15 Gifts Mums Secretly Want To Receive

Here’s the sad, uncomfortable truth about being a mum. They stop getting good gifts. After having kids, mums are almost an afterthought in the grand scheme of gift prioritising.

If you have handed a mum gifts for her baby/child without considering the mother’s needs and wants, shame on you. Actually, we’ve all probably done that before.

And we are here to say that this is not okay.

It’s time to put the mother at the heart of your gifting plan. Whatever you are buying for her kids will soon be outgrown or worse, not to their taste – unless the kids already have it on their wishlist.

Get a mum a thoughtful gift that says “you matter”, and she will remember you for a lifetime. Promise.

Gifts under $50

1. Loop Quiet 2 Ear Plug, S$26.95, Amazon

Whether she's bothered by a snoring bedfellow or looking to get some respite from noisy kids while trying to nap, these reusable earplugs muffle background sounds so she can catch a few more winks. Crafted using lightweight and flexible silicone, and with four ear tip sizes (XS/S/M/L), they promise to offer comfort day and night, even for side-sleepers.

2. Aromatica Quinoa Protein Hair Ampoule, $31.56, Amazon

Gift the gift of softer, more manageable hair with aromatherapy-based hair and body care brand Aromatica's Quinoa Protein Hair Ampoule. It's fuss-free too, with just a few quick spritzes needed on towel-dried hair. The hydrating cream-based spray is formulated with quinoa seed extract to nourish her strands, leaving them smoother and softer without weighing them down. Bonus: It has a delicate botanical scent, too.

3. Mug Warmer, $46.62, Amazon

She'll never have to sit down to a cold cuppa again with this mug warmer, be it at home or in the office. There are three temperature settings: 50, 70, and 80 degrees Celsius, as well as a handy auto turn-off function with a one-to-nine-hour timer. Plus, that chic wood base is a bonus.

Gifts from $50 to $100

4. Future Beauty Drops No. 3, $67, Freia Aesthetics

If her skin's stressed out and in need of rescuing, try Future's Beauty Drops No. 3, a balancing moisturising serum made of plant extracts and rich in silk protein that targets unbalanced skin — think troublesome zits and irritable, eczema-prone skin. Raved about by one of our editors and a winner of our Best Beauty Buys 2024 for Combi Skin, this soothes calms, hydrates, and helps fight acne-causing bacteria.

5. Tea for one set, $70 to $95, T2

For tea-loving mums, unwinding with a calming cup of tea after a busy day (once the kids are tucked in) is pure bliss. Make her me-time extra luxe with a gorgeous tea-for-one set from T2, with various designs to choose from. Each includes a teapot, a cup, and a stainless-steel tea strainer.

6. Isabelle Soft Bralette, $79, Perk By Kate

Pretty lingerie might not be on her radar when juggling a million things. But if you're her bestie or spouse and know her size, gifting a pretty set, like this embroidered lace design from local label Perk By Kate, can be a beautiful reminder that she deserves to feel special and confident.

7. Dream Capsule Daily Overnight Sleeping Mask, $89, Sigi Skin

Especially if she doesn't have time for a multi-step nightly routine, this overnight sleeping mask by local label Sigi Skin pulls double duty to help smooth and hydrate skin. It uses bakuchiol — a 100% plant-derived alternative to retinol — that moisturise, boosts collagen production, and helps reduce fine lines. It also has a subtle lavender scent that'll help her drift off to slumberland.

Plus, this was on The Weekly's Best Beauty Buys 2023 list for Best Moisturiser.

Gifts from $100 to $200

8. Birthstone bracelet, $149, Swarovski

A pretty piece of jewellery is always a welcome addition to her wardrobe. And you can add a personal touch by choosing her birthstone, like this bracelet from Swarovski, which comes with 12 stone options.

