Best For Spa Lovers: BodyRestore Shower Steamers

For moms who love spa experiences, shower steamers are a popular gift—these little disks are infused with essential oils and scents that slowly dissolve in the corner of a shower . . . basically, a spa visit without the spa bill.

We tried out shower steamers from five different brands before picking this one by BodyRestore as the best of the best. Here’s why:

What We Liked

• Soothing aroma.

• Relaxing.

• Lavender scent is most calming.

• Individually wrapped.

• Bag is resealable. 

What Needs Work

• Too strong for some folks.

• Melt quickly. Be sure not to put these disks directly under the shower—they will last longer in the corner, based our testing.

Best For Garden Lovers: Wind Chime, Solar Hummingbird Wind Chimes

If your mom loves to garden (or just hang out on a patio in the evening), these solar-powered wind chimes would our pick. Yes, wind chimes are nice—but these hummingbird-themed chimes change color and light up at night, all powered by the sun.  

We looked at several solar-powered wind chimes recommended by our readers before picking this one by Six Foxes. Here’s why:

What We Liked

• Perfect for bird lovers.

• Look great during the day.

• Lights up at night, with colors that change.

• Affordable.

What Needs Work

• No sound. These chimes look nice, but don’t make a sound when the wind moves them. We thought that was ok, as this is more of a visual decoration than an audio one!

• Need direct sun to charge the lights.

Best Photo Gift: ArtPix 3D Crystal Photo

Customized gifts with family photos is a time-honored gift for mom—and this reader favorite, the ArtPix 3D Crystal Photo, takes that idea to the next level. We were impressed with the real-world results here . . . it looks heirloom quality. Here’s more:

What We Liked

• So touching! We love how the pictures are rendered in 3D.

• Simple to order—you upload a pick and that’s about it.

• Made in the USA.

• LED light base (an extra charge) adds to the overall effect.

• Durable.

What Needs Work

• Less impressive results from fuzzy pictures. Make sure you send in high-def photos.

• Pricey.

• Lots of extra charges (LED light, cleaning kits, etc).

Best For Music Box Lovers: Music Box Hand Crank Engraved Musical Box

Music boxes are a sure-fire hit with mom and this one hits the nail on the head—we liked the vintage-inspired design and engraved sentiment.  

What We Liked

• Cute, petite gift.

• Beautiful inscription.

• Nice sound quality.

What Needs Work

• Very small. This box is only about 2.5″ by 2″ wide.

• Only plays when you turn the crank. That is, it is not a wind-up music box.

About the Authors

Denise & Alan Fields are consumer advocates and best-selling authors. The Fields have authored 12 books with three million copies in print, including the best-selling guide to baby gear, Baby Bargains.

The Fields have been featured and quoted in the New York Times, Wall Street Journal and Los Angeles Times.

As consumer products experts, the Fields have been guests on the NBC Today Show, Good Morning America and ABC’s 20/20.

How We Pick Products To Recommend

We often turn to our readers (3 million strong!) to find products to recommend. We ask our parent readers for their favorites and consider their real-world experiences in our recommendations.

When we test a product, we always purchase it with our own monies. We do not take free samples, as we believe that compromises our independence.

We also fact check manufacturer information with our own measurements. If a maker claims a product weighs X pounds, we will weigh it to make sure. If the battery life is supposed to be six hours, we will see how it stands up in the real world.

In some cases, we will do interviews with experts in the field to get additional feedback on products.

To get hands-on time with products, we regularly meet one-on-one with gear companies and even tour manufacturing facilities. (When we do this, we pay our own travel expenses).

Why Trust Us

We’ve been rating and reviewing products for the home and families since 1994. We do extensive research, evaluating products with an eye toward quality, ease of use and affordability.

We make our living from affiliate commissions, but we always recommend what we think are the best bets for our readers (not the ones that are the most expensive). We are always looking for products that offer the best bang for the buck.

Our independence is a key reason why we have been doing this so long. As we mentioned above, when we purchase a product for hands-on testing, we do so with our own money.

Here’s another key point: we don’t take money from the brands we review. No free samples, no sponsors, no “partnerships.” Our work is 100% reader-supported!