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The Spruce / Lecia Landis
The perfect gift for mom makes her life a bit easier, is something that's practical for everyday life, or allows her to practice some form of self-care.
We spent hours researching products from well-respected brands that appeal to a range of needs. Our favorites include the Royal Craft Wood Bathtub Caddy for a little luxury at home and a cute Digital Planner to help mom stay organized.
Royal Craft Wood Luxury Bathtub Caddy Tray
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Amazon
There’s no better place for mom to relax and indulge in some "me time" than the bath, and the Royal Craft Wood Luxury Bath Caddy Tray keeps several must-haves dry and secure. There’s a spot for a book or tablet, smartphone, wine glass (or other drink), soap, and even a candle.
Made from water-resistant, anti-microbial bamboo, the caddy fits most bathtubs and extends to 43 inches across. It features two convenient detachable trays and the bottom has silicone grips to keep it firmly in place. The natural bamboo color fits with a range of decor, but the tray also comes in black, blue, white, and even hot pink.
Price at time of publish: $58
Vitruvi Stone Essential Oil Diffuser
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Amazon
Vitruvi's essential oil diffuser is a piece of decor that doesn't just look stylish and sleek but also sets a zen vibe. The 7-inch high diffuser can be set to four hours or eight intermittent hours as the scent of her favorite essential oil fills the room. This doesn't just make a space smell great, but some oils can even ease headaches, sinus pressure, or allergies.
Price at time of publish: $123
UGG Ansley Slippers
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Amazon
Slippers might seem like a basic gift, but don't underestimate how functional and practical they are. The Ansley slipper from UGG is like walking on a cloud. She'll love sliding her feet into these wool-lined slippers that keep her feet warm yet cool. Also, the water-resistant exterior and durable soles make them perfect for a run to the mailbox or a trip outside.
Price at time of publish: $100
Click & Grow The Smart Garden 3
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Amazon
Mom doesn’t need a green thumb to grow herbs, fruit, and more with this indoor garden. Click and Grow's Smart Indoor Garden 3 comes with smart soil capsules, an easy-to-fill water tank, and an integrated LED grow light for added convenience. It also has a built-in reservoir to help ensure plants are getting exactly what they need—regardless of the weather outside—and the entire set-up is compact enough to fit on her kitchen counter or even desk. Plus, it's dishwasher-safe for easy cleaning.
Price at time of publish: $88
Google Home Mini
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Courtesy of Best Buy
Set alarms, check the weather, play music, and so much more with the Google Home Mini. The small but mighty device is the perfect addition to mom's busy life. The whole family can set reminders and check their schedule while enjoying their favorite songs and podcasts. It's a great gift the whole family can enjoy, but also keeps mom's busy schedule at bay.
Price at time of publish: $49
Core Meditation Trainer
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Courtesy of Core
A weekly meditation or yoga session might not be feasible for the busy mom, but this Core Meditation Trainer brings the zen right to her. The device works through an app to provide guided meditation, breathing exercises, or relaxing nature sounds. It even allows mom to track her stress. She can use the device without a subscription or sign up for a monthly membership which provides additional access to specific classes, coaches, and new meditation sessions.
Price at time of publish: $199
Etsy HappyDownloads Mom Digital Planner
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Etsy
Digital planners are extremely popular and here's one from HappyDownloads that's specifically geared toward moms. She can choose from five daily layouts and seven weekly options, which all come in six colors. The templates include a homework tracker, cleaning schedule, meal plan, milestone markers, and even a birth plan page for expectant moms. Some of the pages are undated, so she can easily use the planner year after year.
Price at time of publish: $26
Ulta Gift Card
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Moment Mobile/Getty Images
If mom is a beauty junkie who’s always up on the latest palettes being released, or she could use some pampering, you can’t go wrong with a gift card from Ulta. This bit of plastic or the e-card is the best way to give her a shopping spree on someone else’s dime. The store has every popular brand in hair, skincare, and makeup.
Price at time of publish: $10+
Tile Mate Tracker
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Amazon
Moms have to keep track of a lot from day to day, and there’s nothing more frustrating than frantic, last-minute searches for keys, wallets, or cell phones. The Tile Mate Bluetooth trackers are an easy way to eliminate this problem—attach them to important items, then launch the Tile app to ring your things. Can’t find the phone? No worries—the Tile Mate can ring it even when it’s set on silent mode. You can buy the one-pack, but there’s also a four-pack available that will truly serve mom well.
Price at time of publish: $25
Easyplant Green Snake Plant
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Busy moms don't have the time to tend to plants but still want the beauty they provide in their home. Easyplant makes it (you guessed it) easy to keep your plants watered and look beautiful with minimal effort. Every plant on the site comes in a self-watering planter that only requires filling once a month. This snake plant comes in a gorgeous ceramic pot in a color of your choice and easily adapts to low to medium light, so it's perfect for every home.
Price at time of publish: $49
Cuisinart 14-Cup Programmable Coffee Maker
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Amazon
With the right coffee maker, mom can have her favorite coffee brewed and ready to go before she even opens her eyes. This pick from Cuisinart has adjustable brew strengths, an automatic timer, and a programmable function that lets you start brewing at the same time every morning so you're never without a cup of joe.
