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The 25 Best Gifts for Busy Moms of 2024

Give her the chance to carve out some time for herself

Gift we recommend for busy moms on a blue background

The Spruce / Amelia Manley

The perfect gift for mom makes her life a bit easier, is something practical for everyday life, or allows her to practice some form of self-care.

Opt for something she'll actually use every day, whether it's a subscription to a streaming platform, a handy piece of home tech, or a detailed planner to track her days. On the other hand, find something special to pamper mom on a special day. Think a bath bomb in her favorite scent, a treatment at a local spa, or an invitation to a workout class with a friend.

We spent hours researching products from well-respected brands that appeal to a range of needs, considering functional and thoughtful gifts for every budget.

Gift mom some minimalistic yet beautiful bling like this "mama" necklace from Benevolence LA. Available in gold, white gold, and rose gold, and reminds your recipient of the important role she plays every day as a mom. The dainty piece is great for stacking with other necklaces or wearing on its own as a statement piece worthy of everyday wear.

Amazon Essentials Waffle Full-Length Robe

Amazon Essentials Women's Lightweight Waffle Full-Length Robe

Amazon

Mom deserves better than lounging around the house in the same old yoga pants and tattered t-shirt. While a flowy, feather, or lace-trimmed robe might not be practical, this option we tested and loved from Amazon provides fashion and function. The super-soft, belted waffle robe feels great, and it comes in tons of colors and sizes so there's something for everyone.

Cleverfy Aromatherapy Shower Steamers

Cleverfy Aromatherapy Shower Steamers

Amazon

Shower times are precious for busy moms who may not get another moment to themselves the whole day. Make sure shower time is as luxurious and relaxing as possible with a set of aromatherapy shower steamers. Just place the steamer in the corner of your shower and enjoy the spa-like scents. The 6-pack comes with different scents for different purposes, such as lavender for nighttime showers or eucalyptus for waking yourself up in the morning.

Cuyana Classic Easy Tote

Cuyana Classic Easy Tote

Cuyana

A busy mom needs a tote bag that's multifunctional and also quite durable, and Cuyana's classic leather tote fits the bill. She can use this as a work tote, diaper bag, personal carry-on item, and so much more. There's no shortage of space to keep everything organized, including an interior zipper pocket, and the leather is easy to spot clean. Not only do the leather straps look even better with wear, but the 10-inch drop is ideal for comfortably carrying on the shoulder.

Google Home Mini

Google Home Mini

 Courtesy of Best Buy

Set alarms, check the weather, play music, and so much more with the Google Home Mini. The small but mighty device is the perfect addition to mom's busy life. The whole family can set reminders and check their schedule while enjoying their favorite songs and podcasts. It's a great gift the whole family can enjoy, but also keeps mom's busy schedule at bay.

reMarkable 2 Paper Tablet

reMarkable 2 Paper Tablet

reMarkable 

The reMarkable 2 tablet is the perfect product for the person who still loves the feel of pen to paper but appreciates the convenience of technology. The tablet allows her to write down notes and save them to a cloud. Documents can also be read and signed via the tablet. The super-thin device is less than a pound and is a great way to reduce printouts and sticky notes. If getting organized is on her to-do list, then this is a great present.

Etsy Mom Digital Planner

Etsy HappyDownloads Mom Digital Planner

Etsy

Digital planners are extremely popular and here's one from HappyDownloads that's specifically geared toward moms. She can choose from five daily layouts and seven weekly options, which all come in six colors. The templates include a homework tracker, cleaning schedule, meal plan, milestone markers, and even a birth plan page for expectant moms. Some of the pages are undated, so she can easily use the planner year after year.

Easyplant Green Snake Plant

Easyplant Green Snake Plant
Easyplant

Busy moms don't have the time to tend to plants but still want the beauty they provide in their homes. Easyplant makes it (you guessed it) easy to keep your plants watered and look beautiful with minimal effort. Every plant on the site comes in a self-watering planter that only requires filling once a month. This snake plant comes in a gorgeous ceramic pot in a color of your choice and easily adapts to low to medium light, so it's perfect for every home.

Tile Mate Tracker

Tile Mate

Amazon

Moms have to keep track of a lot from day to day, and there’s nothing more frustrating than frantic, last-minute searches for keys, wallets, or cell phones. The Tile Mate Bluetooth trackers are an easy way to eliminate this problem—attach them to important items, then launch the Tile app to ring your things. Can’t find the phone? No worries—the Tile Mate can ring it even when it’s set on silent mode. You can buy the one-pack, but there’s also a four-pack available that will truly serve mom well.

