45 Best Presents for Your Mother-in-Law ...

In case your mom-in-law loves a good bargain and would probably give you a look full of disapproval for spending any amount of money on things that are not of vital importance for one’s existence, you can always get her tons of coupons. This first on my list of present ideas for mother-in-law may sound like a royally stupid one but trust me, it’s way better than trying to explain how you really didn't spend a lot of money. I mean seriously, can you picture yourself saying “No, no, it was cheap”? Get her tons of coupons, purchase a beautiful handmade binder to put them in, stick a bow to it and voila- all done! Now, I know purchasing them off eBay is out of the question, if you are shopping for a Christmas gift, but look on the bright side – we’re neck deep in holiday cheer which means that you could be living on mars and still get a nice little, coupon with every purchase you make! And there are plenty of gifts to be purchased still! And that’s if don’t count holiday editions of all of your favorite magazines, printout coupons available all year long and coupon booklets!
Here are some additional ideas for the frugal MIL:

Click & Grow Indoor Smart Herb Garden

No green thumb required to grow fresh herbs at home with these neat kit.

$59.95 at amazon.com

Good Housekeeping Simple Household Wisdom: 425 Easy Ways to Clean & Organize Your Home

Everything M-i-L needs to be organized.

$11.25 at amazon.com

3-Ring Coupon Organizer Binder

Mom-in-law won't need to scrabble in her purse for her coupons when she uses this.

$16.99 at amazon.com

In case your mother in law goes all happy-happy-joy-joy whenever she is presented with the opportunity to dump a truckload of photos in front of someone and spend the next couple of hours discussing each and every one of them like a it’s a freaking Modigliani, getting her a photo album, digital photo frame or a booked family photograph session is definitely a step in the right direction. Get her a photo album even if she refuses to collect or show any of your photographs and make sure it’s a darn gorgeous one but skip the photo session or arrange the date and time in advance just to make sure the session won’t “accidentally” clash with your work schedule.
Here are some of our ideas!

Pioneer Photo Albums Embroidered Live, Laugh, Love Black Sewn Leatherette Frame Cover Album for 4"x6" Prints

A stylish way to hold special photographs

$16.26 at amazon.com

FaCraft Scrapbooks Kits,Photo Album Kit with Pages Protectors Pockets

A delightful way to keep piles of small keepsakes

$23.99 at amazon.com

Collage Family Black Picture Frames Large Decorative,Wall Hanging Photo Frame,10 Openings,4x6 and 5x7 inches Photos

A stylish way to display favorite photos.

$26.99 at amazon.com

She’s trendy, active, up to date with all of the latest fashion trends and beauty product launches and is more of a gal-pal than a freaky in-law! Well, if that’s what your mother in law is like all I can say is, “Can I shake her hand?” Lol! Getting her a present will be a piece of cake, girl! Get her a trendy yet age-appropriate accessory, some exercise equipment, a gift bag with a few newest beauty products you know she’ll love, a magazine subscription or a new bestselling novel. Don’t sweat even if you’re unsure as to what an ideal present for a mother-in-law might be – you can always get her a gift card and give her a chance to purchase the thing she likes the most.
Check out these ideas for trendy MIL:

Fossil Q Grant Gen 1 Hybrid Sand Leather Smartwatch

Wearable tech gets a stylish makeover.

$166.70 at amazon.com

The Little Dictionary of Fashion: A Guide to Dress Sense for Every Woman

Thoughts from a great designer every fashionista MIL will love.

$13.56 at amazon.com

Benefit Cosmetics Totally B.right 6-pc.Radiant Skincare Set

Everything she needs to stay looking young and beautiful.

$34.75 at amazon.com

Okay, so my mother in law is like this and I thought getting her nice, girly stuff she rarely ever gets a chance to go shop for (and according to her own words, misses dearly) would be a good call. And…well…I couldn't have been more wrong! She has stashed them all like Scrat because they are too nice to waste and didn't use any of the fancy bath & body sets my husband bought her for various holidays for the same reason. But hey, what do you know – the vase I bought her 3 years ago is still in rotation (she enjoys rotating her furniture and accents and does it at least twice a month) and the pajama set she got to pick herself last year is one of her most loved items! Needless to say – we’re probably getting her a lamp this year, or a fruit bowl, maybe even a pair of house slippers or at least two sets of decorative pillow cases to mix and match! And you can do the same! Mine doesn't enjoy cooking that much but if yours does that’s even better, because you can start eyeing spice racks and cookbooks!
Here are some more gift ideas!

