gifts they might actually want

60 Gifts for Moms (at Every Price Point)

Best Gifts for Mom
Photo-Illustration: Courtesy of the retailers

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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 need new ideas.

So if you’re in the same boat, I’ve curated an assortment of the best gifts for moms, including a few that have been personally vetted by me and favorites of Strategist writers and editors — an admittedly picky group. I also combed our archives for unexpected items, like a mushroom-shaped, color-changing nightlight, and clicked through hundreds of Amazon pages to unearth extra-giftable versions of everyday items, like a status-y water bottle, a luxurious body wash, and sinfully comfortable cashmere socks. Everything here is available at the megaretailer for quick shipping and organized by price so you can easily stay on budget. (But if you somehow can’t find just the right thing for your mom, you can head over to our all-encompassing gifting hub that truly has something for everyone.)

Under $25

For the mom who loves a deal

There are dozens of dupes for Bottega Veneta’s four-figure drop earrings, but you won’t find another pair this cheap, this convincing, and this well reviewed.

For the mom who loves a candle

This birthday-cake-shaped box can hold six matches on top, and she can stash more in the “whipped cream” center. (There’s a paint-tube edition for incense too.)

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 pops melatonin gummies like candy

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 won’t let a single leftover go to waste

This stainless-steel container feels a little bit like magic because it’s actually microwave safe — so she can easily heat up last night’s dinner for today’s lunch.

For the mom who gets the 3 a.m. thirst

This bedside carafe-and-tumbler set from half-a-century-old glassmaker Godinger will save her from a barely awake walk to the kitchen and look especially elegant on her nightstand.

For the mom who believes in fairies

This color-changing nightlight will add some lore to her loo and look equally adorable in the daylight.

For the mom who reads before bed

She can clip this doo-dad (that happens to be a Strategist favorite) onto whatever page turner she’s reading into the wee hours of the night. Pair it with an indulgent book that she wouldn’t get herself, like the Britney or Babs memoir.

For the new mom who’s building a board-book library

The socially conscious “baby’s first” book will introduce their little one to notable (and kid-appropriate) themes from classic titles like The Bluest Eye and To Kill a Mockingbird.

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 who’s a cat lady

KitNipBox
From $23
From $23

KitNipBox’s monthly subscription box includes toys and treats for a happy kitty in each delivery, with every shipment following a different theme.

For the mom whose feet hurt

You may hear an incredulous “What is this?” when she unwraps these funny-looking contraptions. But overnight, too-tight shoes will feel as if she’s been wearing them for weeks, and she’ll be eternally grateful.

For the mom who is the dishwasher

Here’s a fruit basket of dish scrubbers that will make the decidedly unglamorous task slightly more fun.

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

Several Strategist staffers are obsessed with Naturium’s unscented, not-too-sudsy wash that leaves skin supersmooth.

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 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 a lazy Susan that has removable inserts to separate eyeliners from lip liners.

For the mom who’s always looking for lost earrings

$20

The small but mighty jewelry box comes tricked out with earring boards, necklace hooks, ring slots, and pockets for bracelets, watches, and even sunglasses.

For the mom who crafts

This “Book Nook” craft kit comes with laser-cut wood pieces that fit together and provide “almost the same level of satisfaction that you get from Magna-Tiles,” according to designer Yvonne Lin. The result is a twee, light-up bookstore diorama that nestles in between actual books on a bookshelf.

For the mom who gets cold feet

You can’t go wrong with fancy socks from Falke — the German brand is a well-known name in the hosiery business. This pair is made from a blend of warm merino wool and cashmere.

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 a kook in the kitchen

A fishy oven mitt that’s fun and functional.

For the mom who’s trying to eat less meat

This veggie-focused cookbook — which Strategist kitchen-and-dining writer Emma Wartzman “bookmarked literally everything in the very first section” of — has recipes ranging from za’atar onion rings to corn fritters with Sichuan chive butter.

For the mom who needs to up her H2O intake

This trendy water bottle (which comedian Samantha Irby can’t live without) is a Strat staff favorite and comes in a huge array of excellent colors. It’s delightful to drink from, too, with a hidden straw for sipping and a wide mouthpiece for gulping.

