33 Meaningful Gifts for Your Significant Other's Parents

When it comes to holiday shopping, finding great gifts for your long-term girlfriend or boyfriend's parents can be challenging. You're not just ticking this off your to-do list; you're also trying to impress your (potential) future in-laws and strengthen your relationship with them. Not sure where to start? Don't worry, it's not as tricky as it sounds. We've rounded up the most memorable gifts for your significant other's parents, from personalized homewares to subscription gifts they'll actually use. Read on for shopping tips and advice, then browse our list of thoughtful and creative presents that will put you in their good books.

Should You Buy a Gift for Your Significant Other's Parents?

Wondering if you should buy gifts for your significant other's family? When it comes to parents, the answer is most often yes. That said, you don't have to go over the top when buying gifts for a partner's parents. In many cases, a small token of appreciation like a bottle of wine or chocolates, is enough. If you're close to their folks, you can always go for a more personal holiday gift, housewarming present or anniversary gift for the parents.

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Remember, every family approaches special occasions differently. If exchanging gifts isn't a big deal to your partner's parents, they might like receiving an experience, like a handwritten card or taking them out for dinner. Think back to previous holidays to determine if they'll appreciate a present. If you're still feeling stuck, you can always ask your partner for advice too.

The Top 5 Gifts for Your Significant Other's Parents

Looking for the TLDR on the best gifts for your partner's parents? Check out our short list of quick and easy gift ideas.

• Best Overall: Purr & Mutt Personalized Pet Pillow, From $64
• Best Reviewed: Uncommon Goods Compact Swivel Cheese Board, From $45
• Best Splurge: Mark & Graham Italian Cashmere Throw Blanket, From $275
• Most Affordable: Personalization Mall Plaid Personalized Stemless Wine Glasses, $19 each
• Most Unique: MasterClass Subscription, From $120

All the Best Gifts for Your Significant Other's Parents

If you're shopping for something special to give your significant other's parents, we can help. We've rounded up the best presents for your boyfriend or girlfriend's folks, from gifts for birthdays to holiday presents.

1. Illustrated Pet Pillow

Photo: Purr & Mutt

If your significant other's parents adore their pet, they'll love this decorative pillow. It features a custom illustration of their furry friend and their name against your preferred background color. Playful and personalized, it's one of our favorite gift ideas for your girlfriend or boyfriend's parents for the holidays.

2. Festive Shortbread Cookies

Photo: Walker's Shortbread

Food and drink are popular presents for a significant other's parents, especially around the holiday season. Walker's shortbread cookies are made from just four ingredients (that's butter, flour, sugar and salt, if you're curious) so you know they'll taste amazing. These tree-shaped treats arrive in a reusable festive tin.

3. Compact Cheese Board

Photo: Uncommon Goods

If your boyfriend or girlfriend's parents like to entertain, they'll appreciate this bamboo cheese board. It's shaped like a wedge of cheese and folds out into a swiveling server for snacks. The board comes stocked with cheese knives and forks in a sliding storage drawer, making it a practical present for parties at home. Bonus: It has over 500 glowing customer reviews praising the clever design and high-quality materials.

4. Lucky Bamboo Plant

Photo: Plants.com

How about a cool plant to wish them well in the future? This lucky bamboo is a unique gift for your significant other's parents for the holidays or their anniversary. Its stalks are shaped into a striking trellis pattern and it arrives in a ceramic white planter. This Feng-Shui favorite is said to improve flow and attract positive energy and good fortune.

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5. MasterClass Subscription

Photo: MasterClass

If your partner's parents already have everything you can think of, give them a MasterClass subscription. With this creative service, they can access hundreds of online classes on everything from sports to meditation to interior design. Each tutorial is led by a renowned expert (like tennis pro Serena Williams and professor Jon Kabat-Zinn) so they'll be able to learn from the very best.

6. Personalized Snowflake Ornament

Photo: Uncommon Goods

While ornaments are a classic Christmas present for your girlfriend or boyfriend's parents, this wooden bauble is extra special. The intricate design features their family name, making it one-of-a-kind just like a real snowflake. It'll add the perfect finishing touch to their tree.

7. Holiday-Themed Glasses

Photo: Personalization Mall

Shopping for an affordable holiday gift for your partner's parents? These stemless wine glasses are a thoughtful option that won't break the bank. They feature a classic plaid design and can be customized with their names. If they don't drink wine, they can also use them to serve whiskey, Irish cream or another celebratory beverage.

Use the code KNOT15PM to get 15% off your order.

