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Mothers do A LOT in the buildup to Christmas: studies show the mental load increases significantly for women in particular. Yet while they’re often the ones finding thoughtful gifts for every relative (and their dog), they can sometimes feel a bit forgotten on the big day.
We’re here to change that, with a selection of the best, most thoughtful gifts for mothers. You won’t find any washing-up sponges, reusable baking-tray liners or three years’ worth of pink leather driving gloves (all genuine gifts that haunt my Christmas past). But there are a few dos and don’ts.
Don’t try to squeeze your budget too hard by buying a gift that’s meant to be more expensive: if you’ve only got £20, don’t get a jumper, go for bath oil. Also, Christmas is a time for treats; please, no joke presents, as they always fall flat.
Anything homemade by your child is a win: my husband once framed a painting my kid had done that elevated it very nicely. In fact, anything homemade at all: a pal recently visited with a pot of marmalade made with her daughter from oranges in their LA garden, which gave me great joy for weeks after her visit.
Experiences are nice: last year my husband gave me 12 notecards, each with a date, time and the name of restaurants he thought we should go to for lunch. Gift vouchers are great, too, but be warned, they can get lost or expire (I just tried to use a voucher for a restaurant that closed down six months ago, and felt slightly sick at the waste).
For shop-bought presents, go for elevated versions of anything she already likes – in premium fabrics, for example – or personalised if there is the option (which there increasingly is). I always love supporting independent, ideally female-founded brands. Many of these below either have charitable elements or are B Corp companies, too, meaning they take social and environmental accountability seriously. Here are my 64 best, tried-and-tested gifts for mums.
The best gifts for mums
Home and garden
Enamel photo frame
I’m loth to share this secret, as it’s my go-to “thoughtful” gift for nearly anyone. However, as well as being a decent price for a luxury photo frame, when you add it to your basket at Addison Ross, you can upload a picture – which will then arrive already framed and wrapped in a luxurious blue box. I have several at home and have given lots more. Every room needs a pop of red, but there are more neutral colours if you’re not feeling so brave.
Hot-water bottle and eye mask
A personalised hot-water bottle (and eye mask) is an indulgent gift – you don’t need it, but I write with one of these navy ones in my lap and find it makes life cosier and prettier at the same time. Siân Esther was founded by Siân Adkins and named after her late mother. Adkins donates money from sales to the women’s charity Luminary Bakery.
Apple AirTag
Some practical presents may seem underwhelming upon unwrapping, but they will be used so much that they remain at the front of the recipient’s mind. An AirTag is just that. As someone who loses keys regularly, they’re now affixed to my key chain, giving me reassurance that my keys are in the house, or on luggage when we go away. Plus, I’m sick of reading gift guides where only men get tech suggestions. We want them, too.
Lime squeezer
This is niche, but it’s honestly a great present for someone who loves a margarita (you could pair it with a bottle of tequila). I think it’s up there with one of my most-used kitchen gadgets. The weight of this is pleasing, and it adds to the drama of cocktail-making.
Clover matchbox sleeve
I love this chic matchbox cover, which means you can leave it out on display (more handy), and it can be engraved. Mine never leaves my mantelpiece. If you’re after something cheaper, I also love beautifully decorated oversized matchboxes, such as these by Lamp London (£8.95), which will leave the gift-buyer with change from a tenner.
Magick eye candle
Film director and artist Charlotte Colbert has collaborated with Evermore London on this beautiful candle, which draws on the symbolic rituals of the winter solstice. All the candles are vegan and have a wonderfully rich scent. The glass jar is so beautifully designed, you’ll want to keep it. I’ve cleaned out previous Evermore jars to store pens and makeup brushes in.
Red stripes egg cup
I find ceramics impossible to resist – and love this cheerful little egg cup, handmade and hand-painted in Malta. Add in a handwritten voucher for breakfast in bed.
The Amber faux flower arrangement
Fresh flowers are beautiful, but ultimately wasteful. I have faux flowers from female-led Ett Hem London and swap them out seasonally. These pretty amber ones are perfect for now, but if the budget is tighter, Ett Hem sells flowers by the stem from £21.
