10 Wonderful Gift Ideas for Your Boyfriend's Parent When Visiting Them for the First Time

So the big moment has arrived. Now we won’t blame you if you are feeling a bit jittery. Who wouldn’t? But the experts at Best Present Guide will help you score some serious brownie parents with his parents. From the dos and don’ts of meeting your boyfriend’s family for the first time to getting novel gifts for them, we’ve got you covered.

First things first. Stick to the basics – Dress for the occasion, pick a gift for boyfriend's parents when visiting, flatter them for their homemaking skills and offer them help in the kitchen.

Picking a gift for boyfriend’s family: That one can be a bit tricky. Even if your hubby says it’s totally unneeded, you don’t show empty-handed. And if you are planning to choose between a box of chocolates, flowers or a bottle of wine, just drop it right there. You want to make a statement – Think beyond usual stuff. No, we don’t mean you should sell your kidney and buy them a vintage car, a piece of jewellery or air tickets to Los Angeles. What we mean is, you have to put a little thought behind your gift. Thoughts count!

If you haven’t met his parents yet except as a distant guest in some random social gathering, it’s time you get to know them better. The good news is that you have their son by your side so rope him in to know them as intimately as possible.

Get to know their interests, the political side they vouch for (though we won’t recommend touching this territory on the dinner table), and what they might consider as disrespectful. Here are three important questions that will help you know them better and figure out the exact gift that will pander to their whims.

If you are thinking of buying them a ticket of an upcoming concert in the city, please ensure beforehand that they are the outgoing types. If not, think something more homely. Having said that, don't make assumptions that all 'old people' (if that's how you see them) like to sit around at home; find out what they like and how they like to spend their time.

Your best friend’s parents always cherish you for bringing them their favourite brand of wine every time you visit them. Why would it be any different for your boyfriend’s parents? Right? Well sorry to disappoint you but if your beau’s parents have a conservative mindset, nothing can be more wrong than a bottle of wine. Need we say more? Before picking a gift, make sure it goes well with their family culture and doesn’t end up undermining their values.

It’s your first meeting and we won’t blame you if you are tempted to go a bit overboard with the gift. But trust us; hold your horses until you know your partner’s parents more intimately. A costly gift might go well if your boyfriend’s parents are wealthy but for a middle-class family, it might come out as a bit inappropriate.

Since you are family now (well, almost), think of a gift that encourages togetherness. How about gifting them a digital photo frame? Featuring a high resolution LED back-light screen, a digital photo frame brings your treasured photos and memories to life.

Better yet, why not ask your boyfriend to mail you some cool family pictures and pre-load them in the new Digital photo frame. Slip in your pictures as well to look a part of their clan already. Repacking it shouldn’t take that long.

Wondering where to find one? Check out this 7-inch Digital Photo Frame from Xech on Amazon. Priced humbly at Rs.2,989 this makes a great gift. Geared up with built-in storage and memory card reader, this can store thousands of pictures without ever running out of space.

Transferring and storing all your favorite photos, videos and music in this photo frame is easy as a pie. This will be a great addition to their drawing room and every time your picture is displayed, you will be introduced by them to their guests.

A wind chime makes a great gift for your boyfriend’s parents when visiting. Wondering how? Creating melodious sounds with each wisp of the wind, it makes sure your beau’s parents pause to think about you every time the wind blows. It keeps you at the top of their mind. Amazing, right?

Better yet, Feng Shui experts believe that wind chimes ward off negativity and have a healing effect on the mind, body, and spirit, especially for the old-aged. In short, wind chimes score well both on function and aesthetics and is sure to bring the recipient many years of joy and health.

Here’s a wind chime you can go with – Shop and gift brass wind chime on Flipkart. Priced at Rs.498, this 30-inch wind chime is a perfect addition to make their home space more vibrant.

If your boyfriend’s parents happen to be hard-to-please folks, a watch gift set might do the trick! Here’s one more reason you might consider gifting them a ‘His and Hers Watch Set’. It’s not unlikely that the father of your boyfriend likes you but the mother not as much, or the other way round. Well in such a case, a couple watch gift set might help them come in terms with their differences and act as a catalyst to accept you mutually.

Here’s a trendy ‘His and Hers Watch Set’ from Sonata you can grab for just Rs.2,728 on Myntra. Featuring a solid round brass dial and a stainless steel strap with a contrasting gold and silver tone, it’s totally bang for the buck. What’s more? This adorable watch set comes with 1-year warranty.

When you are gifting your beau’s parents, don’t think things, think experiences. How about bringing them something that will prompt a fond trip down the memory lane? Saregama Carvaan digital audio player is a musical throwback to the times when those guys were growing up.

This retro looking digital music player comes with a price tag of Rs.5,760 and you can buy it from Infibeam. It comes pre-loaded with 5000 evergreen Hindi songs and in-built stereo speakers. The 5000 songs music collection on Saregama Carvaan has been handpicked from the likes of Lata Mangeshkar, Mohd. Rafi, Kishore Kumar, Jagjit Singh, R. D.Burman and other legends.

It works on a rechargeable battery that lasts for approximately 5 hours. All they have to do is plug the music card into the USB port on Carvaan and dive in pure nostalgia. No ads, no fuss, just great tracks back to back. If they are not a great fan of bollywood, take a pick from Carvaan’s range of 20+ thematic music cards spanning regional and instrumental themes. Further, it comes in an assortment of retro colours to choose from! Ain’t it just the perfect gift for your boyfriend’s parents?