Shop here

9. The Ritual of Jing set (large), $105, Rituals

No time for the spa? No problem. Bring the spa experience to her home with this set from Rituals. This Rituals of Jing set (size L) comes with a foaming shower gel, body cream, hand and foot mask, home perfume, and mini fragrance sticks. Infused with jujube, lotus flower and lavender, they smell oh-so-good. Yes, we can vouch for it. There are also other sets of varying sizes available.

10. Shockproof phone cases, about $100 to $200, Casetify

With all that mums do — feeding the kids, running errands, cleaning up, and juggling their professional lives — it helps to have a shockproof phone case to safeguard her device against accidental drops or bumps. Even better, one that's stylish to boot.

Check out the designs from Casetify, which have options for a bounce case. This comes with a corner design and EcoShock shock-absorption technology that the brand says absorbs 95% of any impact. At least that's one thing off her mind.

Prices range from around $100 to $200.

11. Double side silk scarf, from $189, Studio Qiling

Even if her standard mum uniform is a T-shirt and jeans, a beautiful printed scarf can instantly elevate her look. A larger scarf can also be styled in multiple ways, like as a chic halter top. The silk scarves from local label Studio Qiling come with elegant prints, including Oriental prints and unique Singapore-inspired motifs, such as the Singapura cat.

Prices from $189.

Gifts above $200

 12. Royal Banyan treatment at Banyan Tree Spa, Mandai Rainforest Resort, $450++

Make the spa retreat happen by booking the Royal Banyan treatment, which gives her 150 minutes of ultimate bliss. The treatment weaves together ancient remedies with modern luxury, beginning with a coriander cucumber cleanse to refresh and soften the skin, followed by a restorative herbal pouch massage using warm oil and a medley of medicinal herbs.

It ends with a cooling jade face massage designed to soothe the skin, reduce puffiness, and promote overall balance of the body’s energy. In fact, it’s our top pick for the Best New Spa Escape for our Spa Awards this year. Read more about Banyan Tree Spa’s offerings here.

Bonus: Grant her a day off with her hubby while you offer to look after her kids.

Visit Banyan Tree Spa’s website to book or for more information.

13. Enigma Double Sonic A-spot vibrator, now $335.30, Lelo

Help her stay at the forefront of sexual wellness with Swedish sex toy brand Lelo’s Enigma Double Sonic A-spot vibrator. The A-spot is said to be an often-neglected erogenous zone located a few inches deeper than the G-spot, on the front wall of the vagina. The vibrator uses deep sonic waves (from its insertable tail) to target the A-spot for intense vaginal orgasms. It also brings sonic waves to the clitoris as well as vibrational sensations to the G-spot. She can choose from eight pleasure settings and two exclusive modes when connected to the Lelo app.

14. Fast and Free High-Rise Tight 24" Pockets Asia Fit, $228, Lululemon

From runs to running errands, these high-waisted leggings that come in an Asian fit (no looseness around the ankles!) will be her go-to. Crafted with the brand's lightweight Nulux fabric, the updated Fast and Free tights have seam-free inner thighs and a redesigned waistband for an enhanced weightless feeling. Plus, they come with pockets.

15. Dyson Supersonic Nural Hair Dryer HD16, $659, and Dyson Airwrap Co-anda 2x™ multi-styler and dryer, $899

If you’re looking to splurge, Dyson’s new Supersonic Nural Hairdryer and Airwrap Co-nanda 2x multi-styler and dryer will be a welcomed addition to her vanity (or even get her squealing in delight).

The Nural hairdryer promises to be the brand’s most intelligent one yet, with a Scalp Protect mode and different attachments for various hair types, promising fast drying (that busy mums will appreciate), and no heat damage. Or if she’s the type who loves trying out different styles, go for the Airwrap Co-nander 2x - the six-in-one gadget (dry, curl, wave, smooth, volumise and hide flyaways) is set to give her a salon-worthy blow-out. There’s also a new Conical Airwrap barrel with tapered tip. This styles closer to the root for tighter curls, while maintaining volume and bounce.