Whether you consider your in-laws your BFFs or you barely even know their first names, you have to scrounge up the change this holiday season and get them a present they’ll actually appreciate. Flowers can only go so far, and gifting them during the merriest season of the year? Forget about it. You need something special to win over your significant other’s loved ones.
But let’s get real, gifting for your in-laws can be a toughie. There’s a good chance you don’t spend nearly enough time with them to know what it is they actually like. Unless your partner’s mom is one of those moms that has her favorite animal plastered all over her kitchen. Why does every mom seem to have a favorite animal that takes on their decoration choices? It’s so weird. We’re getting off-topic.
If gifting your in-laws seems like a stressful additive to your shopping list, don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. From cheeseboards to essential oil diffusers, our list has all you’ll ever need to gift the perfect present your in-laws are going to love this holiday season. Well, maybe not perfect — this list isn’t going to make them grandparents.
BEST FOR FATHER-IN-LAWS
Fathers-in-law are hard to impress, specifically if you’re a guy gifting his wife’s parents. Any sudden movement and it could be perceived that you’re trying to mold and shape his little girl into something he doesn’t approve of, so you have to be careful. Lucky for you, Mancrates is an impressive go-to gifting option for any man over the age of 45. Grilling, beer, poker, zombies — no matter what your father-in-law is into, Mancrates has a box for that. Pictured above is their Booze-Infused Jerkygram, which is a must-buy crate for dads who love meat and alcohol. So, essentially all dads.
BEST FOR MOTHER-IN-LAWS
Have a charcuterie queen on your hands? Take your mother-in-law’s cheese and meat serving skills to the next level with this compact swivel board. This gorgeous double-decker serving tray is made primarily from bamboo and acts as a convenient staple for serving small parties and holiday extravaganzas. Your mother-in-law will think her collection of gouda and prosciutto never looked better sitting next to her favorite crackers from Trader Joe’s. And when it’s time to store the tray after use, the bottom level folds into the top to minimize storage.
BEST FOR BOTH IN-LAWS
If your in-laws are still hooked on their cable provider even though their bill seems to be going up dramatically each month, change their lives and gift them the Fire TV Stick from Amazon. Stream whatever you want when you want, from Netflix to Hulu to Disney+ to ESPN — the possibilities are at this point, pretty endless. They might need some help setting it up though, we all know how them old folk get with new technology. So, bring your patience to Christmas dinner this year.
BEST FOR EMPTY NESTERS
Do your in-laws live far away from the place you and your significant other call home? Bring the scent of your city to them for an aroma that stays behind even when you two aren’t there. From popular US cities like the Big Apple and Chicago to whole states ranging from Maine to Hawaii, Homesick Candles provide all-American scents that keep your favorite places close even when you aren’t there. So if you’re in Brooklyn but your partner’s parents are in Houston, bring an NYC candle home to them this holiday season.
BEST FOR ACTIVE IN-LAWS
Are your in-laws in peak midlife-crisis mode in which they’re trying to work out to bring back that body they had before kids? If so, support both their new habits and their feet with the ever-so-stylish Tree Dashers from Allbirds. The sneaks are made for high-grade performance and will support both vigorous runs and slow, slow walks. They’re cushioned, so foot problems won’t occur for either in-law no matter how much they want to blame you for something.
MOST COMFORTABLE
You can’t go wrong with a cozy blanket, and with over 300 raving reviews on Nordstrom, this blanket is the snuggle buddy your in-laws have been looking for. The dynamic duo will use this thing both indoors and out, from chilly nights next to the fireplace accompanied by a scary movie marathon to cool fall days out on the porch. The blanket comes in seven various colors, so pick your poison wisely, or maybe even snag one color for each.
BEST FOR WINE LOVERS
Why gift one bottle of wine when you can gift 15 instead. Sounds crazy, we know, but it’s not as pricy as you may think. Splash Wines is our newest favorite wine delivery service that selects various wines based on whichever box type you purchase. Box choices range from classic all-whites to rosé samplers to a red wine lover’s paradise to a create-your-own-case version. The possibilities at Splash are endless, and most boxes of 15 sit only right above $100. It’s premium wine too, so you won’t have to worry that the in-laws are getting the bottom of the barrel.
BEST FOR COOKS
If your in-laws love toying around and creating new recipes but don’t yet have an air fryer, you’re about to change the game entirely for them. We love the air fryer for the sheer fact that it fully cooks delicious and healthy meals by chopping cook-time in half in some cases. In comparison to your in-laws’ regular conventional oven, the air fryer takes the cake (and makes it MUCH faster) any day of the week. Looking for a recipe to provide alongside this contraption? Check out this eggplant parm recipe ready to bake straight inside. Two words: insanely tasty.
BEST FOR THE BATHROOM
Okay, you might think this sounds a bit weird to gift, well, anyone, but hear us out: the TUSHY Bidet brings the bathroom experience to a whole new level. If your in-laws haven’t used a bidet before, it’s better late than never. It easily attaches to your toilet and sprays clean water right where you want it to after you… well… you know. The best part of all is that this bidet is temperature-controlled, so the in-laws can choose to shoot clean cold or warm water directly to their no-go zone.
BEST DECORATION
This picture frame is the ultimate multi-photo holding decoration that any parent would love to have in their house. Decorate each framed spot with baby photos, wedding flicks and family vacation memories to create a top-notch gift your in-laws will cherish for the rest of their lives. The frame itself comes in four colors to ensure there’s a right pick to match your in-laws’ home interior. Print photos yourself beforehand in a crunch using Shutterfly, and don’t forget doubles for yourself!
Buy: Umbra Luna Large 4x6 Picture Frame $39.99
MOST CALMING
Sure, candles and incense are amazing, but there really is nothing like the aromatherapeutic qualities provided by an essential oil diffuser. With this one, you can gift your in-laws’ favorite scents and the diffuser will work its magic by aerating their home with scents promoting relaxation, stress-relief, rest and more. This oil diffuser also has the ability to change color to fit the move or vibe they’re going for and has two misting modes.
Buy: InnoGear Essential Oil Diffuser $14.99