30 Gifts To Win Your Mother-In-Law’s Approval

If you just realized (with a certain degree of horror) that finding those perfect gifts for the holidays also involves shopping for your mother-in-law, then you're certainly not alone. The daunting task faced by many a kid-in-law across America requires striking a balance between sweet and appropriate without going overboard (but also without choosing something entirely underwhelming either). We've been there, and after putting together mom-related gift guides for everyone from the brand new mom to the mom in need of some major R&R, we consider ourselves qualified enough to help you navigate these choppy shopping waters and land on the perfect present for your SO's mom, too.

Ask any married woman out there and she'll probably tell you that the relationship with her mother-in-law is something that grows and evolves with time, like a delicate flower or the latest iPhone technology. Getting her a little something that shows you understand her style and interests (or at least, that you're trying to) can go a long way. The good news is that you can't really go wrong — even if what you pick out isn't exactly suited to her personal taste, it's the effort and gesture that counts. Still, there are a number of definite crowd-pleasers that'll earn you serious points in the in-law arena this season, and we've rounded up a selection of them for your consideration. Whether you and your partner have been together for a while or you're new to the complex territory of being a daughter-in-law, here are a few clever gift ideas that have I love you like a mother-sort-of written all over them.