Last Updated on December 8, 2023 by Erin
You really can’t go too wrong with gifts for busy moms. Most of the time we just want to feel seen and appreciated. A bouquet of flowers and a gift card for a spa day? Great. An offer to clean the house for her? Amazing! But if you’re looking for something a bit different this year, I’m rounding up a few options for you.
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What Do You Buy a Busy Mom?
Busy moms want practical gifts because they value functionality and efficiency in their daily lives. By giving them gifts that can help them save time, reduce stress, and simplify their routines, you are showing them that you understand and appreciate the demands of their busy lives.
The items listed are things I currently own and love or I have on my wish list. I have a feeling that from this list, you will absolutely find something awesome mom will appreciate.
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1. Ice Roller for Face and Body
If you’re looking for a practical gift for your mom, an ice roller might just be the perfect choice! These skincare tools have become increasingly popular in recent years, and for good reason.
Ice rollers are small, handheld devices that are designed to be stored in the freezer. They’re typically made of plastic and have a rollerball at the end that can be rolled across the face and neck. The cold temperature of the roller can help to soothe inflammation, reduce redness, and promote lymphatic drainage.
I was attached to my ice roller when I was pregnant with my third child. Not only does it feel amazing when you’re having a hormonal hot flash but it’s great at reducing puffiness. I wouldn’t tell your significant other it’s for their hot flashes. Just call it “self-care.”
I’ve seen influencers rolling this thing on their face in the morning to help them wake up. I’m not that brave but hey, whatever floats your boat!
My kids also like using my ice roller for boo boos. It stops the tears pretty quickly because it’s a novel way to put ice on something. This is basically the gift for mom that keeps on giving!
2. Robot Vacuum Cleaner
Designed to provide hassle-free cleaning, this powerful robot vacuum is specifically engineered to simplify the cleaning routine of busy moms.
The eufy RoboVac Robot Vacuum is designed to clean both hard floors and carpets, with powerful suction technology that picks up dirt, dust, and debris. It features advanced mapping technology that allows it to navigate around obstacles and clean even hard-to-reach areas, including under furniture and around corners. Its slim design also allows it to glide easily under beds and sofas, ensuring a thorough clean every time.
In addition to its impressive cleaning abilities, the eufy RoboVac Robot Vacuum is also highly intuitive and easy to use. It can be controlled through the eufyHome app, which allows busy moms to schedule cleanings, adjust settings, and monitor cleaning progress all from their smartphone.
It has up to 100 minutes of battery life, ensuring it can clean multiple rooms on a single charge. My favorite feature? It operates very quietly, making it perfect to use while children are napping or sleeping.
3. Loop Noise Reducing Earplugs
Loop noise-reducing ear plugs might be the perfect choice for a practical gift for the busy mom in your life. They are designed to filter out unwanted noise while still allowing you to hear important sounds like speech and music. They’re made of soft, comfortable silicone and come with three different ear tip sizes to ensure a perfect fit.
Loop ear plugs can help mom to:
- Reduce stress and anxiety by blocking out unwanted noise
- Improve focus and concentration
- Protect her hearing in loud environments
- Sleep better by blocking out snoring or other nighttime noises
Have and LOVE. I am a mom who gets overstimulated by the noise from my kids. They can’t help it, they’re kids, but I also can’t help the anxiety that comes from constant loudness. Enter noise-reducing earplugs. They muffle things enough that you can regulate your body a bit, but you can still hear when something crashes and breaks, or someone has a broken bone 🙂
Loop earplugs come with 4 sizes of silicone tips so no need to worry about size. My ears are practically the size of a child’s and I’ve found tips that work for me.
These are a godsend. Help the mom in your life find some peace and quiet in her busy world.
4. Pure Wine Wand Filters– No More Wine Headaches
Listen, I’m no spring chicken anymore. A couple glasses of wine will absolutely ruin my life the next day. And I’m not certain, but I think I may have developed an allergy after I started having kids. My face gets bright red as soon as I take a sip.
