They say that it’s the thought that matters, but we here at Mama Sol believe that good thoughts give great gifts. Finding the best holiday, Hanukkah, or Christmas gift for your mom or mother figure can be a thrilling yet daunting challenge. Moms deserve to be celebrated with something thoughtful and meaningful (every day, if we’re being totally honest), but the holidays can add extra pressure to find something perfectly suited to her personality, preferences, needs, and the relationship you share.
We say…get her something that she wants, but might never buy for herself. Whether you’re looking for something personalized, practical, delicious, luxurious, or tech-savvy, this guide will help you explore some of the best holiday and Christmas gift ideas for the mom or the mother figure in your life.
Make It Personal for Mama
Personalized gifts can feel extra sentimental and meaningful, since it’s been crafted with her in mind.
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Customized Jewelry: Whether you engrave your mom’s name (kids, pets, and grandkids are also great options) or choose her favorite gemstone, custom jewelry feels extra-personal. Catbird’s female-owned personalized jewelry ranges from birthstones and engravable pieces to quirky charms for necklaces and bracelets you can choose to represent your mom’s favorite memories, places, and things. For colorful, eclectic, and joyful handmade jewelry, look no further than the UK’s Tatty Devine.
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Monogrammed Leather Goods: Cuyana makes some of our favorite small leather accessories, from travel cases to jewelry pouches and travel beauty rolls. You can get any of these monogrammed with Mom’s initials or a nickname.
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Photo Gifts: It’s easy to take hundreds of photos on your phone and never look at them again, but a physical photo makes a memory tangible. Whether it’s a custom photo album, a framed photo or special memento, or even a photo blanket, turning photographs into personalized gifts is always a go-to gift. Artifact Uprising makes great photo books, prints, frames, and gifts. We also like Mixbook, which makes creating custom photo albums a breeze. Framebridge makes it a cinch to gift her a framed family photo.
- Customized Home Decor: Personalized home goods like monogrammed pillows, custom kitchenware, or family name signs can perk up any room in your mom’s place. Etsy features tons of small, independent businesses that make personalized keepsakes and home gifts.
Mom Loves Practical Gifts
Sometimes the best gifts are the ones that make everyday life a little easier or more enjoyable. Practical gifts can still be thoughtful, and your mom will appreciate something she can use regularly.
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Home Appliances: If your mom loves to cook or spend time in the kitchen, gifting her a high-tech gadget or professional quality cooking gear could be the ticket. Smart appliances, luxe air fryers, a fully automated coffee maker and espresso machine she can operate from her phone…the options are seemingly endless. Or keep it simple with a precise digital kitchen scale or this neat automatic pan stirrer so all her recipes turn out flawless.
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Self-Care = Essential Care: Moms don’t get enough time for themselves, period. When brushing your teeth counts as an act of self-care, you know something’s gotta change. Lush’s Kitchen Shower Box is a monthly subscription packed with vegan bath and shower-friendly skin goodies. Choose from one of Coyuchi’s luxe organic cotton bathrobes or gift her some of the world’s comfiest Tencel or washable silk pajamas from Eberjey.
- Daily Essentials: For the mom who loves organization and style, gifting her sleek, daily essentials can go a long way. We love Appointed for its thoughtfully designed and sustainable, American-made planners and notebooks. Baggu makes some of the best everyday totes and reusable bags, often with quirky and fun designs.
Mom Loves Luxury & Pampering Gifts
Christmas is a time to pamper your mom with something luxurious and indulgent that she might not buy for herself.
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Spa Experience: If your mom enjoys being pampered, gifting her a spa day experience is the ultimate indulgence. Book a massage, facial, or a full day of relaxation for her. If your mom is in Northern or Southern California, Burke Williams makes it super-easy to gift a spa day. Or go the DIY route if you know your mom’s favorite scents and create an at-home spa kit with bath bombs, scented candles (Snif makes some of the best gourmand fragrances around, like chocolate-covered strawberries), and Herbivore’s plant-powered skincare products for a customized touch.
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High-End Skincare: Treat your mom to some luxurious skincare products from premium brands. Moms rarely get a moment to themselves, so incorporating a zen spa moment into her daily serum, moisturizer, cleanser, and SPF can make a huge difference. We adore Herbivore’s effective, plant-based formulas and Osea’s aquatic-derived body washes, balms, and oils.
