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Finding a gift for your mother-in-law shouldn’t send you into a tizzy. A foolproof plan is simply to give her something she’ll actually use and doesn’t already have — you might even impress her along the way. But to help you pick out presents easily, I’ve rounded up a number of the best gifts for mothers-in-law, for any occasion, be it a birthday or the holidays. To make this list, I scoured our archives for surefire “won’t-returnables” to suit every type of MIL, whether she’s a world traveler, an adventurous home cook, a wine snob, or a neat freak. You’ll find everything from an extra-cozy bathrobe and an ache-relieving foot massager to adorable fruit-shaped candles and a five-pound gummy bear. Each of the presents below is available on Amazon for quick shipping, sorted by price so you can stick to a specific budget, and — as of press time — will still arrive by Christmas. But now that we’re in last-minute territory, don’t dillydally as stock and shipping deadlines are ever-changing.
Have a more specific gifting question? Try our new gift search tool here!
Under $25
For the mother-in-law who lives for sweater season
These sweet-smelling lavender sachets — which also come in scents like honeysuckle and lemon verbena — will help keep her cashmere fresh and moth-free.
For the mother-in-law who never lets her hair down
For the mother-in-law who wakes up tangled
This frizz-taming silk pillowcase has been a longtime best seller with Strategist readers, and beauty columnist Rio Viera-Newton says it makes her feel as if she’s “sleeping in a luxurious hotel.”
For the mother-in-law who stays up late
“You know the old trick of putting cold spoons under your eyes? Well, this is a modernized version of that,” says Viera-Newton. The roller will have her “raccoon eyes” looking less so.
For the mother-in-law who leaves her nails au naturel
This nail strengthener — a dupe of Dior’s for half the price — will keep her tips in top shape. Plus, it comes in the sheerest colors (like strawberry rhubarb and orange marmalade) for a hint of a manicure.
For the mother-in-law who doesn’t have time for a spa day
All hail the power of snail mucin for glowing skin. This set contains ten sheet masks infused with our favorite moisturizing essence.
For the mother-in-law who’s never not networking
A proper business-card holder will keep her contact info looking crisp and unbent — plus, it’s printed with a cheeky “call me.”
For the mother-in-law who’s a card shark
If she’s tired of Uno, try this game, which is ”a mix of probability, luck, and being able to read your opponents.”
For the mother-in-law who’s a proud cat lady
An engaging treat maze will give her precious fur babies something fun to do.
For the mother-in-law who can never find her readers
This nifty organizer holds six pairs of frames and folds up nice and compact.
For the mother-in-law who’s Mastering the Art of French Cooking
A minimalist cookbook stand to keep her place while she makes coq au vin — or for the New York Times Cooking recipe she has saved on an iPad.
For the mother-in-law who knows her Osetra from her Beluga
These pretty caviar spoons come in a mother-of-pearl finish, and each is one-of-a-kind.
For the mother-in-law who likes to host
Scented candles are a nonstarter for a dinner party — but these adorable fruit-shaped ones are unscented and could double as a conversation-starting centerpiece.
For the mother-in-law who packs a mean picnic
So she can have somewhere to sit on her next outing, with no risk of a soggy bottom.
For the mother-in-law who’s a plant parent
This fancy-looking philodendron, which is named after the famous Hermès handbag, will give her houseplant jungle some flair.
For the mother-in-law who likes things kitschy
This sunny knickknack can serve as a pencil cup or bud vase.
For the mother-in-law who always orders two scoops
These glasses are reminiscent of those you’d see in an old-fashioned ice-cream parlor.
For the mother-in-law who runs ten degrees hotter than everyone else
“On full blast, it stops a stream of face sweat in its tracks before it even has a chance to get into my eyes,” says Strategist writer Dominique Pariso of this powerful portable fan.
Under $50
For the mother-in-law who’s a porch sitter
These faux-paper lanterns look like delicate lace but feature a stainless-steel frame and waterproof and UV-resistant fabric, so she won’t have to worry about them during a drizzle.
For the mother-in-law who’s always looking for something
She won’t be stuck searching for her sunglasses or asking after her keys with this accessory tray that has tiers to hold all her essentials.
For the mother-in-law who summers in the winter
For the mother-in-law who’s a magazine hoarder
This architectural acrylic file holder doubles as a place to organize her back issues of Vogue.
For the mother-in-law whose purse is a bottomless pit
These adorable pouches can organize makeup, cords and chargers, or anything else.
For the mother-in-law who’s knotty
This curvy, knobby massage tool — a favorite of director Daniel Kwan and author Ottessa Moshfegh — will help release tension in hard-to-reach spots.
