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A pretty gift box with six jars of jam and a personal note is sure to delight the toast-loving MIL in your life. One of our favorite gift baskets comes from We Love Jam, a two-person company in Santa Clara, California, that puts up only locally grown fruit. Choose from flavors like blackberry vanilla, apricot bing cherry, or strawberry pineapple lime. The available flavors change seasonally—the purchaser writes in their choices in a pleasingly analog text box on the site—but the deliciousness stays the same. Whatever flavors your recipient is blessed with (there’s a four-jar option, too), you can be sure the fruit will be loosely spreadable, fresh, and way better than the grocery store options.

The idea is simple and as old as time—a cotton cord draws water from one vessel to another—but the execution is a stroke of design genius. For plants that like moist soil, like baby’s tears (Soleirolia soleirolii) and umbrella papyrus (Cyperus alternifolius), these Swedish plant straws are both lovely to behold and effective. The metal straws are available in many colors, including a solid brass, but you must supply your own water container (or buy one on the site for $15). Our only gripe is the cost of shipping, which turned a $50 pack of two straws into $65.

For $16 per month, this small, woman-owned business in Arkansas will send a newly designed 100% cotton flour-sack tea towel to your mother-in-law every 30 days. Artist Stacie Bloomfield bedecks the towels with bright colors and flora- and fauna-inspired screen prints, and the fabric is both soft and absorbent. Once you subscribe, your MIL will receive her first towel within seven days, then an exclusive towel once a month until you cancel. All taxes and shipping are included in the price, and she can pause delivery temporarily if needed. If $16 for a dishrag seems steep, think of them as paper towel replacements—and take a peek on the company website for the pages and pages of thrilled recipients.

We’re convinced that watching birds flit about while drinking morning coffee, washing the dishes, or listening to a podcast is good for your health. This acrylic feeding house secures to the outside of the window and holds up to 22 pounds of birds and seeds, thanks to four suction cups that really stay put. The unit is so hefty, though, that it can also support squirrels, and like all feeders, it does get messy after a while. Happily, the dual-compartment seed tray slides out for easy filling and soap-and-water cleaning.

If your MIL is a chocoholic, you can’t go wrong with these fancy chocolates from San Francisco, one of our favorite boxed chocolates. Fifty bucks for 16 chocolates is definitely eyebrow raising, but justifiable if you think of each piece as an epicurean treasure. Recchiuti specializes in classic flavors like Burnt Caramel and Piedmont Hazelnut and ventures further afield with Tarragon Grapefruit or Star Anise & Pink Peppercorn. No matter how unusual the flavors, they never overpower the taste of the chocolate itself. Editor-in-chief Ben Frumin said that when he ordered a box for his wife, “She declared them unequivocally the best and most stylish chocolates she’d ever had.”

These custom birthstone bracelets are gorgeous in their simplicity and come on a dainty silver or gold chain. You can get the bracelet with just one gem—maybe your MIL’s birthstone—or customize it with up to six. Another sweet idea (stolen from my own grandmother) is to include several gems representing each of her grandkids’ birth months.

As senior staff writer Jackie Reeve says, “A luxurious robe is one of those gifts everyone can appreciate.” After testing over three dozen, she thinks the Natori Shangri-La is the best for anyone who appreciates an extra-soft fabric. The robe’s lightweight jersey drapes flatteringly on a range of body types, and the Natori comes in more size options than most of the competition. It’s soft and comfy for optimal lounging, and in our testing, it still looked brand new after many washes.

As editor Signe Brewster says, “They’ve got great taste in colors, graceful curves, and a Danish pedigree. I’m not talking about mothers-in-law—I mean Raawii Strøm Jugs.” Partly functional, partly decorative, this piece, which comes in seven superb shades, is equally suited for serving mimosas at Sunday brunch and holding a bouquet of flowers.

The Sill is a longtime Wirecutter favorite—the plants and the sleek, modern pots they come in make great gifts. After all, since you’re loving on their child, why not surprise your mother-in-law with a new, lower-maintenance child? If you’re unsure which variety is the best fit for your MIL, start by exploring The Sill’s handy Easy-Care Collection. You’ll find a selection of sturdy options suited for beginners, such as snake plants and philodendrons.

This wide-mouthed ceramic “salt pig” from Emile Henry stores and protects the indispensable seasoning, making it easy to pinch or spoon from in even the busiest kitchens. The unglazed interior absorbs moisture so that flakes won’t crust or cake, and the slightly curved design is less splatter-prone than an open salt cellar. Gift it alongside a big ol’ bucket of Maldon Sea Salt, a favorite among our kitchen staff thanks to its delicate, crunchy shards, which complete everything from caprese salads to baked potatoes to dark-chocolate cookies.

Proof that the simplest items often spark the most joy? The Ivolador Crystal Glass Double Test Tube Vase, which is constructed from an unfinished block of wood and two no-nonsense test tubes. And yet, thanks to a few well-placed hollows, the device is charming for displaying a single bloom plucked from your mother-in-law’s garden or the pair of wildflowers she procured on her daily walk. If she’s into at-home propagation, it makes a lovely base for sprouting baby plants, too. The vase is unsanded and a skosh chunky, but for the price, it serves as an unexpected display and useful option for any plant and flower devotee.

This fish-shaped pitcher is just so darn cute and versatile that it will please just about anyone. Made of durable stoneware and available in a kaleidoscope of different colors to suit any home, this 42-ounce vessel makes a soft gurgling sound—not unlike a babbling brook—as it pours, which is both charming and silly. It functions equally well as a pitcher for lemonade or a vase for flowers.

