36 Gifts For Your Mother-in-Law…That She’ll Actually Like

Best for Home Fitness Fans

Here’s the unsung hero of pandemic home fitness. It’s a slick, five-foot board that you store under your bed or couch, then take out to use with hand and foot booties that enable you to glide laterally across it, getting an aerobic and strength-enhancing workout, all while minimizing joint stress and improving balance.

For the Master Chef

Your MIL is already a queen in the kitchen, but if she’s looking to branch out, behold PureWow’s very first cookbook. We compiled our top recipes from the past decade in honor of our tenth anniversary, focusing on easy-yet-elegant breakfasts, mains, sides, apps and desserts. Sure, they look totally fancy, but we promise nothing’s too fussy. (Psst: if you order the book by Sunday, May 2 at midnight, it will arrive in time for Mother’s Day.)

Best for Décor Junkies

Garment-washed linen is so elegant and soft to the touch, she’ll be totally taken aback by your cuddly gift.

For the Woman with Wild Style

There’s something about gifting a pair of leopard-print shoes that says: “I know you can pull this off, and I totally respect your vibe.”

For the Baker

This set includes a 14-inch cookie sheet, a nine-inch round cake pan and 13-inch covered bake pan, along with necessary baking tools for each. It’s okay if you’re not-so-secretly hoping she’ll share some of her treats with you.

For the Sun Worshipper

Even if she lives for sunning herself at the beach or by the pool, she knows her face and hair need protection from direct sun exposure. This lightweight topper gets the job done, with style.

For the Constant Gardner

You know she loves her garden but doesn’t like having sore legs from maneuvering into place to really get at those weeds. Problem solved! This ingenious device has both a narrow and wide kneeling pad on one side, or it can be flipped over and used as a seat.

For the Beach Lover

With a 66-inch perimeter, this beach blanket is big enough to fit the whole family—and easy to carry across the sand thanks to its handy carrying belt.

Buy It ($128)

For the Home Entertainer

This adjustable iron rod clamps on to each end of a table measuring between 55 and 89 inches long, so that you can drape foliage, light strings or any number or decorative elements for a super festive mother’s day dinner. And it’s sturdy enough to withstand a little breeze, in case she wants to use it on the patio.

Best for Beauty Product Junkies

If she already gets Botox and is on a first-name basis with her derm, she’ll be all about this tool. Multiple wavelengths of LED light therapy improve fine lines and wrinkles on her forehead, cheeks and jawline as well as diminishing crow’s feet and lips.

For Aspiring Meditators

A nice cushy seat and a back support that adjusts to five different positions means a body can really relax into a meditation…without needing to maneuver their legs into a pretzel shape. And it’s so lightweight, it’s easy to cart along to a picnic or a retreat.

Best for Weekend Getaway Takers

This chic candy-colored Dopp kit is sized to fit in a large tote back or weekender. And the luxe leather will look great perched on the bathroom sink of any Airbnb or hotel.

Best for Keto Eaters

One PureWow editor gave this zero-proof spirit a thumbs-up for making keto- and paleo-friendly virgin margaritas; since summer is around the corner, it’ll give your MIL just one more reason to host a backyard garden party.

Best for Chefs

This cast-iron pot conducts high heat evenly and is wonderful for creating an especially crisp sear. Trust us when we say even the most accomplished home chef doesn’t usually have a seafood pot in their arsenal.

Buy It ($50)

For the Tea Drinker

A sleek and efficient way to heat water for a quick pot or cup of tea, this kettle is going to be her best friend for caffeinated Earl Grey at sunup and relaxing chamomile come bedtime.

For the Candy Lover

Salted caramel, chocolate, strawberry and Stracciatella are the flavors of this collection of sweets that will fill out a candy dish for guests—or become your giftee’s own secret stash.

For the Statement Jewelry Wearer

Silver-toned brass and abalone drop earrings are an eye-catching duo that are surprisingly versatile, pairing well with florals or basic black.

For the Hearty Eater

This is a heck of a handy way to freeze soups, stocks and even smoothies. The silicone tray features one-cup slots that are easy to pop out to thaw in the microwave, refrigerator or stovetop. Plus, the air-tight lid seals out any unwanted smells.

