What is the best gift for mom? This is not an easy question to answer as there are clearly many factors to consider. Maybe you have a picky mom who has particular preferences and often dislikes most of the gifts she receives. (I’m not talking about my mother.) Maybe there is a mother who declares that she doesn’t need anything. That makes it even more difficult to understand what she wants. Or maybe there’s a mother in your life who seems to have it all, but you don’t know what to gift her.
No matter what type of mother you are, I have met her. I know what picky moms actually like, and I know what moms who don’t need anything need. And you know what the one who has everything will be pleasantly surprised. Below, we take a closer look at 59 of the best gifts for mothers. Many of them I’ve vetted and often gifted to myself with great success (prices start at $11).
Voluspa 12 Day Candle Advent Calendar
Overall best gift
Deciding on the best overall gift for mom can be a challenge, but we’ve picked seven that you can’t go wrong with.
My top pick is Athleta’s cozy, chic and practical Pranayama Long Wrap. My 64 year old mother and I both love it. My mom also loves everything from recovery shoe brand Oofos, especially the Oocoozie Lined Recovery Shoe, a warm, super lightweight and resilient slip-on sneaker/slipper hybrid. It would be remiss of me not to talk about Idyl’s Lab Grown Diamond Studs. I own these studs and have worn them every day for almost two years. According to the brand, Angelina Jolie herself has also worn these studs.
Bombas Chunky Rag Calf Socks
The best stocking stuffers under $25
If you know how to choose wisely, Christmas presents can sometimes be better than Christmas presents themselves.
It’s hard to pick a favorite out of so many stockings, but if I had to choose, I’d choose the highly underrated Nalway Vegan Leather Makeup Bag Set. I was gifted these and thought they would cost about $50 (or more) since they are such high quality. So imagine how surprised I was when I looked it up and it was only $16 for two.
We think any mom would be happy to receive Londontown’s viral nail concealer, which gives the illusion of a perfect manicure in just seconds. There’s a reason it sells out so many times. Shoppers say it not only “adds a really healthy color to your nails” but also helps heal damaged nails in a matter of weeks.
I love shower steamers, but I hate that they melt so quickly and have almost no smell. That’s not the case with Cleverfy’s shower steamer. I’ve used it many times and the whole bathroom smells great even after a shower. If mom is in need of a spa-worthy shower moment, this set is an easy purchase for just $13.
Dream Pair Memory Foam Platform Slippers
best amazon gifts
I order a ton of gifts from Amazon during the holidays. Not only are our prices competitive, but there are plenty of hidden gems that moms will love.
My favorite Amazon gifts are a little unconventional, but they make the best gifts. The Renpho Eye Massager is sure to be a hit no matter what kind of gift your mom prefers. It features compression, heat, and vibration to relieve eye strain and migraines. What’s more, you can also sync with your phone to play music. When it comes to body care, shoppers say Advanced Clinicals’ Retinol and Collagen Lotion Set is a powerful two-in-one that helps take care of fine lines and flaky skin. In terms of comfort, my mom and I both love Crz Yoga’s fleece-lined leggings and wear them on repeat throughout the winter.
Athleta Cozy Karma Twist Neck Sweatshirt
best clothing gifts
It’s no exaggeration to say that clothes are the most difficult gift to give. It’s personal and figuring out your size can be stressful. But it’s also one of the most useful gifts you can get, so it’s definitely worth it if you can sneak a peek at your mom’s size.
I have many favorites, but I’d like to start with Bleusalt’s 2 Yard Wrap, which can be used as a shawl, wrap, or scarf. The brand, which was also worn by Duchess Meghan, features a range of incredibly chic, comfortable, and timeless pieces, ensuring your mom will be using this wrap for years to come. I’m also a huge fan of the Spanx AirEssentials long jacket. This jacket is made from the same fabric that Oprah said “feels like being hugged” (and it is). I gave my mom Ryka Echo Knit Sneakers for Mother’s Day and she loved them and she wears them everywhere. And for something that feels like cashmere (but costs much less), Gap’s CashSoft Crewneck Sweater is a must.