Red Chinese evergreen plant and pot
A plant is another nice alternative to flowers. I’ve had lots of luck with Patch plants before, including its Aggie (which I have a fondness for because that’s my daughter’s name), more commonly known as a red aglaonema – a beautiful, festive plant.
Bottle vase
I love the makers Toast selects to support and sell. I’m eyeing up this gorgeous ceramic vase by Bert Jones, a potter who works from a converted shipping container studio outside Newport.
Bare root rose
Even those who think they’re a nightmare in the garden can handle a bare root rose – they’re easy to pot and care for (they’re dormant over winter), and a bare root rose is much cheaper than one already in bloom. David Austin is the gold standard – if your mum is a gardener, she’ll really appreciate that.
Christmas gift box from Olia Hercules
The chef Olia Hercules has curated a beautiful box of handmade Ukrainian goodies, including woollen socks, herbal tea from the Ternopil region, recipes, cards and a signed copy of her memoir. The sales support local artisans and craftspeople, and 10% of profits go to NGO Molotok, which helps Ukrainian children affected by the war.
Tekla washcloth
Everyone needs a washcloth upgrade, and Tekla’s 600gsm version in cheery red stripes is weighty and soft – plus, it will last for ever. I’m not quite suggesting this is the only gift you should get your mother, but it would make up a nice package – or if your budget can stretch to a gift set, the trio of towels is lovely.
Inflatable helmet
This is a wild-card pick, but for cyclists – particularly the casual urban cyclist who is tempted to rent a bike and not wear a helmet – this inflatable helmet could literally be life-saving. It packs down into a tiny pouch, and comes with a pump – and an independent study has found that it absorbs shock 44.1% better than ordinary foam helmets.
For more, read our guide to the best gifts for cyclists
Sweetie pillboxes
These are adorable little containers designed to sit on the nightstand and hold anything slightly unsightly, from earplugs to vitamins. They’re designed by Sophie Campbell for her own brand, Tooka.
Fashion
Merino bed socks, two pairs
Socks for Christmas get a bad rep, but luxury ones are an easy win. These merino bed socks by Scottish brand Pairs come in a two pack for £25, but you could split them up into two gifts of £12.50 each. They’re exceptionally cosy, non-itchy and naturally regulate temperature – perfect for someone like me who’s permanently too hot or cold in bed.
Knitted cashmere neck tie
I can’t tell you how useful these triangle scarves are – how did I live without one (in every colour) before? Super soft, 100% cashmere, it’s more useful than a bigger scarf because you can wear it indoors without looking like you’re about to leave. A pop of red (although there’s a huge range of colours) looks festive and brightens the face.
Boxer shorts
I get too hot in full PJs at night, so my solution is these chic, 100% cotton poplin boxer shorts designed by a woman who wanted the style of men’s boxers but for a woman’s body.
Ultimate tank bra
Forget lingerie: this tank bra is technically for exercise – and I do wear it for weights at the gym or yoga (it’s not supportive enough for a run) – but it’s also perfect for daily wear. It’s soft, has a bit of compression and doesn’t leave you wanting to yank off your undergarments at the end of the day. Coffee bean is my colour of the moment.
Gingham slippers
Pretty slippers are always well received – even if the recipient already has a pair. I’ve started taking a slightly more fancy pair with me to people’s houses, so that I can be cosy in shoes-off homes.
For more, read our guide to the best slippers
Cashmere gloves
I love the brand &Daughter (I bought myself a cardigan from here to mark my daughter’s first birthday), and these super-soft cashmere gloves, spun near Loch Leven and made in Hawick, Scotland, are a great entry-level gift.
Knit your own beanie
Wool and the Gang has fail-proof knitting projects for beginners, with the nicest wool and needles all included. This is a cute knit-your-own beanie that will provide happy crafting hours over dark January evenings.
Beaded phone rope
Who doesn’t lose their phone at the bottom of their bags? This can help – and also, on a less festive note, help prevent your phone from getting swiped. Great stocking gift.
Molly bag
Lily Allen is one of a host of celebrities who are fans of this Cheshire-based, female-owned, independent brand. The fit on the party dresses is spot on for those who want to highlight a waist, but not a tummy; if you can’t stretch to a dress, this sweet little party bag is my top pick.
