Here are a few gifts I think would make fantastic gifts for all the moms on your shopping list. Here is to more love, health, wellness and beauty in 2014! Happy Holidays!
For The Giver. Making a donation in the name of a loved one is something everyone can feel good about. There are so many charities; give to your favorite or to a charity your gift recipient loves. Some of my favorites charities are the USO (for only $15 dollars you can send a comfort food care package to troops), and the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, which I like to donate to in honor of my mom, a breast cancer survivor. An organization I also really like is Mom’s Demand Action, a group that works to protect America’s kids from gun violence.
For The Fitness Freak. For the active mom in your life, consider getting her the FitBit, a device which tracks how much you walk, exercise, calories burned and more. And you can link it with your friends or spouse and get a friendly competition going!
For The Beauty Junkie. Ever heard of a beauty Advent Calendar? There’s this cool one by Benefit: open each door and you get one new beauty surprise each day of December. There is also one by Ciate for the nail polish freak in your life. Of course a tired momma will never turn down a gift certificate to a spa, especially if you also schedule the childcare so she can actually use it in a timely manner! I highly endorse my place of employment, Soho Sanctuary, for excellent massages and facials for women in all stages of life–including pre-natal, post-natal and beyond. There is also a very cool looking at-home spa set by Amore Pacific for the do-it-yourselfer.
For The Foodie. I canvassed my moms group to find out what they were craving this year and my super sassy foodie friend Joanne suggested the following books, which sound awesome: The New Brooklyn Cookbook: Recipes and Stories from 31 Restaurants that Put Brooklyn on the Culinary Map and Mark Bittman’s latest food book, VB6- Eat Vegan before 6:00 to Lose Weight and Restore Health.
I also know that so many moms, including me, love our slow cookers! It makes mealtimes a breeze, especially if you want to add more veggies into your family meals or are trying to eat healthy. My pal Anna has this slow cooker, which she loves.
Also mentioned by my pal Louise are cooking classes for the mom who loves to cook and try new things. Here is a place in Brooklyn that hosts great classes.
For The Techie. For the new mom or pregnant mom who is tech-savvy, consider the Itzbeen Pocket Nanny Baby Care Timer. It helps keep track of breast feeding sessions and diaper changes all in one place. We all know how sleep deprivation and neurosis can take over in those first days of babyhood, so this device will give peace of mind to new moms who want all their baby’s data in one place. It can also help coordinate with caregivers or grandparents who help care for the baby.
For The Literary Junkie. My friend Joanne is also an avid reader and said anything by Alice Munro is great for “literary nerds” (check out this title). For music lovers, “How Music Works,” by David Byrne of the Talking Heads is a nice gift. On my nightstand is “Detroit Rock City: The Uncensored History of Rock ‘n’ Roll in America’s Loudest City,” which I can’t wait to have a moment to enjoy.
For The Decorator. PinkCheek Studios on Etsy makes custom mobiles of your family that are so freakin’ cute!
For The Fashionista. Catbird, a store based in Williamsburg and online has really awesome jewelry. They specialize in those tiny stacking rings that are popular now as well as lots of other drool-worthy gifts. A gift certificate there would be adored by any fashionable momma. I also love the Boerum Hill boutique, Kaight. Much of what they sell is eco-friendly and always super-cute. They have some sherling clog booties I have my eye on, which are der rigueur for all Brooklyn moms!
For The Culture Fiend. Last but not least, why not treat momma to some BAM (Brooklyn Academy of Music) cash? (And get a sitter?!) Husbands are bound to get some lovin’ under the mistletoe for this I am sure!