Pure Wine wine filters are designed to remove histamines and sulfites from wine, which can cause allergic reactions and headaches in some people. The Wand is a small, portable filter that you can swirl in your wine glass to remove impurities.
Pure Wine wine filters allow mom to:
- Enjoy wine without worrying about allergic reactions or headaches
- Enhance the flavor and aroma of her wine by removing impurities
- Save money by not having to pour out wine that has gone bad
- Reduce waste by being able to enjoy wine that would otherwise be discarded
Best of all, Pure Wine wine filters are a great gift for moms who love wine but struggle with the negative side effects. Whether your mom is a casual wine drinker or a connoisseur, Pure Wine wine filters are a practical and effective tool that she’ll love.
So, if you’re looking for a gift that your mom will actually use and appreciate, consider getting her a set of Pure Wine wine filters. They’re an affordable and practical way to help mom enjoy her favorite drink without any worries. Go ahead and throw in a bottle of wine with this gift. It’s the perfect gift pairing!
5. Charging Station for Apple Devices
I’m a little bit late to the game when it comes to getting the latest and greatest technology, but I finally have the trifecta of Apple devices: iPhone, ear pods, and Apple watch. I had no idea how frustrating it would be to manage the different cords. Good grief, why are they all so different?
Fortunately, I found a charging station that sits on my nightstand and brings the number of cords I need down to ONE. It doesn’t take up a lot of room and it looks sleek. If anyone ever were to stumble upstairs and see my nightstand they’d think, “Dang, this mom has her $h!t together.” (Yeah, right.)
The benefits of a charging station for multiple Apple devices are:
- Keep all of her Apple devices charged and ready to use
- Save space by having all of her devices in one place
- Reduce clutter and wire mess by having fewer cords to manage
- Streamline her charging routine and make it more efficient
Best of all, a charging station for multiple Apple devices is a great gift for busy moms of all ages and tech levels. Whether your mom is a busy professional, a stay-at-home mom, or a retiree who loves to stay connected, a charging station for multiple Apple devices is a practical and effective tool that she’ll love.
6. Wicker Stair Basket
If mom is tired of telling people to take things upstairs where they belong, buy her this stair basket. We have one on our stairs and I just throw things in it and once or twice a week ask my children to find their items in the basket and put them away. Typically this looks like the socks they decide to discard willy nilly all over the place or the random stuffed animal or action figure that I found under the couch.
The basket looks so much nicer than random things placed on the steps. If someone randomly shows up at our house, I don’t have to panic clean. I just quickly throw clutter in the basket, and it’s magically gone!
It won’t take away the need to constantly remind people to put their things away but one problem at a time, ok?
Throw a bottle of wine and/or some flowers in the basket and you’ve got a perfect gift for mom. It could even be waiting for her on the stairs. Beautiful!
7. Stanley Ice Flow Tumbler
This ice flow tumbler isn’t the Stanley version that is viral on social media BUT it’s definitely more practical, in my opinion, and affordable. What sets this version apart is that the handle is easier to carry. I’ve heard the others can get heavy when they are full of ice water.
Also, the straw is covered. Whenever I have a tumbler with an exposed straw, I can GUARANTEE that my kids will either (1) tip it over and spill it or (2) bite the straw until it’s no longer functional. This Stanley tumbler has a straw the conveniently flips down so it doesn’t tempt toddlers. The shape of the base also means it will fit in most cupholders or exercise machines.
The Stanley Ice Flow Tumbler is made of high-quality stainless steel and has double-wall vacuum insulation, which helps to keep drinks cold for an extended period of time. It also features a leak-proof lid, making it easy to take on the go without worrying about spills. It would be so nice to finally have a leak-proof water bottle with toddlers around…
8. North Face Borealis Laptop Tote Backpack
You read that correctly. It’s a tote AND a backpack. This is a pricier item so budget accordingly. I received this as a Christmas gift and I am absolutely in love with it. I’m currently working full time (although planning to work part time next year) and I have to take my laptop back and forth between work and home. I experimented with several laptop backpacks, but they were never big enough for everything I needed to carry.