Price at time of publish: $100
Uncommon Goods Outdoor Wine Table
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Uncommon Goods
This is one of those genius and downright useful products that you’ll be tempted to keep for yourself instead of actually giving it to the recipient. For moms who love wine and cheese, this table makes it easy for them to enjoy vino while taking in a view, as the spike effortlessly plants in grass or even sand. The foldable table holds a wine bottle and two glasses and has just enough space for a small plate of bites.
Price at time of publish: $60
Ninja Foodi 7-in-1 Slow Cooker
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Amazon
When you visit your friend or family member’s home, do you notice a slow cooker or air fryer on her counter? If the answer is no, you need to bless her with this Ninja Foodi 7-in-1 that pretty much does it all. This fairly compact, dishwasher-safe appliance will surely help mom get meals on the table much faster. Available in 5 to 8 quarts, the appliance even features a TenderCrisp Technology that cooks meat or veggies and adds a nice, golden finish.
Price at time of publish: $200
Yeti Rambler 20-Ounce Tumbler
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Amazon
Ideal for the mom who has to grab her coffee and go, Yeti’s rambler is a one-handed wonder that easily fits in the cupholder of most cars. This stainless steel 20-ounce mug is vacuum-insulated to keep hot drinks hot and cold drinks cold without any annoying condensation. Unlike other similar styles that can be hard to grip, this one features a handle that makes it easy to sip on the go.
Price at time of publish: $35
Sunbeam Reversible Heated Throw
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Courtesy of Amazon
When it’s finally time for mom to curl up and relax, the Sunbeam Royal Mink Reverse Sherpa Heated Throw is a welcome companion on cool nights. This electric blanket has three warming settings and two extraordinarily soft sides: one sherpa and one royal mink. It’s also fine to throw in the washer and dryer. Don’t worry if she falls asleep with this throw plugged in—it automatically shuts off after three hours.
Price at time of publish: $60
Verilux HappyLight Luxe
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Amazon
Streamline mom's nighttime routine with a therapy lamp with Verilux. With the HappyLight Luxe, you can adjust the brightness, temperature, and color of the UV light throughout the day. You can even set a countdown timer when settling into bed or leaving for work in the morning. For stay-at-home moms or those working from home, a light like this brings valuable sunlight indoors.
Price at time of publish: $70
GuruNanda Waterless Plug-In 100% Pure & Natural Essential Oil Diffuser
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Amazon
Typical diffusers can take up a lot of counter space and have to be tended to by adding water and drops of oil. This GuruNanda diffuser nixes all of that. The diffuser plugs into the wall or a USB port and doesn’t require any water at all. This is perfect for a mom who’s on the go but can benefit from the relaxing oils of lavender, lemongrass, or eucalyptus. Plug this in at home, the office, or even the car to create a zen-like moment. At such an affordable price, you might want to buy mom a few so she can keep one in each room of the house.
Price at time of publish: $78
reMarkable 2 Paper Tablet
reMarkable
The reMarkable 2 tablet is the perfect product for the person who still loves the feel of pen to paper but appreciates the convenience of technology. The tablet allows her to write down notes and save them to a cloud. Documents can also be read and signed via the tablet. The super-thin device is less than a pound and is a great way to reduce printouts and sticky notes. If getting organized is on her to-do list, then this is a great present.
Price at time of publish: $299
What to Look for in a Gift for a Busy Mom
Practicality
Let's face it: busy moms may not have time for a gift that's not practical. Show you appreciate all her time and effort by giving her a gift that makes her chaotic life feel simpler. Any mom with a packed schedule is sure to appreciate a meal delivery service, a gift card to her favorite restaurant, or some babysitting.
Self-Care
Self-care shouldn't be an indulgence, especially for busy moms taking care of family members. Look for a gift that encourages mom to carve out some much-needed "me time," whether a gift card to the hair salon or spa, a nice skincare product, or the latest book by her favorite author. Bonus points if you pair it with a cozy blanket to relax under.
Romance
Moms with romantic partners don't get tons of time to invest in their relationship, so consider a gift that encourages just that. For example, you could buy the busy couple tickets to a concert or a gift card to a nice restaurant. Just make sure you don't forget to line up a babysitter, too (or offer to watch the kids yourself).
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How much should you spend on gifts for mom?
When it comes to a gift for a mom, it's the thought that counts. Busy parents don't often get a lot of recognition, so any expression of your appreciation is sure to be cherished. And any mom would understand if you can't break the bank for a gift.
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What gift should you give the mom who doesn't want anything?
We all know someone who won't list any ideas when you mention giving them a gift. In this case, respect their wishes while finding a different way to show your love, such as something homemade or quality time spent together.
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When is the best time to give a gift to a busy mom?
There’s really no wrong time to show mom appreciation. It can be a present for her birthday, a special occasion, or even a gift on her child’s birthday. No matter what or when, she’ll appreciate the thoughtfulness.
Why Trust The Spruce?
This round-up was written by Patrice J. Williams, who has contributed gift guides to The Spruce since 2020. In addition to her work for The Spruce, she also writes product reviews for other outlets, appearing on-air for "Today" and WE tv. She was the Savvy Shopper reporter for WPIX in New York City and loves helping her friends and family find unique, thoughtful, and wallet-friendly presents. Additional reporting was done by Ashley Abramson, a writer who has worked as an editor for local print and online publications. Her work has also appeared in The New York Times, Washington Post, Allure, InStyle, MyDomaine, and more.