Get creative with your mom's gift this holiday season
On Christmas morning, millions of moms will be waking up to the gift of a robe. And, if this "Saturday Night Live" sketch is anything to go by, they might not be too pleased about it. That's why you should be looking for gifts for your mom that aren't a robe — and while you're at it, buy her more than one thing.
We put together this guide with gifts for all kinds of moms, from coffee machines to Kindles to LEGO sets. And, OK, some moms genuinely do have a robe on their Christmas list, but if that's the gift you're going to buy, you should make it a good one. Whatever your mom's into, there's the perfect gift out there for her.
Best clothing and accessory gifts for mom
This scarf is both stylish and toasty warm along with being super versatile. It comes in countless colors and even two-packs so Mom will have options for her winter 'fits. It's a great transitional wardrobe staple for fall, winter and early spring.
It will be hard to find an outfit these slip-ons don't go perfectly with because they're just that versatile. They're also insanely comfy and come in several neutral shades to suit just about any wardrobe. The best part? They're machine washable, so they can look like-new for a lot longer than your average flats.
What mom can't use a pair of comfortable jogging pants that can go from pilates class to the grocery store? They're available in more than 20 colors, so feel free to grab a few pairs for the active and busy mom in your life. Or for yourself.
If you know a mom who's been very good this year, treat her to this tote bag that's equal parts trendy and chic. It features exterior zipper pockets in both the front and back, two deep water bottle pockets on the sides, along with interior pockets, a key leash and a padded laptop pocket making it the perfect travel carryon.
If you want to gift a bag but looking for a more budget-friendly option, Target has you covered with their Wild Fable brand Weekender Bag. It has an adjustable strap and carry handles along with several interior and exterior pockets. It comes in multiple colors, so there is one for every style.
Soft faux-fur and a flattering thigh-length fit make this coat the perfect choice for a deserving mom. It has a button-up closure to stay warm but the main feature here is clearly the stunning style that will dress up any cold-weather outfit.
Winter is coming — or maybe it's already in full swing where you live. And, we'll let you in on a little secret: Moms get cold, too. This beanie is made from pure cashmere, so it's a cut above your average wooly hat. It's soft and so warm. It comes in 11 hues, including black, cappuccino, stone and eggplant.
Best robes and slippers gifts for mom
Women love stylish UGGs and moms are no different. With a rubber outsole, sheepskin collar and suede upper, these slippers bring both fashion and function. Mom can wear them around the house or to school pick-up, and that kind of versatility is worth the higher price tag. It is available in 15 colors, so make sure to choose the fave of that special mom in your life.
We said no robes, but this one is different. It's more blanket than robe, so it's perfect for moms who like to stay cozy. If your mom is always curled up under a blanket or complaining about being cold, look no further for a gift. This robe is like a wearable comforter with convenient pockets. It comes in white, indigo and oatmilk.
If your mom genuinely wants a robe for the holidays, make it a good one. This robe is adorned with gorgeous watercolor artwork by Juliet Meeks. Each one features a birth month flower, so you can tailor it to make it personal for your mom.
Best kitchenware and appliance gifts for mom
This set of six colorful and high-quality wine glasses is a perfect addition to the wine-loving mom's glassware collection. Each glass is a different color and the glasses are seamless for a truly luxurious feel. They hold 16.5 ounces and feature a bell-shaped bowl that helps aerate the wine.
This bread maker can truly do it all with 12 programmable settings, three crust colors, three loaf sizes and double kneading paddles. The machine comes with measuring cups, a non-stick bread pan, measuring spoons, a recipe book and kneading paddles.
If you know a mom who loves both coffee and a retro vibe, this Smeg retro coffee maker is a must-have. It is available in several very aesthetic colors and has a simple interface for its 10-cup glass carafe.
A mom who loves both Stanleys and Joanna Gaines will cry tears of holiday joy over this gorgeous Hearth & Hand with Magnolia Stanley tumbler. It comes in three colors and has Stanley's sturdy double-wall vacuum insulation so drinks stay cold for hours.
Joanna Gaines really said "I want my fans hydrated" because she also teamed up with Owala to give us this sleek and trendy FreeSip water bottle. It features a protective lid to keep the spout clean (and hopefully keep little kids out of Mom's water) and has double-wall insulation to keep drinks cold for up to 24 hours.
Every mom who owns a Stanley tumbler should also own this adorable tote-style cooler. It has capacity for 10 cans and promises to keep drinks cold for up to 12 hours. It has snap-top handles and zippered pockets to hold a few items for moms on the go.
