News The 44 best gift ideas for mom this holiday season

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Mothers deserve anything they want, and we’ve got a few dozen gift ideas that should make most moms happy.

Updated Dec 17, 2025, 11:54 PM UTC

Cameron Faulkner is an editor covering deals and gaming hardware. He joined in 2018, and after a two-year stint at Polygon, he rejoined The Verge in May 2025.

Your mom deserves the best, and we’re going to help you get them something special. The right gift can make family or friend time more valuable, after all, or it can greatly enrich time spent alone. If your mom says that she has all that she needs, don’t take her word for it and show up empty-handed. Instead, peruse this handy guide, sorted by price, to find a gift that she’ll remember for years to come.


There are plenty of ideas below that can show the maternal figure in your life that you know them well — such as the practical yet elegant Oura Ring 4, which can help her track her vitals and stay on track with her fitness goals. Apple’s new AirPods Pro 3, meanwhile, can provide stellar sound for her favorite tracks (and heart rate tracking, to boot). And if you’re unsure what your mom will like, we’ve included a host of unique ideas to help you navigate that ambiguity, from a trendy-looking monocular to a one-of-a-kind membership fit for any film buff.

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Rechargeable batteries are great, but loading them into a charging dock can be annoying. Instead, opt for a four-pack of Paleblue’s AA alternatives, each of which can be used more than 1,000 times and features a USB-C port for quick, easy charging.

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Smart rings exist for fitness-minded people who don’t want to wear a clunky tracker. The Oura Ring 4 is made with titanium, and its hardware and software are among the most refined available. The only real caveat? Some of the best features require a monthly subscription fee.

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Randall Munroe of XKCD webcomic fame wrote an absurdist guide to using math and science — taken to the absolute extreme — to answer basic questions about life, like how to charge a cellphone, how to take a selfie, and how to power your home by destroying the fabric of space-time. You know, basic stuff.

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Part wall wart, part magnetic wireless charger, Twelve South’s StandBy-ready PowerBug is about as unique as chargers come. The simple contraption can top off both MagSafe and Qi2-compatible devices — including the latest Google Pixel models — while simultaneously supplying 35W charging speeds to a second gadget via USB-C.

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This past year might not have been as life-shattering for most as 2020, but we’d argue life doesn’t have to be pure chaos for a stress ball to come in handy. The NeeDoh Groovy Glob, like all of Schylling’s colorful dough-filled shapes, makes for an inexpensive release that can be squeezed, squashed, and pulled to your heart’s content.

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No matter where your mom lives, the Aura Aspen can help her feel close to friends and family. The 12-inch display has an antiglare screen, slim bezels, and a 4:3 aspect ratio, all of which help make it look like a real photo frame. It can showcase images via Google Photos, iCloud Photos, or Aura’s companion app.

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The Fanttik X8 Apex is the kind of gift that keeps on giving, even if you’d prefer to never use it. The compact tire inflator features a built-in LCD display and can deliver up to 150psi, allowing your giftee to quickly top off their car or road bike with the right amount of air. It even functions as a power bank and charges via USB-C, just to make things easy.

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Most mobile controllers are made to fit a smartphone, or perhaps an iPad Mini at most. However, Razer’s latest high-end gamepad can stretch to accommodate a 13-inch iPad Pro or Android tablet, turning your slate into a giant handheld with full-size TMR joysticks and a pair of programmable buttons.

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A basic timer may seem like a thoughtless gift, but there are many tasks we procrastinate on every day that could be more easily managed if we dedicated a little bit of time to them. A visual Pomodoro timer, such as the colorful MOD (Home Edition), is key to helping break tasks into manageable, bite-size chunks.

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Bird Collective’s embroidered, adjustable caps are better than most hats because they have birds on them. These one-size-fits-most corduroy hats feature a selection of feathery friends that mom will love, including chickadees, sandpipers, kestrels, owls, and more.

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The latest AirPods Pro are packed with small yet worthwhile improvements, the most notable being a built-in heart rate sensor. They also boast enhanced bass, support Apple’s new live translation feature, and come with an extra-extra small set of ear tips, totaling five in all.

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Camp Snap’s rechargeable digital camera is more about vibes than it is cutting-edge features. It draws inspiration from the iconic Super 8 models of the 1970s, and as such, it lacks a screen. Still, it can record with a filter applied (or not) and in multiple aspect ratios, including those fit for the big screen and social media.

