{2024} 15+ Easy, Thoughtful Christmas Gifts For In-Laws

Looking for the perfect Christmas gifts for your in-laws who have everything? Check out my thoughtful gift ideas for your mother-in-law and father-in-law (or your own parents!)

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Need a Christmas gift for your in-laws who have everything?

Many of us Millennials are lucky to have parents and in-laws who are very generous with their time and treasure. Hoping to "repay" them and show our appreciation, we look to Christmas gifts, hoping to give them a token of our affection.


But many of us are also lucky enough to have parents and in-laws who want for nothing. They have access to the things they want and need. They've had 65 years to accumulate stuff and they (like us!) don't want to add more "stuff" to their homes.


Coming up on a decade of buying gifts for my own parents and my in-laws who check all of these boxes, I thought I'd share some thoughts, tips, and ideas on what I get them. I'll include a few thoughts on what's worked (and what hasn't) so you can make your shopping quick and easy this holiday season. Best gifts for in-laws who have it all? Your holiday gift guide, coming right up.


And if you're my in-laws? Don't read this! You'll learn about your upcoming Christmas gifts!!

{2024} 15+ Easy, Thoughtful Christmas Gifts For In-Laws

Quality, scheduled and planned time with you

If you ask your in-laws what they want for Christmas, I'm almost certain someone will say "time with you!" So why not grant their Christmas wish in a tangible way? A few ways I've found to do this:

• Theater tickets
• Event tickets
• A trip (actually scheduled/concrete plans made)
• Museums memberships for grandparents so they can take the kiddos

Thoughts on gift cards as gifts for in-laws

If you're short on time (or energy), gift cards are an easy gift, but has a reputation...not as a thoughtful gift. Additionally, it may feel odd "giving" your in-laws money. I'd argue that if the gift card is for either time with you or something really special that they'd never buy for themselves, it's acceptable. But no, I wouldn't give them a Visa gift card for $125. They aren't college students.

Fancy air purifier for home or office

​When we moved into our WWII-era home, we invested in a few nice air purifiers and, since then, I've become a devotee. Dyson is the mainstay, but if that's more of an investment than you're looking to make, there are lots of other air purifier options.

Christmas Gifts for Mothers-in-Law

Fancy pajamas

Ok, I know that giving mom/mothers-in-law robes and pajamas for Christmas/Mother's Day etc is a bit of a cliche. But no matter the person, most women do not buy fancy pajamas for themselves because it just feels frivolous. I mean....I do. But I am frivolous. Try some Lake Pajamas. They make a great gift and you can even get a matching robe.

Silk Pillowcase

I've gotten both my mother and mother-in-law silk pillow cases and they've been the perfect gift. If you don't have one for yourself, gift it a try!

Cashmere throw blanket

My mom bought us a very night cashmere throw blanket from Gump's that we've used for years, and I've added them into my gift-giving repertoire.

Framed photos

The first time I saw someone give their in-laws a framed family picture, it struck me as...vain? But, now I've realized it's the perfect gift, if given along with something else. A picture of yourself can't be a standalone gift. But buying and framing pictures is a pain, so I've found that everyone likes having the job done for them! Just be sure to get a beautiful, tasteful frame that would actually fit into your mother-in-law's house, not one from CVS.

Christmas Gifts for Father-in-Law

I think fathers-in-law and dads are the most difficult family member to buy for. But, we do our best! Here are some ideas that are sure to be hits under the tree this year.

Whisky Tumblers/ Old Fashioned Glasses

Have a cocktail lover to gift for? Upgrade his tumbler game (in a tasteful way that your mother-in-law will approve of).

Books, books, books...?

There's probably nothing more cliche than books for dad. But they can be such a good gift, even...dare I say, the perfect present? So why not spice things up a bit?

Libro Personalized Book

Libro offers customizable books that are sure to pull at your heartstrings. I bought one for my husband for his first Father's Day and it makes both of us cry, so we had to hide it.

Personalized Coffee Table Book

Grandparents love kids art. Have your kiddos art turned into a tasteful, hardcover coffee table book. It's a great way to preserve the memories, without handing over a pile of paper crafts.

Thanks for Stopping By!

I so appreciate you spending time on my blog as you think through your Christmas list. When I'm not shopping for Christmas, I'm a mom-lawyer-travel blogger who focuses mostly on planning trips to Europe! If you have one in your future, I hope you'll take some time to explore all of the free resources I've created over my many years of blogging. I do quite a bit of OOTD/influencing as well. Thanks again - I appreciate you!

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