Need to find the perfect present for a stay at home mom (SAHM)? I’ve been a stay a home mom for so many years and here are the gifts I wish loved ones would buy!
Step tracker
Many moms find themselves; you guessed it spending a lot of time at home, and it easy to put workouts and fitness or health on the back burner. An easy way to stay fit and on top of your physical activity is to purchase a step tracker. It’s encouraging and motivating to see how many steps you’re taking in a day and work hard to attend your daily goal.
My favorite ones (ascending price order) are:
Apple Watch
Fitbit
Samsung
Exercise membership
Whether physical or virtual, an exercise membership is helpful because it will encourage the mum in your life to either get out of the house to exercise or promote physical activity right at home and possibly with her children.
I’ve tried a ton, and here are the virtual ones I love:
Peloton
Body Groove
Gift cards
Gift cards are always welcomed and an easy winner because they allow Moms to buy what they want. No guessing necessary. You give the Mom complete control of the gift, which is always much appreciated!
Some gift ideas include:
Favorite cafe:
Starbucks, Panera Bread, etc.
Most frequented stores:
Target, Walmart, etc.
Restaurants& Food-delivery type of gift cards:
Pizza, Chipotle, Five Guys, etc.
Non-specific gift cards like:
Visa or Mastercard
Audiobooks
If the Mom in your life is a book lover, audiobooks will always come in handy because they’re relatively easy to listen to; much like a podcast. It can be listened to on the go or while waiting for kids after school.
Vacuum
Side note: I only recommend this gift if you are 1000% certain that Mom you’re buying for is a neat freak and will thoroughly appreciate this gift and sentiment. Otherwise, this may come off as very condescending or stereotypical. For a Mom like myself that loves to clean, I’d be thrilled with this gift because it would make my life easier! LOL For mum’s that don’t care to clean, not so much.
I love these vacuums:
Robo
Shark
Swiffer
Hoover
Spa day
Every single Mom needs a least one spa day a year! This can be anything the mother would like. The point here is to make sure that she is pampered and relaxed.
Kids memberships
On a similar note, any membership for kids is just as effective as a spa day since it allows Mom some alone time and structured activities for the kids. I’ll share some virtual options I frequently use.
Outschool
If you click here to sign up, you’ll recieve $20 free towards your first class so there’s no risk in trying it out! We use Outschool everyday and love it.
It can be hard to decide on the perfect present or gift for our kids. Here’s a list of my kids favourite tried and true winners. Bonus, we are full-time travelers and most, if not all of these gifts can be packed in a suitcase. (Yes, even the last gift listed!)
Magformers
This is one of my kids’ favorite toys. They are basically cool shaped magnets but are super high quality. There are other knockoff versions, but i can’t speak to them as I wasn’t willing to find out whether they were good quality. Magnets are hazardous if ingested to both kids and pets, so it wasn’t worth the risk.
Legos
Everyone knows legos are classic fun, creative staple toys. It’s one of the few toys that always makes the cut. It truly fosters my kid’s creativity in a way many toys (beyond magformers and learning resources cubes) have. The classic sets are your best bet for a first kit or even as an addition to your collection. They have the most bricks, especially the bigger cubes, and allow the most freedom to create whatever your kid wants.
Barbie dolls
Alright, i struggled writing this one down. I have this thing, this love-hate relationship with barbie. Considering that barbie now offers their fashionista collections, I’m a tiny bit more comfortable sharing this one. Barbie dolls give kids, yes boys too, the ability to play pretend in their own way. And now, barbie offers a bigger INCLUSIVE collection, which is extremely important.
Full disclosure, I write this with complete hesitation because I’m not too fond of the mess it makes and leaves behind. However, my kid, and I’m pretty sure every kid I’ve ever met, loves it. Now, you don’t need to get crazy buying all the machine tools that playdough offers. The love for them is short-lived and stunts creativity. Trust me, I know.
Experiments
I’m such a massive fan of all-inclusive experiment kits because
I’m not a crafty pinning type of mom. No, I don’t have time to gather all the supplies and create this cutesy experiment. Give me the damn tools and instructions, and let’s get this party started!
I like easy. Period. There isn’t a price for peace of mind, yall.
They foster learning in a fun way.
Tent
My kids love tents, and I think all kiddos do because it helps create a safe space to play, wonder, or even think/cry. The kind of tent you buy and how you set it up gets to be unique to your littles. You can purchase a pop-up tent to give your kids a space to pretend. You can get extra fancy and create a more comfortable reading nook or an area to process emotions and feelings privately. Think: “a feelings corner kind of thing.”