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Amazon gave its Kindle lineup a much-needed jolt with the introduction of the Kindle Colorsoft last year, its first color E Ink ebook reader. Now it’s back with a cheaper 16GB model that offers many of the same perks, including up to eight weeks of battery life and a 7-inch display that’s great for comics and graphic novels.

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When I go on a trip, I always pack my white noise machine before anything else. LectroFan’s basic offering makes staying in an Airbnb or hotel feel more like home with a selection of deep, non-looping sounds — including lesser-known color variants — which help reduce external noise to a low murmur.

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Cassettes, like some other physical media formats, are having a moment. We Are Rewind is capitalizing on that fact with a modern aluminum deck that looks Walkman-esque but comes equipped USB-C charging, Bluetooth 5.1, and a rechargeable battery that provides up to 12 hours of continuous playback.

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Who would win in a battle of Shakespearean wit versus witchcraft? You and up to three other players will find out in Unmatched, a tabletop system that’s easy to pick up and fun to expand with additional sets, including tactical kits based on The Witcher, Ninja Turtles, and other properties.

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Hades II was in early access for what seems like forever, but now that it’s officially out, it’s hard to put down. The flashy roguelike is full of action-packed battles and cheeky Greek gods, along with the kind of progression system that makes you feel like you’re getting better with each run. Needless to say, the 1.0 update was worth the wait.

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The latest MacBook Pro doesn’t look any different from the previous model, but thanks to Apple’s M5 chip, it’s the model to buy if you want the fastest 14-incher available. Plus, it retains all the features that made the M4 model great, including a terrific 12-megapixel webcam and all-day battery life.

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Flats are an unsung godsend. They’re comfy but still fashionable enough that you can wear them in casual and professional settings alike. Rothy’s makes a wide variety of washable, durable flats, with The Point II being one of the most popular options. They also come in multiple colors and patterns, so you can style the shoes as you please.

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There are alternatives that don’t cost as much as the One, but Xreal’s glasses offer some of the best performance you can get in a pair of AR shades. They connect to your phone and some handheld gaming PCs via USB-C, and once connected, you can use them to watch movies and play games.

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You don’t need to spend over $1,000 to nab a fantastic OLED TV. LG’s 55-inch B4 offers many of the same highlights as newer models, only with a slightly dimmer display. You’ll get a 120Hz screen with four HDMI 2.1 ports, VRR support, and — of course — the kind of inky blacks for which OLED sets are known.

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Let’s face it, there are some real A24 fanatics out there who will show up at the theater for every film the distributor puts out. If you happen to know someone who is that devoted, an AAA24 subscription is a great way to set them up with free movie tickets on opening weekend, discounts, quarterly zines, and more.

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Whether they’re gaming on a PC or a Nintendo Switch 2, 8BitDo’s Pro 3 controller might be just what they need. The wireless gamepad features a PlayStation-style layout and excellent comfort, plus face buttons that can be easily removed and rearranged for their platform of choice.

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Don’t call the TV Steamer 4K a Chromecast, even if it is quite similar in some ways. Google’s latest set-top box offers considerably more power, along with increased memory, more storage, and a built-in ethernet port, resulting in the company’s best streaming device yet.

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Long nails may look pretty, but they’re a real pain to type with. Luckily, there’s the Tippy Type, a silicone keyboard cover that aims to solve that problem with tall, tower-like cylindrical keys. It’s designed to provide extra room for your nails so you can type comfortably and accurately, all while protecting your expensive manicure.

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Whether you’re into birding, hiking, or just getting a closer look at far-off signs and locales, you’ll look cool whipping out the ol’ Zoom Tube. This monocular telescope comes in some truly fabulous color schemes, and even if it can’t rival a legitimate pair of binos, it still affords you crystal clear 8x magnification and a terrific field of view.

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There aren’t many battery packs as versatile as Anker’s Laptop Power Bank, which features both a retractable USB-C cable and a second that doubles as a lanyard. The 25,000mAh charger tops out at 165W speeds when charging two devices simultaneously, or 130W when charging three or four.

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Instant cameras let us live in the moment more than phones can, and the Polaroid Flip is one of our favorite models. The vintage-look shooter greatly reduces the likelihood of wasted film with four auto-changing lenses, sonar-powered autofocusing, and other handy features. Just make sure to grab some black-and-white or color I-Type film to go with it.