One needn’t be an expert baker to make use of this lovely Mosser Colored Glass Cake Stand. Even if your mother-in-law has a well-stocked kitchen—and most do—a cake stand is just enough of a specialty find to surprise and delight. This sturdy little wonder stands only 5.5 inches tall and can hold a cake up to 6 inches wide. And on days when it’s not serving its primary function, it makes a wonderful pedestal for ripe fruit, glimmering candles, or potted plants. It could also be placed on an entryway table to hold keys, sunglasses, and mail.

Peacecake is one of our favorite scented-candle brands, and its offerings are hand-poured, 100% vegan, and packaged with recyclable materials. Plus, these candles smell amazing. In testing, staff writer Sarah Witman particularly liked the Neroli & Musk Candle, which she describes as having “a sophisticated aroma with notes of orange blossom, petitgrain, neroli, jasmine, musk, and cedar.” And once this candle burns all the way down, its recyclable container is sturdy and simple enough for your MIL to repurpose as a chic catch-all.

For the mother-in-law with a green thumb, make the task of watering a delight with a gorgeous and functional watering vessel. The Hay Watering Can is big (it holds up to 2 liters) yet light and easy to maneuver—even though it doesn’t have a traditional handle. Despite looking like elegant stoneware, this vessel is made of high-density plastic. (We won’t tell if you don’t.)

Thanks to its heavenly blend of cashmere and wool, this throw from Garnet Hill easily became a favorite when we tested throw blankets. As lovely to drape over a chair as it is to snuggle under while watching a movie, this throw comes in nine sophisticated colors. So whether your mother-in-law is the cheery coral type or prefers more of a classic heather gray, there is a perfect shade for her.

For a genuinely good variety of sweet and savory treats, give your mother-in-law the Zingerman’s Weekender Gift Box, one of our favorite gift baskets. Inside are two rich brownies, salty salami and cheese, a whole loaf of bread, and crunchy peanut brittle. The sour cream coffee cake is particularly transcendent: Tender, walnut-and-cinnamon-studded cake sits beneath a slightly crunchy crust. Staffers say it actually gets better as the days go by—if it lasts that long, that is.

You may not agree with your mother-in-law about everything, but about this you surely shall: National parks are awesome. Whether your MIL is a serious hiker or someone who’d prefer to experience Yosemite Valley from the comfort of a car, this pass will offer her (and three guests) access to any and all national parks in the United States for one year. Plan this gift in advance, though—shipping on standard passes can take over a week, and the lifetime Senior Pass (available to residents age 62 and over) can take even longer. Luckily, both are available for immediate pickup at several distribution sites.

“If your mother-in-law likes to throw dinner parties or loves to bake, treat them to an apron that’s as chic as they are,” suggests senior editor Marguerite Preston, whose team tested two dozen options for Wirecutter’s guide to the best kitchen aprons. The Rough Linen Pinafore is an ideal gift, with a pretty silhouette, a breezy feel, and a comfortable fit. One tester even commented, “I forgot I was wearing an apron, and that’s amazing.” More practically, this apron offers ample coverage and two large front pockets for stashing a cell phone or kitchen towels. It comes in eight lovely colors and three generous sizes to fit a range of folks, from petite (5-foot-4 and under) to large (size 18-plus).

It’s classic for a reason: A bouquet of flowers delivered to someone’s door always makes them smile. Wirecutter tested more than a dozen companies for our guide to the best online flower delivery service, and The Bouqs Company is the one that has impressed us most. In our tests, their artful bouquets consistently arrived fresh and unbruised. Perfect blooms plus reliable delivery, an easy-to-use website, and three price options, and you’ve got a winner.

The Wi-Fi–enabled Aura Carver digital photo frame serves as a direct link between you and your mother-in-law. You can add photos remotely via an app to keep her up to date on family trips or growing grandkids, no matter how far away they are. We tested eight digital photo frames, and the Aura stood out thanks to its sharp, bright display and straightforward setup. Load it with photos of you and your partner—or your kids, if you have any—and deliver a gift that keeps on giving.

If your mother-in-law is more the analog type, skip the digital photo frame and go traditional. Our favorite online framing service is Framebridge: Unlike some competitors, Framebridge offers flat-fee framing for both original art and digital photos. Plus, the ordering process is simple, the image quality is top notch, and the frames are easy to hang.

If your mother-in-law likes puzzles, she’ll love putting together one featuring a cherished family photo. These customizable puzzles from Shutterfly are available in a range of sizes, from 60 pieces (that’s 10 by 14 inches) to 1,014 pieces (20 by 30 inches). A kid-friendly version (11 by 14 inches) has 30 larger, thicker pieces—a great gift if your MIL likes to puzzle with the grandkids.

L.L.Bean’s Wicked Good Moccasins live up to their name—they’re some of the best slippers we’ve ever tested. Made from real sheepskin shearling, they offer breathable, fluffy warmth, and their rubber soles mean they can be worn indoors and outdoors. Plus, just in case your mother-in-law has any issue with these slippers (not that they’re the type to ever have an issue with … anything), L.L.Bean also offers unparalleled customer service.

This oval serving platter, made by New Jersey–based artisan Jono Pandolfi, comes recommended by senior editor Marguerite Preston, who uses it regularly in her own home when she hosts dinner parties. “The modern, minimalist shape will look good in just about any setting,” she says, “and this platter can function equally well for presenting a roast chicken or a cheese plate.” Pandolfi sells a lot of his stoneware to eateries (including Jean-Georges Restaurants), so the stylish pieces are not only durable but also microwave- and dishwasher-safe.

We love finding gifts that are unusual, thoughtful, and well vetted. See even more gift ideas we recommend.