When it comes to all the little things moms spend money on every month, it goes without saying that November is mostly about last-minute holiday shopping. But you know what? Life as a mom doesn’t exactly slow down this time of year, either. In fact, as the pace of the holiday season picks up, it’s found a way to make its way more into our Amazon shopping carts. We’re getting ready for the kids’ big transition, we’re fighting Seasonal Affective Disorder with some powerful new workout gear, and we’re stocking our pantries with snacks (of course, there’s always the same thing) — examples like this The list goes on. Since we bet you’ll be feeling the end-of-year Amazon shopping boost too, we’ve rounded up some recent finds we really like that might make your life better or easier.
So put some “grab me” goodies on your porch for delivery drivers and get ready to “add to cart.” Here are the Horror Mom editors’ picks for November.
1. Ohuhu mark
My daughter absolutely loves coloring and drawing and now I’m on the coloring train too! I love ordering adult coloring books and being distracted while coloring. These markers are some of the best I have ever used so far! They don’t bleed and come in a variety of gorgeous colors. — Katie Garrity, News and Community Editor
2. Loop Quiet 2 earplugs
My husband (and my dog) snore so I need to reduce the noise somehow since I’m such a light sleeper. While I really hate sleeping with earbuds on, this is definitely the best of a worst-case scenario. They cancel noise, come with a storage case, and come in three different sizes for different ears. Thanks to them, I finally got a good night’s sleep. — Kate Auletta, Editor-in-Chief
3. Insulated water bottle with straw lid
I started falling down the Amazon water bottle rabbit hole because I wanted a new one in my WanderFull bag. I tried a few different options, but this one quickly became my favorite. It comes in a variety of colors (I have the new army green, my husband has navy, and my son has sapphire!), looks and feels super durable, comes with three different lids, and is affordable. — Julie Sprankles, associate editor, Lifestyle & Entertainment
4. Long sports bra
I love this sports bra; I have five of them. It’s cute, not too expensive, and comes in every color under the sun. I can’t speak for those who are more blessed chest-wise, but I personally find it comfortable and supportive enough for you to run with. I would definitely recommend it for a workout, or a walk to have coffee and look like you’re a workout person. — Megan LaCreta, deputy news and social editor
5. Lenoir Vitamin C Cleanser
I don’t often buy expensive beauty products (or really expensive anything), but I do love having a really good face wash. Showering feels like a small luxury and I feel like I’m taking care of my skin. This one is perfect; it has a lovely bottle, smells lovely, and it leaves my skin feeling clean and cared for without drying it out. — Sarah Aswell, deputy news and community editor
6. My Way Emergency Contraception (General Plan B)
These cost just over $7 and have a shelf life of three to four years. For peace of mind, I ordered three in case friends, neighbors, strangers, etc. need them in the future. You never know! — Meaghan O’Connell, Senior Features Editor
7. Pure aromatherapy machine
My daughter is finally trying to sleep alone in her own room (don’t ask me how old she is) and to help her we are making her room as comfortable as possible. I try to engage all her senses, and part of that is getting a fun diffuser. This one is perfect and she loves filling it and opening it every night. — Sarah Aswell
8. Warm friends aggravate otters
Also, for my daughter’s great room switch, I bought a really cute weighted otter for her to cuddle with at night. It definitely worked. I love that there are so many animals to choose from. — Sarah Aswell
9. My Magic Carpet Washable Carpet
I really needed a rug to put in front of our back door, where the dogs come and go, and I had some very specific criteria: it needed to be machine washable (in a standard size washer and dryer), waterproof (our dogs ) are like giant fluffy sponges), are stain-resistant (see the aforementioned sloppy dog), and actually look pretty good too. This magic carpet ticks all the boxes. — Julie Spranks
10. Pinkie Pad Starter Pack
I want to be ready for my baby to start her period, but all the tampons I find locally are too big and pillow-like for my middle schooler. Then I discovered these organic pads are made for tweens. The set also comes with a cute carrying case. My daughter hasn’t used them yet, but she’s super excited to have these pads in her bathroom and the pouch safely in her backpack. — Sarah Aswell
11. Metal Posters
I’m not good at hanging things. I can’t use a drill to save my life, and I’ve whacked my thumb with a hammer more times than I care to admit. The plate metal wall poster was my savior. They are very easy to install (sticky magnets, FTW) and you can easily replace the poster. my daughter loves her inside out one! — Katie Garrity
12. 4-Pack Clear Stackable Storage Drawers
Admittedly, I bought these thinking they would be bigger, but they are actually the perfect size for pouring a box of granola bars or fruit snacks for my kids’ lunches. It’s so nice to have his snacks where he can see and reach them, and when we had a bit of a mouse problem recently, I knew the damn critters couldn’t get to anything in these drawers. — Katie McPherson, associate editor, Lifestyle & Entertainment