Buy It ($20)

For the Light Sleeper

Ceramic beads are evenly distributed throughout this weighted blanket, which has attractive diamond baffling to keep them in place. A removable machine-washable cover makes it easy to maintain, and users rave about it: “Wow! The first night I used my weighted blanket was the first night I slept through the entire night in months,” one user reports. “So calming!”

Best for the Stressed Out

Shaped to fit across your neck and shoulders, this will reduce those stress knots and pulled muscles your mother-in-law keeps complaining about.

For the Neatnik

Fitting on even the most compact bedside table or washstand, this sweet six-inch round tray keeps rings and necklaces attractively organized.

Buy It ($38)

For Gadget-Loving Gardener

Japanese gardeners depend on this seven-inch-long tool, which features a double-edged blade with serrated edges, because it’s endlessly useful for loosening soil. Not to mention, it has handy measurements along the blade to judge planting depth. It also comes with its own handy leather sheath to strap onto a tool belt.

$21 at Amazon

For the Devoted Yogi

Tell her to lean back and say ahhhh: This prop will support her with backbends, and so much more, helping open the chest, shoulders, back and hip flexors.

Buy It ($65)

For the Home Mixologist

These shiny steel cubes are made to be popped in the freezer and used in place of ice cubes in any beverage that she doesn’t want watered down with melted ice.

For the Starbucks Fan

Now she can whip up those delish little coffee shop egg white bites in her own home. Our suggestion? Tell her to double batch it and eat half for lunch (or invite you over for a taste).

For the Leisurely Dresser

She’ll be in no hurry to get her day’s outfit on if she’s wearing this elegant robe, with its quilted body and side tie. The lush fabric isn’t too heavy nor too light, so it’ll keep her comfortable and cozy in all seasons.

For the One with Lovely Hair

This pillowcase is actually made of tree pulp—but it feels like satin—and its slippery surface allows skin and hair to glide across it without causing the sleeper to have broken strands or creased skin.

For the Groovy Hostess

These cool flutes are stemless, like Euro wine glasses, but attenuated to keep fizzy wine bubbling for longer. Include a chilled bottle of her favorite prosecco with the gift, and maybe your MIL will pop the cork ASAP.

For the Casserole Queen

This gift says “Thanksgiving and all those other holiday dinners would not be the same without your stuffing/lasagna/tuna casserole. We really appreciate you and please, please keep ‘em coming.”

For the Granny Who Wants to Teach Her Grandkids

A pair of gender-neutral patterned aprons lets her suit up along with her grandkids for art or cooking sessions, without worrying that there’s just too much splatter to have a good time.

For the Animal Lover

Commemorate the care she lavishes on her pets or on animal rescue efforts with this luxe pendant commemorating the Greek goddess who presides over wild animals and nature.

For the Cleaning Obsessive

If you share her excitement over the anxiety-reducing effect of a truly well-done floor-scrubbing, gift her this mop set that’s a vast improvement over sponge or rag versions. The two-piece kit collapses into practically nothing and the microfiber head can be wrung out and tossed into the laundry to emerge spotless for the next wash. (Add in concentrated orange and rosemary floor cleaner to really rock her world.)

For the Crafter

A rolling cart with multiple trays and containers that will separate and organize tools, supplies and works-in-progress…and also allow her to wheel it right into a closet when she’s done with a session. Painters, scrapbookers, wood workers and more will all appreciate this gift.

For the Puzzler

This puzzle-saving kit enables you to carry puzzles up to 1,500 pieces with a mat, inflatable tube, fasteners and sorting trays. You know, in case another member of her family wants to use the kitchen table for something else. Like, say, eating.

Best for Bath Soakers

White tea, linden leaves, honeysuckle and bergamot are the key notes in this soak that makes for a pampering tub experience.

For the Eco-Enthusiast

A great place to start making less waste in the home is by replacing disposable dryer sheets with reusable dryer balls made of New Zealand wool, refreshed with a touch of fresh essential oils. And, bonus: The balls help eliminate wrinkles as clothes tumble.