This holiday season I asked you guys who you needed help shopping for. Some of the most popular answers were moms and mother in laws. I want my gift guides to be as authentic and helpful as possible for you. So, I took it upon myself to sit down and ask my mom and other mother-like figures in my life what they would like to receive this holiday season/some of their favorite gifts they’ve received in the past.
I’ve generated a list of the top 25 most popular answers amongst them and threw in a few favorites that I’ve given in the past. As always, everything (that I could find) is linked in order from least expensive to most expensive (left to right) to make things as convenient as possible for you!
(click on the photo to open the link!)
So many moms said that some of their favorite gifts were pieces of jewelry. It seems to be the most common gift to receive around the holidays, especially from sons/husbands. Kendra Scott is by far my favorite jewelry retailer. They have so many gorgeous pieces and I’ve given both my mom and Connor’s mom necklaces from them in previous years. I’ve also received a few of them for holidays over the years and wear mine constantly. Here are a few favorite pieces from them.
Last Christmas I created a custom photo book through Shutterfly to give to Connor’s parents. It was full of photos of us as a family over the last few years. It showcased Connor and I’s baseball seasons, proms, graduations, family vacations, and other exciting milestones we shared together. It turned out so cute and was such a special gift to give them. Mrs. Manion said Shutterfly books are definitely the most thoughtful gift that she receives and she gives them to her in-laws often—they are always a hit! Click here to view all the options.
Personalized wine glasses seem to be a never-fail amongst the ladies. Grab a Tumblr, Swell, or Yeti and have a vinyl decal with their initials put on. It shows that you put a little extra thought in. And while this is definitely a basic gift, it’s a very practical one.
Almost every woman I asked said they wouldn’t be mad about receiving some sort of alcohol, lol. A bottle of wine was the most popular answer. So many places like Zazzle offer custom labels too which is a fun way to personalize your gift. A wine subscription is another cool idea so they can think of you each month.
While Barefoot Dreams blankets are definitely on the pricier side, they seem to be everyone’s favorites these days. I hear tons of bloggers rave about their stuff and if you’ve ever felt one of their blankets you know why. These always go on sale at Nordstrom around Black Friday time so keep checking these links.
This is another super easy gift idea that’s relatively inexpensive yet still very thoughtful. If you’re needing a small gift idea for someone like your boyfriend/girlfriend’s mom this is an awesome idea! I made Connor’s mom one of these with tons of photos of us together. She loved it and uses it all the time for her morning coffee. (Make sure they are a coffee drinker before doing this one!).
Many of the moms I talked with said that their in-laws always appreciate an updated, framed family photo/canvas around the holidays. Grandparents love displaying their families around their houses so you can never go wrong with this idea.
My mom makes a calendar for both of my grandmas every holiday season and it’s one of the gifts they cherish the most. It’s just your typical twelve-month calendar but there are always pictures of me and my sister from the corresponding month collaged along one half. The perfect, practical gift idea for them to hang in their kitchen or office area.
My mom’s company sells tons of these around this time of year. These Hunter & Honey wreaths are perfect for just married families or new homeowners. She customizes the wooden sign to read whatever you’d like. Many people get their last name and established date, and others ask for something generic like “happy holidays”. You can click here to shop.
Doormats don’t have to be boring—she also gets lots of orders for these. There’s nothing women love more than something personalized for their home. Most people order with their last name and established date. You can click here to shop.
Air fryers are the most underrated kitchen appliance. I have one in my college apartment and I use it almost daily. You can cook everything in it from steaks (the best!) to frozen chicken tenders/pizza rolls lol. Everything cooks in under 15 minutes and you can even use it as a toaster oven to heat up leftovers. I would be so lost without my air fryer. Linking the one I have down below along with a few others.
I don’t know too many women who style their hair in the mornings with a curling iron or straighter but I do know most at least blow dry it. The Revlon one step hairdryer is amazing! This tool dries your hair as you brush through it giving you salon-like volume. I love mine and use it all the time.
Candles were another popular answer amongst the ladies. Obviously, everyone has a different preference when it comes to smell, but oftentimes you can play it safe with any of the holiday favorites from Bath and Bodyworks. I always love the Fresh Balsam one!
Moms love curling up with a good book by the Christmas tree. Again, everyone has different reading preferences but it never hurts to give someone your favorite book. This way you two can talk about it together once they are finished. I love anything Nicholas Sparks or Patricia Cornwell. Here are a few of my latest reads I’ve loved.
Slippers are always a good gift idea and they come in a wide variety of price ranges and styles. Whether you’re looking for a cute, inexpensive pair or something your mom can wear for ages, I’ve got you covered. Here are a few favorites. (My mom swears by the Sorel’s!)
I know gift cards seem boring but they were one of the first ideas moms gave me when I asked for their help. Almost everyone said that they love being able to pick out their own stuff and getting to go shopping away from their kids is always a special treat. Sephora, Ulta, TJ Maxx, and Amazon were the most requested places to receive a gift card too.
Scarves are perfect around the holiday time and a rather painless thing to shop for. Whether you’re grabbing them a fluffy, winter scarf, a warm flannel, or a silky professional scarf there are endless styles. Bonus points for this gift idea if you picked one up while traveling somewhere special!
I’ve never met a throw blanket I didn’t like! Holiday throws are the absolute best. Something neutral and cozy is always best so that it pairs with their living space. So many of these options will go on sale around the holidays!
I was shocked at how many women swear by their robe and more times than not they said theirs was a gift. For this gift idea, I would recommend trying to get a feel for what kind they may want. Some women prefer something thin and silky while others want one that’s plush, and warm to wear around the house. My roommates all had robes and wore them constantly around the dorm so this is a good teen idea too!
You can never go wrong with a nice purse for your mama. Find out which style she’s been eyeing recently! I love Kate Spade purses and they always go on major sale around the holidays. My mom swears by her Long Champ and Travelon for practical reasons and traveling… duh.
If you’ve lost a loved one recently, I highly recommend this gift idea. This is another one that my mom’s company makes. Basically, people send her photos of their loved one’s handwriting and she is able to transform it into a digital file and print this onto a pillowcase. When my aunt passed a few years ago, my mom took her signature and made it into pillows for all of us nieces, aunts, and kids and it was such a special gift idea. 10/10 recommend. Click here to shop.
Although a vacuum may seem like a silly gift idea, it’s one that most people would (oddly enough) be excited to receive. Roomba vacuum machines do the work for you. They are on the pricier side but every blogger I follow swears by them to make chore day a bit more manageable.
It’s time to ditch the old coffee pot. Swap out your old school machine for something updated like a Keurig! They’ve made these machines so sleek and slim so they take up hardly any counter space. Plus, you can score these for half off at Target and Walmart around Black Friday.
There’s nothing better than a gift from the heart. Print out some of your favorite photos with your mom and make a scrapbook of all your favorite moments together. My mom used to be super big into scrapbooking and has given both of my grandma’s several scrapbooks over the years. They are an emotional hit every time!
Last but not least, a massage! Sometimes the best gift you can give is one where your mom is able to get away for a bit (funny but true) and just relax on her own. Find a local salon/spa around you and book her an appointment. She’s sure to appreciate this one.