Anniversary gift for your mother-in-law and father-in-law: gifts that come in pairs, given by both of you, from Rs 649Anniversary gift for your mother-in-law and father-in-law: gifts that come in pairs, given by both of you, from Rs 649

A gift for the two of them, not for one

An anniversary gift for a mother-in-law and father-in-law has one quiet rule that people often miss: it should be for the couple. A saree for her and nothing for him, or a shirt for him and nothing for her, puts one of them in the background on the one day that is about both. The easy way to get it right is a gift that comes as a pair.

Three of our candles do exactly that. All are hand-poured in pure soy wax in Jalandhar:

• Urli Candles, Rs 699 for a pair: two flower-shaped urli bowls with a gold rim, gold-flecked wax and a sunflower top. Traditional enough for a puja on the day, pretty enough for the drawing room after.
• Floral Candle Duo, Rs 649: two peony candles, one deep rose pink and one ivory with pink-tipped petals. Soft and romantic, for in-laws who still hold hands on walks.
• Marble Seashell Candles, Rs 999 for 2: one blue-and-white and one terracotta-and-white marbled conch, topped with pink wax shells, pearls and gold stars. Ships free on its own.

Reading which pair suits them

When in doubt, ask your spouse one question: do your parents celebrate the day with a puja, a family dinner, or quietly? Puja means urlis or the shankh. Dinner means the peony pair or the marble shells. Quietly means the smallest, most personal gift with a long note.

Making it a gift from both of you

With in-laws, how the gift is given matters as much as what it is.

• Give it together. Sign the gift note with both your names, and if you are there in person, hand it over side by side. A gift from the son or daughter alone, or from the daughter-in-law or son-in-law alone, lands differently.
• Touch their feet or call first, then give the gift. In most Indian families the blessing comes before the parcel.
• Ask for the story. On the day, ask them how they met or what their wedding was like. Most parents-in-law are rarely asked, and they will remember that you did.

Two pairs for a fuller gift: Urli Candles plus the Floral Candle Duo, Rs 1,348; or Urli Candles plus the Shankh Candle, Rs 1,498. Both ship free.

Silver, ruby and golden anniversaries

For a 25th, 40th or 50th anniversary, the main gift is usually bigger: a pair of gold or silver coins, matching watches, a family trip, a photo album of their 25 or 50 years, a renewal of vows or a party with relatives. A candle pair does not replace that. It is the piece on the cake table, or the thing the grandchildren give.

For a milestone party at home, a pair of Urli Candles on the cake table and two packs of Diya Candles around the room, twelve diyas in all, works well. Two packs of Diya Candles are Rs 898.

When they live in another city

If your in-laws live in another city, enter their address at checkout, choose gift packaging, and add a gift note on the product page with both your names. Dispatch is 24 to 48 hours and delivery 2 to 7 days after dispatch, so order at least a week before the date and check the delivery estimate for their pincode on the product page. We cannot promise a date. Call them on the morning of the anniversary so the parcel is not the first they hear from you.

What else couples give their in-laws

The common anniversary gifts for parents-in-law in India: a saree and a kurta or shawl together, matching watches, a dinner out with the family, a pilgrimage or a short trip, a framed wedding photo restored from the old album, a fruit and dry-fruit basket, a silver puja set, or a health check-up package for both. Many families also give a pair of silver coins. A candle pair from us is a small, warm gift alongside any of these.

We do not sell silver, gold, clothes or photo frames. If your in-laws are not candle people, skip candles altogether and choose the dinner or the trip. For festival gifts rather than the anniversary, our page on a festival gift for in-laws covers Diwali and other occasions.

Paying for it

• Prepaid only through Razorpay: UPI, card, net banking or wallet. No cash on delivery.
• Free shipping from Rs 999; Rs 79 below.
• A return request must come within 24 hours of delivery. Damage reported within 24 hours is replaced or refunded; cancel free before dispatch.

A safety line for older parents: place the candles on a steady, heat-proof surface away from curtains and puja cloth, never leave them burning unattended, and keep each burn to 3 to 4 hours.