Best In-Law Gifts

Buying for the in-laws can be a tricky task. If I waited for Hubs, we would buy all the gifts on December 23rd: his favorite day to shop. I can’t handle that kind of stress. I think it’s like a game for him, but my body goes into shock if I have too much looming over my head too close to Christmas.

And when it comes to in-law gifts…..well, I don’t like anything to loom over me…

There are a few gifts that have worked out well for us. Here are some of my favorites. Please, feel free to share your thoughts and contributions! This is a tough one and all ideas are welcome!

restaurant gift card

Finding my in-law’s’ favorite local joint and getting them a dinner out is an easy way to please. The nice thing about getting them a gift card is that I don’t have to go out with them! I’M JUST KIDDING!!! I love going out with them. But gifting is about figuring out THEIR favorite restaurant and ensuring they get there. I also like paying for something they would do on a given day, anyway. Finally, I really like the fact that this is an opportunity to support local businesses. I try to find places that are convenient to their home, not too cheap, not too expensive, and packed with great food and ambiance. But most of all, I try to support those family businesses that contribute to our community. Of course, if you don’t know where they like to eat and you refuse to ask someone else who might know, there’s always Amazon Gift Cards.

Birthday Tracker

One of my husband’s aunts has one of these Birthday Trackers hanging in her house and I think it is the absolute best. It’s a sweet, decorative way to keep track of everyone’s birthdays. Because let’s face it, the people we love aren’t’ getting any younger and remembering the births of these growing families can get…… I’ll say it, OVERWHELMING. (This is also coming from the person who has forgotten her own mother’s birthday on more than one occasion). It’s also a great way to see the names and birthdates of all the people you love in one place. Don’t you just love that? There are zillions of these online. Etsy markets plenty of them, too. It’s easy to find one your in-laws will love.

Grille Accessories Kit

It’s hard to find a person in the US who doesn’t love to grill. It might be the American Way. Like, if the Mandalorian was just an American guy in the midwest, he would hold up his grilling tongs and say, “This is the way…” This is one of those items that serves a great purpose and will get use at future family gatherings. Men love an excuse to watch the meat cook, so why not let him do it with a shiny new pair… of tongs? While almost everyone has or has had a grille kit, it’s nice to gift a crisp, clean replacement set every once in a while. Fresh utensils make everything taste better, don’t they? Yes, the answer is yes.

Charcutterie Board Set

I don’t know why charcuterie boards have become a thing, but I blame Pinterest. I think Pinterest got people excited about charcuterie, which is, honestly, a pretty cool thing. These bad boys help a host/hostess to serve multiple types of apps all in one space. There are many nice things about that: (1) fewer serving trays to clean up after the party’s over, and (2) everyone stands around the same tray, enjoying the great food and great company simultaneously. A nice board goes a long way. The bigger the better (so long as you have a farm sink or a faucet extension piece to clean this bad boy!). I totally recommend a beautiful charcuterie board!

Custom Photo Puzzle

I come from a bit of a “photo family.” My mom’s sister and brother-in-law (aka my aunt and uncle) LOVE to take amazing photos. They matte and frame gorgeous shots regularly, swapping out photos as the family grows and changes. But I am not the person who remembers to take a photo. EVER. Instead, I’m blessed with a photographer brother-in-law, who regularly takes glam photos of our little family. Since I’m not in love with frames and printing and ordering and picking up everything, I LOVE the photo puzzle. There are a few amazing shots that I want to see over and over again. The photo puzzle allows me to appreciate great photos of our family in a whole new way. The kids like this one, too. But the grandparents can really enjoy a new way to appreciate imagery of their favorite little people. This is a win win win win.

Personalized Whiskey Decanter

I love when a gift is 100% practical and 100% decorative enough to visually appreciate. There are so many decanters out there, I know folks can find a style they like. Initials etched in glass are fun and pretty, making this gift something worthy of styling on a bar top or buffet in the dining room. And if your in-laws aren’t styling their bartop, here’s a great opportunity to teach them (I’m kidding, not kidding). If Whiskey is not your jam, crystal tumblers or a nice wine decanter works, too. I love that this gift offers a range of options. Making them personal is an added way to show the in-laws that you LOVE your last name initial. AMIRIGHT? People like seeing their initials on things. Seriously. They do. I don’t know why. But I blame Pinterest for this one, too.

Share your thoughts in the comments here or on FB and Instagram! I would love to know what great ideas are working for you and yours!