For the mom who’s on her last Mason jar

These inconspicuous drinking glasses will match just about any aesthetic.

For the mom who sleeps through the “road” part of road trips

Strategist readers have bought our best-in-class travel pillow in bulk. It’s more of a “padded scarf” to support her head so she won’t wake up with a sore neck.

For the mom who would rather walk

These classic Keds are an iconic white sneaker with a cushioned insole to keep her comfy when she’s really getting her steps in. (Actress Marlo Thomas likes them for “loafing around,” too.)

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 has killed generations of windowsill basil

The aptly named Harvest from indoor-garden maker AeroGarden produces fresh parsley, dill, and other herbs with minimal maintenance — a control panel will remind her when to water.

For the mom who likes her steak exactly medium-rare

Meater Plus Smart Thermometer
$80
$80

Top Chef judge Tom Colicchio uses this smart thermometer to get “perfect meat every time.”

For the mom who likes her seasoning right where she can see it

Fill one with a generous pour of Maldon salt and the other with ground-up Tellicherry peppercorns.

For the mom who thinks everything tastes better fried

Ultrean Air Fryer
$70
$70

The Ultrean is the best air fryer for beginners: It’s small and has only two dials to deal with (for time and temperature).

For the mom who’s into clean scents

$83

Beauty editor Thatiana Diaz compares this perfume to “a fresh load of laundry or walking outside after it rains.”

For the mom who keeps actual photo albums

With this compact printer, she can print photos right from her phone.

For the mom who has perfected the weekend getaway

This sleek backpack can be one-and-done for a light packer. Or, for the overpackers, it can be folded down to a pouch and tucked inside a suitcase for use during the trip or to haul souvenirs back home.

For the mom who has a lot of baggage

If backpacks aren’t her style, how about a puffy bag that’s incredibly lightweight and can also pack up neatly into an included pouch?

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 mom who wears Crocs in winter

From $69

These are a version of the Merrell moccasins that designer Sandy Liang says keep her feet happy, especially with their ultrawarm shearling lining.

For the mom who feels bad about her 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 drinks tea

This kettle has simple presets for black, green, and oolong teas so she doesn’t have to Google the right temperature.

For the mom who takes shots (of espresso)

She’ll never have to take Alessi’s sculptural espresso pot off the stovetop — it’s that nice-looking.

For the mom who stays in the tub until her fingers prune

Brooklinen Super-Plush Robe
$79
$79

I’m always going on and on about this robe — on more than one occasion, post-shower, I’ve fallen asleep in it.

For the mom whose slippers have holes in the soles

These, our overall best slippers for women, are about as cozy as it gets. As one of our experts, the exceedingly stylish Naomi Elizée, told us: “Whenever I put them on, it feels like a hug, but for my feet.”

Under $200

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 pride and joy is her flower garden

$119

This simple stainless-steel vase from the Scandinavian design house Georg Jensen will show off her buds quite nicely.

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’s always candid

“It’s clunky, the photos take about 20 minutes to develop, and they always look just a bit ‘off’ — and that’s the point,” says former Strategist staffer David Notis of this mobile printer that transforms digital photos into Polaroids.

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 knows what hyperdecanting means

Riedel Wine Decanter
$300
$300

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 doesn’t want a TV in her room (but sometimes watches Netflix in bed)

Google Pixel Tablet
$399

Though it’s small, this tablet has a solid enough resolution — according to Strategist tech writer Jordan McMahon — that she won’t have to put on readers to see her novelas.

For the mom who’s so over wrinkle creams

Its Hannibal Lecter appearance aside, this LED mask can help stimulate aging skin and comes recommended by facialists and dermatologists.

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.”

The Strategist is designed to surface the most useful expert recommendations for things to buy across the vast e-commerce landscape. Some of our latest conquests include the best hostess gifts, gifts for dads, baby-shower gifts, gifts for bosses, bar mitzvah gifts, and things on sale. We update links when possible, but note that deals can expire and all prices are subject to change.

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60 Gifts for Moms (at Every Price Point)