Christmas Gifts for In Laws That Win You Points: 18 Ideas

A note before the list: we make Tribute, the group video maker, and Storybook, and they're the first two picks. Everything else is from other brands, and we earn nothing from those links.

What are the best Christmas gifts for in laws?

In-law gifts carry a little extra weight. You want to show you thought about them without guessing their taste in sweaters. Experiences and shared moments tend to work: in experiments published in the Journal of Consumer Research, Chan and Mogilner found experiential gifts did more to strengthen relationships than material ones. The first two picks are built on that idea.

1. Tribute group video (our pick, we make this)

Say your in-laws are hosting Christmas this year. You collect short videos from their kids, grandkids, siblings and old friends, each answering "What's your favorite memory with them?", and play it after dinner. Tribute is a group video maker that turns messages from friends and family into one surprise video. It works by inviting everyone to record a short clip from their phone; Tribute compiles the clips, music and photos into a finished video you share or play together.

You set it up and share one link; nobody needs an app or an account to record. Unlike a Zoom call, nobody has to be online at the same time, and they can watch it again in January. Over 8 million videos have been sent on Tribute, and it holds 4.9 stars from 7,000+ reviews.

• Look for: Your partner as co-organizer, since they know who to invite, and a deadline a week or two before the day, since collecting videos takes time
• Price: Free to start a draft; from $35 when you publish (final video up to 30 minutes), $99 with Concierge editing, $149 with Concierge plus a 7-inch Video Book (as of October 2026)

Best for: In-laws who have everything and say "just come home."

Why it works: You organized it, but the whole family is the gift. That earns more points than any candle.

👉 Start a Tribute

2. Storybook video book (our pick, we make this)

Storybook is a hardcover video book by Tribute that plays a film when it's opened. You build the film online from your own clips: the grandkids' first steps, the beach week, the backyard birthday. It fits in-laws who live far away and miss the everyday moments.

• Look for: 10 to 20 clips from the year, in order, with a title like "Our year, for you"
• Price: 5-inch $49, 7-inch $88, 10-inch $129, with free US shipping (as of October 2026)

Best for: In-laws who'd rather have time with the kids than another thing.

Why it works: It sits on the coffee table and plays for every visitor.

What are good xmas presents for a mother-in-law?

The safest mother-in-law Christmas gift is a nice version of something she already uses. These five work whether she cooks, reads or hosts.

3. Rifle Paper Co. Recipe Cards, Nutcracker Sweets

Rifle Paper Co.'s Nutcracker Sweets recipe cards are made for writing down ingredients and instructions, and they fit inside the brand's recipe tins.

• Look for: A pack with a blank card for her to write her famous dish for you
• Price: $15 (as of October 2026)

Best for: A mom-in-law with a recipe everyone asks for.

Why it works: Asking for her recipe is the compliment.

4. Barefoot Dreams CozyChic Lined FairIsle Slipper Socks

Barefoot Dreams describes these slipper socks as part sock, part slipper, with a cushioned lining, a soft yarn cuff and a gripped sole.

• Look for: A color that matches her robe or her favorite chair
• Price: $28 (as of October 2026)

Best for: Christmas gifts for a mum-in-law who's always cold.

Why it works: The gripped sole means she can wear them around the house, not only in bed.

5. Burlap & Barrel Royal Cinnamon Trio

Burlap & Barrel's Royal Cinnamon Trio celebrates the brand's most loved spice, a cinnamon with more than 1,000 five-star reviews on its site, and includes a full jar of Royal Cinnamon.

• Look for: A mother-in-law who bakes for every holiday
• Price: $41.99 (as of October 2026)

Best for: The cinnamon roll maker.

Why it works: She'll taste the difference in the first batch.

6. Otherland Bestsellers Trio

Otherland's Bestsellers Trio holds three candles: Rattan, Cardamom Milk and Daybed. The brand's single candles burn up to 55 hours in a coconut and soy wax blend.

• Look for: The trio, so she can try a scent in each room
• Price: $60 (as of October 2026)

Best for: Gifts to give your mother-in-law for Christmas when you don't know her style yet.

Why it works: Pretty packaging, no sizes and no wrong answers.

7. Ember Mug 3

The Ember Mug 3 keeps a drink at the temperature you set in the Ember app or on the mug itself.

• Look for: Her favorite color; most cost $149.95
• Price: From $129.95 (as of October 2026)

Best for: A mother-in-law whose tea goes cold while she talks.

Why it works: It solves a small daily annoyance she's stopped noticing.

What is a good father-in-law Christmas gift?

Dads-in-law are often "I don't need anything" people. Lean toward useful, solid and a little upgraded.

8. Burlap & Barrel Salt & Peppercorn Medley

A 3.3 oz grinder-top jar of Burlap & Barrel's Salt & Peppercorn Medley, pitched as a new salt and pepper for both the kitchen and the table.

• Look for: A father-in-law who mans the grill
• Price: $9.99 (as of October 2026)

Best for: Christmas gifts for a dad-in-law who cooks steak.

Why it works: Small price, daily use.

9. Field Notes Original Kraft Memo Book 3-Pack

Three pocket-size, 48-page Field Notes notebooks in graph, ruled or plain paper. The first ones were made by hand as a holiday gift for friends.

• Look for: Ruled for lists, graph for the workshop
• Price: $12.95 (as of October 2026)

Best for: The father-in-law with a pen in his shirt pocket.

Why it works: It's the kind of thing he'd buy at a hardware store and love.

10. Brooklinen Super-Plush Slippers

Brooklinen's Super-Plush Slippers use the same zero-twist 100% Aegean Turkish cotton as its towels and robes.

