I've been working from home since December 2007. I initially started out freelancing and then launched this blog a year and a half later. Over this time, I've learned a lot about working from home, especially what products and tools will make your workday smoother and more enjoyable.
If you're looking for a meaningful or useful gift idea for a mom who works from home, check out this list of tried and true products and services for home-based workers.
1. Lap Desk
One of the great things about working from home is that you don't have to spend all day working in a single spot. If the weather is nice, you can take your laptop outside and enjoy working in the sunshine. However, it becomes a bit tricky when you don't have a flat surface to work on; here is where a lap desk comes in handy.
Whether you're working outside, on the sofa, or even in your bed, a lap desk is perfect for getting work done while giving yourself a new work environment. This Portable Bamboo Lap Desk from wishacc Home Office comes with a media slot, adjustable bolster for comfort, and two different sizes, so no matter what size your laptop is, it will fit on it perfectly. It also keeps your computer well ventilated so that it doesn't overheat.
2. Headphones
When you're working from home, there are times that you'll have to deal with uncommon noises like barking dogs, a crying baby, neighbors mowing their lawn, and other residential sounds. Having a nice pair of noise-canceling headphones can help keep these distractions to a minimum.
Over the years, I've tried a few different brands out, and the kind I keep coming back to is Apple. With the larger headphones, I found that when I wore them for extended periods of time, I'd end up with pressure points that pinched my head and gave me headaches.
If you're going to invest in a good pair of headphones, go with the Apple AirPods Pro. Not only do these have noise cancellation properties but offer a longer battery life and three different sizes of soft silicone tips for maximum comfort. They also pair seamlessly with your other Apple products.
3. Laptop Backpack
When I was younger, I used to carry these gorgeous leather totes and laptop bags around. While they were stylish, my shoulders and back hated the unevenly distributed weight of these bags and all their goodies.
A few years ago, I decided to make the switch from my traditional laptop bag to a laptop backpack, and my body is so much happier. I decided to go with this Women's Jester Backpack from The North Face. It has a ton of room, a separate padded pocket for your laptop, and I love the cream color and rose gold zippers. This is my second backpack from The North Face, so I can tell you that they are of high quality and last a long time!
4. Comfy Work Shoes
When I quit my desk job as a nurse, I had all these high heels just sitting in my closet, collecting dust. As a work-at-home mom, you don't need heels; you need shoes that are functional and comfortable.
Right now, I have three pairs that I wear ALL the time (depending on the season and activity)!
When I need a good pair of walking shoes, I wear these Tree Loungers from Allbirds. They are so comfy, they slip right on, and they're made from all renewable materials. I've heard that their wool runners are amazing, but I haven't tried them (yet).
Living in Texas, it's hot most of the year, which is why I live in my Sanuk Yoga Mat 2 sandals. These are the most comfortable flip flops I have ever worn! They are soft and squishy on your feet, and they never rub your feet raw or leave blisters in between your toes.
For the colder winter months, I love wearing these snuggly Ansley Slippers from UGG. Seriously, when UGGs first came out, I didn't understand all the hype. Then I got a pair as a gift, and I was hooked! UGGs are so comfortable and cozy, and you wear them without socks. They are the perfect shoe for work-at-home moms in the wintertime!
5. Work-at-Home Planner
Working from home offers a ton of perks, but it also comes with its fair share of challenges. That's why being organized is so crucial to your success as a work-at-home mom. Probably the easiest way to stay on top of all of your tasks is by using a planner.
Depending on your situation, I'm partial to my career, business, and blogging planners. They streamline so much more than just the normal day-to-day activities, by helping you focus on specific parts of job search, online business, or blog actually to make forward progress.
If you don't need a specialized planner, Erin Condren has her Life Planner, which I've used in the past. With her planner, you can choose your cover design and other options, making it a colorful and fun choice.
6. The Ultimate Coffee Mug
Your fuel as a work-at-home mom is likely coffee, or tea, or hot cocoa. Whatever your drink of choice, you need a coffee mug that is going to do triple duty. Besides just holding your favorite beverage, your mug should also protect you from spills and either keep your drink piping hot or icy cold.
That is precisely what this insulated, YETI, 14 oz Stainless Steel Mug accomplishes, making it the perfect work-from-home gift! It comes in a wide variety of colors, and they'll even personalize your mug with your name or business logo on the YETI website. I have a white one, but I feel like I really need this pink one!
7. Beautiful Office Accessories
When you work-at-home, you get to create a work environment that energizes you and puts you in a creative mood. No more fluorescent overhead lighting, boring gray desks, or file cabinets!
To find unique, gorgeous, and inspiring home office accessories, check out sites like:
If you're not sure what to get, a gift certificate is always a welcomed and a nice surprise!
8. Smart Watch
My whole life I've loved watches! As a teen and college student, I had my fair share of Swatch watches, and as I got older, I expanded into other brands. But with the invention of smartphones, I stopped wearing watches, and instead used my phone to tell the time.
But as my friends and family members started using them, I was attracted to the fitness aspect of the watches. So, I decided to get an Apple Watch, and I'm so glad I did!
