The Best Christmas Gifts for Parents & In-Laws (that are always a hit)

Gifting for parents and my in-laws is one of my favorite parts of the holiday season. Over the last few years, we’ve given some pretty great gifts to my parents, mother-in-law, and father-in-law (if I do say so myself), so today, I thought I’d share them with you! Some are related to grandkids, and others are just fun for them to use or enjoy as adults.

If you’re wondering what to get parents for Christmas, I have you covered in this post.

The Best Christmas Gifts for Parents & In-Laws (that are always a hit)

First, let’s start with the ones that are really for your mom, dad, mother-in-law, or father-in-law and have nothing to do with grandkids. My parents are in their 70s and 80s and my in-laws are in their 70s and these ideas have worked well for them. If the parents you are shopping for a bit younger, you may want to check out my Gift Guide for Guys and Gift Guide for Women.

Lake Robe

I’ve given this this Cozy Robe from LAKE to both my mom and MIL, and it was a hit with both of them, especially since they both live in places with frigid winters. This robe is lined in the softest fleece you’ve ever felt, and it’s incredibly thick and cozy for the cold winter months. It has deep pockets, a feminine turn-down collar, and the waist tie is sewn onto the back so you never lose it. I wear this robe every single morning and night in the cooler months. Even if your mom already has a robe, I bet she’d switch to this one after feeling it. I also appreciate that robes are very size-forgiving, so gifting them is easy. Whatever size you assume they might be, you’re probably right – especially with a robe.

Lake is having a huge sale, so now is a good time to get 25% off this robe. Read my review of LAKE Pajamas and my tips on sizing here.

23 & Me

We gifted 23 & Me, a DNA Genetic Testing Service, as a Christmas gift for my mother-in-law and she absolutely loved it. It’s a great idea for anyone hard to shop for because they already have everything, and it’s also an excellent idea for family members who love family history and genealogy. Getting the results back and learning a bit about your family tree is fun.

Massage Gun

Another year, we got my father-in-law a Theragun massage gun. Tom is a golf pro, so he appreciated using the massage gun on his sore muscles. Tommy and I also own one of these and use it daily. Our massage team uses the same brand, so you know it’s good. Come to think of it, this would be a GREAT gift for my mom since she does Crossfit 4-5x a week and has a 300 day run streak or something crazy like that! (And she’s 76!!!!)

This is also on my gift guide for guys and my runner’s gift guide.

Ember Mug

I gave my mother-in-law an Ember mug last year because she’s always misplacing her coffee, and this way, it will still be warm when she finds it. I cannot live without my Ember mug; I hate room-temperature coffee, but sometimes mom-life dictates that you can’t drink it right away. The Ember mug solves the hot-coffee struggle since it reheats your coffee to the perfect temperature anytime it starts to cool off.

You charge the mug when you aren’t using it, and then drink hot coffee all morning. If the parents you’re shopping for are coffee or tea drinkers, this will be a hit. They also have a temperature-controlled travel mug for taking coffee on the go.

This is also a wonderful gift for new moms, and one of my postpartum essentials.

Storyworth

We got Storyworth for my parents last year, and it’s honestly been a gift for us kids. We love it so much since we’re learning so much about my parents!

Calfskin Billfold

For fathers with great fashion taste, a new wallet would be a perfect gift. Tecovas makes the most gorgeous, high-quality leather goods, including this Calfskin Billfold. The price is great (around $65) and you could fill the wallet with gift cards to his favorite places to make it a larger gift. Or check out my Duck Head Review for some outerwear ideas like a new vest or pullover – it’s Tommy’s favorite brand.

Urban Stems Flower Subscription

I’ve been given and have gifted Urban Stems Flower Subscriptions to multiple people, including my mom and mother-in-law. It’s truly the gift that keeps on giving! Not only are the bouquets they send absolutely gorgeous (and much better than most floral deliveries), the subscription option ensures they know you’re thinking about them long after the holidays.

Ultimate Personalized Whiskey Tasting Glasses

If the father or FIL you’re shopping for is a whiskey or bourbon drinker, this set of personalized whiskey tasting glasses would make a great gift. I love that the glasses are different shapes and sizes. This set includes two nosing glasses, two Glencairn glasses, two Old Fashioned glasses, nine-piece whiskey stones, and a wooden gift box.

