26 Special Gifts for the Mom in Your Life
Get inspired by our favorite picks, including stylish cocktail glasses, tasty teas, and super-soft pajamas
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Whether it’s your mom, grandma, or mother-in-law, there’s no doubt that they hold a special place in the family. And with the holiday season approaching, there’s no better time to show them just how loved they are. To help you find the perfect present, we rounded up the best gifts for self-care, wellness, and more.
Need more holiday shopping help and inspiration? See all of CR’s holiday gift guides.
Wellness and Self-Care Gifts for Mom
Diptyque Figuier Refill for Home Fragrance Diffuser
Diptyque’s Figuier (or fig tree) line of diffusers and candles is popular for a reason: The scent will instantly transport you to a lush, verdant garden. This bottled refill comes with six diffuser sticks and can be decanted into a vessel of your choice if you prefer not to spring for a $110 version from the company.
Quince Luxury Faux Fur Throw
Once the weather cools, few things can compare to snuggling up on the couch with a warm, oversized throw. Cue this faux fur version from Quince, which is equal parts aesthetically pleasing and luxurious. At under $100, this one seems too good to pass up.
Crown Affair Dianna's Signature Air Dry Collection
Crown Affair’s line of haircare essentials has been my gifting go-to for the past five years, and this holiday season is no exception. This particular bundle comes with a handful of must-haves, including a generously sized hair towel that leaves my freshly washed mane feeling oh-so-soft, a fantastic leave-in conditioner, texturizing hair mousse, and two midsized claw clips.
Ugg Women's Tazz II Slippers
We love a good slipper as much as the next person, and this sheepskin-lined pair with a smooth, suede exterior is as cozy as can be. Its lightweight platform gives a welcome boost, plus you can wear it indoors or out.
Roller Rabbit Monkey Pajamas
I purchased a set of these oh-so-soft pajamas for my mom one year and promptly bought myself the same after seeing how much she loved them. It’s worth noting that she has since amassed a mini collection of her own. The matching set is made of 100 percent cotton, and even after two years of wear, the coloring has yet to fade. (I wash mine in cold water on a gentle cycle and hang them to dry.)
Caudalie Beauty Elixir
Few things in life feel as great and refreshing as a spritz of Caudalie’s iconic Beauty Elixir, especially after a long flight or a workout. This versatile mist, made from grape extract and essential oils such as rose, peppermint, and rosemary, can be used as a setting spray for makeup or a little pick-me-up.
Dior Addict Lip Glow Butter
Our evaluators unanimously agreed that this tinted lip balm by Dior was one very special pick. It’s easy to apply and hydrating with just the right pop of color and shine. The icing on the cake might just be the little charm that dangles from the tube.
The Dyson Supersonic lives up to its status as a luxury hair dryer. In our lab tests, it earns top scores for drying speed and is one of the quietest of the models we’ve evaluated. Plus, it comes with five attachments: a diffuser, styling concentrator, gentle-air attachment, flyaway attachment, and wide-tooth comb. All connect easily to the nozzle via a magnet and store neatly in a case that also houses the hair dryer.
Béis The Dopp Kit
The Béis Dopp Kit is made of cotton and vegan leather and comes in a variety of colors. It’s a bag that you will enjoy holding because of how comfortable the material feels. It can be opened wide enough that every item inside is in full view and easy to access. The bag is divided into a top and bottom compartment, and there are two side pockets in the top compartment. Take this gift to the next level by pairing it with favorite beauty essentials.
Gifts for Earthy Moms
Lands' End Medium 5 Pocket Open Top Canvas Tote Bag
A sturdy tote never goes out of style, and this canvas version has all the makings of one built to last. I’ve had mine for 10 years and it’s still going strong. Whether you use it for produce from the farmers market, as a diaper bag, or as a simple tote for traveling, this versatile carry-all is a classic for a reason. Choose from 23 different colorways and four sizes. You can also opt for an open or zip top and select a custom handle length.
"Capri Dolce Vita” by Cesare Cunaccia
If Mom can’t make it to that dream getaway, let her revel in its beauty from afar. Assouline’s “Capri Dolce Vita” is a book of inspired images from the iconic Italian island that will have her aching with wanderlust. The dreamy coffee table book is one she’ll find herself leafing through while cuddled on the couch on a cold winter’s day.
Flamingo Estate Olive Oil & Fuyu Persimmon Vinegar
When it comes to cooking essentials, good olive oil is hard to top. Pair it with a sweet vinegar and you’ll really have something. Cue this delicious duo from Flamingo Estate, which features a heritage extra-virgin olive oil with vibrant, peppery notes, and a flavorful persimmon vinegar poised to elevate your salads to the next level.
Rancho Meladuco Signature Hand-Packed Medjool Dates, 2-lb. box
Next time you’re headed to a party, ditch the standard box of chocolates for a healthier treat. I remember the first time I tried Rancho Meladuco dates and how floored I was by their quality. They’re tender and indulgently rich, unlike the harder, saccharine versions I usually find at the grocery store. They’re sun-ripened and hand-picked from a farm in California’s Coachella Valley, and they’re pretty sublime.
Gardener's Treasure Harvest Basket
A harvest basket is just the gift for the one who loves to garden. Made from hardwood and wire, this handmade piece will certainly be up to the task. Plus, it’s customizable. And once gardening is over, the basket can be used to store tools and other staples. Why not fill it with fresh flowers and produce?
