The Expensive Gifts for Moms That Are Actually Worth It

For spending hours withhot rollersin her hair and cucumbers under her eyes, here’s an extra-absorbentbathrobe. FormerStrategistwriterRachael Griffithsdoes the entirety of her beauty routine (from skin care tohair drying) in it.

They’re made with a soft pima cotton that’ll keep her cool between the sheets. (If you need any more proof: A self-professed sweaty sleeper on staff recommends thepajamaset.)

As seen in last year’s print Strategist “Gift Issue” are these slippers from Cinabre (theofficial tie supplier to the French president). Each slipper is stitched in the tradition of a century-old Charentais workshop, and you can customize the tag on the inside of them with handwritten initials and a date.

“Once you know the visual vocabulary to spot aTed Muehling, you’ll see them everywhere,” says illustrator Joana Avillez, who once wrote about hermom’s love for the jewelry line’s earrings. Get an original with theseberries, available in amethyst, turquoise, carnelian, citrine, chalcedony, or chrysoprase (seen here).

Thislow-maintenance cashmere shawl(which reminds me of something Ina Garten or a Nancy Meyers heroine would wear) can be thrown on whenever there’s a drop in temperature. This one, in a very on-trend shade of mint, in on sale right now.

Not only could theseclogsbe worn for basil-picking in a muddy garden, they’re nice enough to go tomato-shopping at the farmers’ market.

Ahyperlong-lasting perfume,Matiere Premiere’s Vanilla Powder“smells like salt, fire, and divine intervention,” according to contributorIva Dixit.

The retinol in Soft Services’hand creamhelps fight wrinkles, while the colloidal oatmeal is soothing on the skin.

This is the soap in designerSuzie Kondi’s bathroom. “I feel bad for all the other soap in the world,” she says. The bar features notes of tuberose, vanilla, clove, and musk. Officine Universelle Buly offers one of thebest online gift-wrapping services, too, with origami packages wrapped in Japanese paper inspired by kimono motifs.

You’ll find it in thebathroom at Zimmi’s, among other buzzy places.

Aboar-bristle brush(likeMason Pearson’s) that’ll be sitting pretty on her vanity, La Bonne Brosse’s N.01 has made Strategist senior writerLiza Corsillo’s hair shinier and less prone to flyaways. And depending on different hair-care needs, there’s also theN.02for detangling,N.03for gentle scalp care, andN.04for massaging.

The debut of Dyson’s Supersonic set the hair world abuzz years ago, and years later, it’s still the besthair dryermoney can buy. It gives a salon-worthy blowout you don’t have to pay a hairdresser for.

Thishandy gadget(which reminds our beauty columnistRio Viera-Newtonof a computer mouse) might just replace her monthly facial. A combination of different currents helps boost collagen and tone facial muscles, explains Viera-Newton. (Plus an app guides her through cheekbone contouring.)

The biggest selling point of theHigher Dose’s travel-size sauna blanketis “basically, your body feels like you’re working out, but without having to ever step foot in the gym,” says Strategist contributorHalley Furlong-Mitchell. (The online listed benefits — “sweat out impurities and burn calories,” “reduces stress and boost mood,” “increases blood flow and circulation,” “promotes glowing skin” — seem true in Furlong-Mitchell’s experience.) It’ll bejustthe thing for the mother who doesn’t know how to relax.

Unlike a traditional ice-cream-maker, the Ninja Swirl by Creami “doesn’t use a freezer bowl, nor does it come with a built-in freezer compressor,” explains our senior writerLauren Ro. “Instead, you freeze your ice-cream mixture overnight, then spin it in the machine, which uses a blade that breaks down the mix.” No more need for a cone of Häagen-Dazs. (There’s an extractor that turns out a soft serve that tastes like McDonald’s, too.)

Thebest soda-maker on the marketis outfitted with different fizz levels for “Topo Chico–style” bubbles and ones similar to those in a bottle of Schweppes.

A Smythsonnotebookwill make jotting down her notes a little less dull.(You can also brag that the company madeQueen Victoria’s stationery.)

It’s the solution for an overpacker who packs a month’s worth of stuff for a weeklong trip. It comes outfitted with compressible compartments that lift up into aclosetthat hangs on the suitcase’s handle — and most international airlines (even those cheap European ones) will accept thecarry-onat check-in.

The Meural Canvas has the best screen of anydigital picture frameStrategist tech writerJordan McMahonhas tried out for “about as close as you can get to making large prints of your favorite smartphone photos without having to run and get them printed.” And it’ll help clear off the side of the fridge covered with school photos and postcards.

For the mom who prefers her jewerly a bit more understated, these discs are stamped with hand-drawn birth flower designs — stack up to three. The delicate designs are meaningfulandsomething she’ll actually wear every day.

Journalist and mom of two young children Amy Marturana Winderl received this mug as a gift and says it’s been life-changing. “My biggest complaint as a mom is that my coffee is never hot,” she says. “My husband got this for me, and I’m obsessed.” She hasn’t had to reheat her coffee mug in the microwave since.