Gift Ideas for Your Mother-in-law

Courtesy of the retailers

Shopping for your mother-in-law is rarely easy. You want her to like you, your tastes, and your gifts. You want to impress her, but it's hard to gauge what, exactly, would be impressive. You want your gift to make her happy — whether it's your 30th holiday with her or your first.

There’s nothing like surprising (and even inspiring) your spouse's parent. Below, we’ve selected a few stellar items that we know will make your mother-in-law smile: think exotic salts, lush cashmere travel accessories, an array of travel-friendly beauty products, and all the little luxury items that she just might not think to buy for herself.

This year, Travel + Leisure is offering its most comprehensive gift guide ever. The goal? To make sure you can find the perfect present for everyone (yes, even your in-laws) on your list. Below, our top picks for the discerning mother-in-law.

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Each product we feature has been independently selected and reviewed by our editorial team. If you make a purchase using the links included, we may earn commission.

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Ariul 7 Days Mask Set

Courtesy of Amazon

For the woman who can’t get enough of the mask craze, the best thing about this 7 Days sheet mask set from Ariul is that the masks cover pretty much everything — dry skin, redness, exhaustion, acne breakouts — the list goes on.

To buy: amazon.com, $20

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Torridon Sweater

Courtesy of Anthropologie

No one can have enough cozy pullover sweaters for wintertime. This one is as versatile and comfy as it is stylish, and that pop of color will be a compliment to any mother’s closet.

To buy: anthropologie.com, $158

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Rifle Paper Co Jardin Weekly Desk Planner Notepad

Courtesy of Amazon

For the woman who has lots of places to be, this beautiful floral desk planner is a great tool for staying organized in style.

To buy: amazon.com, $12

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Chanel Take Flight Travel Palette Set

Courtesy of Nordstrom

Complete with shadow, gloss, lip color, blush, glow, and mascara, this travel palette is packable and practical.

To buy: nordstrom.com, $95

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Charbonnel et Walker Dark Sea Salt Caramel Truffles

Dark Chocolate Sea Salt caramel Truffles

Courtesy of Nordstrom

Your spouse’s mother will surely be pleased and impressed with these indulgent treats. After all, it’s hard to go wrong when you combine chocolate and caramel.

To buy: nordstrom.com, $30

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Tiffany & Co. Eau de Parfum

Courtesy of Nordstrom

Straight from the House of Tiffany, this fresh and nuanced fragrance has notes of iris at its base.

To buy: nordstrom.com, $75

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‘Dishing Up the Dirt: Simple Recipes for Cooking Through the Seasons’

Courtesy of HarperCollins

Perfect for the mother-in-law in your life who loves to whip up a delicious, seasonal dish, this cookbook from Portland-based organic farmer and cook Andrea Bemis features over 100 farm-to-table recipes — a terrific way to bring the family together.

To buy: amazon.com, $21

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Gourmet Salt & Pepper Kit

Courtesy of Neiman Marcus

Give your mother-in-law a taste of the world with this set of globally sourced salts and peppers, packaged in a beautiful wooden box. From Australia to Egypt to the Himalayas, she’ll have quite the array of savory seasonings to choose from.

To buy: neimanmarcus.com, $425

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Afternoon Chocolate Fix

Courtesy of Dean & DeLuca

Enough said.

To buy: deandeluca.com, $49

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Natalie Martin Georgia Robe

Courtesy of Anthropologie

Every kind of mother deserves the ultimate loungewear indulgence: a soft, sumptuous robe. This sleek little number features a feminine floral pattern and a super lightweight quality that makes it easy-as-pie to pack.

To buy: anthropologie.com, $298

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Krewe Royal Round Optical Frames

Courtesy of Neiman Marcus

Whether she’s curled up at home with hot cocoa and a good book or settling into a long read on a cross-continental flight, every globetrotting girl deserves a good pair of chic specs.

