Gift Guide: For Parents, In-Laws, and other couples

1. Return Address Stamp ** | 2. Wool & The Gang Knitting Kit ** | 3. Salt & Pepper Mills | 4. Tree Board and Cheese Knife | 5. Digital Picture Frame | 6. Fire Pit Table | 7. Serving Platter | 8. Otherland Candles ** | 9. Photo Book | 10. Aerrocino Frother | 11. Nespresso Essenza Plus (This is the one I have and it’s amazing!) | 12. Artisan Bread Making Kit | 13. Spin Bike | 14. Engraved Wine Decanter ** | 15. Faux Fur Throw Blanket ** | 16. Indoor Garden

*chicago business/from a chicago shop
**woman owned business
***bipoc owned business

Alright friends, let’s talk about the hardest people to buy for: PARENTS AND IN-LAWS! This is by far my most requested gift guide topic every year and I really hope this post helps you out! (Fingers crossed!!)

Instead of giving ideas just for each individual, I thought it would be more helpful to focus on the couple. It can be fun to find a gift that they’ll both enjoy individually, but sometimes it’s helpful to gather the siblings together to get them both one thing they’ll really love, instead of a bunch of gifts they have no interest in from each of us. And when it comes to in-laws, I think that approach also takes the pressure off of you a little bit. Phew!

If you (or your significant other) really would rather get something for each of them, I’d check out my Gift Guides For Her and For Him because there are a ton of great gifts in those. Also, a lot of the ideas in this post will work for Grandparents (Hello photo gifts!), Aunts & Uncles, and other couples in your life, too. Let’s dive in!

2020 Gift Guide For Parents, In-Laws, and other couples

Return Address Stamp

A custom return address stamp is such an underrated gift! Whether you’re buying something for a newly married couple or your parents who have lived in the same house forever, it’s so nice to be able to stamp your address instead of write it out for holiday cards, thank you notes, and more!

Photo gifts

Parents are suckers for family photos, and this digital photo frame feels like it was made for 2020 because you can email photos directly to it from ANYWHERE. So if you can’t physically be with your parents, in-laws, or grandparents this year, you can still email photos of your COVID-friendly celebration right to them. I think this is especially great if you have kids, since most parents I know want a rotating set of photos of their grandchildren at all times 😂

If that doesn’t work, you can’t go wrong with a photo book. I also love the idea of gifting your parents (or any family in your life) a socially distanced session with a photographer.

Fire Pit Table

Since indoor hangs are going to be pretty risky for a while still, we have LOVED our fire pit table for nights when it’s warm enough to be outside. I know we won’t have a ton of those right around Christmas, but I’m sure your parents will be THRILLED to have one if a 55 degree day randomly pops up and this allows you to safely catch up in person!

Serving Platter

If your in-laws usually invite you over for Christmas Eve or Christmas, gift them something that they can use every year when they host! I love this platter for something festive, but there are a ton of other options that they can use year round, too. I am always swooning over everything Suite One Studio makes, and a gal in my Facebook Group recommended Edgecomb Potters as another great small business option!

Nespresso Machine and Frother

I am actually going to write a whole post about my Nespresso machine because I have become such a big fan myself! If they prefer regular coffee from a machine they already have, I highly recommend getting them this frother that I also own. It’s amazing – all you have to do is press a button to get cold froth, warm milk, airy foam, and dense foam. If your parents and/or in-laws love a good latte, this is a great gift option!

Bread Making Kit

Do you know a couple that could use an activity? Or did the first round of quarantine turn them into a baker? This bread making kit has 5 pieces: a danish dough whisk, a SmartScraper, a dual-sided lame razor, and an oval proofing basket with a cotton basket liner. Time for sourdough!

Exercise Equipment

Let’s say your parents or in-laws or sibling/their significant other have been contemplating a Peloton all year, but you know they’ll never actually get one. Well, a $2500 gift might be out of your price range – but a $400 bike might not be!! You can read all about our bike in this post – but if you think it’s not fancy enough (it’s pretty bare bones, not going to lie!), there are a lot of other bikes, treadmills, and ellipticals out there that would make an awesome gift from the whole family!

Throw Blankets and Candles

When in doubt, get a cozy blanket or a set of pretty candles! I’m loving this faux fur blanket for something festive and these alpaca throws for something unique. When it comes to candles, I really love Otherland and Brooklyn Candle Co, and I’ve heard great things about Slow-Made which are based in Chicago!

Our Place Pan

I know I’ve included this in a few guides already, but the Always Pan is marked down to $95 right now!!! I wrote a full comprehensive review of it in case you want to learn more about it. So excited to give one to my Mom this year!

PS. You might also like The Best Gifts By Chicago Artists/Companies/Shops, Gifts For Her, Gifts For Him, Sustainable Gifts, and The Best Gifts Under $50!