What do busy moms want???

[disneyfanfamily]

30-something mom of 3. Stay at home mom but I babysit. The bath thing is a great idea, however, I do not have time for baths. Showers - in and out. Kids start coming at 5:30a.m. and leave at 5:30p.m. Too early to get a bath, and by the time supper and homework is over. I am too tired to get into a tub. I just want my bed .

I do like the lotion scrubs, but again....when do I have time?

I would like clothes - anything that is "in". I like the cozy bathrobe idea. They had one at WalMart - super cozy - for $19.99. I love the blanket idea. In the winter, my kids, the babysitting kids and DH all have the blankets. Leaving me with nothing....

But what I REALLY like...is food gift certificates. I know you aren't doing that, but to have a certificate for a restaurant would be awesome. We never go to nice places because it is so costly. (Bob Evans is considered nice in my household!) So to go out to eat without feeling guilty would be fabulous!

Cozy slippers would be nice too...

 

[HALEYSMOMMOM]

I think everyone who has replied to this needs to get their DH to read what we have written! Now, that would be a great Christmas for us all!

 

[wshupnastar]

Her and her DH rent a house, so she really could care less about decorations or home improvement stuf like that.
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Can I ask why she wouldn't like something for the house? I mean, I rent my home, but I still decorate, as most people I know do. Picture frames are always a nice gift. My family draws names for Christmas as well and we have the $25 limit. What I like to do is to get the "main" gift for around $20 and then find an old picture that my "person" would like and have it blown up and framed. I did this for my cousin a few years ago, found a picture of her and me as young kids and framed it. It was quite a hit, actually. In fact, the next year I drew my other cousins name (sister of the one I had the year before) and she informed me that she too expected a framed picture to go along with her gift. Now, I just kind of keep the tradition, I guess!

You have gotten lots of great ideas here, but I just wanted to mention that us renters do appreciate household decorations as well!

 

[Merandab4]

Yes, I understand about renters decorating their houses too, and I don't blame you, but her and "renting" is kind of a sore subject. Their house is very small and very cluttered and they've been wanting to buy their own home for a while now, but things have fallen through and their financial situation has not been the best if you know what I mean. So she is not really into house stuff at this point. I think she thinks of it as one more item she can pack away until she gets her own home!

Just another FYI... this maybe a little too much information, but she SIL is getting a Breast reduction in February, so clothes is out of the question. I'm not sure what size she'll be!!! But as for the robe, she got a cozy one last year. I was going to just get a 20 or $25 gift certificate to Victoria's Secret to buy some new bras since she'll be needing them anyway, but DH said that was a bad idea because you can't really even buy a bra their for $25. But I thought she could at least put it towards a nice one even if she has to pay a little extra. My other option was to get her an italian charm for her bracelet. I know her and a group of her girlfriends have a girls night out every month or two and when they get together they all bring a charm to put in a bag and then they swap. So at least if she didn't like the charm she can always use for the swap! (but then again if I do this I don't want to feel like I'm cutting in on her hobby with her friends)
BTW, I already asked her earlier this year if she scrapbooks and she said no, and she really has no desire to. I don't blame her either, she really has no room to do that.
Well, my days are limited. I better find something soon! I'll probably see her this weekend at our nephews b-day party, maybe I can scope some things out!
Thanks for all the suggestions, I just love reading them!

 

[Magical-Memories]

I know you are not supposed to do gift cards..but I personally think that a gift card to a store and a gift certificate to a restaurant are two different things. With the restaurant you are paying for the experience...and with her busy life and financial situation I bet it something that she doesn't do that often? Even if it is a restaurant that you can take the whole family too. OR Movie Tickets.

WE have a family of 6 and going to the movies or out to dinner can be so expensive. One of my SIL's gets us movie tickets every year for Christmas...again..it's not really a 'gift card' per se because you can only use it on movie tickets..and it allows you the freedom to pick the time and movie.

I don't think you can go wrong with either. I think these would be an exception to the gift card rule. And it also allows her the choice of going with the whole family or with her girlfriends or hiring a babysitter and going with just her and hubby..she can decide what her budget will allow.


Good luck and have a Merry Christmas!

 

[wshupnastar]

Ahh...now I understand the "renters dilema"....thanks for clearing it up. We rent our home, but we have a very good deal and lots of freedom...so it really isn't the same!

I like your idea about the Victoria Secret card. True, bras can be expensive there, but she could also find some great deals after the holidays. Also, I like the idea that it is a "splurge" store. Us Mom's sometimes have a hard time spending on ourselves...it's nice to give a card to somewhere you know she won't be buying toilet paper or something for the kids!

Sounds to me like you are really putting some thought into this gift, so whatever you choose, you should be proud of yourself just for all of the thought you have given it!

Oh, and I second someone's earlier suggestion...husbands should be reading this thread!

 

[mickeyluv'r]

I know you said she doesn't cook much, but one thing that my DMIL LOVES is quality olive oil and expensive balsamic vinegar! It lasts for a long time, and if she ever has bread in the house, she will be likely to use it. She uses hers with bread, salad, and almost any other Italian recipe she makes ( I mean, you can even toss this on plain pasta, and have something really yummy with almost no effort). Even if you don't cook at all, you can still eat a salad from a bag. We also use it on take out food too (nothing like a little balsamic vingar added to classic tomato sauce.) For someone who doesn't cook much, they are a very simple way to make a number of dishes taste really great, while being a little luxurious too.

The aged vinegar can run as much as $25 a bottle alone, but Trader Joe's had a very good one for a lot less.

In the olive oil, look for "First cold pressing" on the label. Also, the darker the bottle the better. Personally, my favorite is Carapelli's - dark green bottle, and it says, "For bread dipping" right on the label. It'll run about $7 a bottle, in most grocery stores.

To finish off this trio, if you still have any money left - a small block of real imported Parmesean cheese, and a baguette. Once she tries it, she'll be hooked, and you'll never have to worry about what to get her again (At least it worked that way for us !!!) My DMIL raves abou this gift every chance she gets!

 

[OceanAnnie]

This busy mom wants/likes:

A good magazine subscription! Just love it. I love to read all kinds of magazines but I don't subscribe to a lot. When I go to the doctor's/dentist I love to look at what they have in their offices! (I give magazine subscriptions as gifts too.)

Books. Does your SIL? I like mysteries and all sorts of things.

Coffee. (I like regular instant with fancy creamers. But lots of people really like the fancy coffees.)

Yankee candles. They make nice gifts. There is a nice candle warmer out now, so you don't even have to light the candle anymore! I got mine at Michael's.

HTH!

 

[Grumpy's Gal]

I am a busy mom and I just love it when someone brings dinner. ;-)
One night I won't have to cook or clean up. This may not be practical for a Christmas gift but when someone else cooks me dinner, I am in heaven!

 

[Tiffann4k]

A Maid ? Only kidding but it would be nice