36 Gifts For Your Mother-in-Law…That She’ll Actually Like
For Mother’s Day, the activities and gifts you choose to share with your own mom are guaranteed to impress. However, your intuition might not be as strong when it comes to your mother-in-law. Stress not! We have taken out the emotional labor in gift-giving, so that you can actually have fun buying for that special-someone who gave birth to your husband, wife or otherwise beloved partner. Does she like to relax in the tub? Have unique style in clothing? Enjoy gardening? Is she all about relaxing with a glass of bubbly? We’ve covered all these areas and more, at a variety of price points, so you can find the best gifts for your mother-in-law. But you might want to get going: Shop now so you have time to wrap your perfect present before May 9.
1. Brrrn Slide Board
Best for Home Fitness Fans
Here’s the unsung hero of pandemic home fitness. It’s a slick, five-foot board that you store under your bed or couch, then take out to use with hand and foot booties that enable you to glide laterally across it, getting an aerobic and strength-enhancing workout, all while minimizing joint stress and improving balance.
2. Only the Good Stuff
For the Master Chef
Your MIL is already a queen in the kitchen, but if she’s looking to branch out, behold PureWow’s very first cookbook. We compiled our top recipes from the past decade in honor of our tenth anniversary, focusing on easy-yet-elegant breakfasts, mains, sides, apps and desserts. Sure, they look totally fancy, but we promise nothing’s too fussy. (Psst: if you order the book by Sunday, May 2 at midnight, it will arrive in time for Mother’s Day.)
3. Parachute Linen Duvet Cover
Best for Décor Junkies
Garment-washed linen is so elegant and soft to the touch, she’ll be totally taken aback by your cuddly gift.
4. Crocs Classic Printer Waterproof Clog
For the Woman with Wild Style
There’s something about gifting a pair of leopard-print shoes that says: “I know you can pull this off, and I totally respect your vibe.”
5. Berghoff Perfect Slice 7PC Carbon Steel Set
For the Baker
This set includes a 14-inch cookie sheet, a nine-inch round cake pan and 13-inch covered bake pan, along with necessary baking tools for each. It’s okay if you’re not-so-secretly hoping she’ll share some of her treats with you.
6. Lack of Color Utopia Inca Raffia Bucket Hat
For the Sun Worshipper
Even if she lives for sunning herself at the beach or by the pool, she knows her face and hair need protection from direct sun exposure. This lightweight topper gets the job done, with style.
7. TomCare Upgraded Garden Kneeler Seat
For the Constant Gardner
You know she loves her garden but doesn’t like having sore legs from maneuvering into place to really get at those weeds. Problem solved! This ingenious device has both a narrow and wide kneeling pad on one side, or it can be flipped over and used as a seat.
8. Newport Fringed Striped Beach Blanket
For the Beach Lover
With a 66-inch perimeter, this beach blanket is big enough to fit the whole family—and easy to carry across the sand thanks to its handy carrying belt.
9. Terrain Over-the-Table Rod
For the Home Entertainer
This adjustable iron rod clamps on to each end of a table measuring between 55 and 89 inches long, so that you can drape foliage, light strings or any number or decorative elements for a super festive mother’s day dinner. And it’s sturdy enough to withstand a little breeze, in case she wants to use it on the patio.
10. Lightstim for Wrinkles Device
Best for Beauty Product Junkies
If she already gets Botox and is on a first-name basis with her derm, she’ll be all about this tool. Multiple wavelengths of LED light therapy improve fine lines and wrinkles on her forehead, cheeks and jawline as well as diminishing crow’s feet and lips.
11. Halfmoon Yoga Halfmoon Meditation Chair
For Aspiring Meditators
A nice cushy seat and a back support that adjusts to five different positions means a body can really relax into a meditation…without needing to maneuver their legs into a pretzel shape. And it’s so lightweight, it’s easy to cart along to a picnic or a retreat.
12. Royce New York Compact Leather Toiletry Bag
Best for Weekend Getaway Takers
This chic candy-colored Dopp kit is sized to fit in a large tote back or weekender. And the luxe leather will look great perched on the bathroom sink of any Airbnb or hotel.
13. RITUAL ZERO PROOF Tequila Alternative
Best for Keto Eaters
One PureWow editor gave this zero-proof spirit a thumbs-up for making keto- and paleo-friendly virgin margaritas; since summer is around the corner, it’ll give your MIL just one more reason to host a backyard garden party.
14. Sur La Table Cast Iron Seafood Pot
Best for Chefs
This cast-iron pot conducts high heat evenly and is wonderful for creating an especially crisp sear. Trust us when we say even the most accomplished home chef doesn’t usually have a seafood pot in their arsenal.
15. Fellow Stagg EKG Electric Kettle
For the Tea Drinker
A sleek and efficient way to heat water for a quick pot or cup of tea, this kettle is going to be her best friend for caffeinated Earl Grey at sunup and relaxing chamomile come bedtime.
16. Sugarfina Gelato Candy Bento Box
For the Candy Lover
Salted caramel, chocolate, strawberry and Stracciatella are the flavors of this collection of sweets that will fill out a candy dish for guests—or become your giftee’s own secret stash.
17. Kendra Scott Parsons Abalone Oval Drop Earrings
For the Statement Jewelry Wearer
Silver-toned brass and abalone drop earrings are an eye-catching duo that are surprisingly versatile, pairing well with florals or basic black.
