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I get more delight out of buying gifts for my mom than for anyone else (sorry, Dad). Part of that comes down to the challenge. What do you get someone when you’ve already exhausted every obvious gift option? She displayed my preschool scribbles on the fridge for years. I’ve sent flowers enough times. So my philosophy now is to either go for something she needs (but hasn’t gotten around to buying) or surprise her with something she would never, ever buy for herself. Sometimes I go the replacement route, like switching her well-worn slippers for brand-new ones. After gifting her countless candles, I eventually found an absurdly large one that she hasn’t yet burned through, even years later. But I always in need new ideas.
If you’re in the same boat, I’ve curated over 50 of the best gifts for moms, including many that have been personally vetted by me and other Strategist staffers — from a sleep mask that feels like a weighted blanket for your eyes to one of our best-in-class olive oils. I also searched our archives for unexpected-yet-delightful things (a color-changing mushroom nightlight!) and clicked through hundreds of Amazon pages to find extra-giftable versions of everyday items, so you’ll see luxurious body wash, an elegant espresso maker, and nice-smelling incense paper here too. Everything below is available at the megaretailer for quick shipping and organized by price so you can stay on budget. And if you’re looking for more gift ideas, we have a gifting hub featuring every gift guide we’ve ever written and a Gift Scout for those especially hard-to-shop-for types.
Under $25
For the mom who pops melatonin gummies like candy
The lavender-scented stick acts like “Ambien without the side effects.”
For the mom who dreams of sleeping on silk
Parachute’s silk pillowcases start at $89; these are just as soft and wrinkle fighting, for a quarter of the price.
For the mom who loves a deal
You simply won’t find a dupe of those Bottega Veneta earrings that’s as cheap, convincing, and well reviewed as this pair.
For the mom who never knows where her keys are
It’s hard to lose a key this big — it’s cast from silicone, more than six inches long, and comes in in-your-face colors like chartreuse, mustard, and brick.
For the mom who’s big on ambience
Tuck these tiny taper candles anywhere for the softest Barry Lyndon–like lighting.
For the mom who doesn’t need another candle
These burning papers have a “nice, powdery, neutral smell,” according to author Young Kim. Instructions are simple: Fold a sheet accordion style, light an end, and quickly blow it out before letting it burn slowly.
For the mom who gets blisters on her feet
You might hear an incredulous “What is this?” when these contraptions are unwrapped. But overnight, too-tight shoes will feel as if she’s been wearing them for weeks.
For the mom whose fridge is covered in sticky notes
She can still hang photos, kid art, and all those passwords — but with a neater-looking, floating effect.
For the mom with a sweet tooth
For her after-dinner dessert fix, get her a box of delicious, California-grown Medjool dates.
For the mom who’s a kook in the kitchen
For the mom who loves a good scrub
A fruit basket of dish scrubbers is even cuter than a smiley-faced Scrub Daddy.
For the mom who tops everything with a runny yolk
Not only does this egg poacher come in an especially charming yellow, it actually works, giving you soft whites with a liquid-y center, according to our kitchen and dining writer.
For the mom who wants her skin to feel like Flipper’s
The Japanese exfoliating towel is so beloved it has its own Wikipedia page, and Strategist writer Kitty Guo says it’s even superior to Korean scrubbing mitts for smoothing hard-to-reach spots.
For the mom who prefers bodywash over bar soap
Glow Getter is right — Naturium’s beloved bodywash makes even the driest skin look radiant.
Under $50
For the mom who prefers bar soap over bodywash
This set from legacy soapmaker Caswell-Massey features notes of tart cherry and sweet almonds.
For the mom who’s crafty
Put all the laser-cut wood pieces of this craft kit together and you’ll get a model bookstore that can be nestled in between actual books on a shelf. It has “almost the same level of satisfaction that you get from Magna-Tiles,” according to designer Yvonne Lin.
For the mom who always reads a few pages before bed
Give her this pillow, which folds into itself for optimal shoulder and neck support. (Bonus points if you pair it with a book that she’s been meaning to read, like the Babs memoir.)
For the mom whose ends are fried
This “repairing treatment” has bond-building technology to help with damage — in other words, the hair mask will give her smoother-looking strands.
For the mom who never leaves the house without putting on her face
Replace her concealer-coated makeup bag with an organizer that can sit proudly on top of her vanity. It has drawers and removable dividers to separate eyeliners from lip liners.
For the mom who gets cold feet
Splurge a little on these fancy socks from Falke — a well-known name in the hosiery business — that are made from a blend of warm merino wool and cashmere.
For the mom who gets achy feet
Strategist-vetted Vim & Vigr makes compression socks that don’t look like compression socks. Not only will these help with swelling and circulation, they’ll fit right in with her stylish outfits.
For the mom who has texting thumb
This cute polka-dot cat will give her a place to prop up her phone.
For the mom who’s up all night
This sleep mask is filled with weighted beads and finished in microfleece to create a mini weighted blanket for her eyes.
For the mom who runs a “shoes off” household
This shoe organizer can expand to fit her ever-revolving rotation of shoes — and will tuck neatly into a mudroom corner.