Caraway's Cookware Set makes the perfect gift! Cookware from Caraway is beautiful, low-maintenance, and easy to clean. Plus, these nonstick cookware sets feature even-heat distribution and nontoxic ceramic coating. The eco-friendly packaging and sleek storage features are bonuses unique to the Caraway brand. The set comes in an array of aesthetically pleasing colors, which makes the pots and pans pretty enough to leave out on your stovetop even when you're not cooking.
These bright pink can-shaped glasses are perfect for the mom who got a bit obsessed with Barbie this year. Let her live out her magenta fantasies with this set of four glasses. With the removable lids and straws, they're great for iced coffees and for on-the-go use.
If your mom is rarely uncaffeinated, consider buying this espresso machine. It's affordable but still worth buying. We tested it out and found it easy to use, even for people without any espresso maker experience. It has a steamer wand for making specialty drinks, such as cappuccinos and flat whites.
Best beauty and wellness gifts for mom
This Smart facial cleansing device uses red light therapy to smooth fine lines and wrinkles and firm and tone skin. With 7,000 vibrations per minute, it gives skin a deep clean, breaking down dirt and oil from within the pores. If you need a gift for a mom who treasures her skincare routine, this is the perfect choice.
Every mom you know can use a little extra relaxation, and this extra large heating pad with multiple settings delivers. It features auto shutoff in case she gets busy and forgets to unplug, and has a seven-foot long cord making it easy to use.
The Nodpod Gentle Pressure Sleep Mask offers evenly distributed pressure to both comfort and soothe after a long day. It has no velcro or straps, so it can even work for the mom who sleeps on her side. It's also freezer-friendly making it ideal for headache relief.
This beauty fridge is giving luxury and is just so aesthetically pleasing along with being functional. It's large enough to store a ton of skincare products and maintains a perfectly cool 50-degree interior temp. It comes in a few super stylish colors, sure to please any skincare-loving mom.
Trendy beauty girlies in the know are obsessed with this night-time sleep mask that promises to deliver visible brightening results without a heavy feeling on the skin. Its lightweight gel cream texture is appropriate for all skin types.
A spa headband comes in handy for so many beauty reasons, it just makes sense to have several of them on hand. Or, if you're buying gifts for a bunch of moms (hello, playgroup) you can split this four-pack up. They're adjustable and made of a soft, fleece material for comfort.
When it comes to lip gloss, Rihanna really knows what she's doing - her shades are insanely popular for a reason, and now, you can gift a makeup-obsessed mom a trio of full-size Fenty Beauty lip glosses. Its non-sticky formula is easy to wear, and it has undeniable plumping power (disclaimer: I own it in multiple colors).
If you're exchanging gifts with a mom who loves to maintain her mane, you can't go wrong with this Olaplex kit meant to boost hair's strength and shine. It includes the brand's bonding oil, Hair Perfector, and a set of shampoo and conditioner.
Any mom knows the incredible importance of a solid dry shampoo routine. After all, we absolutely do not have time to wash our hair every single day, and that's why this pair of Living Proof dry shampoos is the perfect gift. Its fast-absorbing formula soaks up oil, sweat and odor while delivering a softness and shine boost.
I will freely admit it took my trendy 17-year-old daughter to help me understand the wonder that is Sol de Janeiro body sprays. I am here to tell you they are not just for teens. These sprays provide the perfect hint of clean, layerable scent without being overwhelming. I love bringing mine to the beach and spritzing it on to stay cool and feel clean. Any mom will appreciate this set of minis that allow her to try four of the brand's iconic scents.
This set of three talc-free scented body powders gives Mom options for feeling fresh and absorbing sweat. The set includes Rose, Lavender and Vanilla along with a reusable soft body puff for applying it. "I love this product. It smells so good, and I feel like a vintage glamorous actress when I use it," our editor says
You put this on right before bed and wake up with skin feeling softer and smoother than you can imagine. It visibly firms skin, doesn't have a strong smell and goes on feeling light. And a gift-giving plus: the packaging is super cute.
Although it's expensive, we tested this high-end hair styling device and think it's definitely worth the money. It's great for curling, styling and drying hair. Our notes from testing are that it's easy to use, doesn't damage hair, and makes users feel like a hair model pretty much daily.
The BestReviews Testing Lab tried this facial toning kit and it was a hit. According to our tester: "This is one viral beauty product that's worth the hype. After a month of regular use my skin felt firmer and looked radiant. But the best part is that these mini-sessions allow you to sit still and focus on yourself for a few minutes. And that's priceless."
This beauty set contains a facial serum and a massage tool. Combined, the goal is to soothe irritated skin, reduce inflammation and relieve redness. If your mom struggles with dry or irritated skin in the cooler months, she's sure to appreciate this.