18. Sur La Table Souper Cubes
For the Hearty Eater
This is a heck of a handy way to freeze soups, stocks and even smoothies. The silicone tray features one-cup slots that are easy to pop out to thaw in the microwave, refrigerator or stovetop. Plus, the air-tight lid seals out any unwanted smells.
19. Puffy Weighted Blanket
For the Light Sleeper
Ceramic beads are evenly distributed throughout this weighted blanket, which has attractive diamond baffling to keep them in place. A removable machine-washable cover makes it easy to maintain, and users rave about it: “Wow! The first night I used my weighted blanket was the first night I slept through the entire night in months,” one user reports. “So calming!”
20. Pure Enrichment Neck & Shoulders Heating Pad
Best for the Stressed Out
Shaped to fit across your neck and shoulders, this will reduce those stress knots and pulled muscles your mother-in-law keeps complaining about.
21. Two-Tier Accessory Storage Tray
For the Neatnik
Fitting on even the most compact bedside table or washstand, this sweet six-inch round tray keeps rings and necklaces attractively organized.
22. Suptul Hori Hori Garden Soil Knife
For Gadget-Loving Gardener
Japanese gardeners depend on this seven-inch-long tool, which features a double-edged blade with serrated edges, because it’s endlessly useful for loosening soil. Not to mention, it has handy measurements along the blade to judge planting depth. It also comes with its own handy leather sheath to strap onto a tool belt.
23. Yoga Design Lab Yoga Wheel
For the Devoted Yogi
Tell her to lean back and say ahhhh: This prop will support her with backbends, and so much more, helping open the chest, shoulders, back and hip flexors.
24. Georg Jensen Sky Stainless Steel Ice Cubes
For the Home Mixologist
These shiny steel cubes are made to be popped in the freezer and used in place of ice cubes in any beverage that she doesn’t want watered down with melted ice.
25. Sur La Table Dash Egg Bite Maker
For the Starbucks Fan
Now she can whip up those delish little coffee shop egg white bites in her own home. Our suggestion? Tell her to double batch it and eat half for lunch (or invite you over for a taste).
26. Skin Stormie Short Quilted Robe
For the Leisurely Dresser
She’ll be in no hurry to get her day’s outfit on if she’s wearing this elegant robe, with its quilted body and side tie. The lush fabric isn’t too heavy nor too light, so it’ll keep her comfortable and cozy in all seasons.
27. Night Eco Satin Pillowcase
For the One with Lovely Hair
This pillowcase is actually made of tree pulp—but it feels like satin—and its slippery surface allows skin and hair to glide across it without causing the sleeper to have broken strands or creased skin.
28. Hawkins New York Organic Champagne Flute, Set of 4
For the Groovy Hostess
These cool flutes are stemless, like Euro wine glasses, but attenuated to keep fizzy wine bubbling for longer. Include a chilled bottle of her favorite prosecco with the gift, and maybe your MIL will pop the cork ASAP.
29. Tognana Country Cook 12’ x 9” Rectangular Baking Dish
For the Casserole Queen
This gift says “Thanksgiving and all those other holiday dinners would not be the same without your stuffing/lasagna/tuna casserole. We really appreciate you and please, please keep ‘em coming.”
30. 5star Lovely Cotton Parent Child Apron
For the Granny Who Wants to Teach Her Grandkids
A pair of gender-neutral patterned aprons lets her suit up along with her grandkids for art or cooking sessions, without worrying that there’s just too much splatter to have a good time.
31. Artemis Goddess of Wild Things Necklace with Diamond
For the Animal Lover
Commemorate the care she lavishes on her pets or on animal rescue efforts with this luxe pendant commemorating the Greek goddess who presides over wild animals and nature.
32. Grove Co. Collapsible Mop with Collapsible Handle
For the Cleaning Obsessive
If you share her excitement over the anxiety-reducing effect of a truly well-done floor-scrubbing, gift her this mop set that’s a vast improvement over sponge or rag versions. The two-piece kit collapses into practically nothing and the microfiber head can be wrung out and tossed into the laundry to emerge spotless for the next wash. (Add in concentrated orange and rosemary floor cleaner to really rock her world.)
33. The Container Store Arts & Crafts Storage Cart & Accessories
For the Crafter
A rolling cart with multiple trays and containers that will separate and organize tools, supplies and works-in-progress…and also allow her to wheel it right into a closet when she’s done with a session. Painters, scrapbookers, wood workers and more will all appreciate this gift.
34. Piece Movement Jigsaw Puzzle Mat
For the Puzzler
This puzzle-saving kit enables you to carry puzzles up to 1,500 pieces with a mat, inflatable tube, fasteners and sorting trays. You know, in case another member of her family wants to use the kitchen table for something else. Like, say, eating.
35. Lollia Bubble Bath
Best for Bath Soakers
White tea, linden leaves, honeysuckle and bergamot are the key notes in this soak that makes for a pampering tub experience.
36. Grove Co. Wool Dryer Balls & Energize Essential Oil Blend Kit
For the Eco-Enthusiast
A great place to start making less waste in the home is by replacing disposable dryer sheets with reusable dryer balls made of New Zealand wool, refreshed with a touch of fresh essential oils. And, bonus: The balls help eliminate wrinkles as clothes tumble.
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