For the mom who’s veg-curious
There are recipes ranging from za’atar onion rings to corn fritters with Sichuan chive butter — delicious — in this veggie-focused cookbook.
For the mom who makes her own dressings
This olive oil has notes of artichoke, green olive, and Granny Smith apple along with a finish of arugula, mustard greens, and peppercorn. Bonus points if you gift it with a baguette.
For the mom who doesn’t believe in cold butter
This cute crock keeps butter fresh, softened, and at the ready for hot slices of toast.
For the mom who needs to up her H2O intake
No less than 11 Strategist staffers own this water bottle, which has a hidden straw for sipping and a wide mouthpiece for gulping to get those recommended liters in.
For the mom who has been hunting for new glassware
These sleek drinking glasses have a well-rounded base for a good grip.
For the mom who hates the sight of wilted stems
An afternoon of LEGO assembly will yield a truly unkillable orchid.
Under $100
For the mom who’s always schlepping
You can’t go wrong with a fits-it-all bag. This Baggu number has ample room for her wallet, book, and water bottle — plus the black nylon has a hint of Prada to it.
For the mom who has perfected the weekend getaway
A one-and-done duffel for the light packer — or, for the overpacker, an easily folded second bag to haul souvenirs back home.
For the mom who has killed generations of windowsill basil
An indoor-garden kit means she’ll have fresh herbs with minimal maintenance — and this model features an adjustable lamp to get the light just right.
For the mom who likes her steak exactly medium-rare
Top Chef judge Tom Colicchio uses this smart thermometer to get “perfect meat every time.”
For the mom who sleeps in
This Marimekko sheet set features the iconic Unikko print from the 70-year-old Finnish design house.
For the new mom who could use some pampering
A hydrating face oil can be a quick pick-me-up, and Aēsop’s Fabulous formula will be just the thing thanks to calming notes of ylang-ylang and jasmine.
For the mom who has a stiff neck
The knobs on this heated neck and shoulder massager “genuinely feel like hands, kneading aching muscles and working out sore spots,” according to former Strategist senior writer Karen Iorio Adelson.
For the mom who does shots (of espresso)
She’ll never have to take Alessi’s sculptural espresso pot off the stovetop — it’s that elegant.
For the mom who stays in the tub until her fingers prune
I’m always going on and on about this robe — on more than one occasion, post-shower, I’ve fallen asleep in it.
Under $200
For the mom who’s always looking for a lost earring
The peacock-blue velvet lining in this butterfly-printed box will keep her studs and hoops safe and secure.
For the mom whose slippers have holes in the soles
These handsome slippers have a wool lining that’s sweat-wicking — so no more clammy toes.
For the mom whose sweatpants have holes in the knees
From one of our favorite cashmere makers, these knitted pants have a waffle texture that’s perfect for lounging in.
For the mom whose kids keep her on her toes
This best-in-class foot massager comes tricked out with air compression, heat, round nodes, and a rolling spool for deep, Shiatsu-style massages.
For the mom who’s looking a little dry
It’s a high-design, low-maintenance humidifier with a dishwasher-safe tray and a good-size tank that won’t require constant refills.
For the mom who’s trying to cut back on takeout
The wide, high-sided wok heats up quickly for fried rice or stir-fry — and comes with a lid for steaming dumplings.
For the mom who keeps actual photo albums
This portable photo printer — which turns phone photos into scrapbook-ready 4x6s — will save her a trip to the drugstore.
Under $500
For the mom whose gallery wall is getting crowded
This larger-format digital picture frame is from Aura, the makers of our best-in-class pick. Every member of the family can add photos with the user-friendly app, and the frame can be wall-mounted to display thousands of memories in a single piece of wall real estate.
For the mom who’s so over wrinkle creams
Our resident beauty expert compares the effects of this dermatologist-recommended NuFace to using a gua sha — it reduces fine lines and wrinkles, lifts, and tones. The starter kit comes with a gel activator and applicator brush as well.
For the mom who knows what hyperdecanting means
Riedel is king when it comes to wine decanters. Instead of a standard vase-shaped version, go with this charmer that has a heart-shaped handle.
For the mom who needs to share her mental load
Think of it as a planner with a touchscreen. She can sync multiple online calendars, make a grocery list, and start a “chore chart” to help kids keep track of their to-dos.
For the mom who could use a nap
Actress Kathryn Hahn has taken the greatest naps of her life under this handknitted, breathable weighted blanket, which happens to be supremely good looking, too.
For the mom who swears vinyl sounds better
Unlike turntables of the past, the Spinner is Bluetooth-enabled, so it can pair with her speakers or headphones.
For the mom who doesn’t want a TV in her room (but sometimes watches Netflix in bed)
For the mom who has a mane to maintain
The British brand has been in the brush business for over a century — and its wares are the sort of expensive-but-worth-it item that’ll make her feel especially appreciated. Act+Acre founder Helen Reavey — who has owned hers for more than 20 years — says “it detangles gently, brings everything together, and gives my hair a natural feel.”
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