Chappy Wrap Blanket

I was gifted a blanket from Chappy Wrap earlier this year and use it everyday. I really appreciate that it’s polished and smooth, and incredibly unfussy. It works well outside in the warmer months (grass easily shakes off it) and in the cooler months, it’s cozy and soft. These come in a few different sizes and would make a wonderful gift. I’m planning to give a Harborview Herringbone Navy Blanket to my mom this year.

Skylight

A digital photo frame is an especially great gift idea for older parents. We got both sets of parents a Skylight frame the first Christmas after my son was born and everyone LOVES it (even though no one can remember the actual name of the frame). These frames show a slideshow of photos without any work on their part. You can send photos to the frame yourself through their app, so there’s no need to worry about teaching parents how to use it. They can plug the frame into any outlet in their home (set up is SO easy, I promise), and then they’ll get to see photos of their grandkids all day, everyday.

Since neither set of our parents live in town (and my parents live across the country in Utah), they love getting to see regular updates. Every time I talk to my dad, he mentions something he saw on the Skylight and he feels more connected to our life, which I so appreciate living so far away.

This is a great gift to do with siblings too since anyone you grant access to can upload photos. All five of my brothers upload to my parents’ Skylight frame.

Hotel Lobby Candle

The best candle I’ve ever been given is by the brand Hotel Lobby. The company is luxurious and so are the scent options. I love the Lodge scent for the holidays specifically. I think of candles as great Christmas gifts for your boyfriend’s parents. They aren’t too fancy, they’re still thoughtful and luxurious, and they also aren’t too personal. Just right for a boyfriend’s family.

Silhouette Photo

Personalized gifts for grandparents are always a hit. I love a classic silhouette photo and there are countless places to have them made. When I had them made of Thomas for the grandparents (and us!), I used Jessica Beaver Creative and had a GREAT experience. You’ll just need a good profile picture of your kiddo for them to work off of (which wasn’t the easiest with a 1 year old, when I gifted these, but we made it happen).

I got our prints professionally matted and framed before gifting but you could easily just buy a frame online for a more budget-friendly gift.

iPad

One of my dad’s favorite gifts we’ve ever given him is an iPad so he can play Solitare. Many parents are at an age where buying a new tech item feels overwhelming, so gifting something like this is so appreciated. Just be sure to teach them how to download their favorite games, puzzles, etc. The iPad mini is a great option because of its lower price tag.

Ornament with your kids faces

I give a new one of these every year to my parents and in-laws (and buy one for ourselves too!) with the grandkids, but it would honestly be fun– and a little funny– to give one with your parents’ kids instead of grandkids. I need to get a picture with me and and all five of my brothers to frame!

We used Framebridge for custom ornaments the last three years and it was a seamless experience. (And the quality was great. They even came in a cute gift box.) This would also be a great pregnancy announcement – just frame a sonogram photo!

Silhouette Jewelry from Vana Chupp

If you’re willing to splurge a bit, a silhouette necklace from Vana Chupp would an incredibly lasting and thoughtful gift. My husband got me one of these for our anniversary, and I absolutely love it. Vana Chupp carries a few different options (monograms, full names, diamond details), but all of them are done with a photo of your child’s silhouette, so they are truly one of a kind and so special. You can also get these in bracelet form which may be an even better option for some moms.

You can choose between three sizes for the silhouette charm but medium is my preference. If you know that this recipient already has a charm necklace or bracelet, buy the charm on its own so she can add to her existing piece, which is what I would do for my MIL.

DIY Gifts for Parents

Professionally Framed Kiddo’s Art

One year we had one of Thomas’ paintings professionally framed and gifted that to his grandparents. I loved that the frame was beautiful and would easily be something they could actually display, but the art had so much meaning. We have one in our dining room next to high-end art and people always think it’s something we bought off EBTH, like the rest of our art, which is kind of hilarious.

Front Loading Frames for Kiddo’s Art

For a more affordable option, these front loading frames would be perfect for swapping art in and out! They are so easy to use and look great in every home. I bought these to put in my son’s bathroom.

Handprint or footprint ornament

I bought this little ornament kit this year from Amazon to make with Thomas! It’s a simple gift that’s so sweet!

I hope this helps make shopping for some of the most important people in your life a little easier!

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