Slippers might seem like a basic gift, but don't underestimate how functional and practical they are. The Tasman slipper from UGG is like walking on a cloud, we found during testing. She'll love sliding her feet into these wool-lined slippers that keep her feet warm yet cool. Also, the water-resistant exterior and durable soles make them perfect for a run to the mailbox or a trip outside.

Anker Nano Power Bank with Built-in Foldable USB-C Connector

anker portable charger usb-c

Amazon

Busy moms who are constantly on the go need a reliable portable charger that fits in their pocket and guarantees their phone always stays charged. This one from Anker takes up little space and plugs right into your phone so you don't have to wrestle with messy cords. Just note that this charge is a USB-C charger, so if you have an older smartphone, you may need to gift her a converter as well.

Uncommon Goods Outdoor Wine Table

Outdoor Wine Table

Uncommon Goods

This is one of those genius and downright useful products that you’ll be tempted to keep for yourself instead of actually giving it to the recipient. For moms who love wine and cheese, this table makes it easy for them to enjoy vino while taking in a view, as the spike effortlessly plants in grass or even sand. The foldable table holds a wine bottle and two glasses and has just enough space for a small plate of bites.

Verilux Light Box

Verilux HappyLight Luxe

Amazon

Streamline mom's nighttime routine with a therapy lamp with Verilux. With the HappyLight Luxe, you can adjust the brightness, temperature, and color of the UV light throughout the day. You can even set a countdown timer when settling into bed or leaving for work in the morning. For stay-at-home moms or those working from home, a light like this brings valuable sunlight indoors.

Ulta Gift Card

An Ulta Beauty store front

 Moment Mobile/Getty Images

If mom is a beauty junkie who’s always up on the latest palettes being released, or she could use some pampering, you can’t go wrong with a gift card from Ulta. This bit of plastic or the e-card is the best way to give her a shopping spree on someone else’s dime. The store has every popular brand in hair, skincare, and makeup.

Livho Blue Light Blocking Glasses

Amazon livho Blue Light Blocking Glasses, 2-Pack

Amazon

For moms who work in front of the computer all day, gift her a set of blue-light glasses to protect her eyes as they work. Blue light glasses are meant to reduce eye fatigue, blurred vision, and headaches for people constantly looking at a computer or phone screen. These durable frames come in tons of flattering colors and designs and the two-pack ensures your recipient can change up her look whenever she pleases.

Busy moms may not have time for a lengthy skincare routine, but they still deserve enough me-time to take care of themselves and their skin. A product like Supergoop's Unseen Sunscreen is an effortless way to add SPF to mom's routine and may not be something she would buy for herself. She'll be thankful for the care you take in her physical and mental well-being.

Royal Craft Wood Luxury Bathtub Caddy Tray

Royal Craft Wood Luxury Bathtub Caddy Tray

Amazon

There’s no better place for mom to relax and indulge in some "me time" than the bath, and the Royal Craft Wood Luxury Bath Caddy Tray keeps several must-haves dry and secure. There’s a spot for a book or tablet, smartphone, wine glass (or other drink), soap, and even a candle. Made from water-resistant, anti-microbial bamboo, the caddy fits most bathtubs and extends to 43 inches across. The natural bamboo color fits with a range of decor, but the tray also comes in black, blue, white, and even hot pink.

Vitruvi's essential oil diffuser is a piece of decor that doesn't just look stylish and sleek but also sets a zen vibe. The 7-inch high diffuser can be set to four hours or eight intermittent hours as the scent of her favorite essential oil fills the room. This doesn't just make a space smell great, but some oils can even ease headaches, sinus pressure, or allergies.

Mom doesn’t need a green thumb to grow herbs, fruit, and more with this indoor garden. Click and Grow's Smart Indoor Garden 3 comes with smart soil capsules, an easy-to-fill water tank, and an integrated LED grow light for added convenience. It also has a built-in reservoir to help ensure plants are getting exactly what they need—regardless of the weather outside—and the entire set-up is compact enough to fit on her kitchen counter or even desk. Plus, it's dishwasher-safe for easy cleaning.

