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The Best Gifts to (Effortlessly) Impress In-Laws, Bosses, and Other Adults

Posh pajamas, charcuterie baskets, and sparkling cocktail ornaments—we've got the best gifts for your boss (or equally stress-inducing adult).
The 9 Best Gifts for Your In-Laws, Bosses, and Other Adults
Composite by VICE Staff

Oh geez, it’s the most nerve-racking time of the year again: the time when you have to focus all your time and energy on buying a thoughtful gift for your boss, mother-in-law, or other Important Person in Your Life That You Have No Choice But to Buy a Gift For—someone who’s a real adult and doesn’t function in the land between “im baby” and “yes, I pay taxes.” In some cases, that $30 bottle of wine you pick up on your way to the function will suffice, but for these recipients, you’ve got to go with something a little hypnotic so that you can sleep easy knowing that they have to like you now. This is a true gifting challenge, so we’ve done the hard work for you so you don’t waste another second agonizing. These are the best gifts for in-laws, bosses, and other adults for whom you definitely wanna stay on their good side.

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The pajamas every rich TriBeCa fam wears 

If you haven’t heard of Eberjey, let me put you on. Pre-pandemic, I decided I was “entering my luxury era” and I would no longer be wearing ratty promotional T-shirts to bed. So that year, what brand of pajamas topped my personal holiday gift wishlist? Eberjey. What makes these sleep sets so special? It’s the Tencel modal fabric, which isn’t just wildly silky-cozy-comfy to the touch, but shockingly eco-friendly. It’s made from raw beech tree pulp and is biodegradable, which means nothing until you feel how liquidy-soft they are. It feels like you were poured into a cocoon of comfort and wealth. Eberjey also makes washable silk pajamas, if you’re looking for even more luxury. Highly recommended. These are the perfect gift for in-laws, since they’re the matchy-matchy pajamas that signify functional holiday family gatherings. 


$138 at Eberjey

$138 at Eberjey

$168 at Eberjey

$168 at Eberjey

The toaster that lives in every Hamptons house

If you’re thinking how a toaster can be fancy, you haven’t met the Breville ‘A Bit More’ Toaster. I first heard about this (in a convertible) in the Hamptons, from my friend’s fabulous mom, and this toaster is her magnum opus. She buys them for every family member, and they're a huge hit because you always need your bagel toasted just “a bit more”—get it?  And even with all its sleek looks and handy functions, it’s under $100—perfect for a family member expecting something nice this year. 


$99.95 at Breville

$99.95 at Breville
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Very chic olive oil

Named for and inspired by a pink mansion surrounded by lush, dense gardens in the hills of Los Angeles, Flamingo Estate has become a collective of over 75 farms. It also produces CSA boxes, bath and body products, pantry goods, and unique gifts like this cold-pressed extra virgin olive oil, grown in California—perfect for dipping, cooking, and gifting.


$39 at Mohawk General Store

$39 at Mohawk General Store

A stunning modern menorah

Bring your bubbe into the 21st century with a super sleek rainbow lucite menorah. Founded by two sisters, Apeloig makes design-forward judaica that you’ll want to display all year. West Elm also has a gorgine glass menorah that’s currently on sale for $36 (which feels borderline illegal), so snatch one while they’re priced to sell. 


$410 at Food52

$410 at Food52

$60$36 at West Elm

$60$36 at West Elm

Sassy glass ornaments

Each year, the bar for cheeky, niche ornaments gets higher and higher. I buy everyone an ornament that compliments their personality (mostly food-related) and use them in lieu of name tags on gifts. This little move goes over big; sometimes, people like them even more than their actual gift. There are so many good ones to choose from (especially from legendary ornament boss Cody Foster), but for starters, let’s go with the holy trinity: a martini, a deviled egg, and a shrimp cocktail. Amen.


$19.99$15.27 at Amazon

$19.99$15.27 at Amazon

$16 at Food52

$16 at Food52

$15.99$14.39 at Amazon

$15.99$14.39 at Amazon

Really interesting candles

Sure, a candle isn’t the most imaginative gift, but when it’s in the shape of a stackable sculpture, a postmodern blob, your favorite aperitivo, a Grateful Dead bear, or resembles Ugo Rondinone’s Seven Magic Mountains, it’s sure to be well-received. 


$90$41 at SSENSE

$90$41 at SSENSE
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$40 at SSENSE

$40 at SSENSE

$150$71 at SSENSE

$150$71 at SSENSE
$30$25 at SSENSE
$75 at Coming Soon
$30$25 at SSENSE
$75 at Coming Soon

$90 at SSENSE

$90 at SSENSE

Personalize their Old Fashioned

Nothing says “I belong to a country club” like monogrammed ice cubes. Seriously, Imagine bringing your guest a Negroni Sbagliato with your (or their) initials? Now that’s elite.


$29.99 at Siligrams

$29.99 at Siligrams

A gourmet charcuterie board

No one ever has opened up a giant basket of artisanal meats and cheeses and thought, Meh. This is why the Deluxe Cheese and Charcuterie Hamper from Williams Sonoma is the perfect gift for absolutely anyone (as long as they’re not vegan). Send them everything they need to entertain on Christmas eve without lifting a finger. 


$199.95 at Williams Sonoma

$199.95 at Williams Sonoma

An affordable bit of cashmere gear

If your mother-in-law isn’t hip to Quince’s high-quality basics and homewares, she’ll never know you scored this devilishly soft cashmere throw for less than $150. Best of all, she’ll be fawning all over you, because baby, that’s what cashmere is all about.


$129.90 at Quince

$129.90 at Quince

Good luck, my little suck-ups—hope you get that raise or a newly appointed status of “best son in law.”


The Rec Room staff independently selected all of the stuff featured in this story. Want more reviews, recommendations, and red-hot deals?Sign up for our newsletter.