Pashmina fabric is something that can make even the pickiest recipients happy. Gifting them a Pashmina shawl is an adorable way to tell them that you intend to bring warmth and care to this relationship.

Shawls make adorable, trendy gifts primed to pamper your beau’s mother to the hilt! They are in vogue and can instantly dress up any outfit. Besides, when you don’t know the size, buying a shawl is the safest bet.

You might consider buying this maroon coloured shawl from Weavers Villa on Myntra. Its intricate design showcases traditional craftsmanship and the finest Indian aesthetics. Priced at Rs.1,169, it’s guaranteed to pair well with a top or kurta and turn heads!

It’s a scientific fact that scents and moods are inextricably connected. A foul odour can turn us off while good smells are known to instantly lift the spirits. You might consider getting your hands on Attar Mubakhar by Rasasi on Perfumery for just Rs.1,499.

Crafted with care and precision, this Attar is imbibed with woody and floral notes. Its sweet, soft smell pervades the senses the moment its lid is open. It features a hint of rose on a cushioned base of sandalwood, musk, and vanilla. Known for its sillage and subtle longevity, this 100% Alcohol-Free Attar is an elegant pick to make the right impression on your boyfriend’s parents. Gift this and get ready to make your way from their nose deep down to their hearts!

A traditional box of fresh, seasonal sweets can never go wrong with Indian parents. And if either his mom or dad has a sweet tooth, you get to score extra brownie points with them.

The great thing about good old-fashioned mithai is that it gives you a dizzying variety to choose from, ensuring to satisfy even the most discerning palate. Just one bite from one of those exotic, appetizing Indian desserts and you are a step closer to stealing their hearts!

Wondering which mithai to pick? Here’s our recommendation – A box of 400 gm Kaju Katli from Haldiram costing just Rs.500. Kaju Katli is India’s favourite dessert imbued with cashews, cardamom powder, sugar, and ghee. Might we add, before you pick a mithai box for your boyfriend’s parents, make sure that they are not diabetic. If they are diabetic and still have a sweet tooth, you should go for sugar-free mithai. Nowadays, they are all the rage and available easily online and offline.

If you are on a budget and looking for a low-key gift that could impress them to the hilt, choose a Hindu deity figurine in brass. Brass statues are very much in vogue now a days and bring a rustic feeling to any living space. If your beau’s parents happen to be religious, it’s even better!

Have a look at this Dancing Ganesha Idol by Handeco on Pepperfry. A symbol of good luck and auspiciousness, this 4.5-inch Ganesha figurine is handmade by skilled artisans and features intricate handwork on solid metal brass. Priced economically at Rs.469, it’s a perfect pick for leveling up the décor value of their temple, drawing room, office or kitchen.

Getting coffee mugs personalised for your significant other's parents might need some work on your part. But at the end of the day, it'll be worth every minute you spend. A personalised coffee mug can bring an instant smile to your beau’s parents face.

You can get an adorable personalised wraparound mug for just Rs.300 on Vistaprint. From the colour of the handle to the number of pictures you want on the mug, you can personalise every single detail on this mug. Vistaprint even allows you to customise your message. Ask your boyfriend to mail you some of his favourite family pictures and get started with personalising the mug!

When meeting them for the first time, hesitation can ensue from both ends, leading to awkward silences. In such a scenario, books can be great conversation starters. Besides, they make much more thoughtful gifts than the usual wines and roses.

You might be wondering, how do you choose a book? Well, the same book isn’t for everyone, but there’s some book for everyone. Besides, you have their son on your team to help you dig out their reading wish list. Even if you get it wrong, books serve as a great home décor item. Don’t they just look great on shelves and coffee table?

You can buy books online from endless options in diverse genres on Flipkart, Amazon, Infibeam and Rediff Books.

They’ll be overjoyed if you two can bring out your chemistry on their turf. However, they definitely don’t expect to see you sizzle on the couch right now. A little cuddling, hand-holding or a peck on the cheek won’t hurt, but don’t get carried away. Smooches and groping each other are a big no-no. Do it and awkwardness is bound to hijack the meeting. Play it safe, save your affections for the bedroom.

We totally understand it. First meetings can be intimidating and unnerving. Worse yet, you are conscious all the time because you really want to be liked by them. No wonder, many women end up putting up a façade in front of them. But here’s the thing. If you pretend to be someone you’re not, it defies the whole purpose of this meeting. You are here so that they can know you and you can make yourself known. Trust us – being yourself is your best bet to be liked by them.

First impressions are important and part of that is how you dress. Your clothing is a reflection of your attitude and wearing the right outfit conveys your sensibility. Ditch that cleavage-baring top (even if it happens to be your favourite) or that torn skinny jeans, at least till the time you get to know them better. For now, go for something humbler. Pick an ethnic wear to win his parents over.

Your boyfriend’s mom might never say a word but she expects you to help her set the table or wash the dishes, or at least ask for doing so. And to tell you the secret, she might not be interested at all in being offered to help out. What she’s rather looking at is to have some girl-talk with you. Do yourself a favour. Lend her a helping hand, letting her spend some lone time with you.