Yes, it's great for tracking your activity and telling the time, and of course, it pairs seamlessly with your other Apple products, but the thing I really love about it is it's cut down on how much time I spend on my phone! I can leave my phone in another room and still respond to phone calls and texts. It does everything a messaging device should without me having to fall down the rabbit hole of aimlessly scrolling through social media, or diving into my email.
9. Stitch Fix Gift Certificate
I love new clothes, but I hate shopping for them! I never know what to pair together, or what new brands to try out. That's why when Stitch Fix came about I knew I had to try it.
With Stitch Fix, a trained stylist hand-selects five clothing items for you based on your style preferences. The articles are delivered in the mail, and you get a few days to try them on and decide if you like them. Anything you don't wish to keep, you send back to them in a pre-paid pre-addressed envelope. The items you keep, you're charged for via credit card, and if you keep all five items, you get an extra discount.
The reason I love this service, is it saves me time and the hassle of having to go to the mall. I also like that they pick stuff that I normally wouldn't choose for myself, and they give you styling ideas for each of the items they send you.
10. Subscription Box
There's something special about getting a surprise in the mail, and what better than a monthly, quarterly, or one-time subscription box?! With the explosion of subscription box services, there is literally one for every taste, preference, or passion a person has!
Here are some fun ideas to choose from:
- Birchbox (beauty)
- Book of the Month (books)
- Causebox (socially conscious products)
- FabFitFun (premium products for women)
- Knack (build your own box)
- Sparkle Hustle Grow (female entrepreneurs)
- Stitch Fix (clothing and accessories)
- The Delightful Desk (chic office supplies)
11. Home Office Furniture
Before the pandemic, I worked at our kitchen counter because I loved all the natural sunlight that filtered into the room. However, once my daughter and husband started working from home, too, working in my kitchen was no longer an option; I needed a quiet space all to myself. Needless to say, having the right office furniture is essential.
We now have three separate workspaces set up, giving us each a quiet place to work during the day. If the mom in your life needs a real office set up, check out these places for unique desks, chairs, cushions, and more!
- Amazon (everything)
- Purple (ergonomic seat cushions)
- Readydesk (standing desk risers)
- The Edge Desk System (ergonomic chair and desk system)
- UPLIFT Desk (standing desks)
- Work From Home Desks USA (ergonomic desks)
12. Fitness Equipment
When you work-at-home, you're a lot more sedentary than if you were working in a traditional office setting. And with the fridge just a few steps away, it's so important to incorporate exercise into your daily routine.
Luckily, there are so many great options for busy moms! I personally enjoy doing yoga classes via Zoom, but if online or in-person classes aren't your thing here are some other ways to sneak fitness into your day.
- DeskCycle (portable under the desk bike)
- FLEXISPOT (exercise bike desk)
- FluidStance (balance board for a standing desk)
- Gaiam Balance Ball Chair (balance ball office chair)
- Unsit Treadmill Desk (treadmill desk combo)
13. Looking and Sounding Your Best
Whether you're a mom boss who runs a podcast or popular YouTube channel, or you're telecommuting for a work-at-home company, there will likely be times that you need to be on camera.
To look your best, you need to have the right tools, from lighting and sound to making sure your background is distraction- and clutter-free.
Any of these gadgets would make a great gift for the work-from-home mom who has to be on camera or recording podcasts!
- Anyvoo (webcam backdrops)
- Blue Yeti Mic (microphone)
- JOBY Gorillapod (tripod)
- Lavalier Lapel Microphone (microphone for iPhone)
- TaoTronics Ring Light (light and tripod)
14. Work-From-Home Loungewear
When I stopped working as a nurse, I realized that most of my wardrobe was business casual clothing (from my office days), and nursing scrubs from my days working at the hospital and clinic. Needless to say, my closet needed a refresh!
One of the perks of working from home is getting to wear more comfortable and relaxed attire. While PJs are comfy, and on a rare occasion I work in them, for the most part, they aren't ideal. When you work-from-home you need a way to transition from rest mode to work mode, and one way to accomplish that is by getting dressed.
This is where loungewear comes into play!
If you want to treat the work-from-home mom if your life to a special gift, buy her some loungewear (or a gift card) from one of these companies:
15. The Gift of Time
There is one thing in life that you can never buy more of, and that's time. Because time is such an important asset, why not help mom take some of the tasks off her to-do list.
These gifts help to give mom some more free time in her life:
- DoorDash (restaurant delivery)
- Instacart (grocery shopping and delivery)
- iRobot Roomba (robot vacuum)
- iRobot Braava Jet (robot mop)
- Snap Kitchen (prepared meals for adults)
- Yumble (prepared meals for kiddos)
What's the Best Work-From-Home Gift?
Being a work-at-home mom, I'd appreciate any of the gifts on this list. When it comes to the work-from-home mom in your life, think about what things would make her life easier and more enjoyable, and go from there!
Do you have a great gift idea for a work-from-home mom? Drop us a note below; we'd love to hear from you!
What a wonderful article, Holly!
Glad you enjoyed the list, Sheila!