Longchamp Large Le Pliage Tote
best bag gifts
I think gift bags are definitely my specialty. My mom has loved almost every bag I’ve given her. The same goes for my boyfriend’s mother. (Humble brag.) There’s no one who doesn’t enjoy receiving a nice bag, so it’s my standard gift.
My top pick is this incredibly luxurious looking Coach Molly tote bag. You can get it for a whopping $300 less (!!) at the brand’s outlets. You can use it as a crossbody bag, shoulder bag, or just carry it by the top handle. It’s small but has enough space to fit all your essentials.
My mom’s absolute favorite bag is by MZ Wallace. She already owns three Sutton totes from the brand, but always requests one for Christmas. The last gift I gave her was the Small Sutton Deluxe Tote in black lacquer. Not only is this eye-catching, but it’s also incredibly roomy with plenty of pockets on the inside.
If you want to give your mom the hottest bag of the season, opt for a sexy suede bag, but if you’re looking for something more practical, consider this softshell mini carry-on luggage from Calpak. please. It’s already sold out on the brand’s site and could be sold out quickly at Anthropologie. This bag features a stylish puffy look, is water resistant, and weighs just 5.3 pounds.
Bubble Bar Custom Bead Charm Necklace
best jewelry gifts
Jewelry can be a tricky category, but finding the perfect gift is easy if you know where to look.
When you want to find something modern, fresh, and as shiny as possible, we highly recommend browsing through Jenny Bird’s products. This celebrity-favorite brand, worn by Eva Longoria and Selena Gomez, is perfect for moms who love quiet, luxurious style. I’m a fan of two-tone bangles, which shoppers say are “lightweight, effortless, and elegant.” My mom, who loves statement necklaces, is a big fan of Jane Win jewelry. There’s nothing quite like this mother-of-pearl moon necklace engraved with “to the month and back.” Mejuri’s 18K Chunky Large Hoop is a great piece to elevate any outfit.
Shark SpeedStyle Hair Dryer
best beauty gifts
I know a thing or two about the beauty of being loved by a mother. My 64-year-old mother is often mistaken for being in her 40s, but half of her skin is due to her genes and the other half is due to the high-end products I feed her (at least that’s what I like to think). . .
When it comes to anti-aging beauty, it doesn’t get any better than True Botanicals’ Chebula Anti-Aging Set. This do-it-all trio is available exclusively at InStyle with code HOLIDAY30 at checkout and includes an anti-wrinkle serum, an ultra-hydrating moisturizer, and a plumping eye patch made with antioxidant botanicals. For nourishing skincare that’ll take your mom to the spa, Naturopatica’s Manuka Honey Cleansing Balm and Whipped Oil set is a must-have. My boyfriend’s mother is a big fan of Jones Road Miracle Balm (also available in a travel size kit). This is perfect for moms who prefer glowing, no-makeup makeup without the hassle.
Smeg 50’s Retro Style Mini Electric Kettle
best home gifts
I like to think strategically when it comes to gifts for the household. What do you know your mom will use that won’t just sit around collecting dust? These seven pickups are sure to be appreciated and used over and over again.
Soap gift sets are the ultimate holiday gift hack. Not only does it look flashy, but it’s also very practical. Who doesn’t need soap? I love this beautiful set from Casewell-Massey featuring the essence of flowers from the New York Botanical Garden, including lilacs, gardenias, and honeysuckle. Fainted.
We labeled this gift as something that pays for itself because what mom doesn’t want to do some squats on a heated massage seat after a long day? This portable chair pad can be used anywhere, including your sofa, computer chair, or recliner, and features 3 massage zones and 3 intensity levels. Over 11,000 happy shoppers have nothing but good things to say about this product.
There’s a reason Ninja kitchen appliances go viral. Not only is it innovative and designed to make your life easier, it’s also really good. The brand’s newest Ninja Crispi Air Flyer is already sold out everywhere for the holiday season, but the popular Ninja Creami is still available. This may also sell out (again). The 7-in-1 appliance can make fully customizable ice creams, sorbets, milkshakes, smoothies, and gelatos. It’s loved by over 8,600 Amazon shoppers, with 5,000 buying it in the last month alone, so buy it now.