Whether you're best friends with her or not, it's not always easy finding the best gift for the mother-in-law in your life that fits the bill. After all, you want to get her something that she'll actually like and remember for years to come.
To help you find the perfect gift to impress your in-law, we put together a list of products that any mother would love. Whether she's a world traveler or enjoys experimenting with new recipes in the kitchen, we've got plenty of options for every type of mom.
Best mother-in-law gifts under $25
Burt’s Bees Best of Lip Balm Set
Lip balm is a reliable stocking stuffer, given how chapped we tend to get during colder stretches. Make sure her pucker’s well prepared for what’s ahead with a quartet of Burt’s Bees bestselling lip balm tubes — one for each of her purses.
Personalized Stamped Books
Your mother-in-law would appreciate this if she’s a bookworm with a penchant for interior design. This set of books will be the perfect addition to her coffee table and can be personalized with up to 10 letters max.
Mixtiles Restickable Photo Tiles
For the mother-in-law wanting to create a gallery wall, but doesn’t know where to get started, gift her with these reusable photo tiles. From Mixtiles, these frames come without the fuss, as they’re placed on the wall with a sticker (that doesn’t cause damage to their walls!).
If she’s indecisive, the reusable stick and place method allows her to arrange and rearrange as needed.
Custom Candle Co. Banana Nut Bread Red Ceramic Pot Candle
Does she enjoy the art of cooking but loves a scented kitchen? Give her a two-for-one surprise with this quirky candle. The banana nut bread scent will bring back memories, while the small pot design matches her food passion. This candle is made with soy wax which will last longer and burn slower.
Corkcicle Air
If your mother-in-law is a wine lover, she's sure to appreciate this all-in-one tool. It'll keep her bottle at the ideal temperature and it will act as an aerator.
Barefoot Dreams CozyChic Heathered Socks
Who doesn’t love a certified Oprah fave? Barefoot Dreams is most renowned for their fluffy blankets and comfy loungewear, but this pair of plush CozyChic socks landed on the mogul’s Favorite Things list last year.
Mason Jar Indoor Herb Garden
This aesthetically pleasing mason jar herb garden would look good in any home! This set from Uncommon Goods is super easy to use, even if she's not a pro at gardening. All she needs to do is plant the seeds, fill the pre-soiled jar with water, and watch her herbs flourish.
Rifle Paper Co. Porcelain Monogram Mug
If you’re in a bind and still don’t know what your mother-in-law would like, keep her gift simple and get her this bestselling (and award-winning!) floral monogrammed mug from Rifle Paper Co. It’s elevated and useful! If you want to make a more complete gift out of it, pair it with some quality whole coffee beans.
Magnolia Bakery Red Velvet Banana Pudding Cookies
For a gift that's just as sweet as she is, give her a batch of cookies from Magnolia Bakery that put a twist on their classic banana pudding recipe.
“Martha: The Cookbook: 100 Favorite Recipes with Lessons and Stories from My Kitchen,” by Martha Stewart
Cookbooks, television shows, businesses galore, a Netflix documentary — unless if she's been living under a rock since the '80s, Martha Stewart has been on your mother-in-law's radar for decades. The lifestyle guru's latest release — her milestone 100th cookbook with 100 of her favorite recipes — quickly became a bestseller the moment it was released, so surprise her with it before she gets around to buying it herself.
Amazon.com Gift Card
Sometimes the best gift is the one she gets herself. Gift cards are always a welcome — and convenient — surprise in a stuffed stocking, plus you can set any amount (up to $2,000).
Best mother-in-law gifts under $50
Pure Enrichment Wave Premium Sleep Therapy Sound Machine
If she has trouble sleeping, she’s sure to appreciate this machine that gives her the choice of six soothing sounds to lull her to sleep. It also has an auto-shut off timer and will stop after 15, 30 or 60 minutes.
Peepers by PeeperSpecs Blue Light Reading Glasses
These reading glasses regularly end up on Oprah's Favorite Things list, and we totally get why! Beyond the modern design and lightweight material, they're also made to block out harmful blue light along with UVA and UVB rays.
Dear Ava Mother-In-Law Spa Gift Box
This sweet gift basket from Dear Ava is the perfect gesture for the mother-in-law who forgets to take a moment for herself once in a while. It includes a lavender soy candle, two bath bombs, lavender soap and lip balm.
Land's End CashTouch Shawl Wrap
A well-made shawl can elevate practically any special occasion outfit. Available in six colorways, this versatile (not to mention super soft) wrap from Lands' End offers ample coverage and can be worn in a variety of ways.
Lululemon Everywhere Belt Bag
Help her put her most stylish and convenient foot forward-with one of these belt bags. This style from Lululemon seemed to ignite a flame in terms of bringing back fanny packs, even continuing into this year, with searches spiking up 650% for the viral bag.
Royal Craft Wood Luxury Bathtub Caddy Tray
Everyone deserves some “me time” once in a while. For those times when she has an extra few minutes to herself, gift her this wooden bathtub caddy tray while she enjoys a warm bath.
Zinus Gel Cooling Memory Foam Mattress Topper
Whether she sweats in her sleep or just prefers to sleep with chilly tootsies, this memory foam mattress topper delivers cool results every single time. According to Google’s Holiday 100 list, searches for “cooling mattress topper” quadrupled this year, so the quest for a more restful sleep was on top of everyone’s minds.