• Look for: His size from your partner
• Price: $69 (as of October 2026)

Best for: A father-in-law who reads the paper in his robe.

Why it works: Comfort gifts are hard to get wrong.

11. Solo Stove Mesa XL Tabletop Fire Pit

The Mesa XL is Solo Stove's smokeless, portable tabletop fire pit, made for patios and small gatherings.

• Look for: A patio or deck where he likes to sit after dinner
• Price: $99.99 (as of October 2026)

Best for: The father-in-law who tends the fire at every gathering.

Why it works: It gives him a job at the party, which he'll love.

What are good Christmas gifts for a daughter-in-law or son-in-law?

For a new daughter-in-law or son-in-law, a gift says "welcome to the family." Pick something for their home or their life together. These four son-in-law Christmas presents work just as well for a daughter-in-law.

12. Owala FreeSip Water Bottle

The FreeSip has a built-in straw for sipping and a wide mouth for swigging. Owala calls it leak-proof and says it keeps drinks cold for 24 hours.

• Look for: A color you've seen them wear
• Price: $39.99 for the 32 oz (as of October 2026)

Best for: A son-in-law or daughter-in-law who runs, hikes or commutes.

Why it works: It's a gift they'll use every day without thinking about who gave it, until they do.

13. Graza The Glass Duo Gift Set

Graza's Glass Duo pairs "Sizzle" cooking olive oil and "Drizzle" finishing oil in a ready-to-gift box.

• Look for: A couple who cooks together
• Price: $49 (as of October 2026)

Best for: A Christmas present for a daughter-in-law who loves to cook.

Why it works: Good oil is a luxury most people won't buy for themselves.

14. Our Place Ceramic Nonstick Always Pan, 10.5"

Our Place calls the Always Pan a 10-in-1 cookware system, a single pan for most of what a small kitchen cooks.

• Look for: The 12.5" ($159) if they cook for a crowd
• Price: $135 (as of October 2026)

Best for: Newlyweds setting up a first kitchen.

Why it works: It replaces a stack of pans, which their small kitchen will thank you for.

15. Polaroid Now Generation 3 Starter Set

The Polaroid Now Gen 3 Starter Set includes the classic instant camera and Color i-Type film. Polaroid says it has two-lens autofocus for sharper pictures.

• Look for: Extra film packs for the holidays
• Price: $144.99 (as of October 2026)

Best for: A young couple who just joined the family.

Why it works: Their first family Christmas photos end up on your fridge too.

What are good Christmas presents for a sister-in-law or brother-in-law?

Siblings-in-law are the easiest in-laws to buy for, because they'll tell you what's funny and what's not. Food gifts are a safe Christmas gift idea for a brother-in-law or sister-in-law.

16. Momofuku Chili Crunch + Hot Honey Duo

Momofuku's duo pairs Chili Crunch with Hot Honey, which blends Chili Crunch with wildflower honey.

• Look for: A sibling-in-law who puts honey on pizza
• Price: $22 (as of October 2026)

Best for: Christmas presents for a sister-in-law who loves spice.

Why it works: Two jars, two meals, two reasons to text you thanks.

17. Fly By Jing Mini Sampler Set

Fly By Jing's Mini Sampler Set holds the brand's best-selling Sichuan flavors in 2 oz jars it calls purse-friendly.

• Look for: An adventurous eater
• Price: $25 (as of October 2026)

Best for: A brother-in-law who travels light.

Why it works: Small jars let them try everything.

18. Fishwife The Spicy Trio

Fishwife's Spicy Trio includes smoked salmon with Fly By Jing chili crisp, albacore tuna in spicy olive oil and a tin of sardines. With a gift tin, it's $45.

• Look for: The gift tin version if you're not wrapping
• Price: $35 (as of October 2026)

Best for: The sibling-in-law who hosts game night.

Why it works: It's a snack board in a box.

How much should you spend on in-laws for Christmas?

Match what they spend on you, and agree on it with your partner first. Shoppers planned to spend $627.93 each on gifts for family and friends in the National Retail Federation's 2025 holiday survey, and in-laws are one slice of that. Compared to separate gifts for each in-law, one shared gift for the couple (a group video, a fire pit, a candle trio) often goes further.

Stocking-size add-ons help when the family does stockings; see our stocking stuffers list. For everyone else on your list, our Christmas gift ideas guide has more.

What if you don't know your in-laws well yet?

Ask your partner for one hobby and one thing they complained about this year, then pick from that row of this list. A handwritten note with the gift goes a long way. After the holidays, our New Year's resolution ideas make easy dinner-table talk, and the Christmas ideas hub has traditions you can start together.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a good Christmas gift for in-laws who have everything?

A Tribute group video with messages from their kids, grandkids and friends, or a Storybook video book of the family's year. Both are made by you, so they can't already own one.

What do you get a mother-in-law for Christmas?

Candles, slipper socks, a temperature-control mug or recipe cards for her signature dish. A nice version of something she already uses is the safest choice.

What is a good father-in-law Christmas gift?

A tabletop fire pit, plush slippers, a salt and pepper medley or a pack of pocket notebooks. Useful and solid beats clever for most fathers-in-law.

What are good Christmas gifts for a daughter-in-law?

Pick something for her home or her day: the Always Pan, Graza's olive oil duo, an Owala bottle or a Polaroid camera. A welcome note from you makes it personal.

Should you buy separate gifts for each in-law?

Not always. A shared gift for a couple, like a group video or a fire pit, often lands better than two small ones and keeps the budget in check.

How do you give a gift to in-laws who live far away?

Ship something that travels well, like tinned fish or spices, and start a Tribute so the whole family can record messages from wherever they live.

👉 Start a Tribute and give your in-laws the whole family in one video.