The Pioneer Woman Cooks: Dinnertime

Ree Drummond never fails to please. This book is full of her Comfort Classics, Freezer Food, 16-minute Meals, and Other Delicious Ways to Solve Supper**

$18.89 at amazon.com

Blooming Flower Tea Set 45 Oz Glass Teapot

Fabulous clear teapot that comes with healthy teas in beautiful flower form.

$39.99 at amazon.com

Oster Cordless Electric Wine Bottle Opener with Foil Cutter, FFP

Perfect for the mother-in-law who loves to relax with a glass of wine.

$17.99 at amazon.com

Okay, now I know it sounds totally bad but hey, if you happen to have a mom in law with too much time on her hands and no idea how to put it into a good use, you know how utterly annoying she can get. Some enjoy gossiping, others will tell you their life story each and every time and so on and on. Worry not, as your gift for a mother in law this year is about to put an end to that! Get her a starter set and make her take up crafting. Scrapbooking, card-making, wood-carving, decoupage – there are plenty of awesome stuff to choose from and, once you get her hooked, you can just continue buying her more tools and supplies! Amazing, isn't it? Killing two birds with one stone is an admirable skill but killing ALL birds with one stone…now that right there is an art!
How about these gift ideas?

Brother CS6000i Feature-Rich Sewing Machine

With 60 built-In stitches, 7 styles of 1-step auto-size buttonholes, quilting table, and hard cover every sewing project is a breeze.

$136.00 at amazon.com

House of Crafts Creative Card Kit

A great introduction to card making that could become a wonderful hobby.

$24.79 at amazon.com

Leisure Arts Learn to Crochet Toys Book

Perfect for the MIL with lots of grandchildren and youngsters in the family.

$6.77 at amazon.com

In case your ma’ is a career woman, you can definitely get her something that will make her job easier or help her look stylish while she’s making paper! A designer agenda, a new shoulder strap for her Louis Vuitton purse, a really smart scarf or a stylish yet work-appropriate necklace, personal tech, a day at the spa so she could relax or some cosmetics. Don’t experiment too much with beauty products if you know she likes a certain beauty routine – get her something you know she’ll use or a gift card so she can choose. And it rhymes! Yaaay! Do you think Rebecca Black would hire me to write her lyrics?
Some gift ideas:

Moleskine Classic Notebook, Large, Ruled, Black, Hard Cover (5 x 8.25)

Functional but stylish. The perfect companion for a busy woman.

$15.99 at amazon.com

Vera Bradley Soft Fringe Scarf

Warm and stylish, this scarf is great for a mom-in-law who loves the latest style trends.

$32.88 at amazon.com

Kindle Paperwhite E-reader - Black, 6" High-Resolution Display (300 ppi) with Built-in Light, Wi-Fi

She might be busy, but she'll appreciate having this handy Kindle for reading her favorite books.

$99.99 at amazon.com

Most grandparents would do everything to make their grandkids happy yet some end up not only loving the job but actually trying to be the best at it to the point where you start thinking that if there were such thing as “world’s best grandparents” title, they’d probably be the one winning it. If you're having a conversation with this grandma, it’s going to be all about your kids, if she’s cooking or baking we’re talking about a Ritz Carlton-worthy menu that consists of everything kids love or might find interesting! Furthermore, you and your hubby may not receive super-fabulous gifts but, if your kids want a three-headed dragon, that’s exactly what they are going to get even if it involves digging up Merlin, hooking him up on life support and getting the poor guy to conjure one! Well, you've got one Wonder Granny on your hands and now would be the perfect time to thank God, Gods, Great Shogun, Faith, Charles Darwin, Justin Bieber or whichever divine force you put your faith in for it! Why? Because all you’ll need to do to make her happy is snap or find a few cute photos of your children to frame! Think something big and imposing – something even a last chance candidate for Lasik could see clearly without prescription glasses. Have your kids draw her a card or a picture, write her a poem or anything of that sort. She’ll get all teary-eyed, I’m sure!
Here are some other gift ideas she might love:

Primitives by Kathy Nice and Normal Tea Towel, 28-Inch by 28-Inch

It's easy for Grandma to show off her family pride with this tea towel.

