gifts they might actually want

36 Gifts for Every Type of Mum

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Photo-Illustration: Courtesy the retailer

The truth is, mums are tricky to buy for. You might be looking for a gift for a new mum, a young mum, or a retired mum. Some mums want something practical, and some just want to feel utterly spoiled, whether on a birthday or for the simple reason that they’re being celebrated. Don’t fret; we’ve put our heads together to source the best kinds of gift for any mum, from glam mums and outdoorsy mums to book-club mums and “I don’t want anything” mums. Here are 36 options for every type of mum — and while most of these gifts are available on Amazon, we’ve found some options elsewhere, too, if you like to shop around.

For the mum who’ll have a glass of Prosecco, but just the one

Le Creuset Sparkling-Wine Stopper (Black)
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For the mum who prefers Champagne to Prosecco

Neom Organics London Real Luxury Scented Candle
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For the new mum

Original Sophie Teething Toy
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Ellen Wallwork, Strategist UK contributor and founder of parenting newsletter the Little Things, previously told us she was gifted this teething toy when her son was born. She says they rarely left the house without one in the pram. “They’re designed to be held by the tiniest of hands. Plus, newborns are drawn to faces, so even before they can hold these for themselves, they’ll love to look at them.”

For the expectant mum

Hometex 9ft U Shaped Comfort Pregnancy Support Pillow
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Shahlaa Tahira, the founder of the Badass Mums podcast, told us this support pillow “was a game changer in comfort” after she was gifted it by her sister: “Once the baby is born, this pillow makes it easier to breastfeed and lie down if you’re tired because it supports your arm and stops the ache.”

For the hydrated mum

Chilly's 500-Millilitre Bottle
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Chilly’s 500-Millilitre Bottle
From £19

It’s hard to go wrong with a bottle from Chilly’s, especially with this many colourways to choose from.

For the dehydrated mum

Burt's Bees Almond & Milk Hand Cream
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We like the slightly pharmaceutical design of this super-hydrating hand cream. (So do our readers; they bought dozens over Black Friday 2021).

For the brand-new mum

Alaska Bear Natural Silk Sleep Mask
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A luxurious (but affordable) eye mask.

For the new mum

Motherland Unrefined African Shea Butter
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An all-natural moisturiser, which can be used on the most sensitive of skin (be it mum or baby).

For the mum who’s just gotten into podcasts

Anker Soundcore Life P2 True Wireless Earbuds
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£40

These wireless earbuds came highly rated according to Amazon reviewers, and they’re affordable, too — so if your mum loses one, it’s not a big deal.

For the mum who has Red (Taylor’s Version) on repeat

Oxfords Cashmere Unisex Beanie by Lona Scott
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Supersoft and slate-grey, this beanie will keep her head warm when it gets chilly.

For the mum who’s low-maintenance, but whose skin isn’t

Foreo Luna Mini 2 Facial Cleansing Brush
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Faith In Nature Coconut Body Wash
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Very Good Deal
£4

You could add in a nice body wash, too — this one uses cruelty-free ingredients and is scented with organic coconut oil.

For the mum with a multi-step skin-care routine

Drunk Elephant C-Tango Multivitamin Eye Cream
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Eye creams aren’t strictly necessary, but they create the ideal moment for a quiet nightly ritual. This one delivers dewiness and really feels like a treat.

For the mum who’s obsessed with the dog

Lionet Paws Cotton Dog Collar With Bow Tie
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For the mum who’s obsessed with the cat

Animal Outfitters UK Purrfect Pastel Collection Vegan Leather
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Available in a variety of colours, but we think the lilac is fetching.

For the mum who’s in a book club

Kindle Paperwhite 11th Generation 8GB
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A Kindle Paperwhite is superlight with a long battery life, and it’s waterproof to boot.

CoBak Leather Kindle Paperwhite Case
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Maybe add in this Kindle cover that acts like a book jacket — when you open it, your Kindle wakes, and when you close it, your Kindle goes to sleep. It also comes in a load of colours and patterns.

