Today, Wirecutter moms dish on the best gifts they’ve ever received. Plus: what to get your mother-in-law, our favorite stylish gifts, and unique trinkets for K-5 kids.
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| NYT Wirecutter, GLDN; illustrations by Con McHugh for NYT Wirecutter |
I asked the moms of Wirecutter for the best gifts they’ve ever received |
While you don’t need a reason to give your mom a gift (and you shouldn’t wait for one!) Mother’s Day is upon us — on the 11th, to be exact. I personally do not reserve gifts for my own mother until May each year; I frequently grace her with niceties like far too many phone calls, information about every single minor inconvenience I encounter, and the latest dating gossip from my friend group. Very sweet, I know.
For the moms in your own life: We’ve got a few (tangible, non-gossip-related) ideas, straight from the minds of Wirecutter moms. Here are some of the best gifts they’ve ever received:
- We’ll start with by far the most popular answer: the gift of a night away, blissfully alone to catch up on sleep. But a pro tip from staff writer Samantha Schoech? Make it two nights. “When my twins were babies, all I wanted was a night in a nice hotel with ‘sheets as cool and smooth as marble’. And that’s what my husband got me — the perfect hotel. Then I ruined it by inviting a friend to join me, going out to dinner, drinking too much wine, staying up too late, and getting a terrible night’s sleep. I guess I needed two nights, one for a social life and one dedicated just to sleeping,” she says.
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- Editorial director Lauren Sullivan cherishes this birthstone pendant necklace, with one pendant dedicated to each of her three kids. It’s not just sentimental for her: Her daughter loves to pick herself out of the lineup and exclaim, “That purple one is me!” It’s one of our gift experts’ favorite presents for the women in your life, regardless of occasion.
- A sort of unexpected gift for new moms we love? A Kindle. “I’ve read more books in the five months since my son was born than I have in five years because of it,” says senior editor Catherine Kast, reporting live from maternity leave. “It’s my go-to entertainment during late-night feeds, and it allows me to read hands-free, when said hands are full of baby.”
- One of editorial director Marguerite Preston’s favorite gifts came from her siblings. “First of all, the child care I get from them is enough!” she says. “But it was such a delight when they called me up last Mother’s Day and dropped off this Youth To The People cleanser and Laneige lip balm — two of our beauty experts’ recommendations. It was special because it was products that they used and loved, but also products that I could realistically use and love — without having to invest in any kind of time-consuming routine.” An over-involved routine, it turns out, is a big non-starter for the parent of a 2-year-old.
- Lastly, don’t overlook the gift of something sweet and sentimental, encased in a beautiful frame. “So often the labor of memory-keeping falls to moms,” gifts editor Hannah Morrill says. “So it’s a nice gesture to have that taken off one’s plate with something meaningful and pass-down-able.” Our advice? Think beyond just framing photos: a piece of their kids’ art, perhaps — the first time they wrote their name or drew their family. We like this service for your online framing needs, and Hannah is especially into simple wood frames with white matting in her home.
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I would be remiss to not mention the gifts that exist nowhere on the internet: being bundled up, newborn and all, and taken on beach date. The gift of a Lego creation from a young child, still framed on the wall years later. Handwritten cards. A shockingly stylish ceramic toothbrush holder that a 7-year-old daughter picked out herself, because she thought her mom would like it. Like so much of what moms do for us — listening, packing our school bags, helping us dream up and become who we are — many gifts for moms simply aren’t … things.
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 | The best gifts for people who have everythingWe firmly believe that there is a good gift for everyone — even your hardest-to-please recipients. |
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More great gifts for moms |
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What to give: K-5 students on the bus? |  |
I’m in search of unique trinkets to incentivize and reward positive behavior on the school bus, for lively K-5 students. Thank you! — J.D.
From gifting expert Hannah Morrill:
First of all, as the parent of two hooligans, I’ll start by saying, thank you for the work you do with “lively” school-age children. Rewards are a great idea. Kids get so much plastic junk tossed at them, these finds will hopefully last longer than the ride home.
I love these little surprise packs, which are really high quality doodads like worry dolls, dice, games, and gems (at less than $2 a pop). For a bit of a splurge — or a stretch of really aces behavior — how about books from the Who Would Win? series or a mini tin of thinking putty (both are $4 each). I also threw these mini squishmallows (just under $3 each) in birthday goodie bags to much acclaim last year. While you’re at it, how about something for you? These cheap sunglasses are great for the end of the school year, and if you’re not into it already, I’m devoted to the Headspace app to clear my head before or after loving on my kids.
Have someone who’s impossible to shop for? Submit your question here.
One last gift (for you): From cakes to bagels and lox, this on-sale food delivery service we love makes an excellent gift for people who already have everything. Save 25% off orders of $100 or more with code WCMOMS25.
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