Mothers-in-law can get a bad rap, but they are a unique part of the family unit. (Let’s not forget they also wield the power of possessing all your spouse’s school photos.) Whether you’re celebrating Mother’s Day or her birthday, or thanking her for taking care of the kids for a weekend so you and your spouse can have some much-needed alone time, a gift that speaks to her tastes can go a long way. The best mother-in-law gifts are the ones that show you’re thinking about her and appreciate her for who she is — and that can be anything from a beautiful orchid to a gorgeous box of special products for a spa day.
Here are eight of our favorite mother-in-law gifts.
Harry’s Gift Box
If you want to give your mother-in-law a variety of treats or you’re not overly familiar with her preferences (or trying to get back on her good side), you can’t go wrong with this gift box filled with popular and beloved snacks. It comes with three-seed crackers, sharp white cheddar cheese, hickory-smoked summer sausage, mixed nuts, Moose Munch Premium Popcorn, and seasonal pears. Set it all out and pour a glass of her favorite wine, and you can try everything while you hear stories about your spouse’s embarrassing teenaged antics.
Dried Bouquet and Wine Gift
This is an elegant and surprising gift for the mother-in-law who loves all things antique and classic. You’ll get a bottle of Harry & David 2020 Chardonnay (a winner at the 2022 Oregon Wine Awards) to enjoy, but the star of the show is the bouquet of dried flowers in an accompanying ceramic vase. A beautiful assortment of preserved eucalyptus, love-in-a-mist, and other flowers will last for about a year, and will surely rank as the most unique bouquet she’s been gifted.
Sweet Mother’s Day Gift
This lovely box is so thoughtful (just like your MIL), and everything inside is curated and sure to please. It’s a great Mother’s Day gift for the other mom in your life, and comes with pink sugar-sanded cookies, dark chocolate pretzels, milk chocolate grahams, and an orchard corsage and ceramic vase.
Charcuterie and Cheese Assortment
There are so many occasions that call for meat and cheese: From book clubs to celebrations, or even just a random Saturday that you want to make a bit more special, there’s always a space on the table for charcuterie. If your mother-in-law loves good cheese as much as she loves entertaining, this is a fantastic assortment for her next get-together. There’s three flavored salumi — one with truffle, one with fennel, and an applewood-smoked option — as well as three types of cheeses from artisanal creameries, including a peppercorn cheddar and an apple walnut smoked cheese.
Sending Love Mother’s Day Gift Box
This thoughtful box can be given for any spring holiday, and your mother-in-law is sure to be touched when she receives it. After all, it is inscribed with the message “Beautiful, brilliant, as bright as can be” that she’ll see right as she opens it — along with premium pears, cheddar cheese, heart-shaped crackers, and more (including truffles, cookies, and sparkling white grape juice…that’s a lot of “more!”). It’s the perfect thing to ship if you can’t be there to hug her in person.
Geoffrey Zakarian Greek Olive Oil and Balsamic Dip Duo
If your mother-in-law’s dinner table is never complete without some good bread, then this curated gift basket from renowned chef Geoffrey Zakarian will be an extra-special treat. It comes with two French demi-baguettes that easily heat up to that perfect state of “crusty outside and soft, pillowy inside.” To elevate these loaves to gourmet heights, slice them up and dip them in Zakarian’s own cold-pressed, extra-virgin olive oil made by a fifth-generation, family-owned orchard in Greece. It’s accompanied by balsamic vinegar that’s been aged three years and a seasoned salt with oregano, thyme, and basil. You could make this the appetizer before the big meal.
Violet Opulence Orchard
This gorgeous and premium Phalaenopsis orchid will can live anywhere from 10 to 15 years (!) and is easy to care for (and you really can’t beat that!). The bright violet plant comes in a textured ceramic silver planter, and is a beautiful piece of home decor (hopefully not put directly in front of your photo). Available in both large and small sizes, these gorgeous and vibrant flowers are a show-stopping surprise for any occasion.
Beekman 1802 Honeyed Grapefruit Spa Set
This special gift set will add some little luxuries to your mother-in-law’s everyday beauty routine. Beekman 1802™ is a doctor-founded brand that focuses on high-quality goat milk, which is fantastic for sensitive skin. The honeyed grapefruit scent is bright, citrusy, and slightly sweet, and she’ll also get hand wash, soap, body cream, face wipes, and lip balm in this curated box.
