Gift Guide For Your Favorite Busy Mama

Here we go, holiday season! I have always wanted to make gift guides, but I’m never early enough to put them together. Yes, me, mom of 3 kids, is always late. Shocker! I really do curate lists for each person I am buying for - and they are usually in my notebook for months before the holidays. You are getting a peek at my work!

If you’re a mom, you know how special the little moments are that you get to have to yourself. Not saying we don’t all love every second with our kids but if you’re a parent, you get me. That being said, we probably all know an incredible busy mama who could definitely use a really thoughtful gift this year. We certainly know what we want, so I thought I would round up a few ideas at various price points to consider getting for that special busy mom in your life (or hey, if you like any of this for yourself, just copy and paste this link to send to your S.O., LOL).

This list isn’t all about self care and pampering. I think the other part that’s really important for us busy people, is enjoyable ways to get things accomplished simultaneously, or to not miss out on the simple joys of, you know - coffee - while tending to work and kids. So there’s a lot of my favorite multi-tasking in here as well!

Here are my top 10 gifts for the busy mama!

Yes, the typical Self Care Kit - but with a twist.

I love the pampering kits for postpartum moms, but honestly they are always a good idea. I know, I know - seems trendy, but truly I do think it’s worthwhile to get some of these things into their hands so when there are 5 minutes of downtime, they can do something for themselves. Sometimes its hard to get through the decision fatigue of what to do, so this is their save! Find a cute basket at Target or Homegoods and fill it with all sorts of these tools. Bonus points for new and trendy options that they may not have tried yet, just for, you know, something new! Some of my favorite items to include in one of these include mostly the things that make pampering more efficient, or more enjoyable. When I was putting this together, I was thinking of the things that would save time with, you know, not having to put on makeup but still want to look fresh, or if you can’t make it to the nail salon, or you don’t

• Soft towel/hair wrap when you don’t have time to dry your hair or just want a soft towel when you get out of the shower - it’s the little things.

• Fun scrunchies and headbands allow you to not have to do your hair and still look cute.

• Face masks made with natural ingredients so you can go make up freeeeee (I love Franklin & Whitman and you can always save 20% with code JESS) Specifically from F&W I love the Walnut Hill Face Serum for my everyday moisturizer, the masks (all of them!), the East Falls Body Serum, and the Face/Body Scrubs.

• At home gel or dip manicure set since we rarely have the ability to get out for one

• Hair mask - do not underestimate these! Pre-shampoo these make your hair SO soft. I love these by Prose. These can be worn while doing other things! I will typically put this on with a face mask, and then work or make dinner.

• Under eye gels - these can be worn while doing other things!

• Gua sha tools and facial rollers - an alternative for Botox that will save you $$$ :) You can also find awesome options at Primally Pure and save 10% with code HEALTHCOACHPHILLY

In addition to providing your favorite person a basket of goodies, you can add in gift cards to some of their favorite salons and spa treatments. While some places remain closed or have restrictions, I definitely suggest calling their favorite places to confirm gift certificates do not expire! Yeah, yeah manis and pedis and massages are awesome but have you thought about something like laser hair removal? Recently, I began a series of laser hair removal treatments with Milan Laser Hair Removal and I am obsessed. After finding Milan Laser, I can’t recommend them enough. I did laser years ago with another company with lackluster results. But Milan has it figured out. Seriously, no other company I know of can compare when it comes to the level of service and care. If you are anything like me - you are searching for ways to make your life a little more efficient and easier, and laser hair removal is definitely a way to save yourself time in the long run. And money, truthfully. All of those waxing trips add up! How excited would you be to get a gift card toward permanent hair removal?! I’m going to be sharing more about the process and how I like it in upcoming posts - but you can always message me if you have any questions. 

Reusable cups that keep your bevvies at the correct temperature

It’s like an unofficial “welcome to motherhood” when you sip your first cold cup of coffee because you did 30 other things while your hot coffee sat and chilled. The best thing I ever did for myself was invest in a few Yeti mugs and water bottles. Hot drinks stay hot, truly, for at least 3 hours and YES it often takes me that long to finish it. There have been countless mornings I have poured my coffee and not even taken a sip until at least an hour later, and those are days I am grateful for my Yeti. Let it also be known that these work equally as well for keeping wine or beer cold! There are a few days a week where I am washing it out for the PM pour!

There are tons of options for these at Target, too.

All-In-One Hair Styling

Efficiency plays a crucial role in anything a mom has ever done. From how to load up the diaper bag to their personal morning routine. When I found the Revlon One-Step Hair Dryer, my getting ready routine was changed for the bessssssst. When I tell you my hair goes from wet to complete at-home blowout perfection in under 10 minutes, I am not exaggerating! Truthfully, I wash my hair once a week. But when it air dries, it is frizzy and puffy and I end up having to straighten it. And It’s just not the same style as a good blow dry. THIS tool works so well - I know I can dry and style it QUICK. For your friends who love a good blowout, this is definitely the way to go! I usually even do it at night and it stays amazing through work outs and sleep.

Some more ideas that you could give me and I would love:

-Soft loungewear for the work-from-home days. I can’t explain it, but when things are part of a matching set - it just looks more put together, even if they are sweats! I love finding sets from Lou & Grey especially, but take a look at the sales coming up and find you favorites.

-When I actually get to leave the house, I don’t like to bring a lot of stuff with me. Since I usually have one of the kids with me, I like things like back packs and belt bags where I don’t need a free arm/hand. This Belt Bag by Abby Alley is soooo beautiful and one of my favorite designs! Code JESSBAUMGARDNER will save you 20% and she also has incredible jewelry from artisans in East Africa. Any sleek, black or tan bag that attaches really nicely to the body would be a win in my book. So - pretty much saying exclusively backpacks and fanny packs, but make them chic!!

-A meal delivery subscription box - either really good pre-made options or the kits that send you ingredients, recipes, and on your way. Either option will save decision fatigue and TIME. Bonus points for the plant-based options and those with a healthier spin like Purple Carrot or Green Chef. 

-A really nice blanket. I never thought I’d be talking about the blanket market but there are some amazing options out there now! Give your giftee the gift of taking a break. My favorite is the Barefoot Dreams, yes, Kardashian blanket and YES it is pricey. But you can usually find them on sale during Nordstrom sales, or … it’s a really nice treat :) I’ve been known to carry mine from the bedroom to the couch each day because I love it so much! There are also heated, weighted, and otherwise cozy options out there outside of this one!

-Earphone buds. Obviously Apple makes these, but there are tons of more affordable options out there too. These are great for multi-tasking, and also a nice way to sneak in a podcast or book while you are busy with other things and can’t sit down. 

-If your mama is busy, their home is likely their sanctuary, retreat...or it needs to be. Give the gift of Feng Shui. It’s an ancient practice for supporting the flow of energy in and throughout the home. Little changes can really make a world of difference in the energy of the people living there, and can also call in abundance, love, and other things that might be blocked currently. Anyway, you and I are not the experts here - but there are some really awesome consultants who can offer your friend some simple ways to bring in more of what they need into their home. On that note - you could also book a gift card for a home organizer or designer BUT this could be taken the wrong way, LOL. Feng shui seems pretty vanilla. :)

Well, I have about 100 more things I’d like to add here but I really want to know if you have anything to add to this list! Let me know in the comments below!