50 Affordable Gifts For a Mother-in-Law Who's Hard to Shop For

Whether you have a mother-in-law who treats you like one or her own children, or one who can be a bit more, shall we say, challenging, it can be tough to find a gift that both fits her personality and shows you care. But these gifts for your mother-in-law will do just that. After all, this is the woman who raised your lifelong partner into the person they are today — where would you be without her? Whether she's a total fashion icon, an incredible home cook, or someone who needs to take time out of her day to treat herself, this list of mother in law gifts has fail-proof gifts for mothers-in-law that are sure to put a smile on her face.

And while you're at it, with all of the excellent gift ideas to choose from, why don't you also pick up something for her birthday, Mother’s Day or Christmas, too? You'll have your bases covered for the entire year, and you know she'll appreciate it.

uncommongoods.com

$25.00

Shop Now

If you're thinking these adorable candles are too beautiful to light, don't worry, your mother-in-law will love them just as much unlit and on display.

markandgraham.com

$29.00

Shop Now

These monogram pitcher vases give your mother-in-law a beautiful and personal way to show off the blooms from her garden.

The Little Flower Soap Co

amazon.com

$32.00

Shop Now

This gift set, complete with great-smelling bath salts, balms, and soap, is all your mother-in-law needs for a much-deserved weekend of rest and relaxation.

Minted

minted.com

$38.00

Shop Now

This customizable apron — you can add your mother-in-law’s name to a leather tag on the front — is a gift to mothers everywhere. 100% of profits from your purchase go to Every Mother Counts, a nonprofit dedicated to making pregnancy and childbirth safe for women all over the world.

Brussel's Bonsai

amazon.com

$29.99

Shop Now

Gift your mother-in-law a bouquet of fresh flowers, and she'll enjoy it for a week. Gift her a Bonsai tree, and she'll enjoy it for many years to come.

Anthropologie

anthropologie.com

$42.00

Shop Now

The combination of beadwork, sequins, and elegant monogram make this 6.5” x 6.5” leather pouch feel one-of-a-kind.

Suck UK

amazon.com

$29.01

SHOP NOW

This cookbook gives your mom-in-law an organized place to preserve all of the family recipes. It's got room for over 80 recipes and the templated pages designate space for photos and family reviews.

OnTheEdgeCreations

etsy.com

$65.00

Shop Now

Little Fido will love being immortalized and any pet parent would love it too. Etsy artist OnTheEdgeCreations will create a custom portrait in a range of sizes. The artwork can be purchased as a digital file or a mailed print.

Lula's Garden

lulasgarden.com

$33.00

Shop Now

This easy-to-care-for succulent comes inside a planter gift box that you can personalize with your mother-in-law's initials and arrives ready to be displayed on her office desk or bedside table. (Plus, a portion of your purchase is donated to water.org, a nonprofit working to bring safe drinking water to developing countries.)

PediPocket

amazon.com

$49.99

Shop Now

Your mother-in-law will love snuggling up on the couch with this super soft, machine-washable blanket that has a clever twist: A roomy pocket at the bottom that will keep her feet toasty.

CanDidArtAccessories

etsy.com

$76.51

Shop Now

These handmade statement earrings are bold, stylish, and fun, just like your mother-in-law! Plus, they’re surprisingly lightweight despite their size, according to multiple reviewers.

Erin Jeanne McDowell

amazon.com

$25.49

Shop Now

Popular baking columnist Erin McDowell's new book is filled with tips, techniques, and recipes for classic pies and innovative varieties, like Cardamom Crème Brûlée Pie and Caramel Pork Pie with Chile and Scallions. Take a peek at her Instagram for a taste of what your mother-in-law will be whipping up in no time.

PepperPalm

etsy.com

$42.00

Shop Now

These gorgeous hand-painted terra cotta pots will turn your mother-in-law's indoor plants into works of art.

Stonewall Kitchen

stonewallkitchen.com

$49.95

Shop Now

Thanks to this set of drink mixers and premium garnishes, your mother-in-law will no longer need to hit up her favorite brunch spot for a great Bloody Mary.

