Now that we’ve left Halloween in the dust, it’s time to get serious about Christmas. Don’t know what to put on your Christmas list this year? I’ve got you covered. Read on for suggestions to add to Mom’s Christmas list this year.
I’m sure you’ve all started shopping for Christmas presents already. I mean, it’s November. You’ve probably got piles stashed in your closet for your kids, your spouse, and any other family or friends that you shower with presents on Christmas. If you’re anything like me, though, what you want for Christmas has barely even crossed your mind. If you’re really like me, your knee-jerk response to being asked what you want for Christmas is “nothing.”
Moms, this can be dicey. When Mom gets nothing for Christmas, it sends a message. Mom matters less. If Mom does get something after she’s said she doesn’t want anything for Christmas, it’s usually junk that ends up being re-gifted or donated to the local Goodwill in January. Neither of these scenarios are good.
You are worth a nice Christmas gift, Mom. And something you actually want, not just something random your husband and kids came up with on December 23rd. To make it easier for you, I’ve taken on some of the mental load to help you make your Christmas list this year. Below is a list of items from which you can choose to compile Mom’s Christmas List. I’ve got stocking stuffers, useful items, and little luxuries from which to choose. Take a look and have some fun making Mom’s Christmas list this year!
What to Put on Mom’s Christmas List
Stocking stuffers
Stocking stuffers are small, usually fairly inexpensive items that can fit in your stocking. Put a few of these on Mom’s Christmas list this year and then fill the rest of the stocking with your favorite snack (mine is dark chocolate).
Earrings
I have worn the same exact pair of earrings almost every day of my life since about the 6th grade. They are a medium plain white gold hoop. When one breaks, I buy another of the exact same pair. Well, this year Mom’s Christmas list is going to include a new set of small plain hoops in various sizes, suggested by a good friend. She has them in gold, but I’m more of a silver girl, so I’ll add the silver variety to my list. They also come in black and rose gold. If you want a similar set with a little more visual interest and you love gold jewelry, this twisted set is also super cute.
Skincare
I almost always add some new skincare to my own stocking every Christmas. It can be an old standby or a new product I’ve been dying to try. Pick something you are running out of or that you find a good deal for and add it to Mom’s Christmas list. If you’re not sure what skincare to add to your Christmas list this year, I have a few suggestions.
Vitamin C serum
My absolute favorite morning skincare item is my Timeless Vitamin C serum. It stays good for as long as I have product to use, and it feels really nice on the skin. I typically wait for a sale on Timeless’ website, but it’s also available at Target online.
Eye patches
If you’re in need of a good at-home spa night or the heating has wreaked havoc on your skin, you need some hydrating eye patches. I really like the Grace & Stella undereye patches. My favorite is the pink one – they’re moisturizing – but they also have ones that illuminate and energize, so pick your poison.
SPF
As I mentioned in my Summer Things to Keep Doing This Fall post, you need to keep wearing your sunscreen, even in the winter. So take the opportunity of Christmas to get yourself some new facial SPF! I have two favorite facial SPFs. If you like a mineral-based sunscreen, I highly recommend Neutrogena Purescreen+. If you prefer a chemical-based sunscreen, I love Scinic Enjoy Super Mild Sun Essence, which is a Korean brand that uses next generation sunscreen filters.
Haircare
Another great thing to add to Mom’s Christmas list in the stocking stuffers section is haircare. That stuff is expensive! Obviously, hair products are extremely personal and largely depend on your specific hair type. I have curly hair, so bear that in mind with my recommendations. My favorite hair products to add to my Christmas list are hair gel and hair masks. My favorite gel is Ouidad Advanced Climate Control Heat and Humidity Gel. I have two mask recommendations: Joico K-PAK Reconstructor Deep-Penetrating Treatment and Briogeo Don’t Despair, Repair! Deep Conditioning Mask.
