WRAL: Gift ideas for working moms (experiences)
Stephanie Llorente, owner of Restored, is a regular contributor to the WRAL-TV Go Ask Mom blog where she writes about relevant topics for working moms. We repost that content here.
I’m a terrible gift giver. There, I said it. I’m not thoughtful, and I’m not inherently creative (…a combo that doesn’t bode well for my husband at the holidays, by the way). I want to give meaningful gifts to my staff of working moms, but I’m also unsure of what that gift should be…despite the fact that I myself am a working mother.
So, if you’re in that same “I dunno” position, you’re my people! To help us both out, I consulted the Restored community to curate a few gift guides that are solely focused on the lifestyle, needs and wants of working mothers. Per women who know exactly what they want – and don’t want – I’m sharing some experiential gifts below, along with a list of what working moms do NOT want this holiday season (yes, these are also crowd sourced).
On the flip side, if you are a mom in the marketplace and you need to send a not-so-subtle hint to the horrible gift-giver in your life, just print out the list and plop it in a you-can’t-miss-it location!
For additional product-based gift ideas, head over to the Restored blog where you can find beauty, home, office and on-the-go gift guides tailored to career-minded moms.
Self-Care Solutions
Date Night – Buy a couple of movie tickets, make the dinner reservation and hire a babysitter (or do the babysitting yourself), because mama just wants to hang out with dad every now and then.
Photo Shoot – I love the idea of hiring a photographer to capture a special moment or season. It’s not one I can gift to my staff because of the pricing and scheduling, but could be a great gift for a family member.
Pedi/Spa/Girls Night – Basically, anything to pamper or encourage friendship is always on the list.
Services
House Cleaning – I can’t stress this one enough. I would cut off my left arm to keep my house cleaner.
Laundry Service – I haven’t used this personally, but Raleigh has a few laundry service options that pickup and drop off, saving a ton of time for a busy mom.
Meal Service – I’m a fan of Satori Meals, but there are several other local options along with national ones, too.
Career Development
Career Coach – This is a wonderful gift for a working mom, but it’s best given as a homemade gift certificate because the recipient will likely want to interview the potential coaches to ensure there is a personal connection and progress can be made under their guidance.
Co-Working Day Pass – Even if a mom has a home office set up, it’s so nice to get out of the same four walls and mingle with others in a co-working environment. I personally love Blush Cowork, but Raleigh and its suburbs have so many options to choose from!
Subscriptions/Memberships
Fashion – Raleigh startup, Prept, is a really unique gift for a working mother. The company’s subscription-based consults are equal parts affordable, convenient and on trend.
Music – Whether its Spotify, Apple or Amazon, it’s nice to work with a bit of background music.
Car Wash – Our family has a membership to Waves, but really any car wash will do. It saves time, marital disagreements, and it’s a fun thing to do with the kids!
Mental Health – Moms across the globe are suffering in the space, and many counselors offices are full. Fair warning that this can be a touchy subject gift, so it’s best not to come from in-laws who may not be in good standing. A list of helpful mental health apps can be found here.