Board games
We are huge fans of family-style board games etc. some of our favorites are :
Monopoly
Anything made by Brainbox
Bananagrams
Trouble
Snakes and ladders
Rhino Hero
Dominos
Candyland
Life
UNO
Diary
Every child should have THAT special notebook. Whether or not you refer to it as a diary is up to you. Honestly, it doesn’t matter at all. The idea here is that you create an opportunity for your child to WRITE. Kids need ways to express themselves. Exercising a writing habit, especially while young, will be one of the best, more impactful things you do for your child.
Chromebook
This is great, depending on your child’s age—a cost-effective way to introduce your child to technology and computers specifically.
Tablet or iPad
this one will depend on your budget, preferences, and reasons for use. i like the iPad for obvious reasons. The UI is practically flawless. Everything syncs seamlessly, and it’s basically virus-proof. LOL. On the other hand, i like tablets for their affordable price points, UI freedom. I’m an android girl at heart.
Marble run
I purchased this one from Amazon; however, you can DIY this in a fun and cheap way if thats your thing. All you’d need would be a cheap bag of marbles, a large box/cardboard, and some strong tape.
Puzzles
Puzzles are fun. They keep kids occupied for a long time and provide the opportunity for some peace and quiet.
Art easel
An art easel provides a more fun environment to paint, draw, or color. It also doubles as a tool for homeschooling.
Instrument: (Guitar or Ukelele is best)
Instruments are going by 2 to help kids grow their IQ and have fun at the same time. This isn’t the quietest option, but everyone can enjoy it as your child gets better and better.
It can be tricky trying to decide on the perfect present and gift for smaller children. But, it doesn’t have to be! Here’s a list of my kids favourite tried and true gifts.
Legos
Everyone knows legos are classic fun, creative staple toys. It’s one of the few toys that always makes the cut. It truly fosters my kid’s creativity in a way many toys (beyond magformers and learning resources cubes) have. The classic sets are your best bet for a first kit or even as an addition to your collection. They have the most bricks, especially the bigger cubes, and allow the most freedom to create whatever your kid wants.
Magformers
This is one of my kids’ favorite toys. They are basically cool shaped magnets but are super high quality. There are other knockoff versions, but i can’t speak to them as I wasn’t willing to find out whether they were good quality. Magnets are hazardous if ingested to both kids and pets, so it wasn’t worth the risk.
Tablet
This one will depend on your budget, preferences, and reasons for use. I like the iPad for obvious reasons. The UI is practically flawless. Everything syncs seamlessly, and it’s almost virus-proof. LOL. On the other hand, I like tablets for their affordable price points, UI freedom. I’m an android girl at heart.
Edible playdough
Instead of buying Play-Doh 4 kids five and under, it’s safer to make your own playdough if they have curious Minds. Obviously, your kids shouldn’t eat this as a snack; however, they won’t get sick if they eat some. This is a fun option because you can add all types of colors and flavors, and textures you wanted.
Water table
If you have a backyard or garden- a water table is a nice edition to foster free play.
Tent
My kids love tents, and I think all kiddos do because it helps create a safe space to play, wonder, or even think/cry. The kind of tent you buy and how you set it up gets to be unique to your littles. You can purchase a pop-up tent to give your kids a space to pretend. You can get extra fancy and create a more comfortable reading nook or an area to process emotions and feelings privately. Think: “a feelings corner kind of thing.”
Barbie dolls
I struggled to write this one down. I have this thing, this love-hate relationship with barbie. Considering that barbie now offers their fashionista collections, I’m a tiny bit more comfortable sharing this one. Barbie dolls give kids, yes boys too, the ability to play pretend in their own way. And now, barbie offers a bigger INCLUSIVE collection, which is extremely important.
Train track
I placed this one in the five and under section; however, train tracks are suitable for kids of any age.
Stuffed plush animals
But those of you that just rolled your eyes, I know it’s parents. We have more than enough stuffed animals; however, if your kid likes playing pretend like most stuffed animals are the easiest way to allow them to do this. A bonus is that they are mostly lightweight and are easy travel companions.
Paint & supplies
Art and craft supplies and finger paints are an excellent option for smaller children.
Art easel/ whiteboard
An art easel provides a more fun environment to paint, draw, or color. It also doubles as a tool for homeschooling. Same for whiteboards. Easy to use, fun, and multiple uses.
Play laptop
Play tablets are a fun way to introduce technology and feel grown-up like Mummy and Daddy.
Playphone
Like a toy laptop, play-phones gives kids their grown-up feel with lots of new buttons and sounds to explore.
Kids piano
If it wasn’t already obvious, I’m a massive advocate for introducing instruments to children at a young age. I believe that the piano is one of The best first instruments because they are one of the most Indestructible options on the market. No, I don’t suggest allowing your child to use a real Piano unless supervised. Piano’s are on the higher end of the price tag and should be treated with care.
Musical mat
Another option is the musical mat. This is handy because they are quite sturdy, and kids can play with them using their little hands or feet!