$8.95 at amazon.com

Personalized Add Your Custom Text and Photo White Ceramic 11 Oz Coffee Mug

Any proud grandma will love showing off grandkids with a photo mug.

$15.99 at amazon.com

G2PLUS Adjustable Women's Kitchen Apron

When Grandma makes cookies, she'll love wearing this stylish apron to keep her clothes clean.

$8.99 at amazon.com

When you’re dealing with a mother in law that is very active, that is super outdoorsy and that loves to stay fit and trim, they can be hard to buy for! You don’t want to get them the wrong running shoes or the wrong workout pants, so why not go with something interactive? There are great fitness gadgets that help any fitness journey.
Here are some fab gift options for fit mother-in-laws!

Fitbit Blaze Smart Fitness Watch

Help your mother in law keep track of everything with this fitness watch that's perfect for an active lifestyle.

$148.00 at amazon.com

Hydro Flask Vacuum Insulated Stainless Steel Water Bottle, Wide Mouth w/Flex Cap

Functional and available in many colors. This water bottle makes all her workouts so much better.

$29.95 and up at amazon.com

Peace Yoga Yoga Mat Tote Bag

Any yogi mother in law will love the practicality and style of this bag that totes all her yoga essentials.

$14.99 at amazon.com

You know the type, that can outcook anyone and that wants to do every single holiday at their house -- because they are a better cook than you. if that is your M.I.L, you’ve got a ‘The Cook’ type on your hands and that means that they want anything in the world for the kitchen. Cute accessories are fun and even pans that you never think you’d need to buy, she wants. Stay within the kitchen aisle or take a trip to Williams Sonoma for this M.I.L and you’ll be golden!
More gifts for the cook:

Cuisinart CFO-3SS Electric Fondue Maker

She's going to love hosting parties even more with this fondue set.

$45.10 at amazon.com

Rachael Ray Oven Lovin' Nonstick Bakeware 3-Piece Baking and Cookie Pan Set

Any mother in law who loves sharing her best baked goods will adore having this bakeware set in her kitchen.

$23.74 at amazon.com

Hamilton Beach 49980A Single Serve Coffee Brewer and Full Pot Coffee Maker, 2-Way

Your mother in law will never have to make the trek to the coffee shop again. Maybe she'll even brew you a cup!

$44.55 at amazon.com

Lots of retired (or still working) mother in laws have time to do all the sewing they didn't when they were raising kids. It gives them something to do and often results in fabulous gifts for the rest of the family too. If your mother in law loves to make things, you can easily give her a gift card to her favorite fabric store. She'll love choosing her own new supplies and will love you for it. Of course, you can always load her up with yarn if she loves to knit or fat quarters and thread if quilting is her thing.
What about these gifts for the sewing diva?

The Sewing Book: An Encyclopedic Resource of Step-by-Step Techniques

It won't take up much room in her sewing space, but there are so many great new things for her to make in here.

$36.00 at amazon.com

Vintage Floral Print Fabric Large Sewing Tool Box Basket

Your mother in law will absolutely love having an easy place to keep all her sewing notions.

$59.99 at amazon.com

SINGER 611.BR Universal Hard Carrying Case for Most Free-Arm Sewing Machines

Totally functional. Your mother in law will love being able to travel with her sewing machine.

$20.39 at amazon.com

Do you ever covet the great style your mother in law has? If she pays careful attention to her look and is always wearing what's fashionable, you won't have any trouble finding her a fashionable gift this year. Opt for a sweater or adorable pair of boots. She'll love having a new item for her closet and will be impressed with your fashion sense. Win, win!
Additional gift ideas for the fashionista:

Michael Stars Women's Madison Brushed Jersey Convertible-Cowl Tope with Thumbholes

Any woman would look great in this, but your trendy MIL will especially love it.

$128.00 at amazon.com

Society6 Vintage Camper Red Tote Bag

Stylish, but fun. You'll be the favorite when you gift your mother in law with this bag.

$26.00 at amazon.com

Vera Bradley Sidesaddle Cross-Body Bag

All the stylish ladies need a cross body bag like this one. She'll love it!

