Your mother-in-law raised your partner, and to begin with, she did a great job. Of course, you can leave it up to your spouse to gift her something memorable this Mother’s Day, or you can aim for the father-in-law of the year with a stellar gift she won’t soon forget. Need help choosing a memorable gift? That’s where I come in. I’ve spent the last few months curating some truly stunning gifts that range from whimsical to practical, and I’m sure there’s something on this list that practically any mother-in-law would swoon over. Plus, these Mother’s Day gift ideas range in price, meaning you won’t have to splurge to show her you care. From useful kitchen gadgets (think: deep fryers and vegetable choppers) to little luxuries like Lake pajamasThese gifts tick all the boxes.
How can I determine what makes the cut? As Yahoo Life’s gift expert, I pride myself on my ability to track down the—dare I say it—coolest gifts on the Internet. This gift list for her includes a mix of new releases, Amazon bestsellers, and Yahoo Life reader favorites, along with several popular finds I know and love (ahem, the Ember mug and Dr. Scholl sneakers).
I laid the foundation, but you know your mother-in-law better. Keep this in mind as you scroll through these best gifts for your mother-in-law that are equal parts practical and personal.
More gift ideas for Mother’s Day:
Mueller Austria
The nearly 8,000 five-star reviews should speak for themselves. A happy buyer wrote that this best-selling gadget, which features a chopper, grater and interchangeable blades, “cuts through sliced sweet potatoes like a knife through butter.” Other highlighted how much time it saves in the kitchen: “A medium onion can be cut into cubes in just two passes and everything falls into the container so there are no more tears.”
All it takes is one scented tablet to transform your shower into a spa. Like bath bombs for the shower, these aromatherapy vaporizers release scents of lavender, chamomile, and jasmine as they dissolve.
It’s a puzzle and a greeting card all in one. Write a message on the back of the puzzle and divide it so she can see what you wrote upon completion.
Reading comes naturally, but holding the pages? Well, this can be a struggle for even the biggest bookworms. She can simply run her thumb across this wooden marker and read with ease – with one hand no less. “I have arthritis in my hands and using this page holder really relieves the stress on my thumbs,” one five-star reviewer said of the “wonderful invention”.
This smart mug is simply magical. Once you sync with the Ember app, this Bluetooth-enabled beauty will keep your coffee at the set temperature (anywhere between 120 and 145 degrees Fahrenheit) from the first sip to the last.
Out with the old, in with the new: she won’t need any convincing to swap her sports bracelet for this beauty with a gold chain. Does she gravitate toward silver or rose gold? No problem because there are 16 finishes to choose from, including two-tone styles and others with crystal accents.
Because comfortable shoes are always in fashion. These platform kicks look as good as they look — at least that’s what the glowing Amazon reviews say. “I walked around several cities in these shoes over 20,000 steps a day and never felt any pain in my bunion or anywhere else. These really are the best shoes for traveling and walking long distances,” a happy customer wrote.
Simply turn on the lamp and it emits a warm glow – and the scent of any candle placed under the light. The wax melts slower and more evenly than a standard burn, so she can enjoy her favorite scents for longer.
These days, it may seem like everyone has an air fryer – except your mother-in-law. With this pastel and gold beauty from Drew Barrymore’s Walmart line, she’ll be able to fry, bake, reheat or dehydrate up to 10 pounds of food at once. Choose from a variety of beautiful colors including cornflower blue, lavender and sage green.
There aren’t enough hours in the day to hear all of your stories, and that’s exactly why Storyworth exists. She will respond to a new prompt each week, and then they will be compiled and bound into a hardcover book for everyone to enjoy at the end of the year.
Sometimes she wants to share a bottle of wine with others. But other times? Well, she just wants a glass (or two) for herself. In that case, she can use this wine protector, which removes air from an open bottle to prevent oxidation, prolonging the life and flavor of her favorite wines.
Don’t let the price fool you: These cropped fleece hoodies are made with better-for-the-planet materials, including eco-friendly dyes. “The fabric is heavy enough and the style is perfect for me because I’m petite and they’re not overwhelming,” wrote one shopper, who called them “the best pants ever.”
This heat-resistant glass kettle does double duty. The lid has a built-in strainer, so she can brew her favorite loose leaf tea and pour it directly into her cup.
You’ve shared so many special memories over the years – your wedding, weekend getaways, to name a few. Instead of focusing on one moment, gather a bunch of your favorites and send photos straight from your phone, iCloud account, or Google Photos straight to this digital photo frame. The frame’s storage is unlimited, so it can add more photos as the years go by.
It’s about time she got her own Stanley Cup! Choose from over 30 colors, from muted neutrals to bright hues that will keep her smiling while she hydrates.
Bring new life to your party with this stone cheese board, featuring carved floral inlays. Combine it with a set of cheese knivesso she can put it to use as quickly as possible.
Extend an olive branch – er, tree – to your mother-in-law. Even if your relationship has been smooth sailing since day one, she will appreciate the sentiment behind this houseplant. Just make sure it has a sunny spot, as these Mediterranean plants thrive in bright, direct sunlight. Choose from three sizes (starting at $68) and a variety of pot styles and colors.
The weather is warming up, which means it’s time for her to swap out her black purse for something lighter and brighter. This grained leather crossbody, which one reviewer dubbed the “big little bag” because it’s compact and roomy at the same time, comes in baby blue, light pink, and beige.
Because love makes a garden grow. Choose between three color combinations – purple and yellow; pink and purple; and light and dark pink — or buy the entire trio, which is on sale for $90.
Is she the type who wants something more practical? Then grab a pack of these reusable paper towels, decorated with flowers, birds, or other fun patterns. She can use them to wash dishes, wipe down counters, wipe down the stove—or anything else she would use a regular cloth for.
Now she can sleep like the queen she is. These luxurious pajamas are made from Peruvian pima cotton (hence the silky, soft feel), which shrinks during the first wash, so reviewers recommend sizing up for the ideal fit.
She already has a green thumb, but how about a special apron with enough pockets to hold all the tools she needs to grow her garden? This one has a beautiful floral design to remind her what she’s working so hard for: an abundance of beautiful flowers.
Most meals are best served hot – and let’s face it, if she’s going to spend the time and energy to prepare something delicious, then her guests should enjoy it at the right temperature. The answer? This terracotta trivet, which keeps food warm after being heated in the oven.
The revisions cited above reflect the most recent versions at the time of publication.
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