Cloud scrunchie
This oversized scrunchie looks as good on the wrist as in the hair. It’s made from offcuts of Irish linen from the gorgeous Northern Ireland brand Kindred of Ireland, and sewn locally; a proportion of profits go to a charity that supports survivors of human trafficking.
Wrist warmers
There’s something pleasingly yesteryear about knitted wrist warmers. These are made from English wool that’s farmed, spun and naturally dyed within a 150-mile radius.
Lora clip in olive
Mona Ghafoori, founder of the cult Tort hair claws, believes life is too short to have boring hair – and her selection of clips and claws is just the little dopamine fix any mum bun needs. They’re designed to capture long and short, fine and thick hair (thanks to the overlocking claws). Tort offers free repairs.
Black butterfly lace tights
Every mum loves Ganni (it’s almost cliche levels at certain school gates), and there’s a reason why: it feels edgy and cool. Which is just what you want to feel.
Fabric shaver
For anyone who loves their knits, a little fabric shaver is an essential bit of kit to keep them looking new – and these are the cutest I’ve seen from a great Swedish brand that I’m devoted to for its steamers.
For more, read our guide on how to make your knitwear last longer
Jewellery
Loom cuff
This is a top-tier gift (or maybe one to club together on, as I asked my brothers to do for a recent birthday), but it will earn you mega brownie points. A chunky design that’s not heavy, it doesn’t pinch or weigh down the ear (as some cuffs do), and because you don’t need a piercing, it’s suitable for anyone. I recently bonded with a 60-year-old fashion editor at a dinner wearing the same cuff. It’s a sister-owned, independent British brand – and the business is B Corp-certified.
Fine gold belcher bracelet
This looks a lot more expensive than it is: it’s lightweight, 18-carat gold plated. I keep it on all the time – even in the shower or at the gym. Taylor Swift is a fan of the brand, which is a licensed Fairmined label (meaning the gold is responsibly mined), and founder Tilly Sveaas designs and assembles the pieces in London. They come in beautiful packaging, too, meaning your wrapping burden is reduced.
Mini huggies
I have a longstanding love affair with Monica Vinader jewellery: I wore it on my wedding day. I think it sits in the perfect place between luxury and affordability, making it the perfect present. These mini huggies are a lovely gift. An increasing number of women have ear stacks and need options, and these come in gorgeous packaging.
Gold and silver huggies
Mixing metals looks very modern, and these U-shaped huggies do it for you, in a very chic way.
Books, stationery and culture
2026 classic diary
Yes, we have calendars on our phones, but a physical diary makes me feel a bit more organised – and opening one signals a year of possibilities. I’ve had a Mark + Fold diary for the past three years, and the mustard might be my favourite – with its card made from recycled coffee cups and thick inside paper, all made in England, and bound using lay flat binding (which stationery geeks like me really appreciate, as it’s easier to write on). Filling up a diary with proposed lunch dates, cinema trips and gallery visits would make a thoughtful present.
Three-month book subscription
Having the experts at indie bookshop Phlox in east London pick you a book each month is a real treat. You buy a voucher, and Phlox emails the recipient (when they activate it!) a detailed questionnaire about book preferences and what they’ve read. I’ve had books including Oisín McKenna’s Evenings and Weekends after a thoughtful subscription last Christmas. Each book comes wrapped, so it feels like a special delivery each month.
Wait … You Did What?! memoir journal
Who doesn’t have a story to tell? Worried she didn’t know all the details of her father’s life, journalist Sophie de Rosée created this memoir-prompt with fun questions that will help your recipient jot down all the milestones in their life. A sort of DIY memoir, it can even be personalised with a picture of your recipient.
Dead and Alive by Zadie Smith
Fans of Zadie Smith’s writing will be keen to unwrap this new book of essays – especially if, like me, you heard her speaking recently on a slew of podcasts to promote the book.
Nicolas Party: Murals
A beautiful coffee table book from the gallerists Hauser & Wirth, celebrating the mural work of celebrated Swiss painter Nicolas Party. You could pair it with a trip to the gallery in London to see the works on display, which is free.