Marmalade Grove Gift Set
If she likes to take it easy like Sunday morning every morning, she’ll appreciate this uniquely tart trio from Marmalade Grove that recently appeared on Oprah’s Favorite Things list. Made with fresh citruses from the brand’s farm in Ojai, California, these will taste fantastic on everything from buttered English muffins to baked brie.
Kendra Scott Elisa Pendant Necklace
Kendra Scott has many gifts that anyone would love, including your mother-in-law. This necklace, which saw a 175% increase in searches this year according to Google, is available in a number of stone colors and metal finishes and would add the perfect amount of sparkle to any look.
Best mother-in-law gifts under $100
Brooklinen Mulberry Silk Bundle
Give her the gift of luxurious sleep with this silky, editor-favorite bundle from Brooklinen. Featuring the brand's bestselling eye mask and silk pillowcase, you can choose from six different colors and patterns so you can choose the one that’s in her favorite hue.
Custom Travel Photo Coasters
If she enjoys traveling, gift her a set of these custom travel photo coasters so she can reminisce on all of her fun memories around the world on a regular basis.
Smallwoods Custom Framed Print
Everyone has tons of photos sitting on their phone, so why not turn them into timeless decor and surprise someone special this year? Upload your photo via mobile or desktop for a gorgeous canvas displaying your love for the world (or just your home) to see.
Mark & Graham Monogrammed Travel Jewelry Case
If she loves her jewelry, she'll appreciate this personalized jewelry case. Add your meaningful three-letter design in a variety of color combinations.
Cosori Electric Gooseneck Kettle
A plunge in temperature probably means she's pulling out her tea stash more regularly than before. This bestselling electric kettle will have her water boiling in just minutes, which means cozier sips will be sooner had.
Tatcha The Starter Ritual Set
Your mother-in-law may already have a dedicated skin care “ritual,” but we bet it’s nothing quite like what Tatcha delivers.
“I discovered Tatcha on social media — it was a celebrity fan-favorite,” shared deputy editorial director Ali Deabler. “I fell in love with the exfoliating face wash and the Dewy Skin Cream. I use it every day and my skin is so much softer, which says a lot because I have really dry skin, especially in the winter.”
Solo Stove Tabletop Firepit
Turn her backyard into a place that she’ll never want to leave with this award-winning tabletop fire pit.
“If you’re shopping for someone who has a small outdoor space — or who just doesn’t want to deal with the hassle of a larger fire pit — this is the gift,” says senior partnerships editor Francesca Cocchi Zabloudil.
Dansko Kane Clog
For ultimate comfort, give her these mules from Dansko. The pair will become her go-to house shoes whenever she’s cleaning, lounging or running to the mailbox.
By Jill Martin Classic Lounger
Surprise her with this super plush, bestselling lounger from TODAY contributor Jill Martin's sherpa brand, By Jill Martin. “The lounger has been around for five years, but I’ve perfected it," she previously said. "It has everything that everyone has loved over the years in one ... the hood, the closure, you’re able to personalize the cuffs.”
Anna Zuckerman Julie J Hoop Earrings
For the mother-in-law who likes their jewelry understated, these diamond crystallized hoops are the perfect hint of glam without being overwhelming.
AMYO Script Engraved Message Ring
Add personality to her jewelry rotation with this unique gold ring that can be customized. The ring is nickel-free and you can add a personal message of up to 60 characters. This is a delicate way to tell her how much you care.
Original Bogg Bag
Known for its easy, quick-to-clean material, this bag is loved by reviewers for beach days, road trips and other occasions where you need a sturdy bag to hold everything.
Whether she packs it for family vacations or keeps it in her car for on-the-go access, she'll appreciate the clear pockets to keep essentials within reach.
UrbanStems “Double The Unicorn” Flower Arrangement
If your mother-in-law is traditional, we suggest going with this beautiful flower arrangement from UrbanStems. It has hints of purple, with its lavender-hued roses and sprigs of aster.
Best mother-in-law gifts over $100
State Cashmere The Ribbed Turtleneck Basic Sweater
Cashmere is a safe fabric and an option for those with sensitive skin. This sweater is made from 100% Mongolian cashmere and feels wildly soft. Your mother-in-law will appreciate this luxury gift when she needs extra warmth during the cold months.
Renpho Foot Massager 069R
As nice as it would be to regularly splurge on spa treatments for her, this podiatrist-approved foot massager is practically the next best thing. “This foot massager offers a powerful comforting massage experience, combining a rotation ball, rolling stick and heating elements for the ultimate three-in-one foot treatment,” summarizes podiatric surgeon Dr. Miguel Cunha, DPM.
Bearaby Cotton Napper
In a year of high stress and restless nights, everyone will appreciate a gift that will help them get a better night's sleep. A weighted blanket promises to do just that, and your mother-in-law will love this stylish knitted one from Bearaby.
How we chose
The Shop TODAY team works hard to find the best products and coolest gifts out there. We use our own personal experiences with brands and shopping to find the most unique gifts on the market that are sure to be a hit with your mother-in-law.
Don’t forget to check out Shop TODAY’s other gift guides to find the perfect gift for anyone else in your extended family, including your father-, sister- and brother-in-law!
