A Gift Giving Cheat Sheet For Overworked Moms Everywhere

Do you ever wonder if whoever created the fall holiday calendar was trolling us? They were like: “Hmmm, let’s have school start, and then immediately fill every store with Halloween candy that tired parents can stress-eat while buying costumes and making Thanksgiving travel plans, and then let’s have them wake up at the end of November in a tryptophan daze with the sudden realization that they have to cram holiday shopping into a few short weeks!”

OK, fine, it probably didn’t happen exactly like that, but the struggle of holiday shopping is very real — especially with inflated prices, unreliable shipping, and companies that don’t offer inclusive merchandise for modern families’ multicultural celebrations.

That’s why, this year, I’m giving myself the gift of shopping at Amazon. The veritable one-stop online shop makes holiday shopping easy with huge savings and deals on everything you need, including electronics, home goods, fashion, beauty, and this year’s must-have toys and gadgets. You can enjoy fantastic value with shipping so speedy, it makes a reindeer-powered sleigh look like that ship that got stuck in the Suez Canal. If you want to save money and stress this year, join me in using these Amazon holiday hacks for everyone on your list.

Technophiles + Technophobes

Seems like these two should be in different categories, but what’s amazing about Amazon’s electronics selection is that it’s so vast and next-level, you can find tech for pros and noobs alike, all in the same place. Whether your loved one is into gaming (consoles, computers, headphones, mics, and high-speed streaming webcams); music (turntables, bluetooth speakers, stereo-sound earpieces); or literally anything else (telescopes? security cameras? baby monitors? smartwatches?), Amazon has it all. Plus, Amazon’s Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals will have some of the lowest prices of the season on the hottest electronics and latest gadgets, so make sure you’re up from your turkey coma in time to take advantage.

Homebodies, Foodies + Decor Devotees

Amazon has home lovers covered with festive decorations and gifts that celebrate everything “home” represents. No matter if you’re gearing up for Diwali, Hanukkah, Christmas, Kwanzaa, or any other cultural celebration, Amazon has decor to make the occasion special. You can also find cozy blankets, throw pillows, luxe furniture, and scented candles for your favorite hibernating homebody; top-of-the-line kitchen appliances, cookware, and table trimmings for party hosts and home chefs; and decor from designer brands in every conceivable color scheme and pattern. You can even check off foodies from your list with Amazon’s impressive selection of gourmet treats and gift baskets at a fraction of the price you’ll find at other online retailers.

Sports Nuts + Fitness Fanatics

Whether you’re shopping for someone whose idea of a perfect Sunday is sitting on the couch watching football or a morning of yoga followed by a brisk five-mile hike, Amazon’s got you covered, with sports apparel and equipment for all ages as well as fitness gear for every activity from camping to capoeira. Shop hand weights, treadmills, hockey sticks, hula hoops, or any other item you could conceivably use to get your heart pumping. You can also find athletic wear and sneakers from top brands (see below) that’ll fit your budget and make that New Year’s resolution to get to the gym a little easier.

Style Mavens + Beauty Buffs

I don’t want to name names here, but a bunch of high-end beauty and fashion brands have built a following based on an air of exclusivity; you can’t scroll social media these days without stumbling across a reel of some influencer modeling impossibly pricey shoes or applying a serum that costs a month’s rent. So you may be surprised to learn that Amazon not only sells most beauty, fashion, and personal care brands at unbeatable deals, but it has also partnered with small businesses to specifically promote women-owned, Black-owned, and climate-pledge-friendly fashion and indie clean beauty companies. So there’s no need to go to a specialty store to shop for your favorite fashionista, makeup maven, or well-groomed guy this holiday season. You can take your money further and get the same fantastic brand-name products with lightning-fast shipping that’ll keep you from having that annual December “will it get here in time” panic attack.

So, if you want to take care of your holiday shopping in one click so you have more time for sipping cocoa (or spiked eggnog, no judgment), Amazon is where it’s at. Treat yourself and make gift-giving easy this year. Every overworked mom deserves this win.