The Best Gifts for Every Type of Mother-in-Law
Finding a gift for your mother-in-law might be harder than getting one for your mother. After all, you want her to be impressed — just like the first time you met. The best piece of advice I have is to listen to any grievances when she calls — about how her feet are hurting, how she’s trying to cut back on her screen time, etc. That’s free gifting inspiration. And to help, I rounded up gift ideas for every type of mother-in-law — many of which have the Strategist seal of approval — including our new favorite waffle bathrobe, the perfect mom bag that can be monogrammed, and an e-reader that doesn’t take as much room as a Kindle. As of publication time, every gift here should arrive in time before Christmas. But as holiday shipping deadlines will be inching closer in the following weeks, you should make sure to check out sooner rather than later.
Gifts I think are the best
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It can be heated in the microwave or chilled in the freezer for neck and shoulder relief.
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There’s a mirror on the back of the lid for quick lipstick-on-teeth checks or blush touch-ups.
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These slippers are about as “close to a custom medical orthotic as possible.”
Under $50
For the mother-in-law who’s mastering the Sudoku packing method
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A duo of packing cubes (that happen to fit inside Baggu’s Small Cloud Carry-On).
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So chargers, adapters, and other electronics won’t get lost in a suitcase.
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As our resident traveler, Kat Gillespie, explains, the “Sudoku method” involves “assembling just nine clothing items into a three-by-three grid before they go in your suitcase” so “you’ll wear everything you pack and don’t pack anything you won’t wear.”
For the mother-in-law who doesn’t cook without garlic
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It’s easier than the standard garlic press: “Sometimes crushing garlic one-handed can be tiring,” says Simone Tong, chef at Zoé Tong. “With this rocker, you can use both hands.”
For the mother-in-law who likes to spice it up
All of the below are spice mixes our senior kitchen and dining writer, Emma Wartzman, considers better than everything-but-the-bagel seasoning.
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A blend of Aleppo chile, sea salt, sesame seeds, orange zest, lime, and nori.
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A combo of shiso and umeboshi for miso soup, cucumber salad, and sushi rice.
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Wartzman thinks it’s “a little salty, a little sour, with a satisfying underlying heat.”
For the mother-in-law who’s a cookie fiend
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A Secret Strategist event last year featured shortbread cookies by Laurie Ellen Pellicano. “I was pleased but completely unsurprised by all the comments I heard from guests: ‘What are these cookies? ‘They are so good!’ ‘Who makes these?’ ‘I can’t stop eating these!’” reported senior writer Winnie Yang. This gift tin includes seasonal flavors like gingerbread, panettone, and chocolate cherry.
For the mother-in-law who misplaces everything
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Journalist Sylvie Florman leaves “screws left over from Ikea furniture projects,” change from bodega runs, matchbooks, and anything else she wants in this catchall that bartenders traditionally “fill with limes, olives, and other drink accoutrements.”
For the mother-in-law who’s handsy
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So O’Keefe’s actually seeps into her hands. (The moisturizing sleeping gloves also keep them “ink-free when reading the newspaper” and can be used “to pull on hosiery without snagging the delicate fabric,” promises the Vermont Country Store’s copy).
For the mother-in-law who gets cold feet
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Designer Batsheva Hay thinks these socks “feel like leg warmers that happen to hold your feet.”
For the mother-in-law who’s always brrr-ing
New York deputy editor Alexis Swerdloff wouldn’t mind being buried in Gap’s CashSoft.
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For the mother-in-law who refuses to see a podiatrist
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YogaToes
This toe separator can help with several foot-related ailments, including bunions and plantar fasciitis.
For the mother-in-law who’s feeling puffy
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Sofie Pavitt Nice Ice Toner Pods
Playwright Jeremy O’Harris puts these ice-toner pods — which include hydrating glycerin, barrier-protecting niacinamide, and soothing green-tea extract — under his eyes.
For the mother-in-law who can’t turn her head
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Ease some of the tension in her neck with this heatable-freezable wrap (depending on the temperature she prefers).
For the mother-in-law who pops Excedrin like candy
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Affectionately referred to as the Eggplant, it’s “far more comprehensive than a single ice pack,” according to contributor Ariel Kanter.
For the mother-in-law who’s a problem-solver
Our writer Tembe Denton-Hurst describes Murdleas a mini-game of Clue: “Every puzzle starts with a murder for Deductive Logico to solve. There are a few clues and a list of possible suspects, locations, and murder weapons.”
