The best UK Christmas gifts for mums: 64 thoughtful ideas they’ll love

Mothers do A LOT in the buildup to Christmas: studies show the mental load increases significantly for women in particular. Yet while they’re often the ones finding thoughtful gifts for every relative (and their dog), they can sometimes feel a bit forgotten on the big day.

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We’re here to change that, with a selection of the best, most thoughtful gifts for mothers. You won’t find any washing-up sponges, reusable baking-tray liners or three years’ worth of pink leather driving gloves (all genuine gifts that haunt my Christmas past). But there are a few dos and don’ts.

Don’t try to squeeze your budget too hard by buying a gift that’s meant to be more expensive: if you’ve only got £20, don’t get a jumper, go for bath oil. Also, Christmas is a time for treats; please, no joke presents, as they always fall flat.

Anything homemade by your child is a win: my husband once framed a painting my kid had done that elevated it very nicely. In fact, anything homemade at all: a pal recently visited with a pot of marmalade made with her daughter from oranges in their LA garden, which gave me great joy for weeks after her visit.

Experiences are nice: last year my husband gave me 12 notecards, each with a date, time and the name of restaurants he thought we should go to for lunch. Gift vouchers are great, too, but be warned, they can get lost or expire (I just tried to use a voucher for a restaurant that closed down six months ago, and felt slightly sick at the waste).

For shop-bought presents, go for elevated versions of anything she already likes – in premium fabrics, for example – or personalised if there is the option (which there increasingly is). I always love supporting independent, ideally female-founded brands. Many of these below either have charitable elements or are B Corp companies, too, meaning they take social and environmental accountability seriously. Here are my 64 best, tried-and-tested gifts for mums.

The best gifts for mums

Home and garden

Enamel photo frame

I’m loth to share this secret, as it’s my go-to “thoughtful” gift for nearly anyone. However, as well as being a decent price for a luxury photo frame, when you add it to your basket at Addison Ross, you can upload a picture – which will then arrive already framed and wrapped in a luxurious blue box. I have several at home and have given lots more. Every room needs a pop of red, but there are more neutral colours if you’re not feeling so brave.

Hot-water bottle and eye mask

A personalised hot-water bottle (and eye mask) is an indulgent gift – you don’t need it, but I write with one of these navy ones in my lap and find it makes life cosier and prettier at the same time. Siân Esther was founded by Siân Adkins and named after her late mother. Adkins donates money from sales to the women’s charity Luminary Bakery.

Apple AirTag

Some practical presents may seem underwhelming upon unwrapping, but they will be used so much that they remain at the front of the recipient’s mind. An AirTag is just that. As someone who loses keys regularly, they’re now affixed to my key chain, giving me reassurance that my keys are in the house, or on luggage when we go away. Plus, I’m sick of reading gift guides where only men get tech suggestions. We want them, too.

Lime squeezer

This is niche, but it’s honestly a great present for someone who loves a margarita (you could pair it with a bottle of tequila).