The Boss notebook
What is she? The Boss, of course. And she’ll feel extra special with a luxury notebook, handmade in England with a crossgrain leather cover that you can get embossed with your mum’s initials. It comes in a beautiful box, with bows on, to make it feel extra luxe.
Everyman cinema gift membership
I bought this for myself at the start of the year, and I look forward to my movie nights so much: a membership forces you to go. Included are six free tickets, the option to bring a friend for free on Mondays, and discounts on food and drink, plus the membership comes in a premium-looking gift box.
Food
Ovette olive oil
My friend recently bought me two bottles of this delicious oil (one for cooking, one for pouring). Onsuri is a family-run estate in Jordan, led by olive oil sommelier and master miller Amelia Bilbeisi, and she’s rightly proud that its oil has higher levels of polyphenols than the industry standard. The bottle is very pretty, too.
Spice Dept spice tins
I discovered these cleverly stacking spice tins on Instagram, and they’re brilliant, sitting beautifully on my kitchen shelf. All the spices, from Kanthari chilli to green cardamom, are sourced from farms the founders have visited and vetted in India and Sri Lanka. The tins are refillable, so you can subscribe or send off for more spices, which arrive in compostable pouches.
Dark Woods coffee trio
I start thinking about my morning cup of coffee at about 9pm the night before, and I’ve tasted a lot of brands in the quest for the perfect blend. My favourite, which I now have on subscription, is by Dark Woods, which is based in a Victorian textile mill at the foot of the West Yorkshire Pennines (near where I’m from). It’s delicious, and the company is also B Corp-certified, donates a proportion of profits to local community projects (£30,000 in two years) and supports projects including orphanages in the countries it sources from. I started with the trio tasting pack, then picked my favourite (Crow Tree) to come every month.
Sabzi biscotti
I discovered the brilliant Cornish deli Sabzi on a recent trip to Truro, and was delighted to discover the company does mail order. The biscotti is a perfect small gift – delicious with its dark chocolate, pistachios and Iranian barberries. If you’re in for an upgrade, you can also get a gift pack of biscotti; the brand’s own spiced nuts; and a spiced seed topper, which you can throw, Prof Tim Spector-style, over soups or salads to up your gut health.
Mother Root ginger
I’ve tried endless no-alcohol alternatives in a bid to replace that 5pm glass of wine, and not all are created equal. Mother Root, however, is one I subscribe to. I love the taste so much – and have given it (successfully) to lots of other women in my life. Mix with tonic, a sprig of rosemary and a slice of orange, and you have yourself a spicy little non-alcoholic cocktail.
Sardines in organic extra-virgin olive oil
This is quite specific – she must like fish – but tinned sardines are chic, and these beautifully packaged ones are the tastiest out there. The range is named after the founder Patrick Martinez’s late father. I’d take these over chocolates in my stocking any day.
Cultjar Nutritionists Recommend selection
These pickles and ferments from Somerset-based company Cultjar are completely delicious, while being great for the gut microbiome.
Goat Rodeo Goods bread and butter cucumber pickles
These might fall under the category of “gift you never knew you needed”, but I have been spooning these straight from the jar before supper and using the juice for my martinis. They’re so delicious.
Lanson Le Rose Création champagne, 75cl
Champagne is rarely a bad idea – and this pretty rose by Lanson comes with the added heritage of being from one of the oldest champagne houses to produce a rose.
Snow Globe letterbox biscuits
Hand-iced biscuits from the female-owned brand Biscuiteers – sometimes called “the Net-a-Porter of biscuits” – are a cute gift, particularly as they can be personalised.
For more, read our guide to the best personalised gifts
Beauty
The Heroes skincare gift set
Emma Lewisham products contain natural ingredients and are backed up with clinical and laboratory testing. I’ve been using all three of these products (the oil cleanser, serum and face creme) for the past six months, and they make me glow. I’m devastated they’re about to run out – but all are designed to be refilled, meaning much less packaging waste to feel guilty about.
Ffern fragrance
Ffern, based in Somerset, creates a seasonal fragrance four times a year, using natural ingredients and artisan techniques. I’ve had a few bottles and they’re small enough to fit into a handbag and spritz on the go, and smell subtle enough that they don’t overpower (I’m not a frequent fragrance wearer) but draw compliments. It’s an exclusive club to join: there’s a waiting list. But if you join now, you can order the next perfume just before Christmas – and your recipient will receive it at the spring equinox. Failing that, you can buy a seasonal candle.