$168.00 at amazon.com

If your mother in law is anything like mine, she snaps candid and posed photos at every occasion or gathering you have. This means you can please her easily with some photo related gear for Christmas this year. The simplest thing to do is to give her a gift card for her favorite photo developing store or website. She will absolutely love being able to order hundreds of prints without having to spend a dime. Or, you could gift her with the attachable flash or great tripod she's been talking about.
Here are some other gifts to consider:

Photography Photo Portrait Studio 600W Day Light Umbrella Continuous Lighting Kit by LimoStudio, LMS103

With this professional setup, your mother in law can foster her craft and you'll never have to pay for professional photos again.

$52.99 at amazon.com

The Photographer's Playbook: 307 Assignments and Ideas

Perfectly practical, this notebook is a must have for any serious photographer.

$19.20 at amazon.com

Chromo Inc CI55000230 Macro Ring 48 LED Power Light for Canon, Sony, Nikon, Sigma Lenses

Help her get the perfect lighting with this handy LED light that she'll thank you over and over again for in the years to come.

$29.99 at amazon.com

I hope someday that I'm the kind of mother in law that gets to travel the world and bring back fun presents for my grandkids. If that's the kind of mother in law you have, give her a gift that she can use on her next trip. Maybe that's a beautiful travel journal or photo album for her pictures. A lovely sun hat if she's headed on a cruise or a warm sleeping bag if she's headed to the campsite are other ideas. Travel snacks and books or even a magazine subscription are other great ideas.

Or, consider these gift ideas!

Lonely Planet's Ultimate Travel: Our List of the 500 Best Places to See

If she hasn't been everywhere yet, this handy guide will give her lots of new choices.

$8.15 at amazon.com

Hopsooken Travel Organizer Luggage Compression Pouches

Make all her travels easy and stylish with this collection of traveling gear.

$11.99 at amazon.com

Phone Charging Passport Holder Travel Case w/ Power Bank– iPhone, Galaxy & More

Your MIL will have everything she needs for all her trips right at her fingertips with this perfect store all wallet.

$39.99 at amazon.com

Some mother in laws like to cook, but some just want to eat. If yours falls into the latter category, the holidays can be a fun time to indulge her love of everything culinary and gourmet. Sign her up for a food of the month club (think cheese, citrus or spices) so she can try something new every few weeks. Gourmet olive oils, specialty candy or gift certificates to fancy grocery stores are other ideas. If you need a budget-friendly idea, consider giving her coupons for a meal you cook for her at home.

Even more gifts for the foodie:

Mantova Garlic,Basil,Chili,Lemon Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil, 8.5-Ounce Bottles (Pack of 4)

Your MIL will love experimenting with the different flavors of olive oil in this collection.

$29.77 at amazon.com

Back to the Roots Organic Mushroom Farm

Your mother in law is going to love growing these mushrooms just as much as she loves eating them.

$18.99 at amazon.com

Crown Maple Bourbon Barrel Aged Maple Syrup, 12.7 Ounce

Any foodie will tell you that trying new things is great and this maple syrup is the perfect thing to give this year.

$18.95 at amazon.com

Does your mother in law love to regale you with stories of when her little darling was a boy? Chances are she's of the sentimental group. Indulge her by having some her favorite photos retouched and framed. Or ask your husband to help you and sneak in and take home all her photos and organize them into albums that she can page through later and show off to all of her friends.

Other ideas for the sentimental MIL:

Personalized Rustic Wood Plank Look Home Sweet Home Key Hanger

She'll think of your thoughtfulness any time she sees this.

$24.99 at amazon.com

Personalized Cutting Board

What a fun way to give your MIL something unique that will make her smile each time she uses it.

$19.99 at amazon.com

J Devlin Box 508-2 Stained Glass Jewelry Keepsake Box Vintage and Pink Rose 3 x 7 x 2 1/4

Perfect for jewelry but even better for all those little sentimental keepsakes.

$34.50 at amazon.com

Any other ideas? What’s the best gift for a mother in law…or your mother in law in particular? And what is she like? Oh and off the record, cauldrons, potions, pointy hats, black cats and brooms do not qualify as good holiday gifts even if you truly believe she might easily put them into a good use. You've been warned!

This post was written in collaboration with editors Neecey Beresford, Heather Jensen, Eliza Martinez, and Lisa Washington.