Does your mom suffer from head and neck pain? If so, this device might help her out. It can be used in a range of ways to support the head and neck and relieve tension. Some people also find it helpful as a general stress-relief tool — something many moms would appreciate.
Whether they are standing all day for work or busy running around after kids, there are few moms who would say no to a foot rub. And this foot massager is even better than a foot rub from a person because it provides heat, lets users select their massage preferences and they don't have to say "thank you" afterward.
Best technology gifts for mom
Every mom has a phone full of photos she rarely has the time to print, making this smartphone photo printer a welcome gift. It doesn't even need ribbons or ink cartridges - it uses a special photo paper with the colors embedded.
There is nothing moms want more than photos of their kids, and this digital frame allows photo updates directly from your phone. It's quick and easy to set up and best of all, anyone can send photos, so hook up the entire fam to load up mom's frame with pics to make her smile all year.
So a few Christmases ago, you got Mom an Apple Watch. Time to go subtle and sleek with the Oura Ring 4. This tiny but mighty piece of wearable tech can go eight days without a charge and with a $5.99/month membership, all biometric info is available at the swipe of Mom's phone screen.
The Beats Pill speaker is compatible with iOS and Android, so it's easy to play Mom's tunes from her phone. The speaker is sleek and small and is available in champagne, black and red colors.
Is settling down with a book your mom's go-to way to relax? If so, this book valet is a winner of a gift. Not only does this wooden stand look gorgeous, it's highly practical. One part keeps books open at their page, while the rest of the stand provides spots for a drink, reading glasses and a phone.
The Echo Show 5 is a smart home assistant and so much more. It has a screen, which many people use for displaying recipes. Our tester recommended it for anyone who "spends time in the kitchen, or is intrigued by the idea of having their home being controlled by smart technology." But, the screen also lets people watch videos or have video chats, so it's a nice gift if you don't live close to your mom as it gives you a chance to keep in touch in new ways.
We tested out this hydroponic garden system and were impressed with its speed — we had edible lettuce in just three weeks. It's also great for herbs and some other leafy greens, so keen cooks will love it. We also found it ran quietly, which is a big deal for some.
Moms into crafts will love getting to grips with this versatile cutting tool. We tried it out and were happy with its performance. Our tester said, "I love that it's super easy to set up, making it an incredibly accessible tool. Anyone could learn how to use this."
If your mom loves reading and doesn't already own an e-reader (or owns an old one that needs upgrading), you've just found the perfect gift. Although some love the tactile nature of paper books, a Kindle can store thousands of titles and is so small and light that it's ideal for traveling or taking on the go. The warm white backlight also makes it ideal for reading in bed.
More of the best gifts for mom
So many crafts require a hot glue gun and this mini model can take care of most of them. It has an extended detail tip for more precise work and features a kick-stand to hold the gun upright when not in use. It can even be used cordless for a few minutes before being returned to the heating stand.
Packed with seasonal must-haves at discounted prices from your favorite brands like Tower28, Olaplex, Lisa Says Gah, DIBS Beauty, Kourtney Kardashian’s Lemme, the new Fenty perfume, and so many more. Treat your mom this holiday season with the Winter Seasonal Box, retailing at $69.99 but packed with a $350 worth of gifts she'll love. It's fully customizable and features six full-size products.
This carry-on suitcase is a thoughtful gift for a mom who travels a lot, whether for work or for fun. This is the biggest size, which is designed to fit in the overhead bins of most U.S. airlines. It's hard-sided, so it's durable and protects whatever's inside it. We tested this product and our tester said it was "the nicest carry-on we'd she'd ever used."
Silk pillowcases have a range of benefits, including feeling cooler than regular pillows to sleep on, helping retain skin moisture and protecting hair. This pillowcase is made from silk on both sides and comes in 19 color choices, including navy, burgundy and white.
Flowers are beautiful, but they don't last. However, this Lego flower bouquet will stick around for years — or until your mom wants to pull it apart and make something else. Not only is it pretty, but it's a nice gift for moms who like crafts or miss building LEGO sets with their kids.
Made from a chunky knit fabric, this weighted blanket not only helps with relaxation, but it looks incredibly stylish. So, if your mom loves beautiful home products and could do with de-stressing, this might be the perfect present.
This practical yet beautiful gardening tool is great for planting and weeding. Moms who love spending time on yard work will appreciate its simplicity and versatility. The markings on the blade are handy for getting the correct planting depth.
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Lauren Corona writes for BestReviews. BestReviews has helped millions of consumers simplify their purchasing decisions, saving them time and money.