Crazy Creek Original Chair
Give the avid camper a comfortable chair to sit on the next time they’re enjoying the great outdoors. This versatile camping chair from Crazy Creek can be used on any surface, including those that aren’t flat, while its backrest can be adjusted to an angle of your choice.
Gifts for Moms Who Know a Good Brew
Palais de Thés Tropical Garden Tin Teas
Palais des Thés teas are the ultimate little luxury, and this tropical brew is not to be missed. Featuring a blend of mango, pineapple, papaya, and peach, this caffeine-free tea is refreshing and delightfully fragrant. Choose between a loose-leaf version that comes in a metal tin, tea in a pouch, or in tea a standard box of tea bags. Take it to the next level by pairing them with a set of teacups.
Sophie Lou Jacobsen Piano Cocktail Glass, Set of 2
If your mom’s idea of self-care involves a martini, these colorful glasses from Sophie Lou Jacobsen are not to be missed. Available in several colors, the delicate stemware is bound to elevate the everyday. Each glass comes with a stainless steel stirrer. Cocktail hour just got a whole lot more chic.
A more budget-friendly take on Ninja’s Coffee Bar brewers, the Ninja Specialty CM401 is a terrific all-in-one machine, capable of brewing hot and iced coffee, lattes, macchiatos, and other specialty brews. In our tests, it received an excellent rating for brew performance, and its glass carafe can be handled with ease. This model is also packed with features, including an over-ice brew mode for iced coffee, a built-in milk frother, brew-strength control, and brew-size adjustment for everything from travel mugs to full carafes. It’s one of the most versatile coffee makers we’ve tested.
For more options: Best Drip Coffee Makers
The Oxo Brew Conical tops CR’s list of burr coffee grinders, thanks to its consistent grind performance. Its performance was above-average for coarse, medium, and fine grinds in our tests, and it’s very easy to clean. It has 15 different grind settings that are easy to understand and use, plus it features one of the largest bean hoppers, with a 12-ounce capacity. You’ll also find a timer and an auto-stop feature. At this price, it’s a solid pick for turning out a tasty cup of joe.
For more options: Best and Worst Burr Coffee Grinders
Kinto Ripple Mug
Coffee hour is getting a major upgrade courtesy of this beautiful mug by Kinto. Its soft pastel coloring aside, it’s the large, comfortable handle and soft rim that make this one of my favorite choices for my morning brew. Choose between four beautiful colorways and pair this gift with a bag of freshly roasted coffee beans or your mom’s favorite tea.
For cold-brew lovers who value convenience, this KitchenAid model makes brewing and dispensing cold coffee a breeze. Just put your coffee grounds in the steeper, fill the glass reservoir with cold water, and after 12 to 24 hours (depending on your tastes and whether you steep at room temperature or in the fridge), you have cold brew on tap. In our tests, this model was impressively easy to use and clean. And let’s be real: It feels very fancy to have a tap-style dispenser at home.
Tech Gifts for Mom
If you prefer Google Assistant to Alexa, the Google Nest Audio may be a good choice. Alexa smart speakers have a wider variety of features and can be great for shopping on Amazon. But some users like Google’s powerful search function and find Google’s interface to be more natural and easier to use.
The 1000XM5 headphones are a popular noise-canceling model from Sony, featuring a true wireless design that eliminates the need for a cable connecting the earpieces. They achieved best-in-class marks in our tests for audio quality and sound blocking. They feature touch controls, adjustable noise cancellation levels, a generous battery life with quick charging, and a range of other benefits, including AI voice assistants and Sony’s 360 Reality Audio for virtual surround sound.
For more options: Best Bluetooth Headphones
JYX T9 Karaoke Machine
Nothing says a good time quite like a fun round of karaoke. In our evaluations of the best karaoke machines, we found that this machine excels in vocals, offering the most volume and clearest sound. Although it doesn’t come with a screen, you can connect the machine to an external device with a screen, such as a laptop or tablet. If you want to show off a powerful set of pipes, then the audio quality on this machine takes the cake. It’s the heaviest model we tested, weighing in at 20.7 pounds. But the speaker does have wheels, and you can pull it around using the luggage-style collapsible handle.
For over-ear headphones from a trusted brand at a reasonable price, the Shure Aonic 40 would be great for moms who like something more substantial to keep them motivated during walks, workouts, and work-from-home sprints. These Bluetooth headphones feature awesome noise reduction capabilities and produce nice audio quality for most content types, but they’re a little heavy on the bass (you can tweak sounds with the built-in EQ). They’ll last up to 25 hours on a single charge, and a 15-minute charge gets you another 5 hours of listening. Other nice features include support for digital assistants and an integrated microphone.
For more options: Best Headphones Under $100
If you’re a fan of Apple watches, the Apple Watch Series 10 won’t disappoint you. The always-on 1.6-inch OLED display is noticeably bigger than that of the previous Series 9, allowing you to read an additional line of text when checking notifications. But overall, it’s a bit thinner and lighter than last year’s model. It’s also easy to read in low and bright light, according to our testers, and is now available in some pricier, premium-feeling titanium case options, just like the Apple Watch Ultra.