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For the mother-in-law who doesn’t look up from her phone
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Give her pinkie a break with the ergonomic MagSafe-compatible Grip Stand.
Under $100
For the mother-in-law who’s an aromaphile
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From Santa Maria Novella — which began as a Dominican friar infirmary in 1221 — the Melogano pomander smells of bergamot, bitter orange, pomegranate accord, and oakmoss.
For the mother-in-law who is sore
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It earned a spot in our Pain Relief Hall of Fame for the yoga-position support.
For the mother-in-law who’s more comfortable on the floor
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In “A Mother’s Guide to Sitting Comfortably on (or Close to) the Floor,” author Diksha Basu included the firm Grejsimojs cushions, which you can rest your feet on or lay your whole body across (if they’re placed in a row).
For the mother-in-law who’s a planner
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The Catbird version of Astier de Villatte’s agenda includes a made-up day every week — so no more note-taking in the margins.
For the mother-in-law who gets snail mail
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The multipurpose cutting tool is both left-hand- and right-hand-friendly.
For the mother-in-law who offers to host
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The clean lines of this serving fork and spoon will go with any of her table settings.
For the mother-in-law who wouldn’t be caught dead barefaced
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It should be roomier than her old foundation-covered makeup case — and there’s a removable pouch for lipsticking on the go.
Under $200
For the mother-in-law who soaks
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Our new favorite waffle bathrobe is equally absorbent as it is comfortable.
For the mother-in-law who runs hot in her sleep
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The combination of quarter-length sleeves and breathable pima cotton are perfect for hot sleepers.
For the mother-in-law who shvitzes
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Senior editor Jen Trolio survived the long cold winter earlier this year thanks to this portable sauna, which goes up to 115 degrees Fahrenheit and is steam-ready in about 15 minutes.
For the mother-in-law who complains about “arch support”
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This house shoe with podiatrist-designed cushioning is ideal “if you’re dealing with foot pain, arthritis, or mobility challenges and want a slipper that comes as close to a custom medical orthotic as possible,” says writer Brenley Goertzen.
For the mother-in-law who doesn’t leave the house without earrings
“It has been said that Colin Firth is ‘the thinking woman’s heartthrob,’ and this, too, is Ted Muehling as jeweler,” writes illustrator Joana Avillez. “You are telling your loved one that you appreciate their appreciation for form and beauty and craft.”
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Ted Muehling Pinecones
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Ted Muehling Melons Earrings
For the mother-in-law who’s a monogrammer
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Tracee Ellis Ross has the initials T-E-R on her Perfect Weekend Tote — each letter is hand-painted too.
For the mother-in-law who’s behind on her reading
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Boox Picco
Our tech writer, Jordan McMahon, says the Boox Picco e-reader “can fit enough text onscreen to provide a few minutes’ worth of reading … and with some fine-tuning, text can look just as good as on a Kindle or Kobo.” Maybe that’ll get her through the final chapters of Switzy.
Over $200
For the mother-in-law who’s a light packer
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No need to ask a flight attendant to get it into the overhead bin.
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Comedian Kate Berlant’s “absolute ride-or-die travel companion.”
For the mother-in-law who’s nicer caffeinated
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Caraway’s newly released coffee maker wins brownie points for its intuitive design and multiple-cup capacity.
For the mother-in-law who’s starting to wean off plastic water bottles
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Senior writer Dominique Pariso praises the countertop filter for the amount of water it holds: 1.5 gallons on the bottom and a gallon “in reserve” at the top.
For the mother-in-law who never has a hair out of place
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A travel-size Supersonic, our Best in Class hair dryer, which we’ve repeatedly heard about from beauty veterans over the years.
For the mother-in-law who’s a snuggler
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“I can pull it over my lap while reading or watching TV,” says senior writer Lauren Ro of this weighted blanket. “And I can throw it over my bed for a quick nap.”
For the mother-in-law who needs a wake-up call
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The white-noise machine/bedside lamp/sunrise light could become the focal point of her nightstand.
More From The Strategist
- The Best Advent Calendars This Year (So Far)
- The Best Things Strategist Editors Have Bought This Year (So Far)
- Hark, the Advent Calendars Arrived (Very) Early This Year
- 63 Things You Should Never Buy Full Price
The Strategist is designed to surface useful, expert recommendations for things to buy across the vast e-commerce landscape. Every product is independently selected by our team of editors, whom you can read about here. We update links when possible, but note that deals can expire and all prices are subject to change.