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Anker’s 2-in-1 USB-C cable is like picking up two cables for the price of one. Once plugged into a powerful wall adapter, the two-headed gizmo can split up to 140W between a pair of devices, so you don’t have to choose which to charge later.

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Remind yourself of the summer months ahead, flush with ripe, succulent heirloom tomatoes, with this replica beeswax candle that can burn for up to 20 hours. Though it’s so scrumptious-looking, you may not wish to melt it away.

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Sony recently introduced a set of wired in-ear monitors (IEMs) tuned specifically for first-person shooters. The InZone E9 are lightweight and comfortable, and they’re made to help you listen for vital audio cues to get the drop on your enemies in Battlefield Redsec, Apex Legends, or whatever battle royale title strikes your mom’s fancy.

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The latest D&D starter set was built to ease the learning curve of the legendary tabletop game (and to make it more fun). It’s still the endlessly deep game you may know and love, but thanks to a handy quick-start guide and a trove of immersive handouts, it functions as a far better on-ramp for new players.

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Ultrawide monitors rule, but finding the right space-saving arm to prop up your mammoth display isn’t always easy, nor cheap. Fortunately, Vivo’s ultrawide desk mount looks good, helps conceal your cables, and lets you position your monitor however you’d like — that is, assuming it’s no larger than 49 inches in size.

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If you ever wished you could set up a (somewhat) legit ice cream shop at home, there’s the Ninja Creami Scoop & Swirl. The clever 2-in-1 machine can spin up soft serve and traditional hard scoops in a few easy steps, not to mention creamy milkshakes, gelato, and frozen yogurt. Plus, it doesn’t require you to leave a tip, which is a rarity in this day and age.

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Finding the ideal book light can be challenging, but this clip-on pick from 86lux ticks a lot of boxes for the price. You can crank it up to 40 lumens or drop it to as low as five, or bask in the glow of cool, natural, or warm light. It also has USB-C, along with a flexible design that allows you to rotate the light to avoid disturbing others.

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When managed correctly, bamboo draws sustenance from its roots for nearly infinite growth — but growing it indoors requires patience and ongoing care. Lego’s Lucky Bamboo set can be great for someone who loves the look of bamboo but not necessarily the maintenance. Building the 325-piece set still takes a while, but when you’re done, you’re done for good.

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If mom’s an Pixel phone user, there’s no better smartwatch to pair with it than the Pixel Watch 4. Google’s latest wearable ups the ante with a chic domed display, plus improved battery life and activity tracking. You also get access to Gemini, which is accessible via a surprisingly natural raise-to-talk gesture.

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Meet the miniature carpet and upholstery cleaner that can fix some mighty messes, from pet marks to wine spills. It doesn’t change the fact that everyday stains are a pain, but the Little Green Mini lets you spray, scrub, and suction them away with less effort than you might expect.

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Although Amacool’s rechargeable fan is advertised to fit on a stroller, its bendable arms make it a versatile pick if you need to stay cool wherever you are. The miniature three-speed fan even features USB-C charging and a string of LEDs, letting you shine a light when you need it most.

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If the mom in your life has young children, she might be adamant about limiting screentime. But with the Nex Playground, kids can stay active with motion-controlled games on the TV instead of lounging. Zap their energy, not hers.

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The Nuki Smart Lock is easy to install and easy to use. It’s a smart retrofit solution, letting you swap out your old doorknob for something that you can lock or unlock with the push of a button.

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You may be able to download topo maps on your iPhone thanks to iOS 18, but AllTrails remains a terrific resource for any adventure nut. The Plus subscription grants access to 3D maps and all sorts of real-time data, including light pollution and weather, as well as wrong-turn alerts to help you avoid any supposed “shortcuts.”

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Uncorking a nice bottle of wine doesn’t have to be a painful experience. Houdini’s electric corkscrew can remove it with ease at the touch of a button. It’s made of a mix of stainless steel and black polycarbonate plastic, and it can uncork quite a few bottles (at least a dozen or more) before the battery needs changing.

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For just $14, you can get your mom a vessel that’ll stand out in the cupboard. The 15-ounce mug looks ritzy but comes at an affordable price point and is part of Anthropologie’s larger tiled collection. This means that, if your mom falls in love with the look, there’s an assortment of matching plates, platters, and other household wares to choose from.

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Photographer, photo editor: Amelia Holowaty Krales


Art director and designer: Cath Virginia


Creative director: Kristen Radtke