'Tis officially the season for gift-giving. For us, it’s 31 days of gift giving; for a month, we’ll be providing gift ideas for everyone on your list—from your hard-to-please parents to your ’90s-loving BFF and even your spoiled pet. Filled with creative picks that got our pulses racing, our Unwrapped holiday gift guides will make Christmas shopping a breeze this holiday season.
Moms spend all year giving things to other people, so now is definitely the time to give back to them. Easier said than done, though, because moms are prone to telling you that they don't need anything and are happy just knowing they have your love. Which is, like, great and all, but you can't exactly tie a bow around your love and stick it under a tree, you know?
But don't worry, your mom—or the cool mom friends in your life—won't go empty-handed this year, no matter how opaque they're being about what it is you can get for them. Here's a list of all the stuff a mom is sure to appreciate. Just make sure to give her a hug too. Because you just know that's what she wants most of all.
Folie Apothecary, Cardamom + Vanilla All Purpose Butter, $26, available at Etsy.
This is the ultimate FUBU gift for the cool mom in your life (it's made by a cool mom, for cool moms!), and it's also extremely luxurious in how choke-full of nutrients and antioxidants it is, as well as in how amazing it smells, like freshly baked gingerbread cookies. So, so good.
NOVA, #NovaPalettes for Opening Ceremony: GLASS, $130, available at NOVA.
This set does double (or make that quadruple) duty because while each scent can be worn on its own, they're also meant to be layered, meaning that your gift recipient isn't just getting a set of four perfume oils, but rather up to 16 different scents. And what scents they are! BOTANICAL has an ultra-clean fresh smell with notes of juniper berry, SPORTY is crisp and fruity with spicy cardamom undertones, METALLIC is described as being "like a thin slice of chrome," and MUSKY is exactly what you'd expect with a name like that: earthy and woodsy and totally irresistible.
Seek Collective, Wayfarer Scarf in Indigo, $85, available at Seek Collective.
Not only is this scarf absolutely gorgeous and made from the absolute softest voile cotton, which the wearer will want to keep close to their skin at all possible times, but also a full 40 percent of the scarf's proceeds are donated to the American Civil Liberties Union. So you'll also be giving the gift of doing good, which is sure to make your mom super happy. Moms live for this stuff. They really do.
Ted Muehling, Large Brushed Gunmetal Chip Earring, $245, available at Bergdorf Goodman.
These earrings are pretty much the platonic ideal of "mom" earrings. They don't scream, but rather whisper classiness and excellent taste. They are elegant, yes, but also, thanks to the brushed gunmetal, still a little bit punk rock. The purity of their form means that they can be worn everywhere and with everything, making them not just a thoughtful gift, but an investment piece at a totally reasonable price considering what it is you're giving: something to last a lifetime.
Elise Peterson, 'Oprah' Print, $100, available at erp-shop.
Give a cool mom the gift of Oprah, and she will love you forever. We're big fans of Elise Peterson's prints, and this one is the perfect gift for a mother, not only because it features the Queen of Everything, but also because of the Virgin Mary iconography. It's perfect.
Fresh Black Tea Age-Delay Traditions, $98, available at Fresh
So, like, on the one hand, be careful about the mom you're giving this to because some moms can be very sensitive when it comes to referencing their ages. But on the other hand, those moms should get over it because everyone is aging, and all the gift of this set is doing is saying that you want your mom to stay young forever because you love her so much. Also? Fresh products are uniformly incredible and smell deliriously good, and there's a serum in this set that "has a corset-like effect on the skin," which, truly, is aspirational for us all.
Loup, 'Babe' Sweatshirt, $55, available at Loup.
This nubbly sweatshirt is super cozy and also has the benefit of letting your mom (or any mom who gets this) know that she's a total babe—because she is! Plus, 30 percent of the proceeds of this sweatshirt go to the Human Rights Campaign, because babeliness is next to godliness.
May Lindstrom Skin, The Honey Mud, $80, available at Shen Beauty.
Moms never treat themselves as well as they should because they're always too busy taking care of other people, so the holidays are the best time for moms to get something that they'd never get for themselves. Like the ultra-decadent Honey Mud from May Lindstrom Skin. This silky combination cleanser and face masque is made of raw honey, white halloysite clay, and pure plant oils and leaves skin unbelievably smooth and soft. Just what every mom wants—and deserves.
Shinola, SAVED Wines Corkscrew by Scott Campbell, $125, available at Shinola.
This solid brass corkscrew is engraved with runic patterns and sigils by legendary tattoo artist Scott Campbell and is definitely the most badass corkscrew we've ever used. (It's super effective too; its simple design works wonders on even the most firmly implanted cork.) Campbell says he designed the corkscrew with the idea of giving "good juju" to its user. We're really into that and think your mom will be too. And along with the corkscrew, you should be sure to give a bottle of...
SAVED Wines, Red Blend, $25, available at Bottle Collective.
This is from Scott Campbell's winery and was the inspiration behind the corkscrew he made. This red blend is a hearty mixture of malbec, merlot, syrah, and zinfandel and is a rich aromatic addition to your mom's dinner table or even her nightly bath. Which brings us to another gift idea...
SipCaddy, Bath and Shower Portable Suction Cupholder for Wine in Clear, $13.95, available at Amazon.
After she opens her wine with her sick new corkscrew, she's going to want to drink it in the bath, don't you think? Help her live her best life with this bathtub wine caddy.
MTS, "Drop Cloth - Moss" Slant Lumbar Pillow, $430, available at Martyn Thompson Studio.
For the art-loving mother, give the gift of a pillow that is actually a work of art in and of itself. This tufted pillow is almost too beautiful to lean on, but that's okay; sometimes things are meant to be admired. This is sure to delight the recipient, though, as it shows that you're confident in their own finely honed aesthetic sensibility. Maybe add in a membership to your local museum as a bonus? Actually, definitely do that.
Planned Parenthood, V-Neck T-Shirt and Annual Donation, $15+, available at Planned Parenthood.
Give the gift of female solidarity this year; your mom will definitely appreciate this because all women benefit from the services Planned Parenthood provides. Get this cool tee for your mom, which emphasizes what it is that PP provides for American women: namely, health care, sex education, information, access, and freedom. While you're at it, set up a monthly recurring donation in the name of your mom (this can be for as little as $5 a month, or as much as you want).
Glossier Pack of Three Pink Pouches, $12, available at Glossier
Introduce your mom to millennials' favorite beauty cult brand by giving her a trio of puffy pink pouches for the holiday. These will definitely assure your mom that she's not just a regular mom, and actually a certifiably cool mom. Also, these pouches are so practical and great for travel that your mom will think you're really responsible and maybe do know what you're doing with your life after all. This will have the dual benefit of making her really proud while simultaneously giving you a little breathing space from her constantly asking what it is that you actually spend your money on each month and wondering why you don't have any savings. It's because you're spending all your money on Glossier. Duh. But now she'll understand how practical that actually is and give you a break. Finally.
Tiffany 1837 Aviator Sunglasses, $230, available at Tiffany
Is your mom the type who always sees the world through rose-colored glasses? That's great and everything, but has she ever tried seeing the world through ones that are Tiffany blue? Now you can give her the chance with these sleek and stylish aviators from the iconic brand's eyewear collection. They're a totally classic shape, which makes the blue lenses and subtle crystal embellishments feel modern and fresh. Just like your mom.
Check out more of our Unwrapped gift guides here.
