Your mom might be at the top of your hard-to-shop-for list. After all, chances are you’ve already gotten her enough flowers for a garden and more chocolate boxes than she can count. My own philosophy is to get my mom something she wouldn’t buy for herself, even on an occasion like her birthday. Some of the best surprises have been the splurgiest. (She’s got good taste, what can I say?) That said, there’s a big difference between something that’s worth the expense and something that’s just expensive. If you’re looking to spoil your mom and spend on something actually worth it, you’re in the right place. I searched the Strategist archives for things that won’t sit in gift-wrapping paper — including everything from low-maintenance silk pajamas to a “heating pad on steroids.” And for more gift ideas, we have a guide to gifts for moms at every price point (plus, one for mothers-in-law) and a gifting hub with all the guides we’ve written for the holidays.
Machine-washable silk pajamas
For a high-end silk pajama, Lunya’s set is low-maintenance (a.k.a machine washable). It comes in a limited-edition lilies print that rivals those from Olivia von Halle and Karen Mabon (but for about half as much).
Hotel-quality terrycloth robe
To spend hours with hot-rollers in hair and cucumbers under her eyes. She won’t think about stealing another hotel bathrobe ever again.
An agenda with a royal warrant
A Smythson planner will make writing out her plans for the week an event. Its Soho Diary “devotes a sizable square to each day, and there’s a weekly to-do list on the opposite page,” plus no ink bleeds through the pages, says writer Leah Bhabha. (You can also brag that Smythson made Queen Victoria’s stationery.)
Better-than-a-hot-water-bottle back wrap
If her hot-water bottle isn’t doing much for her anymore, this “heating pad on steroids” will do the trick. It’s what one of our resident runners uses to relieve sore muscles.
Depuffing wand (that comes heated too)
This “depuffing wand” will put her ice rollers to shame. The device is the first step in Strategist writer Brenley Goertzen’s beauty routine — the cold setting reduces the look of dark circles and the heat treatment melts skin care into her skin at the touch of a button.
A rival to Mason Pearson
A boar-bristle brush (like Mason Pearson’s) that’ll be sitting pretty on her vanity, La Bonne Brosse’s N.01 has made Strategist senior writer Liza Corsillo’s hair look shinier and less prone to flyaways. And depending on different hair-care needs, there’s also a N.02 for detangling, N.03 for gentle scalp-care, and N.04 for massaging.
Best-in-class blow dryer
The debut of Dyson’s Supersonic set the hair world abuzz years ago, and years later, it’s still the best hair dryer money can buy. It gives a salon-worthy blowout you don’t have to pay a hairdresser for.
Scent for the sweet-toothed gourmand
According to the Strategist’s perfume tester, Dominique Pariso, Annabel’s Birthday Cake smells like “the memory of your favorite birthday party, licking frosting straight out of the can, and Sofia Coppola’s Marie Antoniette.”
Non-ostentatious diamond hoops
Made from 14-karat gold and 0.14-carat diamonds (a total of 36 across the hoops), these huggies have a U-shaped hoop that makes them more appealing to writer Alexis Cheung than the usual O-shaped hoop.
A jewelry collector’s jewelry box
This jewelry box is where some of my oldest jewelry calls home now. It’s lined with anti-tarnishing Lusterloc (as seen in Marla Aaron’s Everything Box) and the lid flips into a tray to lay out your wares.
Mail-order cake (made of crêpes)
Let her eat a slice of mail-order cake from Lady M., the patisserie that’s famous for its mille crêpe. The crêpes are sandwiched between sweetened pastry cream, with a caramelized crust on the top crêpe.
Tea at the ready
The gooseneck spout on Fellow’s electric kettle makes for the perfect pour-over that won’t spill all over a stovetop. It also only takes about five minutes to get to a full boil.
Slushy (or frozen margarita) machine
The Ninja Slushi is food writer Margaret Eby’s answer to “tipsy online searches” for a frozen-drink dispenser. It can turn just about anything — mango juice, tomato juice with vodka, cold brew — into slush while taking up the amount of countertop real estate a stand mixer does.
Blackberry-esque keyboard for iPhones
If your brother’s getting her a new iPhone, you might go for this Blackberry-like keyboard that’ll have her typing away in the family group chat at last. No more excuses for leaving you on read.
All-in-one carry-on-slash-closet
It’s the solution for an overpacker who packs a month’s worth of stuff for a week-long trip. It comes outfitted with compressible compartments that lift up into a closet that hangs on the suitcase’s handle — and most international airlines (even those cheap European ones) will accept the carry-on at check-in.
Do-it-all alarm clock
The smartest alarm clock around can simulate a sunrise, be a night light, and belt out a tune as a reminder to head to bed — and with an app membership, you get guided meditations and horoscope readings too.
Wall-hanging digital frame
The Meural Canvas has the best screen of any digital picture frame Strategist tech writer Jordan McMahon has tried out for “about as close as you can get to making large prints of your favorite smartphone photos without having to run and get them printed.” And it’ll help clear out the side of the fridge covered with school photos and postcards.
The Strategist is designed to surface useful, expert recommendations for things to buy across the vast e-commerce landscape. Every product is independently selected by our team of editors, whom you can read about here. We update links when possible, but note that deals can expire and all prices are subject to change.