Hair clips
Every mom needs to get her hair out of her face. You can, of course, grab a simple hair tie or basic hair clip, and that will get the job done. If you want to feel a little fancy and be THAT mom, you can ask for some special hair clips for your stocking. If you’d rather save your family’s Christmas budget for something extra special, you can get nice, expensive looking hair clips for a steal. Don’t sleep on these hair clips!
Portable phone charger
In our digital world, we are constantly on our phones. And although phone batteries have come a long way since my husband’s iPhone 6 was manufactured, they still don’t last all day when you’re using the phone constantly to take pictures, stay connected, navigate yourself from place to place, and consume whatever media content you desire. You must have a way to charge your phone while you’re on the go. Enter the portable phone charger.
What you want in a portable phone charger can be weirdly personal, so I’ve come up with a few options. I like one with the plug built right in so you just stick it in the wall to charge it. My friend likes one that clearly tells you how much charge is left in the charger. Decide which floats your boat and add it to Mom’s Christmas list.
Pens
OK, hear me out. You deserve a nice pen to use instead of those cheap free pens you get at the bank. You are chief list maker, chief paperwork filler-outer, and chief scheduler. You need a nice pen to fulfill those responsibilities! If you need a pen recommendation, my favorite pens are the Zebra Sarasa Clip 0.5. They write so smoothly, they come in tons of colors, and they fit perfectly in a stocking. Add them to Mom’s Christmas list ASAP!
Useful items
If you don’t like to receive things like appliances as gifts, feel free to skip this section. If you’re like me and you get excited to unwrap something that will make your life easier, have I got some gems for you. Pop some of these on Mom’s Christmas list this year and prepare to be thrilled on Christmas morning!
Stick vacuum
I have been a hold-out on the stick vacuum for many, many years. I just couldn’t fathom paying several hundred dollars when I had a perfectly good broom that cost me less than $10. The time has come for a stick vacuum, though. I’m so tired of sweeping my kitchen floor multiple times a day. I’ve done some research and determined that I can get a nice stick vacuum for far less than the Dyson, so it’s item #1 on Mom’s Christmas list this year. The stick vacuum I’ve landed on is the Eureka RapidClean Pro. I hope my husband is reading this.
Little Green Machine
Last year the #1 item on Mom’s Christmas list was the BISSELL Little Green Multi-Purpose Portable Carpet and Upholstery Cleaner. Luckily, I got what I wanted and man was it a good gift to receive. Not only do I now get to keep my upholstery and carpets clean when my children try to ruin them, but the kids love to use the machine. They clean up their own messes! It’s a miracle machine, moms. Run don’t walk!
Clothes
You need clothes, so they are the epitome of useful items to add to Mom’s Christmas list. Of course, styles and needs vary, so these are just some options to consider. Figure out what holes you need to fill in your wardrobe and add them to your Christmas list.
T-shirts
Everyone needs wardrobe staple t-shirts. They are good to wear on their own, under sweaters, under blazers to work, or under a flannel shirt if you’re trying to update your millennial mom style. A great staple t-shirt is GAP’s Modern V-Neck T-Shirt. It’s comfy, the right length, good sleeves, and a v-neck that isn’t too wide and revealing. You need one in every color.
Cardigans
My latest obsession is the chunky cardigan. My personal home stretch goal this year is to find my style, and I’ve determined that at least my Fall/Winter style includes the chunky cardigan. I like a slightly oversized fit (but not too oversized) that is slightly cropped (but not bare your belly button cropped). A great one that fits the bill comes from Old Navy and is wonderfully budget friendly. You know what that means – get two!
Duck boots
Whether you live in a place that gets snow or not, you need some duck boots in your wardrobe. They are perfect for snow, but also for rain when it’s a bit cooler outside. My favorite brand in the world is Sperry, and luckily they make the best duck boots. I have the classic navy blue and brown colorway, but they come in so many cute color combinations, I’m sure you can find one your heart loves.
Coat/jacket
Do you need a new coat or jacket? If you do, this is a great item to add to Mom’s Christmas list. I tend to prefer a more casual look with an insulated hooded jacket. This Columbia Karis Gale Hooded Jacket isn’t exactly the one I have, but it’s very similar. If you’re more of a fancy lady, you might prefer a topcoat. This one from GAP Factory will dress up any outfit!
