The Best Mom Gifts You’ll Want to Borrow (and She Won’t Want to Share)
A cool cookware collab and a hand-carved bath tray.
Updated Nov 15, 2022 2:34 PM
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We’re constantly on the prowl for presents that’ll surprise and delight even the most discerning parent, and this holiday season, we found all kinds that will make the moms in your life feel seen and special. Whether they are practical and problem-solving (a very cute humidifier!), sit pretty and will make her smile (the sweetest candy dish), or offer a bit of respite (one very comfy bathrobe), there’s something for just about everyone, and at different price points. Read on for our picks, organized by budget.
Best Gifts for Moms Under $50
Firebelly Tea The Really Good Stuff Sampler
The unique blends from Firebelly have been on our radar for a while, so consider this variety pack of top-shelf teas our way of spreading the love. The trio includes King Hong, a metabolism-boosting, rare oolong; Big Red, which reviewers laud as a “smooth, refreshing” dessert companion; and Holy Mao, a premium Chinese blend packed with antioxidants. Psst: Add on a chic teapot or strainer to round things out.
Omsom Chef’s Knife Earrings
A pair of tiny chef’s knives to adorn Mom’s ears. If she’s always in the kitchen or just a bit funny and funky, this pair from Omsom will give her a little giggle upon opening.
Papier Scallop-Trim Note Cards
For the mom who always tucks a note into a book she’s lending or never misses the window to send a thank-you to someone who has hosted her. These note cards, designed for Papier by Matilda Goad & Co., come in nine color combos and are as much of a delight to write on as to receive. While they start at 10 for $31, there are five other sets to choose from, and the monogramming is, of course, customizable.
Inciting Joy: Essays by Ross Gay
Connection and caring for one another are the concepts at the center of this soulful essay collection from New York Times best-selling poet and author Ross Gay. It’s a thoughtful exploration of joy and the benefits of prioritizing it in our lives—and just right for a book lover.
Best Gifts for Moms Under $100
Framebridge The #1 Gift
Sometimes the sweetest personalized idea is simply a framed memory for mom to cherish. Our top pick is this gilded bamboo style from Framebridge, aptly dubbed “The #1 Gift.” The ordering process is painless: Just select your frame of choice (there are eight available) and then upload your favorite snap (can be a portrait or landscape). The 10×12-size print will arrive perfectly framed and packaged in a lovely green gift box with a bow on top, ready to nestle underneath the tree. (Framebridge’s The Mini also made our editors’ gift list for difficult people, where our digital director plugged them as “an equally meaningful companion” for parents who insist on only wanting “a card” for Christmas.)
Loeffler Randall Marcel Blue/Cream Knit Mittens
Although some might argue that mittens aren’t the most surprising of holiday gift ideas for mom, Loeffler Randall’s blue-and-cream-checked pair would beg to differ. On top of practicality with a side of retro-chic style, these 100% Andean highland wool hand warmers were thoughtfully crafted in Peru by an all-female knitters collective. (Toss in the matching Bartlet beanie for bonus “favorite child” points.)
Cabbage Earthenware Bowls, Set of 2
When shopping tableware for Mom’s collection, you can’t go wrong with pieces that turn heads like these Portugal-made, nature-inspired cabbage earthenware bowls from long-standing ceramics curator Bordallo Pinheiro. Purchase the glazed set as a stand-alone or pair them with the matching platters and side plates.
Alchemy Wine Decanter
This handmade two-tone decanter that could pass as a vase makes for a very good gift (who doesn’t like a dual-use product?). From Domino-favorite glass brand Ichendorf Milano, it’s a gorgeous and practical present—super-lightweight and dishwasher safe at low temperatures. Pair it with her favorite bottle of wine and she’ll cheers you.
OKA Kintaro Side Plates, Set of 4
This charming ceramic tableware comes courtesy of the beloved British home decor brand that counts among its fans the fashion and travel sets—it will make Mom feel in the know. Painted and stamped by hand, the elegant Kinto collection is available in three elegant colorways: indigo, cochineal, and putting green.
Adam Ross Ceramics Brown Tall Bud Vase
We rely on Ssense for off-the-beaten-path home accents like this hand-thrown, U.K.-made vase. Its sophisticated color combo would surely be welcome by those who are swimming in a sea of brightly colored, kid-friendly decor.
Sidia Hand Care Duo
Shoppers have overwhelmingly settled on luxurious as the preferred descriptor for this dynamic duo—a hand exfoliant and serum—from Sidia. It brings the spa to every hand-wash, one past purchaser writes. “The serum is the perfect slip-on skin; it nourishes my cuticles and dries so that I can grab the doorknobs with no problem. I LOVE IT.” What mom (heck, person) wouldn’t want that?