8. Gourmet Coffee Subscription

Photo: Atlas Coffee Club

Awesome gift ideas for your significant other's parents don't have to end with the holiday season. A subscription is something they can enjoy for the next year (or however long you choose). If they like to start their mornings with a fresh brew, sign them up to Atlas Coffee Club. Each month, they'll receive a bag of coffee grounds or beans, tasting notes and postcards from each country of origin.

Get 50% off coffee subscriptions and $10 off gifts with this code: THEKNOT50.

9. Charcuterie Board

Photo: Boarderie

Looking for great gift ideas for your girlfriend or boyfriend's family? Boarderie's charcuterie boards are perfect for sharing. Available in three sizes, they're topped with artisanal cheeses, meats, nuts, olives, crackers, dried fruits and chocolates. And, with free overnight shipping available, they're a lifesaver for last-minute shoppers.

10. Digital Photo Frame

Photo: Amazon

The best gifts for your significant other's parents celebrate their interests and personality. Is their family the center of their world? Do they love it when you and your partner share pictures in your group chat? Then they'll treasure this digital photo frame as a holiday or anniversary gift. They can view their favorite snapshots on a loop, like photos of their latest vacay or cute pics of their grandkids.

11. Cute Crochet Poinsettia

Photo: crochet garden By layla

Here's a cute gift for your girlfriend or boyfriend's parents for the holidays: a crochet poinsettia flower. Measuring a petite six-and-a-half inches, this adorable keepsake will add a pop of color to their tablescape. Plus, it won't wilt (unlike the real thing which can be temperamental to grow) so they can dig it out every year.

12. Wood and Marble Wine Chiller

Photo: Mark & Graham

Personalized gifts are great when you're wondering what to get your girlfriend or boyfriend's parents for an occasion. If they like to host, this wood and marble wine chiller will bring style to their next soirée. Have it monogrammed with their initials and fill it with a bottle of wine for a toast-worthy touch.

13. Storyworth Subscription

Photo: Storyworth

A Storyworth subscription is a sweet gift to give your significant other's parents, especially if you know them well. Every week, they'll be sent a writing prompt to help them pen their memoir. After a year of gathering their favorite memories, their written responses will be transformed into a hardcover book that's true to their word. Cool, right?

14. Murder Mystery Puzzle

Photo: Uncommon Goods

Searching for interactive presents for your BF or GF's parents? This murder mystery puzzle will provide hours of entertainment during the holidays. They'll uncover clues and suspects to crack the crime, before completing the 500-piece jigsaw. Choose from two designs for a cool gift they can enjoy over hot cocoa or a glass of wine.

15. Thoughtful Wish Candle

Photo: Birthdate Candles

We can't resist scented candles, particularly during the holiday season. Birthdate Candle's unique offerings are a sweet way to send your partner's parents peace, love, happiness and good fortune in the year ahead. Each candle features a customized label and an embedded crystal to help them manifest positive vibes.

Want to get 15% off your order? Use the code KNOT15 at checkout.

16. Etched Bottle of Wine

Photo: Mano's Wine

Sometimes, a small gift for your partner's parents is more than enough. If they like wine, this festive bottle will bring some holiday cheer to the table. The bottle is filled with a California cabernet sauvignon and etched with a colorful illustration of a nutcracker. When the wine is all gone, they can reuse the bottle as a candleholder. (Psst: If you're not shopping for holiday gifts, personalized anniversary bottles are also available.)

17. Engraved Cutting Board

Photo: Walnut Artisan Gallery

Need a thoughtful anniversary gift for your girlfriend or boyfriend's parents? This personalized cutting board is a sweet way to commemorate their marriage milestone. It comes in walnut, mahogany or bamboo, and can be etched with their names and wedding date.

18. Cashmere Throw Blanket

Photo: Mark & Graham

Thank your partner's parents for welcoming you into their home with a cozy throw. This luxurious gift is made from an Italian cashmere-lambswool blend and can be embroidered with their initials. They can drape it over their sofa or bed to keep out the winter chill.

19. Family Recipe Book

Photo: Uncommon Goods

Here's a thoughtful gift for your significant other's parents: a DIY cookbook for their favorite family recipes. They can fill it with handwritten instructions on how to make their most cherished dishes, preserving their culinary secrets for generations to come. (Psst: You could add one of your own recipes to get them started.)

20. Fancy Olive Oil

Photo: Williams Sonoma

Shopping for a pair of foodies? This extra-virgin olive oil will delight their taste buds. The set includes four award-winning blends infused with basil, garlic, white truffle and blood orange. The olives are produced by a small family-owned company in Northern California and cold-pressed to preserve their natural flavor.