To buy: neimanmarcus.com, $315

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Sofia Cashmere Travel Set

Cashmere travel blanket and eye mask set

Courtesy of Saks Fifth Avenue

Want to really impress your mother-in-law? Pull out all the stops with this exquisite cashmere travel set, which includes a cable-knit travel blanket and matching sleep mask, both of which slip into a cashmere carry case.

To buy: saksfifthavenue.com, $300

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Ren Moroccan Rose Otto Bath Oil

Courtesy of Sephora

It doesn’t get much better than giving the gift of relaxation. This indulgent bath oil from Ren is made from Moroccan rose otto oil, which leaves the skin smooth, full of moisture, and smelling like roses.

To buy: sephora.com, $48

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Hobo ‘Lauren’ Leather Clutch

Courtesy of Nordstrom

Slip it in a tote, a purse, or just carry it in-hand. This stylish, soft-leather clutch from Hobo is slim and sleek, perfect for the woman who likes to travel light.

To buy: nordstrom.com, $128

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Luigi Bormioli ‘Crescendo’ Bordeaux Glasses

Courtesy of Nordstrom

A set of four elegant “Crescendo” stems will be an excellent addition to your in-laws’ bar collection. And of course, it wouldn’t hurt to pair it with your favorite Bordeaux.

To buy: nordstrom.com, $35

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bkr Water Bottle

Courtesy of Saks Fifth Avenue

Elevate the way your mother-in-law hydrates with this luxe water bottle from bkr. Crafted from glass, silicone, and Swarovski crystal, she’ll feel extra special when she sips from this sleek vessel.

To buy: saksfifthavenue.com, $185

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100 Photographs: The Most Influential Images of All Time

Courtesy of TIME

TIME's "100 Photographs: The Most Influential Images of All Time" is the perfect gift for the people in your life who love history or photography (or both). The book highlights the photographs that captured the most important moments in our collective history.

To buy: barnesandnoble.com, $25

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TUMI Jewelry Bag

Courtesy of Saks Fifth Avenue

Every woman on the go needs a safe place to store her valuables when in transit. This classic black roll-up from TUMI unravels into an elongated storage space, perfect for storing whatever she wears (or buys) during her travels.

To buy: saksfifthavenue.com, $95

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Kate Spade White Dot Clear Umbrella

Courtesy of Saks Fifth Avenue

This stylish accessory will ensure your mother-in-law has a ball wherever she travels, rain or shine.

To buy: saksfifthavenue.com, $38

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Kusmi Tea the Collection Chest

Courtesy of Kusmi

Discover the best of Kusmi’s teas in this elegant gift box, which comes with 100 filters (so no problem if she doesn’t own an infuser) and 15 of the brand's most iconic blends. This is a safe gift to buy for the tea-obsessed mother-in law, or the one you don’t know that well. Who doesn’t love a good cuppa?

To buy: neimanmarcus.com, $119

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Marvis Travel Toothpaste Kit

Courtesy of Anthropologie

Who knew toothpaste could be so luxurious? For the woman who’s always traveling, this set of the chicest dental paste around—which includes flavors like jasmine and licorice mint—is an inexpensive, but thoughtful gift.

To buy: sephora.com, $36

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The Twill Weekender by Everlane

Courtesy of Everlane

You know what’s a really nice gift, and is something that most people would never think to buy themselves? A stylish, sturdy weekend bag. This design by Everlane may look like Hèrmes—but it’s about a 20th of the price.

To buy: everlane.com, $98

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Olivia von Halle Queenie Sabine Silk Robe

Courtesy of Net-a-Porter

OK, OK, yes, this item is expensive, but come the holiday season, some people like to splurge on their parents—in-laws or otherwise—with a luxurious something that they wouldn’t normally buy themselves. This gorgeous silk robe is timeless, elegant, and ultra-flattering on everyone.

To buy: net-a-porter.com, $975

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Winc Wine Club Subscription

Courtesy of Winc Wine Club

Wine club subscriptions are becoming increasingly more popular, but for the vino lover who doesn’t have one—this is a great gift. Since wine is so personal, we love Winc, because it lets you give a gift card, so your mother-in-law can curate her subscription to her tastes.

