Gifts for Mom

It holds 473 mL (16 oz) and keeps drinks hot for up to 11 hours, or cold for 24, by Contigo’s figures. One hand holds, sips and locks it. A hook inside the lid keeps a tea bag’s string tidy, the lid goes on the dishwasher’s top rack, and the steel body is washed by hand.

• Hot up to 11 hours
• Push-button lid that locks
• Tea-bag hook in the lid

What owners say: Coffee stays hot for a long time and nothing leaks or spills, owners say, and they like the lock button; it travels well and cleans easily.

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The USB-C port gives up to 30W, enough to take a recent iPhone or Galaxy to half full in about 25 minutes by Anker’s figures, and the USB-A port up to 22.5W for an older cable, both at the same time. A small LED picks out the ports in the dark, it turns its own power down if it runs hot in a parked car, and Anker covers it for 18 months.

• 30W fast-charging USB-C port
• 30W and 22.5W together
• LED light finds the ports

What owners say: Owners rate how quickly it charges and how much power it packs into such a small plug, and they like having USB-C and USB-A side by side and its blue ring of light.

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WoodWick’s medium hourglass holds 275 g (9.7 oz) of soy and paraffin wax and burns for up to 60 hours, by the maker’s figure, with a wooden lid to keep dust off between evenings. Break off the blackened tip of the wick before each lighting so the flame catches cleanly. At about 11.5 cm (4.5 in) tall, it fits a bedside table or a desk.

• Crackling wooden wick
• Burns up to 60 hours
• Wooden lid keeps dust off

What owners say: Owners love the warm vanilla and the comforting crackle, and say it burns for days on end, longer than other candles.

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It brews about four mugs at a time. The filter has three layers of steel mesh, and two spare screens come in the box: stack one on for a cleaner cup when the grind is on the fine side. The handle and knob stay cool, and every part, filter included, goes in the dishwasher.

• Double-walled steel, 1 litre
• 3-layer filter, 2 spare screens
• Won’t crack like glass

What owners say: Owners say it keeps coffee hot well after pressing, looks smart on the counter and is easy to clean, and they find it sturdy.

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It weighs 5.4 kg (12 lb) and is sized for one person rather than the whole bed. Fine glass beads sit in small stitched pockets so the weight stays even, it goes in a home washer and dryer on low, and Mr. Sandman backs it with a 12-month guarantee.

• 5.4 kg (12 lb)
• Minky-dot and smooth sides
• Weight stays even, no bunching

What owners say: Owners describe it as luxuriously soft with the weight spread nicely, say they sleep deeply under it and feel it’s good value.

Heads up: The listing calls it queen size, but at 122 × 183 cm (48 × 72 in) it’s cut for one sleeper rather than to cover a queen bed.

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It stands upright on its own steel stand by the coffee maker, so it’s always within reach. For the thickest foam, tilt the cup a little and keep the whisk near the top of the warm milk. The USB cable is in the box but the plug isn’t, so charge it from a phone charger.

• USB rechargeable
• Steel stand included
• Hardly any splashing

What owners say: Owners find it froths well and feels well made at a fair price, the battery holds up well between charges, and it rinses clean in seconds; they like the steel stand too, and nobody raises a recurring fault.

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The pigments are lightfast, and colour-coded wood casings make each shade quick to find. Build colour in light layers rather than pressing hard on the first pass, then finish with a heavier layer, called burnishing, for a smooth, polished surface with no paper showing through. The pencils arrive pre-sharpened and suit children and adults alike.

• 48 pre-sharpened colours
• For children and adults
• Soft, thick cores

What owners say: Owners love the rich colours and the soft, buttery feel of the leads, and say they blend beautifully. Breakage is the sore point, with some finding the leads snap again and again.

Heads up: The soft cores can break inside the wood if the pencils are dropped, so keep them in the tin and use a sharp sharpener.

Momme is the weight of silk, and 22 has more body than the lighter 19 momme cases; this one is GOTS-certified organic, undyed natural white and grade 6A. RENESSY sells a queen size separately, so measure the pillow first. It comes in a gift box with a care card, and washes by hand or on a gentle cycle in a mesh bag.

• Silk weight 22 momme
• Silk on both sides
• GOTS-certified organic silk

What owners say: Owners praise the soft, smooth feel, the colour and how well it washes, and say it’s kind to their hair; the price is where opinions part.

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A calendar linked in the Frameo app can fill the screen for the next four days, a week or a month, or sit beside the photos. 32GB holds the pictures, with a microSD slot for more, and it sits on its back stand or hangs on a wall. Videos of up to 15 seconds send free; Frameo’s optional plan allows two minutes.

• No account needed to send
• 32GB plus microSD slot
• Shows your calendar

What owners say: Owners report setup and everyday use go smoothly, and they’re satisfied with the frame overall.

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The 2 L bottle is odourless PVC, and BICAREE says it holds its heat for up to eight hours; filled with cold water, it works as an ice pack. Press out the air, screw the stopper down tight and turn it over the sink to check for leaks before bed. It isn’t for the microwave.

• 2 L PVC bottle
• Soft cover included
• Wide mouth for easier filling

What owners say: Owners find it works better than a heating pad and holds its warmth, and they rate how well it lasts; the seal is the one point they disagree on.

Featured in Gifts for someone who’s always cold →