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The Perfect Accessory: A thoughtfully designed handbag, silky scarf, or perfectly timeless shoes can be a perfect choice. Plus, she’ll think of you every time she wears them. A gift card for classic, handmade shoes of her choice? Margaux NY has you covered. A Clare V. tote with its signature Parisian chic? Yes, please. Luxurious hair accessories this way, from headbands to barrettes and decorative bobby pins.
Mom Loves Tech Gifts
For the tech-savvy mom, consider gifting something innovative that blends convenience and fun.
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Smart Home Devices: From voice-controlled assistants to smart thermostats and home security systems, tech gifts for the home can be both practical and kinda fun. Plus, your mom will appreciate how these gadgets simplify her life. Who doesn’t want a robot vacuum that also mops? Or better yet, the opportunity to watch their cat *ride* a Roomba? You should also install and troubleshoot whatever tech you get for her as part of the gift. Just saying.
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Personal + Wearable Tech: If your mom is never without her coffee, make sure it stays hot and at the perfect temperature with an Ember mug. If your mom is really into fitness and staying connected, a smartwatch or fitness tracker is perfect. These devices help her track her health, keep her organized, and even stay in touch with family through notifications. You can’t go wrong with a digital photo frame that rotates through her favorite family and vacation photos.
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Subscription Services: Streaming services, audiobook subscriptions, or fitness apps are just a few ways to cater to Mom’s favorite interests. Whether she loves watching movies, listening to audiobooks, or working out, a subscription can help her grab some much needed time to recharge.
Handmade + DIY Gifts
Add a personal, creative touch to the holidays and show your mom just how much you care.
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Handmade Crafts: Crafting something by hand, like a scrapbook filled with photos and memories, or a DIY ornament, can be a thoughtful way to show love. These gifts are priceless and will be cherished for years to come. Here’s a guide to 50 easy DIY craft ideas for adults.
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Homemade Treats: If you love cooking or baking, preparing a batch of your mom’s favorite cookies, cakes, or even gourmet treats like jams and chocolates can add a heartfelt, personal touch to her holiday season. Need recipe inspiration? Desserts, this way.
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Memory Jars or Journals: A memory jar or journal filled with notes, quotes, and memories that highlight special moments in your relationship can be incredibly meaningful. It’s a gift she can revisit whenever she needs a reminder of the love you share.
Subscriptions: The Gift that Keeps on Giving
Monthly subscriptions are a fun gift that keeps on giving long after the holidays, and can be tailored to your mom’s favorite brands, hobbies, and tastes.
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Beauty + Skincare Boxes: Monthly beauty boxes filled with skincare, makeup, or wellness products are a fun source of surprises and encourage mom to take time for herself. TheraBox’s self-care and wellness box and Petit Vour’s vegan beauty box are two great options.
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Food and Wine Subscriptions: If your mom enjoys gourmet food or wine, consider a subscription that delivers artisan snacks, wines, or coffee to her doorstep. It’s not a subscription, but you can’t go wrong with Levain’s legendary cookies and nationwide delivery. Zingerman’s is an iconic deli and bakery in Ann Arbor, Michigan that offers everything from monthly deliveries of everything from rare olive oil and coffee cakes to artisanal cheese and breads.
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Hobby-Based Boxes: Whether your mom loves gardening, crafting, or reading, there’s a subscription box for just about every hobby, making it easy to find something that will brighten her day regularly. Explore all the subscription options over at Cratejoy.
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Books: It’s less about a monthly subscription and more about the tangible gift of printed books. Support your independent bookstores with a Bookshop.org gift card.
Green + Eco-Friendly Gifts
If your mom is environmentally minded, choose something sustainable, recycled, or locally made.
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Sustainable Fashion: Eco-friendly clothing brands offer beautiful, quality pieces that are kind to the planet. Look for brands that use organic materials, sustainable practices, or even recycled materials. Harvest & Mill organic pieces are grown, milled, and sewn exclusively in the United States.
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Reusable and Zero-Waste Products: Gifts like reusable shopping bags, stainless steel straws, or eco-friendly kitchen gadgets can help your mom reduce waste and live more sustainably. We love this Vitamix automatic composter that helps turn waste into nutrient-rich soil for gardening.
- Plant-Based or Gardening Gifts: For moms with a green thumb, gifting houseplants, gardening systems, or seed subscription boxes can bring joy and add beauty to her space.
This holiday season, the best gift for your mom is one that reflects her personality, passions, and the unique bond that you share. Whether you choose a personalized piece of jewelry, a new self-watering gardening trellis, sous-vide machine, or a handmade craft, what matters most is that Mom feels seen and treasured as an individual. Remember: Good thoughts give great gifts.