Satin Kajal liner
Victoria Beckham does makeup extraordinarily well. After it sets (before which you can gently smudge it), this waterproof eyeliner really doesn’t budge. For me, with hazel eyes, the best colour is the rich, matt cocoa – it has a small amount of copper glimmer that I feel brings out the green in my eyes. And it comes in such luxe packaging that opening the box feels like a treat.
Into the Deep bath oil
I love this female-founded independent brand: I’ve used the bath salts for years and am newly hooked on the CBD drops. I use them when I’m wide awake at 3am, and while I can’t say they always send me back to sleep, they give you a lovely sleepy feeling, rather than a manic list-making one. The bath oil is gorgeous – and something I would be delighted to see in my own Christmas stocking.
Cheek flush
Sometimes a quick swipe of blusher is all you need to give your face an instant boost. This clever little blush slips in your bag easily, is simple to apply on the go (you draw straight on to the cheeks) and, having tested it, really does last all day. It comes in cute, minimal packaging and the shades suit all skin tones.
Scattered Light glitter eyeshadow
This sparkly Hourglass eyeshadow is the grownup side of glitter – the colour emphasises eyes and adds a subtle shimmer.
Kansa acupressure tool and serum
Anita Kaushal founded her brand Mauli Rituals to pass on Ayurvedic traditions she grew up learning. The oils and balms are such a tonic, and this kansa tool and serum make a lovely gift – Kaushal recommends keeping it in a handbag to provide on-the-go tension release.
Supernova cleanser
While anti-ageing products are a bit of a risky gift, a gorgeous cleanser will always be well received. Dr David Jack’s products are glam enough to leave on your countertop, and in my experience really do work.
The Fresh Face gift set
All I want for Christmas is a fresh face – and that’s what this set from Iconic helps create, especially the genius blurring primer. Bought individually, the components of this set would total £95, so it’s also good value.
Cotton wash bag
I love this cheery little washbag, with its drawstring ties – and know from buying from this indie brand before that it will be great quality. It’s Edinburgh-based, female-owned, and if you have a bit more budget, the new collaboration with Laura Jackson from Glassette is another winner.
Grove anemone hand cream
You can never have enough tubes of luxury hand cream in winter – this brand is packed with natural ingredients such as avocado butter and sea buckthorn fruit oil, with scents of labdanum and cedarwood, which are inspired by founder Laura Butler-Madden’s garden in the Cotswolds.
Fig Milk shower oil
Sharmadean Reid is a stalwart of the beauty business – founding Wah Nails in 2009, then the beauty tech platforms Beautystack and the Stack World; now she has launched fine fragrance bathing brand 39BC. The debut collection features four fine fragrance shower oils – Silk Veil, Denarii, Fig Milk and Sage Water – each reimagining Egyptian and Greco-Roman bathing traditions. All are delicious; Fig Milk is my personal favourite.
Wild Rose beauty balm
This is a gorgeous do-it-all balm, from a lip moisturiser to wound healer to eye makeup remover – it does it all – just like mums do. The balm is a bestseller, but this new formulation is vegan.
Pelegrims exfoliating hand cleanser
This is a lovely brand that uses the skins of grapes from English vineyards in its products. This exfoliating hand wash has English ortega grape extract, which provides a nourishing boost to winter hands.
For more, read the best self-care gifts for Christmas and Sali Hughes’s favourite gifts
Jessica Salter is a lifestyle journalist who covers fashion, food, interiors, tech and wellness. Along with writing serious stories about company founders – often women – and brands – particularly those that do good in the world – she’s often asked for tips on the best gifts. As a mother of two herself, she is also in the perfect position to help you pick the perfect present for your mum
Christmas shopping can be tough – so we spent months finding the perfect presents for everyone on your list. We selected the best products from our testing; enlisted babies, kids and teenagers to find out what they really wanted; and sniffed, tasted and tested the good, the bad and the ugly to bring you 305 genuinely brilliant gifts.
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