To buy: clubw.com, prices vary

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Try the World Subscription

Courtesy of Try the World

If you’re completely stumped as to what to gift your mother-in-law, the Try the World subscription box is a safe bet. Who wouldn’t love an assortment of imported foods from around the globe delivered to their front door?

To buy: trytheworld.com, from $39

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Michael Aram Dogwood Cheeseboard with Knife

Courtesy of Nieman Marcus

If your mother-in-law regularly hosts family dinners, consider this gorgeous cheeseboard by designer Michael Aram. Handmade with Indian limestone, we can’t think of a more elegant product to serve this year’s holiday appetizers on.

To buy: neimanmarcus.com, $200

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Zeel Massage Certificate

Courtesy of Zeel

In case you missed the memo, there’s now a massage service, Zeel, that brings vetted, licensed massage therapists directly to your home. They’ll come with their own massage table, so all you need is a few clean sheets. You can choose from single and couples massages, and pick what type of massage you prefer (Swedish, deep tissue, prenatal, or sports). The company offers gift cards—which are the perfect present for just about anyone—and are available in 40 cities.

To buy: zeel.com, prices vary

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OXO Tabletop Spiralizer

Courtesy of Sur La Table

Fruit and vegetable spiralizers are the latest must-have culinary accessory—you can thank health-crazed Instagrammers for popularizing them—but not everyone might want to go out and splurge on one. Though we’ve got to say, this one’s quite a bargain. If your mother-in-law likes to cook, introduce her to this fun new trend with OXO’s Tabletop Spiralizer.

To buy: surlatable.com, $39.95

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Gucci Horsebit-detailed Shearling-Lined Leather Slippers

Courtesy of Nortdstrom

Have a mother-in-law that’s just as into fashion as you are? Gift her this season’s must-have shoe, seen on everyone from Sienna Miller to Mary-Kate Olsen. They’re basically the indoor/outdoor slippers that dreams are made of. Our favorite way to rock these bad boys? At the airport, of course!

To buy: nordstrom.com, $995

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The Best Gifts for Your Mother-in-Law

1 of 30

Ariul 7 Days Mask Set

2 of 30

Torridon Sweater

3 of 30

Rifle Paper Co Jardin Weekly Desk Planner Notepad

4 of 30

Chanel Take Flight Travel Palette Set

5 of 30

Charbonnel et Walker Dark Sea Salt Caramel Truffles

6 of 30

Tiffany & Co. Eau de Parfum

7 of 30

‘Dishing Up the Dirt: Simple Recipes for Cooking Through the Seasons’

8 of 30

Gourmet Salt & Pepper Kit

9 of 30

Afternoon Chocolate Fix

10 of 30

Natalie Martin Georgia Robe

11 of 30

Krewe Royal Round Optical Frames

12 of 30

Sofia Cashmere Travel Set

13 of 30

Ren Moroccan Rose Otto Bath Oil

14 of 30

Hobo ‘Lauren’ Leather Clutch

15 of 30

Luigi Bormioli ‘Crescendo’ Bordeaux Glasses

16 of 30

bkr Water Bottle

17 of 30

100 Photographs: The Most Influential Images of All Time

18 of 30

TUMI Jewelry Bag

19 of 30

Kate Spade White Dot Clear Umbrella

20 of 30

Kusmi Tea the Collection Chest

21 of 30

Marvis Travel Toothpaste Kit

22 of 30

The Twill Weekender by Everlane

23 of 30

Olivia von Halle Queenie Sabine Silk Robe

24 of 30

Winc Wine Club Subscription

25 of 30

Try the World Subscription

26 of 30

Michael Aram Dogwood Cheeseboard with Knife

27 of 30

Zeel Massage Certificate

28 of 30

OXO Tabletop Spiralizer

29 of 30

Gucci Horsebit-detailed Shearling-Lined Leather Slippers

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