What do busy moms want???

[Merandab4]

This year we are doing a christmas exchange with my DH's side of the family. I got my SIL. I have to get a gift with a limit of $25. I am stumped what to get her.

I already bought her a gift earlier this year, (before we decided to draw names). It is Donald Duck perfume. I bought it just for the novelty of it being Donald Dusck because she loves Donald. This cost between $10-15, but I do not want to count this towards th $25 limit because I don't even know if she will like the smell of it. Anyway, on to my question......
She is a 30 something mother of two small boy, ages 5 and 2. She is a director of a Daycare center. She does not cook, and really has no hobbies. Her and her DH rent a house, so she really could care less about decorations or home improvement stuf like that.
I thought about getting her The Mary Kay Satin hands set, but realized she would probably not take the time to do the 4 step process. I've also realized that just because I think she should like something really doesn't mean that she WILL like or use what I think is a neat gift. So I ask all you busy moms out there, what would make your life a little easier? What would you like?
And we are not doing gift cards this year!
Thanks for any suggestions.

 

[christinadei]

I think that the mary kay satin hands kit would be wonderful for her! She may not take the time to do it often, but she'll love it so much when she does. I really think that it's a perfect gift because it's something jsut for her and for her to pamper herself, adn I'm sure she needs it. I was giong to suggest a gift certificate for a manicure or pedicure, but you may not want to since you are not doing gift cards.

 

[ohiominnie]

She is a 30 something mother of two small boy, ages 5 and 2. She is a director of a Daycare center. She does not cook, and really has no hobbies.

How about an AMC theaters gift card and a coupon to watch the boys???

 

[kristen17]

There are also some really great super-soft robes out there this year. Bath & Body has one that was $25 if you buy something else (for yourself maybe? I'm a busy mom, and I absolutely love wrapping up in that supersoft robe at the end of the day. The hands thing sounds great, too.

 

[Wish Upon A Star]

Hmmmmmmm since you aren't doing gift cards . . . .(I was going to suggest manicure/spa/facial thingy . . .but)

How about making up a gift basket with creams, bubble bath, bottle of wine? Then wrap it in some pretty clear/colored paper?

 

[ohiominnie]

How about an AMC theaters gift card and a coupon to watch the boys???

oops. sorry, didn't see the "we aren't doing gift cards"

well, that's a shame. i prefer to give (and get) gift cards b/c i like to know that the person will get something they LIKE. i hate the feeling that i just spent $25 on something that will sit in a drawer, thrown out or (YIKES) be sold on ebay!!!!

 

[TnTWalter]

My favorite gift just for me costs exactly $25...and you can get free shipping for purchases of $25 or more at drugstore.com. I always have it on my wish list for birthdays, holidays, etc.
You can use it in tub or shower...
http://www.drugstore.com/products/p...425&trxp3=1&trxp4=1&btrx=BUY-GFI-0-BCRP-72739

My other favorite tub gift is Burt's Bee Bath Soak....mmmm.
http://www.drugstore.com/products/p...p2=45507&trxp3=1&trxp4=0&btrx=BUY-PLST-0-SRCH
It's only $15.99 and you can get it at Meijer too. I love this smell but it does not bubble much.

If she doesn't like tub/shower stuff...
Make-up or Nailpolish...If you have an Ulta, they have great make-up deals there. They have a beautiful 2 piece bare minerals eyeshadow, application brush in a pretty purple velvet pouch for $19.99. They also have great manicure sets buy Opi [the nail polish you always see when you get a manicure].

Or, if you live near her, get her a gift certificate for an actual manicure [if you can, include the tip]. That's pampering.

I bought my SIL a wire basket thing that fits across your tub [$9.99] and stuffed it with Burt's Bee Bath Soak [$16], a Sponge [$2], Candle [$2], Lotion [$4]. She loved it. You could do this and get less expensive products...

Good luck.

