What to Buy Your Mom Who's Notoriously Picky

She’ll ooh and ahh as she unwraps this super soft turtleneck. And when she tries it on, the flattering fit will have her bragging to all of her friends that you got it for her. Win.  

Consider this a long-overdue “thank-you” for all the sleepless nights she suffered during your teen years. This anti-aging, anti-crease, anti-bedhead pillowcase brings new meaning to the idea of beauty sleep.

Since you got her the pillowcase, you might as well go all in and deliver an ultra-luxe bedtime experience via this crêpe de chine silk lounge set available in a couple of colors. (We’re partial to the blush.)

Buy It ($299)

Your mom loves to host, but hates the actual hosting part. Enter this brand-new cookbook from culinary powerhouse Alison Roman, a columnist for The New York Times and Bon Appetit, who is known for her effortless excellence in the kitchen. In Nothing Fancy, she teaches exactly that. And whether she’s serving a platter of tomatoes or whipping up a coconut-braised chicken, her no-fuss approach—with an emphasis on quality—will surprise and delight your mom, but also trickle down to you. (You get to eat what your mom cooks, right?)

Let’s call a belted bag what it really is: a fanny pack. But this ’80s-inspired silhouette is back—and Tan France-approved—so your mom, who raved about their practicality throughout your entire childhood, will love the fashion twist.

Designed to do the work of eight (eight!) pieces of traditional cookware, this kitchen staple (from the co-founder of the Malala Fund) is just the kind of space-saving workhorse that your mom will love bragging about to all her friends. (Did we mention it’s non-stick and includes a nesting spatula and steamer basket?)

Our own beauty editor’s mom can attest: This was the best gift she ever received from her daughter—at least in the cosmetics category. With active ingredients that include a combination of chestnut, lavender, wild pansy and more, this product packs a punch when it comes to reviving dehydrated skin, but still feels silky smooth going on.

Not only does it weigh a fraction of what a typical hair dryer does, it dries hair faster, prevents heat damage and—perhaps most important of all—is acoustically tuned. (In other words, your mom can chat with you, her spouse, her grandkids at full volume while she gets ready and actually hear their replies over the whir of the motor.)

To say we’ve found the most comfortable flat is an understatement. The seven-layer cushion technology (complete with elevated arch support) makes it feel like you’re walking on pillows, except said pillows have been reworked to look like a sleek and sophisticated smoking slipper that comes in a variety of colors. Your mom will love, love, love.

Found: A lip color that truly is universally flattering. It also delivers a pop of red in a color that’s uniquely buildable, meaning you can make it as basic or bold as you want it to be. (Not kidding, we’ve worn it to the playground but also to happy hour.) Bonus: It’s lightweight and ultra-nourishing, meaning it’s less likely to smudge and your lips won’t flake. All selling points that will impress your mom.

Buy It ($28)

Diamonds are a girl’s mom’s best friend, but when they’re laid out as a trio—like in this delicate and perfectly understated piece—they feel extra one of a kind. (You’ll be surprised how quickly she falls in love with this pair and makes them a part of her everyday style.)

Your mom is beautiful just as she is, but that doesn’t mean she’s not always in the market for a way to improve her facial tone. Enter this multitasking handheld device. She can use it to help reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles and—even better—it’s low profile enough to fit in her purse.

OK, so you may have to go in on this with your siblings, but how much would your mom flip for a state-of-the-art TV that doubles as a work of art? Bonus: She gets to watch The Crown in 4K. A win-win.

Your mom has always been a late adopter when it comes to technology. This brand-new version of AirPods will kick her into the current century and make her feel super cool as she does the weekly grocery shop while running a conference call, all hands-free.

We already told you the fanny pack is back. But so are ’90s-esque barrettes. Come on, how cute would your mom look rocking this oversize set, made from gold-tone metal and embellished with lustrous faux pearls?

It’s on trend and it will keep you cozy. Your mom can wear this drapey leopard print number with a leather jacket—or her puffer. Either way, she’ll look chic and pulled together in an instant. Her forever goal.

If she complains about the struggle to make better use of the space that is the living room one more time, you’re going to lose it. Now, imagine her surprise when she discovers you’ve gifted her the expertise of an interior designer that will not only lay out the room based on her input and needs, but will also outfit the space by making decor recommendations so she can paint-by-number in terms of knowing exactly what she needs to buy.

True story: Every editor in our office owns this sweater in one form or another. Pass it on—in this case, to your deserving mother, who would love nothing more than getting cozy by the fire in this crew-neck style, plus a glass of wine and a good book. 

Praise be! Away finally launched its first expandable suitcase—the very thing your mom has been in search of for years and years. The best part? It comes in a variety of cool colors, including navy and green, which means you have an answer to her next question upon opening: Yes, there is a way to make it stand out on the luggage carousel.

When in doubt, pick something that will pull at her heartstrings. You can’t go wrong with this simple necklace, an homage to your lifelong relationship...in 14K yellow gold.