Santa Claus gets a lot of credit but it’s moms who are the real superheroes of Christmas.
Holidays wouldn’t be the same without moms. Don’t get me wrong dads, I know you do your fair share, but moms are the real magic makers here. The ones going above and beyond to make sure Christmas is extra special.
We’re the ones who book the photographer and schedule family photos, and then later get a hand cramp from addressing all the Christmas cards. We decorate the house and then cringe a little when the kids want to do their own decorating.
We stalk Amazon wish lists and Black Friday sales to make sure everyone gets exactly what they want, on sale of course. We wrap dozens and dozens of gifts in time for the big day.
We organize the calendar so we can fit in all the obligatory holiday rounds and parties. We bake Christmas cookies and ignore our waistlines while taste-testing them.
There’s a lot that goes into making the holiday season magical. We do all of this because we want to. And we don’t ask for much in return. But it wouldn’t hurt if there were a few special presents under the tree, just for us this year.
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Gifts That Moms Really Want for the Holidays
It can be hard for us to think of ideas for gifts that we’d love. So I went ahead and did it on behalf of moms everywhere.
Here’s our grown up Christmas wish list. These are the things we really need this year!
Gift us one, two, or all of these things and we’ll continue to enjoy making everyone’s holidays magical. And who knows, there might be a little mistletoe magic waiting for you under the tree!
1. Rest
We really want to sleep! There aren’t many moms who would turn down a guilt-free nap. Take the kids for an afternoon so we can rest. If you want extra bonus points, wash the sheets in advance.
Let us sleep in for a whole weekend while you do breakfast with the early risers. Take on the bedtime routine, so we can get in bed earlier. Just give us the time and the place and we will know how to take advantage of it.
2. Spa Services
Getting a pedicure can make us feel like a brand new woman. There’s something about perfectly polished feet.
Some of us prefer a massage or a facial, though. Whatever it is that your lady likes, gift certificates to the spa are always welcomed.
3. Date Night Planned
We really love our date nights together, but sometimes we don’t want to take the effort to set it up. We’d love you forever if you did all the legwork—clear our calendars, book the sitter, make dinner reservations, and take us out!
Clean something creative, too. Not just dinner out, but live music, a show, a cooking class, paint night, winery tour, or anything in-between.
4. Sentimental Jewelry
A beautiful display of all the kid’s birthstones, initials or birthdates is a sentimental gift we would wear frequently. This rose gold necklace is pretty and delicate. Just make sure you get all the birthstones right!
They can keep their children close to their heart with personalized jewelry Gold bar necklaces with initials or dates are also very popular now. Stackable rings or a bangle would also look beautiful.
5. House Cleaning Services
Schedule a housekeeper to come to the house for a deep clean. We’d love to have a break from staring down the toilet and washing fingerprints off the refrigerator.
Wrap up some cleaning gloves and a note to make this gift even more fun to open.
6. Family Portrait Display
We would love it if you got our family portrait framed or put on canvas. We always want to get photos printed and enlarged, but it’s one of those things that gets put on the back burner.
Please pick the photo where we look the slimmest and everyone is smiling. If we haven’t taken family photos in awhile, we really should. This cute, hand-drawn personalized photo would be a good substitute in the meantime.
7. Bathtime Bliss
Pack a box full of goodies so mom can enjoy a relaxing bath. Babe and Body offers a variety of items that the woman in your life is sure to love. Their products are all made with natural ingredients, and still smell amazing, which is a huge plus for me!
Try a calming bath soak with lavender and chamomile or a sweet scented face scrub with blueberry, açaí, and pomegranate. Top it off with a bath tray to perch our wine on and a scented candle for pure zen. Entertain the kids for the hour or so we have time to get our skin nice and wrinkly and our minds totally refreshed.
8. Hair Styling Tools
We don’t have time to wash, dry, and style our hair on the daily. This all-in-one styling tool dries as it styles, saving time and effort for us busy moms. Put this under the tree with the promise of a hot shower and we’ll be ever so grateful.
9. Shoes
Not to be completely stereotypical but we can always use a new pair of shoes. You’re pretty safe with a pair of Hunter boots if we don’t already have them or some pretty and practical new flats.
10. Robot Vacuum
We want to watch this Robot Vacuum go ‘round and ‘round and pick up all the lone Cheerios that our toddler left behind. We want to watch it fit in all the nooks and crannies that we can no longer reach and wow us with clean floors. This would be a gift that would keep on giving.
11. Cozy Blanket
Mom would love a cozy layer for the sofa or the bed, no matter the season. This perfect weight, super soft herringbone blanket makes Modern vintage classic style that will last and last.
12. Coffee and Mug
Coffee mugs that make us laugh and wake us up in the morning? Now that’s a double gift. Gift us this with some fresh coffee beans or coffee gift cards stuck inside. Because moms can always use more coffee. Always.
13. Fresh Makeup
Our makeup can be expensive, but it’s worth it. Peak into our makeup bag and take note of the mascara that’s almost dry or the blush that’s running low.
Take a picture and head to a Nordstrom or Sephora so the salesperson can help you replace it without us knowing what you’re up to.
14. Luxurious Slippers
We want to cuddle up at the end of the day with these cozy slippers on our feet. If you want to throw in a foot rub here and there, we won’t argue with that.
15. Personalized Recipe Plate
You know my grandma’s cookie recipe that we all love so much? Put it on a personalized plate so we can cherish it forever. Don’t worry, you don’t have to make the cookies too!
16. Gift Cards
Sometimes we just can’t think of anything we want. But once we’re out and about, we might see all sorts of goodies we’d like.
We wouldn’t mind gift cards to our favorite stores. If you aren’t sure what those are, Amazon, Nordstrom, and Target are pretty safe bets.
Then give us the free time to go shopping alone so we can pick out our favorites in peace.
. . . . .
More than anything, we really don’t want you to wait until the last minute to do the shopping or miss out on family traditions because of it. Please don’t tell us you’re going to miss the annual gingerbread house making festivities or our grandma’s caroling because you have to go shop for us.
That makes us feel guilty and takes the fun out of it.
Just sneak away on your lunch break or come home a little later one night in early December so we never know the difference. Go armed with this list and it should be a breeze.
Enjoy this mom’s wish lift and gift guide and Happy shopping!
Marissa is a Pediatric Occupational Therapist turned stay-at-home mom who loves sharing her tips, tricks, and ideas for navigating motherhood. Her days are filled starting tickle wars and dance parties with three energetic toddlers and wondering how long she can leave the house a mess until her husband notices. When she doesn’t have her hands full of children, she enjoys a glass (or 3) of wine, reality tv, and country music. In addition to blogging about all things motherhood, she sells printables on Etsy and has another website, teachinglittles.com, for kid’s activity ideas.