Mrs. Alice Handblown Glass Candleholders
Crafted from cool blue glass, these translucent candleholders measure almost a foot high without feeling heavy or overdone. Pair them with a few tapers (how about a tablecloth, too?), and…voilà: An entertainer’s go-to set.
Compartes Wild Cocoa Chocolate Gift Box
We dubbed Compartes’s Kelly Wearstler–designed Los Angeles store the chicest chocolate shop in the world, so naturally one of its latest offerings, the Wild Cocoa Box, made our list. Hand over 16 artful pieces of the brand’s most popular chocolates, all wrapped up in a flora-and-fauna-adorned package, to your favorite sweet tooth.
Le Labo x The Met Laurier 62 Candle
“A beautiful, chaotic mess.” If there’s anything mothers can relate to, it’s that statement. It’s also how this new Le Labo x The Met collaboration candle is described, hand-poured with 62 ingredients including laurel, rosemary, eucalyptus, and thyme. Already a member of the Metropolitan Museum of Art? Take 10 percent off.
Best Gifts for Moms Under $200
Beautiful by Drew Barrymore Air Fryer
Somehow Drew Barrymore designed an air fryer that’s pretty—well, beautiful—and extremely easy to use. Choose your mom’s favorite color from the five options and then plan dinner (or a few movie nights) together.
La DoubleJ Goodie Jar
This Italian-made porcelain jar from La DoubleJ will stash all her goodies, be they favorite caramels, bracelets, or a few crystals. It would be a vibrant addition in any dresser or coffee table, thanks to that rainbow stripe palette and shiny gold trim.
Birkenstock Shearling Clogs
This iconic brand has continually served up classic, sufficiently cushioned kicks since the ’70s. While Birkenstock’s status-y Boston clogs may be hard to come by right now, take your pick of this shearling-covered version in eggshell or black to put under the tree for Mom.
Mirth Jasper Gingham Tablecloth
When Houston-based brand Mirth dropped its latest collection this fall, associate commerce editor Morgan Bulman couldn’t stop thinking about the gingham table linens. Soft, lightweight, and 100 percent cotton, this tablecloth is holiday appropriate without bordering on seasonal—it’s what Bulman will be gifting her mom this Christmas.
Bathen Long Striped Robe
We can almost guarantee that if your mom pulls this comfy-cool Bathen number out of a box, she’ll want to instantly put it on. The drapey sleeves, soft cotton construction, and striped design make the robe a crowd-pleaser.
Jipi Japa Mats, Set of 6
We’re all about socially conscious retailer Goodee’s recently dropped holiday collection, but if your mom is more of a warm-weather lover, these Jipi placemats are summer-vacation energy embodied. Handcrafted in the Andes by Colombian artisans, they make the perfect gift for those who like a balance of sustainability and style.
Anthropologie Lombok Bath Caddy
Is tub time nonnegotiable for your mom? This hand-carved bath caddy is an accessory she’ll be thrilled to unwrap. Beautiful and—as one satisfied reviewer points out—both “well made and functional,” we could even see it hanging next to the shower as a decor accent when not in use.
Cirrus Travel Steamer
A portable steamer is the kind of gift that the travelers in your life might not give themselves but would be a delightful problem solver to receive. Steamery’s handheld Cirrus 3 is one of the best on the market, and its lightweight, compact body (that also acts as an iron) packs up easily. Suitcase wrinkles will be a thing of the past.
Best Gifts for Moms Over $200
Vitruvi Cloud Humidifier
Vitruvi’s essential oil diffusers are among our editors’ favorites for their scent-dispersing power and good looks. The brand’s new Cloud humidifier keeps the functional-device-that-passes-as-decor theme going—it could be mistaken for a vase and is quiet and easy to clean and has all the benefits you expect from a humidifier. Plus it’s child-safe since there’s no heat involved, making it an ideal gift for new moms.
NuFace MINI+ Facial Toning Kit
If your mom is more on top of her skin-care regimen than you are, this petite facial toning kit from NuFace will please her. The four-item pack comes with a small toning device, a couple months’ worth of Aqua Gel and Silk Crème Activators, and the Clean Sweep Application Brush. Mom can get tailored tutorials, track her progress, and set reminders with the accompanying app.
Modern Sprout Smart Growhouse
For moms who enjoy a productive hobby such as indoor gardening, we recommend Modern Sprout’s Smart Growhouse. Designed to accommodate 4-inch potted plants, the growhouse is equipped with full-spectrum LED lights and runs off a smart app for customizable programming. Situate the matte black stainless steel planter on a side table or help her create her own living wall by mounting the structure with the included hanging hardware.
Jenni Kayne x Staub Oval Gratin
Designer Jenni Kayne unites California cool with French countryside in her recent collaboration with cookware brand Staub. Clad in a creamy white truffle color, the 5.8-pound cast-iron gratin features all of Kayne’s signature touches: a calming hue, a minimalist-meets-modern design, and an eye-catching accessory (in this case, a brass knob).