Around here I am definitely the gift giver (let’s just say I have an excel spreadsheet dedicated to the task) so when my husband and I started dating I quickly found myself buying for his family as well. Which I love, except for the fact that mother-in-laws can be kinda tricky to buy for. You want a gift that’s thoughtful and creative, but you often don’t know her well enough yet to know what that might be.

We’ve put together a few ideas to get you started based on her interests, but, as always, you are all the best resource. Let us know in the comments section of other mother-in-law gift ideas you might have; personally, I need one more!

For the Traveler
She’s seen the world and has the stories to prove it. Take her back to her days in swinging Pareé with this print of Famille Summerbelle’s hand paper cut-out of Paris, highlighting its main attractions and quirky elements (there are also New York City and London versions). Or bring a taste of Italy into her kitchen with The Silver Spoon cookbook, considered the bible of Italian cooking, featuring over 2,000 recipes.

For the Book Lover
Buying books for someone else can be tricky – you’re not sure what they’ve recently read or if your tastes are truly aligned; Postcards from Penguin takes care of the guess work. While they look like book covers, they’re actually 100 postcards of their most famous books (The Great Gatsby is in there, of course). Or let her put her love of books on display with David Vissat’s Mockingbird Birdhouse, which combines discarded and vintage books with interesting text, and in this case, movie posters to create handmade birdhouses.

For the Brand-New Mother-in-Law
Mothers, in general, are fans of showing off their photos and with your stack of wedding photos you’ve got it made. Put your favorites onto a digital photo frame that can be customized with your new name, wedding date, or a simple word (“family” comes to mind). Or show her how much you appreciate the significance of becoming a part of her family with a family tree necklace, also available in sterling silver.

For the Gourmet
If she’s the type of gal who knows her Roqueforts from her Camemberts, this Gourmet Whip from Williams Sonoma might be right up her alley. With three different nozzles, she can dispense whip cream, soft cheeses and buttercream frostings, all with the touch of a (very classy) button.

Or take her hot cocoa up a notch with Petrossian’s Hot Chocolate-on-a-Stick, a hunk of Belgian chocolate that swirled into a cup of hot milk makes for a decadent treat. Add a touch whip cream from her Gourmet Whip and we are talking heaven…

For the Wine Lover
What to bring an impressive bottle of vino but working within a budget? Accidental Wine features wine that has had a little, well, accident (typically a blemished label, nothing to do with the wine), which means they can sell you really excellent wine for heavily discounted prices. They also have a very affordable wine-of-the-month club, which means you can give her three months of gifts and look like a total super-star.

Or let her show off her sophisticated side with Reidel’s swirl wine glasses and decanter; the rounded bases allow the wine to breathe (good for showing off a wine’s complexities) while the pour spout is specifically designed to be drip-free, thus saving her good table cloth.

For the Home

Everyone can always use another vase, especially when they’re as innovative as this 4-in-1 vase from Charles and Marie. Featuring a metallic frame with different sized holes on each side, the vase adapts to whatever size bouquet she may have. Or make flower arranging easy, with the Evelyn vase from Crate and Barrel where the flowers pretty much arrange themselves within the ruffles (my mom has one and it’s gorgeous!).

Check out our Bride’s Guide and Groom’s Guide, as well!