For the mum who needs new reading material, no matter the format

You Made a Fool of Death with Your Beauty, by Akwaeke Emezi
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Author Annie Lord recommended this novel to us, gripped by its twists and turns. One for a mum who doesn’t mind a few steamy scenes, either.

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Very Good Deal
£6
Photo: retailer

Open Water is an elegant love story about a boy and a girl who both meet at the same party in a pub — he’s working as a photographer, she’s attending. It’s poetic, short, and perfect for the mum who loves people-watching.

Bridgerton: An Offer From a Gentleman by Julia Quinn
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Very Good Deal

If she’s eagerly awaiting season three of the Netflix series, there are eight Bridgerton books to get through (one for each sibling). She can also read about the things actress Adjoa Andoh — Lady Danbury herself — told us she couldn’t live without here.

For the mum who prefers an audiobook

Rivers of London by Ben Aaronovitch, read by Kobna Holdbrook-Smith
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Patrice Lawrence, author of Orangeboy, described this pacy and character-driven audiobook as a police procedural with urban-fantasy elements.

For the mum who painted your room the second you left home

Chambord Raspberry Liqueur
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For the mum who soaks

AmazeFan Luxury Bath Pillow
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Contributor Chelsey Pippin writes that this bath pillow provided her with “the longest, most relaxing bath I’d ever taken at home.”

For the mum who stretches

Wildflower CBD+ Cool Stick
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If your mum has a persistent crick in her neck, consider this menthol-scented CBD stick. Contributor Hanna Hanra says that her girlfriend “regularly uses it up and down her legs and on her lower back after she has been horse riding and says she feels her muscles being healed as it cools them down.”

For the mum who’s a beginner plant parent

Scheurich Bördy Watering System (Clear)
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Zamioculca (ZZ) Plant
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And don’t forget a plant to water. Olivia Elwin Taylor of Leaf Envy Plants says this ZZ plant is a “wonderful choice for plant novices” as it can handle low light and any humidity and only needs to be watered every two weeks.

For the mum who reads the restaurant menu in advance

Black Axe Mangal
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£19

A cookbook that’s truly coffee-table worthy.

For the mum who only got TikTok for Danielle Marcan’s makeup tutorials

'Palette: The Beauty Bible for Women of Colour,' by Funmi Fetto
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Photo: RETAILER

She’ll love this book by beauty editor Funmi Fetto, who has worked at VogueGlamour, and more — she shares all of the tips and insight she’s picked up from being around the world’s top beauty experts.

For the mum who only drinks loose-leaf tea

Vahdam Porcelain Teapot (Dark Green)
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£23

This infuser teapot means she can sip on sencha, with no faff.

For the mum who’s more of a coffee drinker

De'Longhi Dedica Style, Traditional Barista Pump Espresso Machine, Coffee and Cappuccino Maker
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Contributor Sirin Kale uses this espresso machine every day. “I love this coffee machine on a sort of desperate level,” she writes. “So much so that it’s ruined the experience of going to coffee shops for me — I’ve barely bought takeaway coffees in the past year.”

Olympia Kiln Ocean Espresso Cup, Porcelain
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These porcelain cups work out at just over £3.50 each.

For the mum who mastered pigeon pose during lockdown

H&S Yoga Blocks
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What to get the mum who already has a mat.

For the mum who keeps losing her phone

Tile Mate
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Very Good Deal
Tile Mate
£15

A practical gift that will pay for itself.

For the mum who loses her earrings on a fortnightly basis

Sasha Morel Solid Marble Gold Jewellery Tree
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The little dish in this jewellery stand will stop earrings and hair grips wandering off.

For the mum who says she doesn’t want anything

Alessi Spaghetti Measure
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Very Good Deal
£16

A spaghetti measurer that looks like a Henry Moore sculpture.

For the mum who says she really doesn’t want anything

Ergonauts Windproof Vented Double Canopy Travel Umbrella
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The Strategist UK is designed to surface the most useful, expert recommendations for things to buy across the vast e-commerce landscape. Read about who we are and what we do here. Our editors update links when possible, but note that deals can expire and all prices are subject to change.

36 Gifts for Every Type of Mum