Tatcha

sephora.com

$60.00

Shop Now

It’s the perfect gift for a mother-in-law who loves experimenting with her beauty and skincare routine. This 4-piece set lets her sample the Japanese-inspired brand’s greatest hits, including Water Cream, which happens to be one of Sephora’s best-selling moisturizers.

NEWBY TEAS UK

selfridges.com.us

$40.00

Shop Now

This London-based tea brand has won over 140 awards (like from the Global Tea Championship) so you can trust your mother-in-law will love their blends. Bonus: Once she’s brewed her last cup of tea, she can repurpose the gorgeous container to store odds and ends.

Mark & Graham

markandgraham.com

$40.00

Shop Now

This personalized necklace will feel extra special to your mother-in-law because you had a hand in designing it. Simply choose the chain, charms, and monograms that you know she'll love.

WimlyMugs

etsy.com

$18.99

Shop Now

This ceramic mug is like the classic "World's Best Mother-in-Law" mug, but a whole lot cuter.

UncommonGoods

uncommongoods.com

$30.00

Shop Now

Inspire your mother-in-law to preserve her favorite memories and pearls of wisdom in this special journal. It may even inspire her to finally write that memoir she's been meaning to start for years.

Anthropologie

anthropologie.com

$20.00

Shop Now

Your mother-in-law can wear (and tie) this eye-catching bandana in so many different ways, like as a scarf, headband, or looped through her bag handle. The possibilities are endless.

SLIP FOR BEAUTY SLEEP

nordstrom.com

$19.00

Shop Now

For a busy mom, there's no better gift than a good night's rest. This room mist, made with chamomile and lavender, is designed to create the calming environment she needs to snooze soundly.

Darn Tough

amazon.com

$20.95

Shop Now

When you give your mama bear-in-law a pair of these socks, she’ll have a perfect pair for life. If the socks wear, tear or develop holes even years from now, she can send them back to the company and they’ll mail her a new pair — no questions asked.

Stanley

amazon.com

$25.00

Shop Now

Woman's Day senior health editor Kaitlyn Pirie has tried over 25 water bottles, and this is her hands-down favorite. “It keeps my beverages at the perfect temp (hot or cold) and the ‘trigger action’ cap makes it easy to sip while moving without the risk of spilling," she says. "Plus, the bottle is narrow enough to fit in a car cup holder.”

PackIt

amazon.com

$19.99

Shop Now

This lunch bag's freezable gel walls will keep your mother-in-law's food as fresh as possible when she's on the go. (Think of it as a much lighter, compact version of a cooler packed with ice). Plus, it comes in over 20 colors and patterns.

Allswell

allswellhome.com

$35.00

Shop Now

Throw pillows are the easiest way for your mother-in-law to instantly give her current décor a fresh new look. This fun color block pillow would be perfect for her reading nook or cozy living room chair.

Sperry

sperry.com

$70.00

Shop Now

This shoe is basically a cozy house slipper that your mother-in-law can wear anywhere. The inside is fully lined with faux fur while the sole is made of rubber and heavily treaded for outdoor use.

MorningJoyCo

etsy.com

$69.00

Shop Now

Here's a gift your mother-in-law treasure for life: A cutting board engraved with a family recipe she loves in the recipe's original handwriting.

Ekouaer

amazon.com

Shop Now

This super affordable pajama set has thousands of 5-star ratings on Amazon with reviewers praising its softness, fabric quality, and flattering cut.

lumibloom.com

$19.99

Shop Now

This special bath bomb may be exactly what your stressed out mother-in-law needs. Its lavender and CBD combo will help her soothe her achy sore muscles and relieve body tension.

boonsupply.com

$29.00

Shop Now

Anything you buy for your mother-in-law from Boon Supply, including this sleek roomy tote, counts as two gifts in one. 40% of your purchase will go a worthy cause, and you have the opportunity to choose one close to her heart.

Artisanal Kitchen Supply

bedbathandbeyond.com

$9.99

Shop Now

Perfect for the mother-in-law who loves to entertain (or just loves cheese), this personalized terrazzo cheese board feels a lot more luxe than its $10 price tag.

