Gifts for Moms
For ideal mom gift ideas, start with what you know about your mom and her lifestyle and preferences, past-times, favorite activites and things, and go from there. If your mother has a favorite hobby, place to visit, activity, collectable, or restaurant, you can begin there. Here are a few Christmas gift ideas for mom that might help:
Cooking: crockpot (or slow cooker), bakeware set, spice rack, subscription to a magazine like Epicureas, new state-of-the-art food processor, new and sleek set of knives, a breadmaker, or a new fun device such as an ice cream maker. (Some of these are also good gift ideas for grandma.) For less expensive but also fun gifts, consider objects that would make cooking easier and quicker, such as a rice cooker, easy to use can opener that matches the colors in mom’s kitchen (or her favorite color), a wine bottle opener, or beautiful new potholders and a matching apron that matches her kitchen color scheme. (Presents for grandma might differ slightly, even if she loves to cook depending on her tastes and preferences.)
Traveling: new suitcase in her favorite color, a nice passport carrier and/or travel wallet, new digital camera, or a personalized photo album for her photos. (Any of these make great Christmas gifts for parents, not just mom.) Get her clothing style and really impress her with a new non-wrinkle jacket or simple shirt. (Be sure to keep the receipt for any clothing items.) For less expensive choices, consider one or two travel books of a place she dreams of visiting, or a disposable digital camera, or a nice travel pack with her favorite shampoo, deodorant, and toothpaste in mini sized containers with an easy to carry bag.
Collectibles: If she likes a special type of animal, get her a fun item with an image of the animal, such as a tote bag, a pin, framed photograph, or a refrigerator magnet set. If she likes a certain type of doll, porcelain items, or dishware, subtly check out those she has, and buy her a few nice pieces to add to her collection.
Healthnut: Many options include a day or even a few hours at a health spa, a recipe book with several ingredients called for in recipes it contains, subscription to a health magazine, special gadgets like watches that show how far one has walked or how many calories the workout has burned off.
For the mom who has everything: For those who seem to have everything, think in terms of gifts you can never have enough of. Examples include a day at the spa, a pre-paid manicure, or a gift card at a favorite store.
If all else fails, just ask mom what she’d like. (The same goes whether you need the best gift for wife, child, or friends!) Then get it for her, BUT add a special touch, such as a box of gourmet chocolates or a bottle of wine (or for non-drinkers, a box of herbal teas). Whether you’re thinking “I need presents for my wife” many of the same principles apply—talking about presents is fun! If you prefer to keep it a surprise, then ask long before the holidays! But also keep in mind, being a mother is a lifetime job, and parents are rarely bothered by the fact that one of their children wants to get them a great gift. So whether you’re looking for mom, unique gifts for kids, or items for other loved ones, don’t worry—just ask.