If you’re looking for the best gift for the blogger, writer, or entrepreneur in your life, then look no further. Seriously. I’ve been working from home in the online space for almost a decade y’all and everything on this list is the best thing you can buy any blogger, new or veteran. (And I’ve tried and purchased A LOT of products smh) I’ve done the work for you, now all you need to do is pick one (or a few of these investments), attach a card, and voila! All done. *dusts hands* I only share the services, products, etc that make the cut. Things I LITERALLY use ALL THE TIME. This isn’t a post stuffed with nonsense affiliate links to make a quick buck. I abhor wasting money on crappy services and products and you wont find any of that rubbish here.
This subscription will allow the blogger or entrepreneur in your life to have an even better listening experience on the go. i can guarantee you that youtube has nearly ever answer or tutorial your blogger will need, and the lack of ads will be a very much welcomed experience.
Every blogger should have their own website. Having this will allow them to monetize from the start and have the best start possible with a site and domain they own. Instead of building their business on another companies platform.
Canva is an easy to learn program created for non-designers. However, don’t let this throw you off because this program can make anything and everything a blogger could need to monetize and develop products.
This is similar to Canva. It was created for anyone, including non-designers, to create the products they need to fast. i find that Picmonkey can be a smidge more challenging to learn with more capabilities and control over images, etc. is created.
Despite what most bloggers believe, you can blog solely from your phone if you needed to. How can I be so sure? Because I do it! If you have a reasonably new smartphone, there’s so much you can do with it. Even if you don’t or choose not to blog solely from your phone, you’ll be able to get so much on the go!
Honestly, it doesn’t matter whether you choose a physical or digital planner. Only that you plan! And every blogger will need a planner, and a specific planner geared towards blogging is incredibly helpful.
This gift is a fantastic idea because it’ll allow your loved one to purchase blogging tools or snag the subscriptions of their choice! Like canva, adobe spark, or even MS Word.
Local cafe gift card
This gift is unique because it’ll allow the blogger in your life to get the opportunity and workspace to, you know, blog! Focused uninterrupted working can be difficult for many entrepreneurs whether or not they are work at home moms, and now they can have the funds to get free coffee and snacks!
Having a good quality chair is a wise investment because bloggers will spend a significant amount of time sitting down. This isn’t the best for our spine, neck, or body overall, and so a good chair will aid in proper posture.
Every blogger and writer should have a desk or desiccated workspace, but a portable can be useful, especially in small flats and apartments! They can literally move the desk around their home with ease and have a space to work.
This isn’t completely necessary, especially for newer bloggers; however, bloggers or those with a heavy focus on video marketing will want it. It’s great to up the quality of your videos, even if you have a MacBook! Its auto-adjust light features are priceless.
The type of headphone you purchase will depend on your loved one’s needs. I have every kind of headphone because, well, I need them, LOL. The most common option is wireless headphones. These are my favorite because nothing is standing in your way when you’re out and about. I can cook and easily listen to a podcast at the same time.
This is a must for new and veteran entrepreneurs because we all experience low on battery at some point. Also, this is something everyone should have in the arsenal! my two favorites are these:
One is strong enough to charge your phone and other mobile devices. While the other is powerful enough for a laptop! The worst feeling is running on a 2 percent battery with no outlet or cord around!
So, this is a personal fave, and most people either love or hate this method! HAHA, Juvenile or not, post it can transform the way an entrepreneur plans. Seriously. And because they are one-time use, they will need an endless supply. Do your blogger a favor and buy a ton worth!
I can’t mention post-its without mentioning Trello. I am a planning freak, I mean guru, LOL and Trello is pretty much the digital version of post-its. So if you’re keen to save our planet or prefer digital resources and like post-its, this is your answer.
If you arent already familiar with Appsumo, you should be. This is a well-known, reputable company that every blogger needs in their arsenal. They offer a ton of access to many tools and services for LTD (lifetime deals)! And have a generous 60 day (unheard of) return policy with fantastic customer service. I know because I tested them. Vetted and verified, check!
Alright, similar to a quality chair, your blogger needs a laptop riser. The best option for THEM. It doesn’t need to be expensive but effective. Using a laptop riser ensures that their computers will remain at eye level, which is essential for bloggers spending an obscene amount of time behind a screen. This ensures their posture is straight, and neck strain doesn’t occur.
Another important one is blue light blocking glasses. This protects their eyes and is so so important. Read this article, my blogging friend shared about her experience. Now, her experience may not be common, but it isn’t something you want to dismiss! If they wear glasses, I love using Zenni.com to purchase affordable options with blue light blocking features! The prices and styles are excellent. If you don’t care about fashion or don’t wear glasses, consider these you can have delivered to your home in a day, right from amazon.