21. Pet-Portrait Painting Class

Photo: Uncommon Goods

We've found another pet-inspired gift for your boyfriend or girlfriend's parents. This online painting class is led by an experienced art teacher who'll show them how to paint a portrait of their beloved pet. It's a fun experience they can enjoy together and it'll give you something to talk about the next time you see them. Add a watercolor paint kit so they're fully prepared.

22. Unique Address Doormat

Photo: Personalization Mall

We recommend giving them a custom doormat with their address on it. It'll add a personal touch to their home, plus their guests (and favorite pizza delivery person) will instantly know they're in the right spot. It's especially fitting if you're shopping for a housewarming present for your significant other's parents.

Save 15% off your order with this code: KNOT15PM.

23. Bread Warming Set

Photo: Bread Warming Set

A bread warmer is a surprisingly thoughtful gift for your partner's parents for Christmas, Hanukkah or another holiday. This handwoven basket comes with a lid and a terra-cotta tile to heat bread and keep it warm on the table. They can fill it with rolls, muffins, sourdough and other baked goods.

24. Holiday Mug Gift Set

Photo: Harry & David

Treat your future in-laws to a cozy gift this holiday season. This set includes English black tea, winter white honey and two ceramic mugs decorated with a holly leaf pattern. The tea bags come in a decorative tin which they can reuse to stash cookies and snacks. It's a nice gift for your significant other's parents if they don't drink alcohol or coffee.

25. Playing Cards

Photo: Galison

Every family has their own traditions, whether for the holiday season or other occasions throughout the year. If your partner's parents enjoy getting competitive over a game of poker, they'll love these playing cards. The deck showcases beautiful patterns from Liberty of London's textile archives, with unique artwork on all suit cards. It's a cool present they'll be happy to go all-in on.

26. Indoor S'mores Maker

Photo: Amazon

Picture this: You're making s'mores with your partner's parents and they're complimenting your holiday gifting prowess. Make your vision a reality by giving them an electric s'mores maker they can use indoors. This flameless heater comes with two stainless steel forks and four compartment trays for the ingredients. Pair it with marshmallows and graham crackers for an epic s'mores night the whole family can enjoy.

27. Anthropologie Gift Card

Photo: Anthropologie

Still stumped on what to get your boyfriend or girlfriend's family for Christmas? If you've already visited their home and noticed that it's full of gems from Anthropologie, get them a gift card so they can add to their collection. Opt for a paper voucher to slip into their holiday card or have it emailed to them directly for a great last-minute gift.

28. Luxury Chocolate Bars

Photo: Compartés

If you're looking for small presents to go with a bottle of wine, chocolate is a winning option. Compartés's handmade confectionery elevates this simple gift idea to something special. Their chocolate bars come in a variety of decadent flavors, including donuts and coffee, chocolate pretzels and strawberry shortcake. Grab a few for the folks to try after dinner.

29. Maple Syrup Samplers

Photo: Uncommon Goods

Choosing a gift for your S.O.'s parents can be as simple as leveling up what they eat for breakfast. If pancakes are always on the menu, these maple syrup samplers will be a hit. They come in four mouthwatering flavors, including cardamom, elderberry, apple brandy and cinnamon and vanilla. They may insist on making you breakfast to thank you for this thoughtful and tasty gift.

30. Electric Foot Massager

Photo: Amazon

If your boyfriend or girlfriend's parents are always on the go, they'll appreciate something to help them relax. This electric foot massager is ideal for anyone who spends hours on their feet. With multiple massage modes, a heat function and adjustable air compression, it helps to boost blood circulation and relieve muscle tension. Warning: They may fight over who gets to use it.

31. Custom Home Portrait

Photo: JustArtinAround

Celebrate the welcoming home they've built with this custom portrait. The watercolor sketch depicts your partner's parents' abode, along with their family name and address. Editor's tip: Plan ahead so you can get this framed before handing it over for a special holiday or anniversary.

32. Smart Diffuser Gift Set

Photo: Pura

Candles aren't the only way to make their home smell like a hotel. With a Pura smart fragrance diffuser, your significant other's parents can schedule exactly when they want their living space to feel fresh. This kit comes with an app-controlled diffuser and two signature scents: Capri Blue's Volcano and Pura's Linens & Surf.

33. Personalized Board Game

Photo: Personalization Mall

Add something special to family game night with this personalized edition of Clue. The vintage-style board comes in a book-shaped box displaying their family name. It's a fun gift for your boyfriend or girlfriend's parents that they can play during the holiday season and beyond. Prefer to get them another game? Scrabble and Monopoly sets are also available.

Get 15% off your purchase with the code KNOT15PM.

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Shopping for a specific parent? Check out these gift guides for even more great ideas.

Our team received [some of] these products as promotional samples in exchange for editorial consideration and independent review.