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The 22 best gifts for your mother-in-law in 2024

Right this way for unique, MIL-approved gift ideas that'll leave a lasting impression.

Ember mug, gardener apron, air fryer
What on Earth do you get the woman who raised your sweetheart? These thoughtful picks will do the trick. (Amazon, Uncommon Goods, Walmart)

When it comes to shopping for your own mother, you’re a pro. But shopping for your mother-in-law is another challenge. If you know better than to leave the task up to your partner, then you’ve come to the right place. As Yahoo’s gifting expert, I’m always on the lookout for gifts that moms, mother-in-laws, soon-to-be moms and grandmas will love. So whether you’re on the hunt for something practical, sentimental or just plain fun, I have you covered with this list of the best gifts for your mother-in-law.

Quick overview
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How do I determine what makes the cut? As Yahoo Life's gifting expert, I take pride in my ability to track down the — dare I say — coolest gifts on the internet. This list of gifts for her includes a mix of buzzy new releases, Amazon bestsellers and Yahoo Life reader favorites, along with several popular finds that I know and love (ahem, the Ember mug and Dr. Scholl's sneakers).

I've laid the groundwork, but you know your mother-in-law best. Keep that in mind as you scroll through these best gifts for your mother-in-law, which are equal parts practical and personal.

Gifts for your mother-in-law by category:

Does she appreciate the finer things in life? All it takes is one scented tab to turn her shower into a spa. Like bath bombs for the shower, these aromatherapy steamers release scents of lavender, chamomile and jasmine as they dissolve.

$17 at Amazon

It's a jigsaw puzzle and greeting card all in one. Write a message on the back of the puzzle, then break it up so she can see what you wrote upon completion. 

$12 at Amazon
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$8 at Mudpuppy

Reading comes naturally, but holding down the pages? Well, that can be a struggle for even the biggest bookworms. She can just slip her thumb through this wooden bookmark and read with ease — one-handed, 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."

$8 at Amazon

Most meals are best served hot — and let's face it, if she's going to take the time and energy to cook up something delicious, then her guests should enjoy it at the right temperature. The answer? This terra-cotta trivet, which keeps food nice and toasty after being warmed in the oven.

$24 at Uncommon Goods

Sometimes she wants to share a bottle of vino with others. But other times? Well, she just wants a glass (or two) for herself. In that case, she can use this wine saver, which removes the air from an opened bottle to prevent oxidation, extending the life and flavor of her favorite wines.

$14 at Amazon

Is she the type who wants something more practical? Then grab a pack of these reusable paper towels, decked out with flowers, birds or other fun patterns. She can use them to wash dishes, clean countertops, wipe down the stovetop — or just about anything else she'd use a standard rag for. 

$14 at Amazon

Safer than an open flame and longer lasting, too. Just switch the lamp on to emit a warm glow — and the aroma of whichever candle is placed underneath the light. The wax melts slower and more even than a standard burn, so she'll be able to enjoy her favorite scents longer.

$34 at Amazon

The nearly 8,000 five-star reviews should speak for themselves. One happy shopper wrote that this bestselling gadget, which has interchangeable chopper, grater and slice blades, "chopped sliced sweet potatoes like a knife through butter." Another pointed out how much time it saves in the kitchen: "A medium onion can be diced up in just two swipes, and it all falls into the container so no more tears."

$30 at Amazon

Out with the old, in with the new: She won't need any convincing to swap out her sports band for this gold-chained beauty. Does she gravitate toward silver or rose gold? No problem because there are 16 finishes to choose from, including two-tone styles and ones with crystal accents. 

$33 at Amazon

Don't let the price tag fool you: These cropped fleece sweats are made with better-for-the-planet materials, including eco-friendly dyes. "The fabric is just heavy enough, and the style is perfect for me because I am petite and they aren’t overpowering," wrote one shopper, who called them the "best pants ever." 

$39 at Quince

This heat-resistant glass kettle pulls double duty. The lid has a built-in strainer, so she can steep her favorite loose-leaf tea and then pour it directly into her cup. Just make sure she doesn't stick it on a burner. 

$28 at Amazon

She's already got a green thumb, but what about a special apron with enough pockets to hold all the tools she needs to make her garden grow? This one has a sweet floral design to remind her what she's working so hard for: a bounty of beautiful blooms. 

$42 at Uncommon Goods
Anthropologie

Breathe new life into her party spread with this stone cheeseboard, featuring hard-carved floral inlays. Pair it with a set of cheese knives, so she can put it to use ASAP.

$48 at Anthropologie

Because love makes a garden grow. Choose between three color combinations — purple and yellow; pink and purple; and light and dark pink — or get her the whole trio, which is currently on sale for $90.

$30 at Etsy

Because comfy shoes are always in style. These platform kicks look just as good as they feel — at least that's what the glowing Amazon reviews say. "I walked all over multiple cities in these shoes 20,000+ steps each day, and I never once experienced pain in my bunion or anywhere else. These truly are the best shoes for traveling and walking long distances," one happy customer wrote

$60 at Amazon
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$60 at Zappos$60 at Macy's

These days, it might seem like everyone has an air fryer — except your mother-in-law. With this pastel and gold beauty by Drew Barrymore's Walmart line, she'll be able to air fry, roast, reheat or dehydrate up to 5 pounds of food at once. Choose from an array of pretty colors, including cornflower blue, lavender and sage green. 

$69 at Walmart

There aren't enough hours in the day to hear all of her stories, which is exactly why Storyworth exists. She'll answer a new prompt each week, then they'll be compiled and bound in a hardcover book for all to enjoy at the end of the year. 

$89 at Storyworth
The Sill

Extend an olive branch — er, tree — to your mother-in-law. Even if your relationship has been smooth sailing from day one, she'll appreciate the sentiment behind this houseplant. Just make sure she has a sunny spot for it since these Mediterranean plants thrive on bright, direct sunlight. Pick from three sizes (starting at $70) and a variety of pot styles and colors. 

$70 at The Sill

The weather's warming up, which means it's time for her to trade her black bag for something lighter and brighter. This pebbled leather crossbody, which one reviewer dubbed a "little big purse," for being compact and roomy at the same time, comes in enchanted green, tea rose and black.

$69 at Kate Spade Outlet

Now she'll be able to sleep like the queen she is. These luxe PJs are made from Peruvian pima cotton (hence the silky, smooth feel), which shrinks during the first wash, so reviewers recommend sizing up for the ideal fit. 

$98 at Lake

This heated coffee mug's nothing short of magical, at least that's what our Executive Tech Editor Rick Broida thinks. Once it syncs to the Ember app, this Bluetooth-enabled beauty will keep her coffee or tea at the set temperature (anywhere between 120 and 145 degrees Fahrenheit) from the first sip to the last.

$116 at Amazon
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$150 at Walmart$116 at Target

You've shared so many special memories over the years — your wedding, weekend getaways, to name a couple. Instead of focusing on one moment, round up a bunch of your favorites and send the photos straight from your phone, iCloud account or Google Photos straight to this digital frame. The frame's storage is unlimited, so she can keep adding more pictures as the years go on. 

$148 at Walmart
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$150 at Kohl's$150 at Target

The reviews quoted above reflect the most recent versions at the time of publication.

Your go-to shopping guide: See all of our gift guides in one spot. We've got gift ideas for all the different people in your life — men, women, teens, kids, you name it.