This bag has so many amazing qualities. It can be a work bag, a diaper bag, a hiking bag. It stands up unsupported so it’s not flopping all over the place. There are a ton of compartments as well as a padded area for a laptop. The surface is water-repellent. I could go on and on…
If your wife is a teacher, this would be perfect. If she’s a stay-at-home mom who loves the outdoors, perfect for her as well.
For a more afforable option, this bag might do the trick.
9. White Noise Machine
This gift might have you scratching your head. That’s ok, I get it. We have Dohm sound machines in all of our kids’ rooms and while it might sound like a tornado moving through our home, we all sleep soundly and that’s all a mom can ask for. The Dohm White Noise Machine is a simple yet effective device that produces a natural, non-looping sound of rushing air. It features two-speed options, allowing you to customize the sound to her preference.
I am the type of person who has to sleep with a ceiling fan on AND a small fan next to me for white noise. I’ve been that way since high school. The problem is, during the winter, the air causes me to have a scratchy throat and my husband turns into a block of ice. I suddenly realized, if I just used a noise machine like my kids, it would solve both problems.
So, I got one for myself, and we’re all sleeping soundly again without the respiratory issues and frozen spouses.
Bonus if you throw in a bottle of melatonin with this gift!
You know your wife best. This may not be the most romantic gift but it’s definitely practical.
10. Support Her Love of Reading
Is your wife in a book club? Does she tend to buy books that recommended on TikTok? Give her a practical gift that will support her reading hobby.
If she doesn’t already have an Amazon Kindle device, this would be a great gift. The Paperwhite version is highly rated. I read all of my books for free on my Kindle by checking out books from the library. So even though the initial price might seem steep, you will likely end up saving a ton of money in the long run.
If audiobooks are more her style, gift her an Audible subscription.
Gift her the gift of peace and solitude and time to read. I love it so much when my husband puts the kids to bed, and I have an hour of reading time in the tub. Pure bliss. Throw in some bubble bath and bath bombs and you’ve got a fabulous, practical, and one of the most appreciated gifts for mom.
Why Should You Consider Practical Gifts for Mom?
When you’re first dating or first married, romantic gestures are incredibly important. Flowers, jewelry, chocolate, all that traditional good stuff. The older I get (I’m approaching midlife) the less “crud” and clutter I want in my life. You can read more in my post about minimalism in midlife.
Experiences are appreciated but if I’m going to receive a physical item, it needs to be practical.
Moms want:
- gifts that have purpose and function
- gifts that don’t add to the mess in the house
- gifts that solve a problem
- gifts that show you are listening to her
- gifts that show you know her well
- gifts that show you understand what is important to her
Whatever you do, don’t just haphazardly stop by the gas station and grab a flower and a candy bar and call it good.
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What Do You Give an Overwhelmed Mom?
Being a mom can be a tough job, and an overwhelmed mom can often feel like she’s drowning in responsibilities. If you want to show your appreciation for her and help her feel appreciated, here are some thoughtful gift ideas:
Hire a babysitter and take her out for a night on the town. Schedule the babysitter to come over on a certain night each week or month so it’s on the calendar and mom doesn’t have to think about setting everything up.
Find a house cleaner to come do a deep clean monthly.
Look into a dog walker/pet sitter who can take care of your pooches during the day.
Get her a subscription to the Headspace app so she can access guided meditations, breathing exercises, and yoga workouts whenever she needs it.
Final Thoughts on Gifts for Busy Moms
Gifts for busy moms should be practical in order to save time, reduce stress, and make their daily tasks more manageable. These gifts can include items that help them stay organized, such as stair baskets and backpack totes, or tools that help them complete tasks more efficiently, such as a charging station. Busy moms may also appreciate gifts that promote self-care, such as a white noise machine or an Audible subscription, as they allow them to relax and recharge in the limited downtime they have available.
Whichever gift you choose, I wish you and the busy mom in your life the very best!
Sincerely,
Erin
P.S. Make sure you pin this post so you can find it later!