For the mother-in-law who’s achy
Singer Santigold credits this extra-large heating pad with easing her chronic neck and shoulder pain.
For the mother-in-law who doesn’t believe in store-bought
The milk-glass cake stand, a work of art in itself, will let her put her baked goods on a pedestal.
For the mother-in-law with an insatiable sweet tooth
A five-pound sliceable gummy bear that might even last a whole month — the company says it’s the equivalent of 1,400 regular-size gummy bears. It comes in shark, snake, and octopus forms as well.
For the mother-in-law who hears every last bump in the night
Get her a sound machine so she can toggle between calming fan sounds and white noise to help her sleep more soundly. This LectroFan is a favorite of comedian Samantha Irby and actress Eva Mendes.
Under $100
For the mother-in-law who’s disgusted by grocery-store basil
The Sprout can grow three plants at a time — and it’s much more low-maintenance than starting an herb garden from scratch.
For the mother-in-law who’s incapable of traveling light
For the mother-in-law who runs ten degrees colder than everyone else
It’s chicer than a Carhartt, with a muted checkerboard pattern.
For the mother-in-law who dines by candlelight
These striking candle holders become an objet d’art when tucked together.
For the mother-in-law who’s too wired
For the mother-in-law who’s curious about #cloglife
“There was something unapologetic about these clogs. They weren’t trying to be edgy or ironic or even fashionable. Comfort, it seemed, was priority No. 1,” says Strategist freelance contributor Erika Veurink of the Ugg Tasmans, which she also likes better than Danskos.
For the mother-in-law who soaks
For the mother-in-law who keeps her counters pristine
These coasters are rather eye-catching, in a Surrealist sort of way.
For the mother-in-law who starts every day with fresh OJ (and who’s a little bit goth)
The spiderlike citrus reamer will let her squeeze the juice right into a cup of her choice.
Under $200
For the mother-in-law who likes her wine chilled
This countertop ice machine will let her rid her freezer of annoying, half-empty trays and is short enough to sit under most kitchen cabinets.
For the mother-in-law who likes her tea piping hot
This no-frills electric kettle has just a simple on-off switch — and can heat water in less than a minute.
For the mother-in-law who doesn’t sit down
Instead of a one-time-only massage gift certificate, go for a use-it-whenever foot massager. The Miko comes with a wireless remote, has an optional heat feature, and can ease her muscles with five pressure settings and multiple massage styles.
For the mother-in-law who just got back from Barcelona
This paella pan will help her get those crispy edges just right.
For the mother-in-law who always brings hot dish
This table-ready Le Creuset can serve everything from lasagna to green-bean casserole — and the lid makes for a dramatic reveal.
For the mother-in-law who’s into moody music
The mesmerizing lava lamp of a speaker syncs its patterns to the music that’s playing, explains Strategist tech writer Jordan McMahon, to add some ambience to her Spotify shuffle.
For the mother-in-law who home brews
This growler comes with a pressure gauge and a dispenser tap for cold ones at the ready.
Over $200
For the mother-in-law who’s the first to take a shot
Update her stovetop maker to a proper espresso machine — this one is a dependable entry-level model.You can’t go wrong with dependable Breville, and Kyle Ramage, co-owner of Black & White Coffee Roasters, praises this espresso machine as “a great entry model.”
For the mother-in-law who throws pies
This versatile pizza oven can be used with wood, charcoal, or a propane tank, so she can experiment with different methods for making a fresh slice.
For the mother-in-law who always schedules the family photos
This 15-inch digital photo frame can be set on a table or mounted on the wall to display a whole album’s worth of her treasured group shots.
For the mother-in-law who’s always multitasking
The Airstrait is one of Dyson’s latest innovations — it will simultaneously blow-dry and straighten her hair.
For the mother-in-law who can’t stand wrinkles
This standing steamer is favored by stylists, retail clothing stores, and costumers because it “heats up fast, rarely needs to be refilled, and gets wrinkled nylon and creased wool crisp in minutes,” according to Strategist writer Erin Schwartz.
For the mother-in-law who does her own brows
Give her a makeup mirror and ring light in one. “Having that extra light with the bigger surface area really helps to be able to see what you’re doing,” says Sharon Brown, a director at an assisted-living facility.
The Strategist is designed to surface the most useful, expert recommendations for things to buy across the vast e-commerce landscape. Some of our latest conquests include the best women’s jeans, rolling luggage, pillows for side sleepers, ultraflattering pants, and bath towels. We update links when possible, but note that deals can expire and all prices are subject to change.
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