This subscription is great because it allows an affordable and easy beginner to create and edit video content. They also have an app that I love, which makes filming and editing on the go easy.
Krisp is another one of my TOP favorite subscriptions! They appeared on Appsumo first, and I am totally bummed, I missed on the offer. This service allows bloggers to record and listen to content without background noise! Imagine the blogger in your life attempts to record a video for their website, podcast, or course…and the dog won’t stop barking, the cat continues purring, and the kids decide to play karaoke for the millionth time?! Well, with this service, you can continue to record without the fear that these sounds will make an appearance on your videos!
Loom subscription
Loom, similar to screencast but much easy to use for non-techy bloggers and not as robust, makes it easy to quickly screen-record content and share. I use both loom and screencast because I love the simplicity of loom when I’m in a rush. But need the editing tool options in Screencast-o-matic for complicated videos.
Let’s stop and take a break here for a moment. If your blogger isn’t already using Grammarly, sign them up RIGHT NOW. Grammarly offers a free version, and it’s a wise service to use. Even the most experienced writers make mistakes, and this helps to proofread a ton. The premium subscription version is great because it has many features bloggers can use that aren’t available otherwise.
Omm writer
Omm writer has a soft spot in my heart. This program is incredibly cheap and offers wonders to those writers that want the total ambiance experience. This program eliminates all distractions, has proven effective calming backgrounds and music to support your writing sessions.
This simple item is more for conscious than anything else, really. Everyone should have one, just in case to support and provide an extra sense of privacy.
VPN service
Another tool to protect your privacy is a VPN. Using a VPN will not only protect your online activity but allow you to view websites and use services from areas you otherwise would be unable to do.
Music brain.fm subscription
Going back to “ambiance,” this service is scientifically proven to enhance your productivity. It’s an extremely effective way to get “in the zone” fast!
Books for bloggers
As a self-proclaimed neek, I love a good book. Check out this post to read some of my favorite books for bloggers.
Sendowl is a service that will allow your blogger to sell and deliver digital products and services! So they can start making money! The only negative here is that this service doesn’t allow one to purchase annual subscriptions, so you’d need to gift one month only or provide the funds for the whole year.
ESP= email service provider. Every blogger needs to focus on building an email list. It’s one of the best ways to remain in control of your income as you own your list. You can contact them anytime, and it’s one of the easiest ways to make money fast. An annual subscription to a service like Mailchimp, Mailerlite, or Convertkit is best.
Socialbee is an excellent scheduling service that can manage all of your blogger’s social media posts and strategies. Full disclosure, I snagged this one on app sumo with a lifetime deal, and it’s so worth it!
Toggl
Every blogger needs to KNOW where they spend their and how long it takes to complete a task. It’s so easy to think. We only spend 1 hour on social media or a half-hour editing our web design, when in reality, it’s around 3 or 4 hours. This service is a great way to monitor your tasks so you can plan better.
Dropbox
Online storage can be a lifesaver to many of us, and frankly, we should also use some sort of “cloud” service. Dropbox is an excellent option for bloggers as it allows them to save and access their work from any device! And depending on the plan you gift, they may have the ability to “share” links, which is great when sharing products with their readers or collaborating with others.
I probably should have listed this way up top, considering that nearly every blogger will need a theme for their website design if they aren’t designing it themselves. This gives them a pretty look without tech headaches.
Plugins
If your blogger is using WordPress, they will use plugins for sure! at some point or another, they’ll need some. Read this post to gauge an idea of the best plugins to use.
Web security subscription
Unfortunately, hackers are an inevitable part of blogging, and all bloggers will bear this fight at some point or another.
Blogging courses
I’ve taken more blogging courses than I care to admit. Wayyyy too many to list here. So, I’ll list a few of those most impactful ones below for every blogger at any stage. If you want to read reviews of all the courses I’ve taken and blogging ebooks, click here.
Theres a ton of chatter going around about whether or not tailwind is still useful or worth it. Personally, I say yes. If you are genuinely strapped for time or are forgetful like ahem, myself, this tool makes scheduling Pinterest pins and Instagram posts a breeze.
If you aren’t aware, a tens unit is a small device that uses a mild electrical current to provide pain relief. they come in all price ranges, and you can purchase them from practically anywhere. Now, you absolutely should, not must consult your doctor is using one. Some people cannot use these due to certain conditions etc. However, I use one (because it’s safe, i can, and got the okay from my doctor first) because it helps immensely with neck and back pain.
This is one of my best recommendations because it’s so easy to lose track or put your health on the back burners. Bloggers spend a considerable amount of time behind a computer screen, which doesn’t allow for much blood circulation. A step tracker is a fun, encouraging way to keep track of your steps to ensure you meet that 10,000 a day goal!