Core Meditation Trainer

Core Meditation Trainer

Courtesy of Core 

A weekly meditation or yoga session might not be feasible for the busy mom, but this Core Meditation Trainer brings the zen right to her. The device works through an app to provide guided meditation, breathing exercises, or relaxing nature sounds. It even allows mom to track her stress. She can use the device without a subscription or sign up for a monthly membership which provides additional access to specific classes, coaches, and new meditation sessions.

Cuisinart Programmable Coffee Maker

Cuisinart 14-Cup Programmable Coffee Maker

Amazon

With the right coffee maker, mom can have her favorite coffee brewed and ready to go before she even opens her eyes. This pick from Cuisinart has adjustable brew strengths, an automatic timer, and a programmable function that lets you start brewing at the same time every morning so you're never without a cup of joe.

Ideal for the mom who has to grab her coffee and go, Yeti’s rambler is a one-handed wonder that easily fits in the cupholder of most cars. This stainless steel 20-ounce mug is vacuum-insulated to keep hot drinks hot and cold drinks cold without any annoying condensation. Unlike other similar styles that can be hard to grip, this one features a handle that makes it easy to sip on the go.

CureCure Heated Blanket

CureCure Heated Blanket

Amazon

When it’s finally time for mom to curl up and relax, the CureCure Heated Throw Blanket is a welcome companion on cool nights. We tested this electric blanket and love the four warming settings and two extraordinarily soft sides: one Sherpa and one velveteen. It’s also fine to throw in the washer and dryer. Don’t worry if she falls asleep with this throw plugged in—it automatically shuts off after three hours.

Typical essential oil diffusers can take up a lot of counter space and have to be tended to by adding water and drops of oil. This GuruNanda diffuser nixes all of that. The diffuser plugs into the wall or a USB port and doesn’t require any water at all. This is perfect for a mom who’s on the go but can benefit from the relaxing oils of lavender, lemongrass, or eucalyptus. Plug this in at home, the office, or even the car to create a zen-like moment.

Mom can take her favorite smoothie or shake on the go with this portable blender from BlendJet. After blending your ingredients together, pack it right in your backpack or diaper bag. It charges with a USB cord and can last through 15 blends on a single charge. Plus, it's a breeze to clean. Just add soap and water, blend, and rinse.

Other Great Gift Options

We all know someone who won't list any ideas when you mention giving them a gift. In this case, respect their wishes while finding a different way to show your love, such as something homemade or quality time spent together.

Let's face it: busy moms may not have time for a gift that's not practical. Show you appreciate all her time and effort by giving her a gift that makes her chaotic life feel simpler. Any mom with a packed schedule is sure to appreciate a meal delivery service, a gift card to her favorite restaurant, or some babysitting. If you have a low budget, quality time away from the kids for a night is always a good option. Find the busy mom a babysitter and organize a spa day at home.

Tips on Choosing a Gift for a Busy Mom

Self-care shouldn't be an indulgence, especially for busy moms taking care of family members. Look for a gift that encourages mom to carve out some much-needed "me time," whether a gift card to the hair salon or spa, a nice skincare product like the Supergoop Unseen Sunscreen, or the latest book by her favorite author. Bonus points if you pair it with a cozy blanket (or an electric option like the CureCure Heated Throw) to relax under.

Moms with romantic partners don't get tons of time to invest in their relationship, so consider a gift that encourages just that. For example, you could buy the busy couple tickets to a concert or a gift card to a nice restaurant. Just make sure you don't forget to line up a babysitter, too (or offer to watch the kids yourself).

When in doubt, think of functionality above all else. What will make her day-to-day life easier? Some examples on our list include the Google Home Mini, which is a lifesaver for setting timers, asking about the weather, and playing music in a pinch, and the Anker portable charger, which ensures her favorite devices are always charged and ready to go.

Why Trust The Spruce?

This round-up was written by Patrice J. Williams, who has contributed gift guides to The Spruce since 2020. In addition to her work for The Spruce, she also writes product reviews for other outlets, appearing on-air for "Today" and WE tv. She was the Savvy Shopper reporter for WPIX in New York City and loves helping her friends and family find unique, thoughtful, and wallet-friendly presents.

Our Experts:

Updated by Ashley Abramson
The Spruce uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
  1. Sarkic A, Stappen I. Essential oils and their single compounds in cosmetics—a critical review. Cosmetics. 2018;5(1):11. doi:10.3390/cosmetics5010011

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