the gifted mother

Moms are so busy this time of year, the last thing they have time to do is make a wish list. Preoccupied with playing Santa and planning for holiday festivities, mothers often forgo getting gifts for the sake of time and money. But if you're wondering what the woman in your life really wants, check out these options!

• Jeans That Make Her Look Lean: When she's trying to shed those postpartum pounds nothing makes a mama feel better than a pair of comfortable dungarees that lengthen her legs and aren't obscenely low. Made with a bit of elastan, Hudson's boot cut "Gemini" jeans ($176 plus 30 percent off) hug her curves. She probably wouldn't spring for these on her own, but they are perfectly practical since she can sport them at the park or pair them with heels for a night out.
• A Bag That Doesn't Scream Diapers: Give mommy an upgrade with a sassy satchel. This oversized handheld croco bag from Maxx New York ($230) is as functional as it is fabulous. She can use it to carry her laptop to work and it is roomy enough to double as a diaper bag. It is available in red, chocolate and black.
• Housekeeping: Allow her to retire her housekeeping duties...well, at least once a week! Having someone come in to deep clean the house and organize the clutter will enable mom to have more quality time with the kids.

To see some more economical options, read more

Whether you're dropping hints for yourself or you're hoping to find the perfect gift for your mommy friend or own dear mom, here are a couple of ideas to get the hamster running.

Every mom totes around water or milk bottles for their wee ones. Keep her hydrated with her own sassy SIGG bottle ($22) so she can keep up the pace with all of the pitter-patter around the house. Babies aren't the only family members that should be BPA free!

For a special night out on the town or a festive New Year's Eve bash, help mama sparkle with a black sequined jacket ($86). Paired with blue jeans and a white tee, it's just enough to spruce up a casual ensemble.

Almost every new mother can tell you the luxury of baby soft skin from cuddling their newborn for hours on end. Unfortunately, the fountain of youth is yet to be found so we are still searching for man-made remedies to keep our skin buttery soft. Instead of constantly forking over cash for facials, invest in the Clarisonic Skincare Brush ($195). My girl BellaSugar can't get enough of it! Pretty soon, daddy will have a hard time telling the difference between the baby's bum and mama's mug.

For more ideas, be sure to check out HolidaySugar for all of our holiday coverage and gift guides.