rambler travel mug is essential for keeping her coffee piping hot and safely secure while she’s running errands or enjoying a morning walk. The graduated bottom fits into most cup holders, and you can choose from over a dozen color options to match her unique taste and style.

Indoors or outdoors, she can now treat herself to everyone’s favorite camp dessert, s’mores. Smoke-free gel fuel powers the portable and compact stove, and it’s safe to use on the kitchen counter, in the backyard, or anywhere she pleases. Throw in a package of marshmallows, chocolate, and a box of graham crackers, and you’ve created a fun gift set and activity for her to use with grandkids.

Whether she is adventuring on a fall hike or looking for a chic, relaxed outfit to wear to run errands around town, this classic puffer vest will keep her warm and stylish. It’s available in two colorful styles (one red and one blue), and comes in six sizes as well as petite and plus options.

Pairs Well With: Yeti Rambler Travel Mug

No iron or ironing board is needed thanks to the Nori Press. This must-have steamer has gone viral for its ease of use and for making the mundane task of de-wrinkling quick and easy. It has six fabric-specific settings ensuring the right temperature for different fabric types. Lightweight and compact, it comes in several cute color options and is surprisingly stylish.

Can a doormat be an ideal gift for your mother-in-law? It sure can with just the right personalized touch. Rugglable’s stylish designs are well-known and loved for their washability. She’ll be able to welcome guests hospitably with this fully customizable doormat with any letter of the alphabet, making this doormat the ideal addition to her front door greeting guests upon arrival. 

If she’s always reading and is the star of her book club, this is the tote she needs. This canvas “book” bag has a gusset bottom construction and an 11-inch drop handle, making it perfect for toting all her books or just daily shopping errands. Rifle Paper Co. offers the tote in a few other designs as well.

You know how much she enjoys her outdoor time in the yard, at a campground, or at a tailgate. When cooler temperatures arrive, she doesn’t want to miss out just because of the cold—that’s where this heated chair comes in. Lightweight and foldable, it’s the must-have chair for any outdoor events she attends.

Help her create a simple yet stunning centerpiece with the Southern Living Scalloped Cluster Bowls. These unique serving bowls of varying sizes are connected to each other, so she can host gatherings without the fuss of trying to find matching platters. The gold and white color transitions easily from one season to the next. In no time, she’ll be able to add olives, dips, crackers, and hors d'oeuvres for all to enjoy. 

Although any item from Rifle Paper Co. would excite your mother-in-law—even their intricately detailed wrapping paper can be a gift in itself—this floral brass letter opener is a functional yet beautiful gift. Also included is a keepsake box for displaying or safekeeping while tucked away into a drawer.

This handcrafted candy makes the ultimate add-on to a larger gift or a gift in itself. “I love to give everyone a beautiful box of Enstrom’s Candy—it may not be the ONLY gift, but it certainly is a gift people love to receive,” says Gottsman. The butter toffees feature bite-sized squares of crisp toffee covered in milk chocolate or dark chocolate.

A bread server or basket is essential at mealtimes, as most Southerners know. This bread server makes the ideal gift as a stunning centerpiece to the dinner table. The pottery at Earthborn Pottery, located in Leeds, Alabama, is fired at extremely high temperatures to increase its resistance to chipping and breaking. The platter is available in a variety of color glazes. 

If she’s always on the lookout for new candles, make her day with a candle discovery set. This option from Voluspa contains 12 votive candles from the brand’s iconic Japonica collection, including bestsellers like Goji Tarocco Orange, Baltic Amber, and Santiago Huckleberry. It all comes in a gorgeous gift box for easy gifting.

If she wants the best whiskey, then she also deserves to enjoy the best whiskey glasses. This set of four crystal whiskey glasses by Glencairn has been crafted with a unique shape to intensify the taste and enjoyment of the whiskey it contains. Go ahead and enjoy a pour together. 

Questions and Answers

What do you get the mother-in-law who has everything?

Part of the fun of gifting is trying to figure out a gift that your mother-in-law will love and appreciate. “With careful thought, there is always something that will bring a smile to your mother-in-law’s face,” says Gottsman. 

There are gifts that everyone enjoys. “Who doesn’t love a cozy robe with her monogram on it or a pair of lush house slippers?” she says. Think about what is personal to her. "If she is a gardener or loves to write, or a movie buff? These are all ideas where you can make a basket and fill it with creative gifts, all with a particular theme,” Gottsman explains. 

How can I pamper my mother-in-law?

Give the gift of your time. “Spend some quality time with your MIL. Rather than the obligatory holidays and an occasional weekend, make a special date to see a holiday movie, watch one on TV, and make an occasion of it. Bring over snacks, a couple of new, snuggly blankets if you are staying in, and enjoy the time together,” says Gottsman. She’ll remember this gift more than others, and you enjoy the time with her. 

Sure, a day at the spa is always a good idea, but there are other ways to make her feel special and to nurture your relationship with her. “Ask to go through old photo albums and ask her about her life, or go through her recipes together and create a special mother-in-law cookbook with all her favorites passed down through the years. It’s always fun to reminisce, especially when someone is genuinely showing interest in you and your life,” says Gottsman. 

How much should I spend on a gift for my mother-in-law?

There are inexpensive, great ideas to show you care, but if you have the wiggle room in your budget and want to go all out, you’re entitled to splurge on her, too. “You can bake a loaf of your or her favorite bread and spend an afternoon together, which is virtually free, or take a weekend spa together that can be upwards of one thousand dollars,” says Gottsman. 

The time and thought you put into making her gift special matters, not the amount you spend. She’s sure to love whatever you give, especially if you give from the heart. (And that's true when shopping for a father-in-law gift, too).

Why Trust Southern Living

This article was written by Rebecca Jones, a certified educator, freelance writer, and writing coach with over 15 years experience, and updated by Moriah Mason, a commerce writer for Southern Living. To come up with this list, Rebecca researched the best gifts for every mother-in-law, no matter the occasion or budget. Plus, she spoke with Diane Gottsman, national etiquette expert and founder of The Protocol School of Texas, who provided etiquette tips for gifting to mothers-in-law, as well as gift recommendations.

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