What do busy moms who are trying to do it all want this holiday season? Anything she wouldn’t buy herself or one of her must-have favorites in an updated design, fresh new colors, or from a brand she doesn’t know about yet. Here are 15 products that I’ve had the pleasure of testing that I’m sure any mom would love to get this year but if you don’t find something that’s perfect, just remember a gift certificate for a day at the spa is always appreciated to help her regain her zen.
Diamondz On-Ear Headphones by Monster ($299)— Just because we had kids, doesn’t mean we gave up our identities. Women who love music and a bit of glam will love having a pair of her very own Diamondz headphones. Made by Monster, these premium headphones are not only gorgeous (don’t they look like gems on your ears?) but the sound is phenomenal. Plus they’re also quite comfortable! Don’t be surprised if you see mom plugged in and wearing them around the house. You’ll never know if she’s listening to music or just wearing them because they help block out external noise!
Clutchette Power by ChicBuds ($49.99)— With Clutchette Power, you’ve got phone charging in the bag… literally! Take charge of your battery life with the chic Clutchette featuring an ultrathin battery, built-in USB cords and room to carry your keys, lip gloss and other essentials! Stylish enough to be carried alone and small enough to throw into a bigger purse or bag, it’s the perfect companion for any fashionable superwoman- from the jet-setting professional, mom who enjoys a date night, and those just looking for something fashionable to carry during a girls’ night out.
Custom Photo Canvas by CanvasPop (starting at $30)— Last year I got to try CanvasPop and a year later, continue to be wowed by the high quality of the wrapped canvas print I received from them. I look at it each day and the vibrant colors still amaze me. I also appreciate that CanvasPop is probably one of the easiest sites I’ve ever tried for printing photo canvases. Ordering is as easy as uploading an image from your computer, Facebook, or Instagram account and letting CanvasPop take care of making your image look amazing on canvas. But trust me, with the ease of going from digital to canvas and quality unlike any of the other canvases that I’ve ordered to date, there’s a reason why CanvasPop makes my list for holiday gifts for the second year in a row. For my full review, visit this post: CanvasPop Transforms Digital Images into Gorgeous Large Format Canvas Prints.
Liquid Courage Cosmetics ($18-20)— When you have the opportunity to meet the person behind a brand and learn a little bit about who they are, what makes them tick, and why they started their business, it always feels a little better to support them. Especially when that entrepreneur is Roshell Rosemond, creator of Liquid Courage Cosmetics. Roshell not only makes amazing lipstick in an array of gorgeous long lasting lip colors that somehow work well on every skin tone (trust me, I tried them at Blogalicious where everyone standing around the table had a different skin tone) but she’s a sunny individual who goes out of her way to support others and ensure that her customers are happy while providing positive messaging about real women and beauty. I loved that even after I tried her lipsticks at Blogalicious, we were messaging about the right shades for me via the Liquid Courage Cosmetics Facebook page. For anyone who is curious, I have the Blogalicious shade, Rich Red, and Fruit Punch lipsticks and a gorgeous red gloss called Cherry on Top. Roshell is offering Tech Savvy Mama readers a free matte lipstick with a purchase of $50 or more.
Desktop Planner by MomAgenda ($30)— Despite the digital age, some moms really appreciate a paper calendar. I know because I’m one of them and my longtime favorite is MomAgenda. I love that the calendar that starts in August 2014 and stretches 18 months to December 2015, it slips nicely into a purse or laptop bag without a lot of added bulk, and the cheery color of the cover helps brightens any day where I dread the items on my to-do list. There are monthly and weekly views for the year ahead. The monthly calendars are towards the front while the majority of the pages are weekly. I love having access to both to see the month at a whole but then being able to plan out my days via the weekly pages. Plus the whole planner lies flat on which makes for a nice writing surface.
Sound Rise by SoundFreaq ($79.99)— Mornings are always better when you can wake up to your own music rather than the annoying beep of the alarm clock. The compact Sound Rise has a small footprint as to not take up too much room on your nightstand as it streams music from your smartphone, tablet, or computer. If you don’t want to wake up to streaming music from the dual alarms with weekday and weekend settings, you can still select FM radio or the dreaded buzzer. A USB power port helps keeps devices charge while connected to streaming too so you don’t miss your morning music wakeup because of a dead device.
The Cavalier T-Shirt by Threadsmiths (about $55)— I am forever wary of a white t-shirt because while I love how crisp and clean they look, an errant drop always has a way of ruining the ones I have with the first wearing. Now I can put my hesitation aside thanks to Threadsmith’s The Cavalier. Threadsmith understands how impossible it is to keep white shirts clean and have created a 100% cotton shirt with hydrophobic nanotechnology to repel water, dirt, and even coffee and wine. I love that this shirt is beautifully designed with a lovely scoop neck and flattering cut that’s not too slim or too baggy. It’s oh so soft because it is 100% cotton and as promised, The Cavalier has resisted stains that other Ts simply can’t avoid. It’s definitely a great gift for any mom who values fashion and practical applications of new technology to everyday products.
