What do you get for the mom whose taste for the finer things means she’s only ever filling her closets and shelves with designer goods? Oftentimes, for nearly impossible-to-please mothers, size doesn’t matter — but a fancy brand name does. And the nice thing about many fancy brands is that unwrapping their less expensive stuff offers the same thrill as unwrapping any of their pricier things. Below, we’ve rounded up 20 of the most affordable gifts — that are still really thoughtful — from the nicest brands, any of which we think would impress the very picky mother (or mother figure) in your life.
A full-size bottle of Maison Francis Kurkdjian’s Baccarat 540 is over $300, but the candle, which uses the same scent, is just $120. With notes of ambroxan (a dry, woody aroma), cedar, and saffron, Mom’s home will be transformed into a warm, woody oasis.
If she’s more of a Le Labo person, this gel wash with a fresh citrusy scent is more affordable than the brand’s candles.
While a new fridge might be out of the question, Smeg makes a nice-looking electric kettle. It’s available in a range of glossy shades and made of double walled steel so the outside of the kettle stays cool even when the water inside is piping hot.
This cheeky Anya Hindmarch eye mask will help her catch up on her beauty sleep.
For the mom who buys all her produce at the farmers’ market, a roomy canvas tote from JW Anderson.
In this sample-size bottle, the culty cream said to be the secret behind “rich-person skin” is priced closer to a normal person’s budget.
Paravel makes some of our favorite luggage and travel accessories — its products have made our lists of the best fanny packs, packing cubes, duffels, and more. This cosmetics case is see-through on the sides so she can view all her odds and ends and trimmed with the same canvas material as the brand’s stylish weekender bag. If you want to personalize the gift, it can be monogrammed for an added fee.
If she’s into jewelry, consider this ring from cool person–approved designer Spinelli Kilcollin. The brand has lots of stackable, jeweled options, but it has simple bands too, like this silver ring that has the designer’s signature loops.
A statusy puzzle bag from Loewe will run you thousands of dollars, but the brand also makes nice-smelling, covetable scents for the home. The smallest candle is a little over $100, but you can gift the bar soap (which comes in the herbaceous scent Oregano) for a little less than $50. It’ll upgrade her bath routine and create a spa-like oasis without having to leave home.
For for an even less expensive but still luxe soap, try this water-lily-scented bar from fragrance house Claus of Porto, which Strategist senior editor Hilary Reid discovered during a trip to Portugal with friends. The packaging, she says, makes the soap almost too good to wash with regularly, but the scent compelled her to use it all the time.
Jonathan Adler’s vases are surprisingly budget-friendly, given that the brand’s furniture often starts in the thousand-dollar range and goes up from there. This one would look nice with a single stem.
She’ll appreciate the cult-favorite Dior Lip Oil, which has been spotted on the mouths of celebrities far and wide after becoming a viral hit in 2021. It gives lips a glittering shine and a hint of color, and it’s a good way to give your mom a bit of Dior without springing for a bag or a pair of espadrilles.
This is technically a notebook insert meant to be slipped inside a leather notebook cover. But with a forest green cover stamped with the Hermès seal, we think it’s impressive enough to use on its own. (Also impressive: finding something for under $100 from Hermès!) The notebook’s pages are unlined, allowing for more free-form scribbling, and it comes in a few other colors beyond green if that’s not Mom’s style.
A sleek branded tumbler from Saint Laurent will serve as a constant reminder for Mom to up her water intake.
A trendy bucket hat courtesy of cool-girl brand Jacquemus that will signal to friends and passersby that she’s with the times.
Staub’s larger Dutch ovens go for a couple hundred bucks, but this set of three mini-cocottes in a vibrant cherry red would be just as useful if she’s cooking for one (or two).
You truly can’t go wrong with anything that comes wrapped in a Tiffany-blue package — including this crystal catchall.
She’ll love the bright, zigzag pattern on this (full-size) bath towel from Missoni, which can double as a décor in her bathroom thanks to its graphic print.
Strategist beauty columnist Rio Viera-Newton and celebs including Brooke Shields love Dr. Barbara Sturm’s typically expensive skin care. This face mist — which is not sample size and falls at the less expensive end of the line — contains super-moisturizing hyaluronic acid, making it a great thing to give just as warm weather heats up.
Rio also swears by this “wonderfully smooth and long-lasting” lipstick. It would be the perfect beauty pick-me-up for a mom who loves looking glam.
The Strategist is designed to surface the most useful, expert recommendations for things to buy across the vast e-commerce landscape. Some of our latest conquests include the best acne treatments, rolling luggage, pillows for side sleepers, natural anxiety remedies, and bath towels. We update links when possible, but note that deals can expire and all prices are subject to change.
