Foolproof Gifts for In-Laws, Grandparents and Other Relatives

A gift that’s bound to be the centerpiece, this (rather chic) steel menorah comes in six gorgeous colors. It’s incredibly easy to clean and will illuminate the holiday festivities. ($165, Via Maris)

When all else fails and your family has spent a bit too much time together, go for a moment of nostalgia. This vintage Monopoly edition (inspired by the year of 1935, the game’s birth year) brings a touch of sophistication to a childhood favorite. Who knows, you might even inspire a new holiday tradition of game night. PS: We adore how it looks on a bookshelf. ($48, Anthropologie)

For new or seasoned grandparents, this thoughtful pack of letters will help freeze the most precious moments in time. Share stories, spark connections, and create keepsakes you’ll have for years to come. Everyone loves a pen pal, but make that pen pal your grandparent and everything takes on more meaning. An added bonus? The illustrations add a tiny bit of whimsy. ($32, Uncommon Goods)

Want a surefire way to please any cousin, in-law, or distant aunt you see once a year? We promise, these cozy socks are the answer. Not too thick but just warm enough, they’re great for year-round comfort. Better yet, the buttery-soft material is machine-washable, durable, and surprisingly breathable. PS: Check out our full review here. ($55, Cozy Earth)

This nongreasy therapy cream is for the dads out there who swear their backs aren't actually hurting. There's no odor, and family members can use it with or without the aid of ice packs and heating pads. Thanks to the arnica, vitamin B6, and MSM (often used to threat arthritis), whoever uses it will find the relief they're looking for. For the best result, it's recommended to use the cream three to four times a day, for up to 10 days. ($31.46, Amazon)

If you have a family member that is obsessed with their family history, give them the gift of getting to learn even more. In Ancestry’s easy-to-use kit, they’ll give a saliva sample and send it out in the prepaid package it comes with. In about 6-8 weeks, they’ll get their results online spanning from origins and ethnicity to traits and archival records. Hello, family historian. ($59+, Ancestry)

Got a perfectionist on your holiday list? This handy steamer-iron duo belongs in their arsenal. It’s lightweight, travel-friendly, and makes clothes look freshly pressed in minutes. What’s cool is that it’s pretty much like flat-ironing clothes, so it’s incredibly easy to use. A true game-changer for any wardrobe. Not convinced? Read more on the Nori Press here. ($119, Amazon)

Good sleep is the gift that keeps on giving, trust us. Help create stress-free mornings and restful nights with this modern smart alarm clock from Loftie. It plays soothing sounds in stages that’ll gently wake them up, and also features guided meditations for a relaxing wind down. Guess what — we also fully reviewed how it affected our snooze schedule here. ($149, Loftie)

Elevate their culinary vibes with this versatile knife set, a kitchen essential for home chefs of any level. The set of three contains a sturdy chef’s knife, large serrated knife, and a paring knife, so all their chopping, dicing, and prepping needs will be covered. Each one is made from premium German steel, so durability will never be a problem. ($145, Our Place)

Warning: This unique gift will spark tons of conversation. Simply choose up to 12 names and the artist will twist and sculpt a personalized family tree, blending each name into tree branches. The best part? You can even add names in the future. We think it’s the perfect sentimental option for grandparents with a number of grandchildren. ($100+, Uncommon Goods)

The way to a pet-lover's heart? Directly through the source. These custom pet portraits are illustrated by real digital artists, and will live on their wall forever. All you need is a picture of the pet (or pets), then you can add names and even customize the background color. ($70+, West & Willow)

Show them you think they’re a cool mom with this cozy sweatshirt (or tee) they’d probably be too shy to buy themselves. Available in 17 colors and a wide range of sizes, this basic (in the best way) sweatshirt will be on repeat in their wardrobe rotation. ($9.36+, DesignsByArtworks via Etsy)

Tea and coffee lovers, rejoice. This electric pour-over kettle is the ultimate gift for those who don’t mess around with their daily cup (or, more likely, cups). This aesthetically pleasing kettle has a precise spout for the perfect pour, and a sleek LCD screen indicating the time and temperature. ({{dynamicPrice}}, Amazon)

Forget monogrammed mugs, these illustrated ones are as thoughtful as they get. Your family members will love seeing their personalized character depictions, which you can customize with their hair color, skin color, clothing, and body type (and, of course, their name). Think about how cute the set will be sitting on their kitchen counter. ($32+, Uncommon Goods)

Don’t look now — but you just became the favorite grandchild. Whether they’re a new grandpa or they’ve been grandparenting for years, this fun, classic T-shirt will get a lot of wear. Choose from 11 colors and sizes S to 4XL. ($14.32+, eBollo via Etsy)

We all have those family members who could use a little more downtime in their lives, especially during the busy holiday season. Inspire a spa-like experience at home with this cozy and luxurious bathrobe, sure to spark many future self-care moments. It’s made from Turkish cotton, with six colors to choose from. Added bonus: It has pockets for their phone, reading glasses, and more. ($129, Parachute)

Forgetful family members will get a kick out of these funny-yet-necessary key finders, and you’ll be saving them a whole lot of stress in the future. Meant for car and house keys but handy for purses, remotes, and just about anything they tend to lose, the set comes with four fobs and a transmitter to track them. When something goes missing, they’ll be able to press a button on the transmitter. The fob will start beeping, helping them to find whatever is currently lost. ({{dynamicPrice}}, Amazon)

Show the grandparents in your life how much you care with this custom doormat. Available in three style options and four sizes, it’s a gift they’ll display with pride. We consider it a simple homerun in the gift department. And everytime you stop by their house, you’ll be able to see it displayed outside their front door. How cute is that? ($36.60+, HamlinRowShop viaEtsy)

When all else fails, appeal to their taste buds. This “Best of Magnolia” sampler pack includes the fan-favorite banana bread pudding and some mouth-watering cupcakes. These won’t make it through the night, so maybe take a bite before everything “mysteriously” disappears. ($45, Magnolia)