100 Good Deeds Bracelet ($30)— Serving as a call to do anonymous good deeds while empowering women, the concept is simple. The hand-braided bracelet created by women in Haiti, Uganda, Rwanda, Zambia, and Johannesburg is worn around your wrist and every time you complete an anonymous good deed, you slide the rubber ring closer to the brass button. How does the bracelet help others? It’s twofold. Not only is a purchase of a 100 Good Deeds Bracelet supporting vulnerable women around the world jobs but you’re also contributing to good deeds done around the world. Every time you move the ring over a single bead, you’ve done something kind for someone else. 100 Good Deeds Bracelets are also included in my Gifts that Give Back gift guide.
Step Wireless Earbuds by Jabra ($49.99 on Amazon, retail price $69.99)— New since August, Jabra’s new Step Wireless earbuds are ideal for wireless newbies who want to listen to music, play games or take and make calls when on the go or working out. They’re easy to pair with your mobile device, durable enough to be thrown in a gym bag or purse, and nicely priced so they don’t break the bank.
Symmetry Case by Otterbox ($39.95-44.95)— Gone are the days of boring solid phone cases designed with men in mind when it comes to cases that truly protect your phone. The OtterBox Symmetry Series is a slim single piece case that doesn’t add bulk to the device. It features wraparound graphics or solid colors in a variety of color pairings but protects your device thanks to an internal shock absorbing system and raised beveled edge to protect the screen from drops. When I don’t need my OtterBox Resurgence case for the extra power, I swap it out for my Symmetry. Available for iPhone 5/5s and 6 as well as Samsung S4 and S5s.
Peyton Satchel by Robert Matthew Bags ($199)— Every woman needs a great multitasking bag and that works as a stylish bag to tote your laptop or tablet, chic weekend tote, and is suitable for a night out. The Peyton Satchel from Robert Matthew Bags is a great investment that can become her signature piece that transitions well to suit any need. Wide double handles make this bag comfortable to carry and the studs provide some great day into night detail. Lots of compartment inside help her keep her items organized instead of having them fall into an abyss at the bottom. If she’s more of a small bag person who can’t be without a purse, check out the Sofia Leather Shoulder Clutch ($168) that can be used as a wristlet or a shoulder bag but is the perfect size for everyday essentials.
Money to shop LivetheLook.com— Sometimes you need a little something to give some new life to the clothes already in your wardrobe and LivetheLook.com can help. The idea of the site is to use standard favorites of items you already have like a little black dress, white t-shirt, favorite jeans, a blazer, and black pants and discover unique, high quality clothing and accessories to add to your wardrobe without breaking the bank or overhauling your closet. With just a few questions about the items you already have, your size in tops, dresses, pants, and shoes, and your overall style, LivetheLook.com creates a shop tailored to what you like and what you already own. You can also shop by looks including ladylike, casual, preppy or bohemian. It’s a fun site that makes you realize that with just a new piece or two, you can give clothes you already own a completely new look!
FashionABLE Scarves (starting at $36 )— FashionABLE serves as a long-term effort to fight poverty by providing opportunities for women in Africa through the creation of scarves and accessories. The scarves are a personal favorite because of their stunning colors and patterns. FashionABLE is also a company that promotes economic development for women, assists them in starting small business cooperatives, and requires the manufacturers they work with to provide fair wages and hiring practices to the women they work with. FashionABLE is also included in my Gifts that Give Back gift guide.
Jijamas ($90) — This time of year I long for all things that are cozy and comfortable and if your mom does too, treat her to a pair of luxurious pajamas that are soft, stylish, and anything but frumpy. Jijamas are my new favorites because they’re more like loungewear that remind me of high end robes in spas and luxury hotels. Beautiful hues in either a solid top or pants with a coordinating striped pattern ensure there’s a set to match everyone’s color preference. Plus since they get softer with each wash, you can be assured that Jijamas are a pair of PJs that she’ll love wearing throughout the year.
Jewelry from Megs Broken Wings (pieces starting at $18)— Described as shabby chic,whimsical, and inspirational pieces from Megs Broken Wings is is made with beads, a variety of raw metals, and lots of love to make a statement. The affordably priced line also shows that it doesn’t cost a fortune to have beautiful personalized jewelry made that she’ll cherish forever. Personal favorites include the Double Heart Monogram Initial Ring (upper right- $22), Family Pendant Bar Necklace (left- $22), and the Two Peas in a Pod Personalized Name Necklace (bottom right- $32).
Amazon Affiliate links included in this post. All images courtesy of the companies. Samples were received for testing purposes but no compensation was received for featuring any of the products in my gift guide. All opinions are my own.