Belt bag
I am in need of a new everyday purse. The one I use now has been in daily use since 2019 and it’s in rough shape. I asked around my focus group and got a great recommendation to add to Mom’s Christmas list this year. I have never bought anything from Lululemon, but that ends now. I am so excited about the All Night Festival Bag Micro 2L. It really looks like the perfect everyday mom bag.
Kitchen items
Mom’s spend so much time in the kitchen, we might as well be as equipped as possible to make the food prep easy and fun. There are a few things that I can’t do without in the kitchen, and I suggest you add them to Mom’s Christmas list this year if you don’t have them already.
Dutch oven
I used to pine over a Le Creuset Dutch oven when I was a poor student. When I finally made enough money to purchase a Dutch oven, I still couldn’t pull the trigger on the Le Creuset’s price tag. Instead, I found a beautiful Lodge Dutch oven that does exactly the same job for a whole lot less money. I use this thing several times a week and will for years to come. You need this in your kitchen.
KitchenAid Mixer
My dream kitchen item was always a classic red KitchenAid mixer. I love to bake and a KitchenAid mixer is a must if you bake a lot. After I got married, I finally got my dream appliance with the gift cards we got for our wedding. It has now been almost 8 years with my dream appliance, and I can firmly say this is not over-hyped. I love to use it. My almost 5-year-old loves to use it too, so you can call this a family gift!
Blender
I use a blender almost every day. My kids drink a smoothie on the way to school every morning, so I have to make the goods. If you are making a lot of smoothies too, you need a good blender. The one I have and love is the Ninja Professional Blender. It’s easy to use, easy to clean, and doesn’t leave those dreaded chunks that clog the kids’ straws. It’s a winner. Add to Mom’s Christmas list now!
Little luxuries
Mom’s Christmas list is a great opportunity to get some things that you wouldn’t necessarily buy yourself. These little luxuries aren’t necessities, per se, but they sure do make life a little more fun. Be sure to add at least one not purely useful thing to your Christmas list this year. Here are a few ideas:
Sunglasses
For me, sunglasses are a necessity. My eyes are so sensitive to light. You may not feel the same, though, so I’m putting sunglasses in the little luxuries category. You don’t have to pick out crazy expensive designer sunglasses to put on your list, but you can if you like. I have classic Ray Ban Wayfarers with prescription lenses, and I’m asking for new lenses for Christmas because my old lenses have seen a bit too much chlorine. If you want a budget option, I love these Amazon specials!
Beauty service
Beauty services are mom’s ultimate luxury. I highly recommend that you put the beauty service of your choice on Mom’s Christmas list this year. It can be a facial, a massage, or even a trendy head spa (the consensus want of the focus group this year). I do suggest that you do some research and specify the salon you’d like. If you let your family pick, they could choose the wrong place with the best intentions.
Premium subscription
Sure we all listen to Spotify or watch YouTube videos, and we tolerate the ads. But a great luxury gift (that isn’t really all that expensive) is the premium, add-free version of your favorite media. Spotify Premium costs about $12/month and YouTube Premium costs about $14/month. Not a lot to pay to avoid the commercials.
Experience
When you are thinking about what to put on Mom’s Christmas list this year and you truly can’t think of any material things you would need or want, I urge you to ask for a special experience. This can be a concert, a sporting event, a show, or even a trip. Memories are a great gift, and a special experience is a great way to create memories. Get tickets to see your favorite band or ask to go on a weekend getaway to a place you’ve always wanted to go. You won’t regret adding an experience gift to your Christmas list!
Other posts
Are you in the Christmas mood? Here are some other posts you might want to check out:
Good luck filling out Mom’s Christmas list this year. I hope you’ll do it and I hope that this list gave you some ideas. What have you decided to put on your list? Help other moms out by sharing below or over on Instagram @sarainseason.