LaLoop

amazon.com

$29.95

Shop Now

Practical problem-solvers can make the best gifts. The mother-in-law who loses her glasses left and right will really appreciate this necklace designed to hold her glasses for when she's running errands, hiking, golfing and more.

le-creuset

williams-sonoma.com

$45.00

Shop Now

Your mother-in-law will smile every time she makes herself a cup of tea thanks to this delightful porcelain honey pot.

Vinturi

amazon.com

$34.49

Shop Now

If your mother-in-law loves nothing more than a great glass of wine, gift her this aerator set that enhances the wine's flavor, gives it a smoother finish and filters out sediment and cork.

AquarianThoughts

etsy.com

$32.00

Shop Now

Let this handmade birthstone ring remind her that the month she was born is worth celebrating all year round.

cookiesbydesign.com

$59.99

Shop Now

This arrangement of beautifully hand-decorated sugar cookies means she can have her flowers and eat them, too.

Fresh

sephora.com

$45.00

Shop Now

Your mother-in-law will never have dry lips again, thanks to this set of best-selling lip balms. She can stash one in her car, purse, desk drawer, or wherever she needs one most.

CB2

cb2.com

$19.95

SHOP NOW

A mother can never have too many photos of her family. Balance out the homemade frames she gets from the little ones with this sleek and modern option.

Amazon

Amazon

$129.99

SHOP NOW

The newest version of the e-reader Kindle Paperwhite is the lightest model yet, and it's now waterproof. So she can relax with her favorite book in the tub without fear.

DIPTYQUE

nordstrom.com

$36.00

Shop Now

Surprise your mother-in-law who spoils others and never herself with the fancy, top-of-the-line candle that everyone raves about.

uncommongoods.com

$15.00

Shop Now

If your mother-in-law is a talented baker, this unique pan is as much a gift for you as it is for her. With this steel pan, she can make two of her delicious treats at once.

PATCHOLOGY

nordstrom.com

$15.00

Shop Now

This 10-minute eye gel masks are perfect for the days your mother-in-law needs a quick pick-me-up or self-care break.

ALAZA

amazon.com

$21.00

Shop Now

Let this cute canvas duffle bag be a loving reminder that she deserves to go on more weekend getaways.

UncommonGoods

uncommongoods.com

$40.00

Shop Now

Joy, tears, doubt, courage, coffee ... this print perfectly captures the happiness and challenges that come with being a mom.

Pure Daily Care

amazon.com

$33.95

Shop Now

This aromatherapy diffuser (which is Amazon's #1 seller in its category) mixes various plant-based essential oils to promote maximum well-being.

Chronicle Books

amazon.com

$14.49

Shop Now

Give your mother-in-law a place to collect her thoughts with this mini memory book. It's less work than keeping up with a diary, but great for remembering the special moments in life.

2ChicDesigns

etsy.com

$45.00

Shop Now

When your mother-in-law uses this cotton palm print clutch, it's like she's bringing a little slice of paradise with her wherever she goes.

Splash

okabashi.com

$19.99

Shop Now

Mother-in-laws who live in sandals will appreciate a flip-flop upgrade. This pair, a Woman's Day Great Value Health Awards winner, offers ample arch support, no-slip grip and even has a low-rise heel so it can be worn more places than by the pool.

Zach&Zoë

zachandzoe.co

$20.00

Shop Now

This family-owned business infuses raw honey from their NJ-based bee farm with other flavors and fruit purées to create unique flavored honeys like Lavender, Matcha, Ginger Root and Raspberry.

Levain Bakery

levainbakery.com

$4912.00

Shop Now

If you don't have the time to make your mother-in-law a batch of homemade cookies, sending her a box of decadent made-to-order cookies from NYC's super-popular Levain Bakery is the next best thing. Plus, she can enjoy one fresh and freeze the rest for whenever she wants a treat.

_________________________________________________________

Subscribe to Woman's Day today and get 73% off your first 12 issues. And while you’re at it, sign up for our FREE newsletter for even more of the Woman's Day content you want.