Our Moms Are Impossible to Shop for, but These 9 Gifts Got Their Stamp of Approval

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Mother knows best.

Every Mother’s Day, birthday, and Christmas without fail, I’m always stumped on what to buy for my mom. Although I consider myself to be a top-notch gift giver, she’s the one person in my life I’m consistently scrambling to find something for—not only is she a minimalist, but she also has very specific taste.

To get some much-needed inspiration for the upcoming holiday season, I asked my fellow writers and editors at InStyle to share the gifts that have been a hit with their moms in the past—and naturally, this group of shopping experts delivered. From cozy robes to chic tote bags, these editor-loved finds are sure to delight even the hardest-to-please moms, and they’re all available on Amazon.

9 Editor-Loved Gift Ideas For Picky Moms

• Madewell The Essential Leather Tote, $188

• Brightland Olive Oil Duo, $59 with Prime (Originally $74)

• Drowsy Luxury Silk Sleep Mask, $79

• Kai Body Butter, $54

• Drybar The Single Shot Round Blow-Dryer Brush, $109 (Originally $155)

• Barefoot Dreams CozyChic Lite HE Ribbed Robe, $81 (Originally $118)

• Ilios Lighting Makeup Mirror and Ring Light Bundle, $269 (Originally $278)

• Laboratoires Embryolisse Lait-Crème Concentré, $17

• Aura Home Digital Picture Frame, $139 (Originally $149)

Madewell The Essential Leather Tote

$188 at Amazon

I gifted my mom a version of this Madewell tote years ago, and she's still carrying it. The leather bag is spacious, durable, and really versatile. That classic brown is easy to dress up and down, and the roomy interior allows her to use it as a work bag. — Kaelin Dodge, InStyle Writer

Brightland Olive Oil Duo

$59 at Amazon

Two years living in Italy made my mom an olive oil snob. As it turns out, Brightland's oils actually taste as delightful as they appear. In addition to functioning as cheery décor, the vessels are UV-protected to ensure the contents remain as scrumptious as intended. My mom has already replenished the set I gifted her last year, and she swears it's so good she could practically drink it straight.  — Sophie Wirt, InStyle Writer

Drowsy Luxury Silk Sleep Mask

$79 at Amazon

$79 sounds steep for an eye mask—until you experience this plush, snooze-enhancing option from cool girl brand Drowsy. After trying one for myself and sleeping significantly more soundly, I gifted one to my mom. She's similarly enthralled with the silky, stylish mask, which acts like blackout shades for your eyes and blocks snooze-disrupting light.  — Sophie Wirt, InStyle Writer

Kai Body Butter

$54 at Amazon

My mom goes through body butter like it's water, and this luxe, souffle-like option is right at the top of her winter restock list. Of course, she loves it for its light and refreshing gardenia scent, but moisturizing shea butter and vitamins A, C, and E make this formula one she reaches for time and time again. — Zarah Kavarana, Associate Editorial Director

Drybar The Single Shot Round Blow-Dryer Brush

$109 at Amazon

I bought my mom a DryBar blow-dryer brush years ago, and she still uses it every day. Not only did the hair tool cut her getting ready time in half, but it makes her look like she stepped out of the salon every time she goes to work. — Eden Lichterman, InStyle Editor

Barefoot Dreams CozyChic Lite HE Ribbed Robe

$81 at Amazon

My mom is one of those "I don't need anything" people, but she loved this cozy robe I gifted her back in 2021. It's one of the softer things I've ever touched, but the fabric doesn't necessarily read as pajamas, so it looks put together, too. — Emily Kelleher, Evergreen & Special Projects Editor 

Illios Lighting Makeup Mirror and Ring Light Bundle

$269 at Amazon

My 71-year-old mom used to bemoan the lack of light and clarity her vanity mirror provided. Then, I gave her the Ilios—the caviar of makeup mirrors. The hi-tech, illuminated magnifying mirror is among the most well-received gifts I've ever given my mom, who says she can finally make eyeliner look perfect on her "old, crinkly" lids. The mirror illuminates around the perimeter with adjustable brightness. Plus, it offers three true-to-life light temperatures—one of which mimics natural daylight—to give a preview of how makeup looks in different scenarios. — Sophie Wirt, InStyle Writer

Laboratoires Embryolisse Lait-Crème Concentré

$17 at Amazon

This past summer, I traveled to Paris for the first time, and obviously, my first stop was hitting up the French pharmacy. Along with snagging several new beauty buys for myself, I grabbed this popular hydrating cream for my mom, which she says makes her skin feel “silky smooth.” Unbeknownst to me until recently, the cream is sold on Amazon, meaning you can treat your mom (and yourself) without ever leaving the country.  — Isabel Bekele, InStyle Writer

Aura Home Digital Picture Frame

$137 at Amazon

My future mother-in-law loves when my fiancé and I send her photos from vacation. This digital photo frame allows me to do exactly that—in real time and more tangibly than in a text message—simply by uploading my snaps to Aura's app. Once uploaded, the photographs appear directly on her frame at home. — Sophie Wirt, InStyle Writer