A gift for your mother-in-law and father-in-law: getting it right

Gifts for parents-in-law have their very own category. The relationship is often a bit more formal than with your own parents, so the gift needs to strike a balance: it should show thoughtfulness without becoming too intimate or too random. Many people face the same question year after year, especially around Christmas, birthdays or the first visit to the new home.

In this guide, you'll get concrete principles to navigate by, as well as ideas divided into gifts for your mother-in-law, your father-in-law and gifts for both of them. You'll also get a few things you can safely skip.

The short answer: what do you give a mother-in-law and father-in-law?

The safe route is something that adds decoration or is used in everyday life, without requiring personal knowledge of the recipient's deepest taste. Think tableware, table settings, or something decorative for the living room, ideally from a well-known category like vases or candlesticks. This kind of gift works because it rarely gets the colour, size or style wrong.

A handwritten card does the rest of the work. It gives the gift a personal touch, even though the item itself has been chosen for being neutral and useful. If you're not sure what actually goes down well, ask your partner. They know their parents' home and habits better than any guide could ever guess.

Three principles that make the choice easier

When you're standing there having to choose, it can help to stick to a few simple guidelines rather than searching for the one perfect idea.

• Quality over quantity. One item of good quality does more good than several small things that feel random.
• Something they can use or put on display. Gifts that become part of everyday life or decorate a visible spot in the home are appreciated for longer than something that ends up in a drawer.
• No items that require space or upkeep. Avoid gifts that come with demands for storage, care or practical considerations the recipient hasn't asked for.

A gift for your mother-in-law: what goes down well?

For your mother-in-law, the classics are classics for a reason. A vase, a set of candlesticks, a jug or a throw brightens up most homes without requiring you to know her taste down to the last detail. A jewellery bowl belongs in the same category: it's decorative, practical and rarely the wrong choice.

If you want to make the gift a bit more personal without getting too close, a small kitchen set can also work well, for example a mushroom salt and pepper set from &Kleveringthat's both fun to look at and useful at the table. A cosy cup, such as a rainbow cup from Bloomingville MINI, can also make a lovely little extra alongside a bigger gift.

See more ideas under gifts for her, where the categories are gathered.

A gift for your father-in-law: what do you give him?

For your father-in-law, gifts that relate to the table and good times are often a safe choice. A serving board from EJA, hand-cast in resin, is used for serving cheese and tapas and fits nicely into a cosy evening with guests. Cups, a jug, a wine cooler or wine stoppers belong to the same category: they get used again and again without requiring anything personal from the giver.

A couple of easy-to-choose ideas are a tulip wine stopper from &Klevering for the wine lover, or a dad cup from Bloomingville, which gives the morning coffee a small personal touch without becoming too private.

You'll find more ideas under gifts for him.

A gift for both of them: a joint solution

Sometimes the easiest solution is one gift for the household rather than two separate ones. Here, hostess-style gifts work well: something that decorates the home or gets used when they have guests. A large disco ball from Rice can give a home a fun, colourful touch if your parents-in-law's style has room for it, while something calmer like a vase or candlestick suits a more classic style better.

A fun little detail like a guinea pig money box from Quail can also work as a small extra gift that lightens the formality a bit, without being too much. If you're unsure of their taste, a gift card is a safe and easy-going choice that lets them pick for themselves. See the options under gift cards or find more shared ideas under hostess gifts.

What you should avoid, and how much should the gift cost?

Some categories are worth avoiding when the relationship is a bit more formal. Clothing is hard to get right in size and style, and it quickly becomes too personal. Perfume and other strongly scented items are risky, because sense of smell is very individual. Also avoid gifts that in any way point to weaknesses, age or things the recipient might be sensitive about, even if it's meant as a loving gesture.

When it comes to price range, the best starting point is an amount that feels natural for you and for the occasion. Dims Studio has gifts spread across the ranges 1-200 DKK, 200-400 DKK, 400-600 DKK, 600-800 DKK, 800-1000 DKK and 1000-1500 DKK, so there's room to choose according to both budget and occasion. See the full range under gift ideas.

Summary

A good gift for your mother-in-law and father-in-law is about hitting that nice, useful and slightly neutral note, without it becoming impersonal. Stick to quality over quantity, choose something that can be used or displayed, and feel free to ask your partner if you're in doubt. That way, the gift lands safely, every time.

Read also

• Hostess gift: The perfect thank-you gift
• Gift for mum: The best ideas she actually wants
• Gift for dad: Ideas he didn't know he wanted
• How much should you spend on a gift? Rules and advice