Trish

 

[Merandab4]

Actually, The movie certificate was not a bad idea. I had thought of that, but then it would cost them twice as much $ to get a sitter for them to go out. I live 2 hours away and will not volunteer to watch the kiddos!
But I am thinking maybe the bottle of wine and a basket of pampering items. Maybe not Mary Kay, but some nice stuff I could even find at Wal mart or Target and maybe throw in some candles. what do you think? See I always think of pampering items because thats what "I" like and think others could use it too, but then I think will she really use it? This way if I am giving her regular items she will use anyways, (soaps, shampoos, bubble bath, (Wine ..)!! Would you rather get a basket of high end items such as Mary Kay, or everyday items that you know you will use?

 

[ntburns22]

I would say to go ahead and get her the Mary Kay. I worked in daycare for about 5 years and it was the only thing I could use in the winter. My hands would get so dried out from washing them all the time.

 

[Cindy B]

I was a 30 something mom and got the Satin Hands kit as a gift from someone.

One bottle got lost (I think I put the hand cream in my car and it either got used up or fell out). I don't have the time in the morining to do all three other steps, but I really should.

It looked like a great idea on paper,but it really wasn't.

 

[thelionqueen]

I would LOVE to have someone (hmm hmm..maybe a sister in law) watch my kids so that DH and I could go out for dinner & a movie. Babysitting is always the perfect gift for a busy mom. Good Luck!

 

[etwinchester]

If you didn't want to get the whole Satin Hands Pampering set, then at least get the hand creme. It is great to use in the winter. The satin lips set is also great. I keep one in the car.

 

[shades]

I'd get her a cozy robe! I have a new super soft robe that I bought at Walmart for about 19.00! Bright red and very, very, very soft, comfy & cozy. If she has allergies or is sensitive to smells - and/or is picky about scents - I'd stay away from skin care products unless you know for certain she likes the brand you are buying. The Donald Duck perfume sounds cute, though

I used to be a really busy mom - give me something soft and cozy - something that makes me say....ahhhhhhhh;o) A 4-step process to softer hands would have been more than I had time to mess with. However, I'd love to get something like that now 'cause I have time and it isn't something I'd spend the money on for myself. But - I still think one of the newer SOFT cozy robes is the best idea - like somebody mentioned before me.

 

[MayMom]

This may sound really dumb, but we have a $20.00 exchange and I bought a Smores Maker with all the ingrediants. I think it will be a fun family thing to get for Christmas....she may like it for her kids at home or at the daycare too.

 

[HaleyB]

When in doubt go with food...

Starbucks has some nice packaged gifts. I like the coffee and chocolate box myself, it is $19.99.

 

[momxx5]

Choclate - basket of treats. She can indulge herself.

Pretty soft nice pajamas....what was the name of the fancy ones Oprah gives. I saw them pretty reasonable at JTMaxx

Something momgrammed - a daytime, a special keychain, a charm bracelet - with a charms....she can add more as life milestones approach, special necklace or locket.

 

[Disneycrazymom]

How about a scrapbooking kit? She most likely has lots of pictures of her kids and it can be relaxing to craft after the kids go to bed.

Another thought is some kind of "trendy" accessory. That is something I never spend the money on for myself!

 

[goodcook5]

this is my dream gift--uninterrupted sleep!

 

[ClarabelleCowFan]

this is my dream gift--uninterrupted sleep!

I was just going to post that! Great minds (or is that TIRED minds) think alike... Now if I would just stop DISing I might get some sleep... zzzzzzzzz

 

[HALEYSMOMMOM]

I was a 30 something mom and got the Satin Hands kit as a gift from someone.

One bottle got lost (I think I put the hand cream in my car and it either got used up or fell out). I don't have the time in the morining to do all three other steps, but I really should.

It looked like a great idea on paper,but it really wasn't.

I am a 30 something mom of a DD that just turned 6 and a Ds that is 2. I also got the satin hands from someone. DD and DS now fight over the lotion, and I don't think I've even had a chance to use it!

My suggestion is really nice bath items, not something you can just buy at target, etc., because I will do that for myself occasionally, but I don't hardly ever indulge on the nicer items. Also, at Bath and body Works I drooled over some kind of shimmer lotion and body spray they had in the vanilla Christmas scent. The robe would be great too, but she might already have something like that. And I always appreciate clothing or jewelry, maybe something with the kids birthstones, names, or something similar? I would love that!