13. High-waisted yoga pants with pockets
You can never have too many good, versatile yoga pants, right? While I usually buy my Ewedoos leggings from Amazon, I honestly just wanted some more vibrant colors to make hitting the gym more fun on those cold winter nights. They’re not as thick as the Ewedoos, but they pass the squat test and are very soft and comfortable. I’ve ordered three colors (sky blue is the best blue!). — Julie Spranks
14. Shoulder strap Kindle holder
I can’t tell you how many times I’ve dropped my Kindle on a sleeping child’s head. Why did they make them small and smooth with no way to hold them with one hand? Luckily, this affordable little device prevents all that. It also helps relieve hand cramps caused by working with phones and screens all day. — Sarah Aswell
15. Hacken Candy Bars
I’ve tried a lot of “healthy” candies and to be honest, most of them are actually disgusting. Hacken candy bars aren’t one of them – they’re delicious. Available in gooey, crunchy and nutty flavors, these bars are vegan, have no added sugar, contain prebiotic fiber and are gluten-free! Dare I say, try not to eat the whole box. — Katie Garrity
16.Sposie Enhancement Pad
My son has wet his diaper and clothes every night since the day we picked him up from the hospital. I’m not exaggerating – every night. A few days later my husband found these Sposie changing pads and they solved the whole problem. We’ve had them for almost four years now, and the nights we run them out, he pees on them again, which is why I know they’re still worth it. — Katie McPherson
17. Dragon python oversized T-shirt
Sometimes you just need a simple T-shirt that can be dressed up or down, and you can’t go wrong with this one. I ordered the base model in black, but it comes in a variety of colors. It’s a polyester blend so it holds its shape/rebounds better than 100% cotton, which I personally like. It’s just as suitable for wearing on a brunch date with some gold jewelry and cute flats as it is for working out. — Julie Spranks
18. Bissell Featherweight Stick Bagless Vacuum Cleaner
We were renovating and I put the vacuum cleaner away like an idiot. We lived in a rental house with a vacuum and I was obsessed. The cord isn’t very long, but it’s lightweight, easy to handle, and cheap. Great for daily cleaning. Additionally, it can transform into a handheld vacuum cleaner. Add it to your cart now. — Kate Auletta
19. Shock doctor mouth guard
It’s a bit like a second adolescence here, but I currently wear braces and started playing sports in my 30s. I’ve been doing kickboxing for a few years and was finally getting into some light sparring, so I needed a mouthguard that would protect my lips and prevent cuts from the braces if I get hit with something in my mouth. This stuff is so soft that it doesn’t require boiling and shaping, and it breathes easily. Highly recommended if you have teenagers involved in contact sports and orthodontics. — Katie McPherson
20. Soup Cube Cookie Tray
I absolutely love cookies, but if I have any in the house, I’ll eat them all. So when I found out that one of my favorite companies, Souper Cube, was launching cookie trays, I freaked out. This is exactly What I need: A way to freeze individual cookies so I can only make a few at a time. It works especially well because I’m divorced and have it to myself 50% of the time – I can have a warm cookie after dinner without having to make a ton of stuff with it. — Sarah Aswell
21. Good Molecules Yerba Mate Awakening Eye Gel
I swear, every fall, I feel stuffy and bloated. You know when you wake up in the morning and your eyes feel heavy? This is who I am, every day. I bought this dark circle gel and I really like it. It’s nice to have something cool to put under your eyes when you get up, and it’s pretty cheap compared to similar products. — Megan Lacretta
22. Overcolor deposition regulator
I use the espresso brown shade of this product to conceal my roots and prevent my highlights from getting too brassy during salon visits (I just hate having to remove my shine all the time, and so does my wallet). It’s very thick and adheres well to dry hair, and then you just leave it on for 10 to 15 minutes and rinse it out in the shower. The color lasts about two weeks and now I really only need a root touch-up once a season instead of feeling like my hair looks weird every four weeks. — Katie McPherson
23. Puka | Advent Calendar 2024 Organic Tea
This week, cold and darkness have descended on where I live, and I find myself searching for anything cozy. It’s time to break out the candles and blankets and become a tea person again. I’m a little embarrassed to admit how much “little treat culture” has affected me lately, and the Advent calendar, with its little surprises every day, fits in perfectly with my goals. — Megan O’Connell
24. B.box snack box
I just want to say this snack box is the best because it fits whole apple. There’s a silicone lid on top that allows you to stretch the material to make room for bulkier snacks. This is the best school snack box for my kids who love apples! — Katie Garrity
25. Santa’s Naturals Fraser Fir Christmas Candle
Many times in my 43 years I have bought a candle that was supposed to smell like a Christmas tree, but it smelled absolutely nothing like a Christmas tree. But readers: This is true! I’m so excited about these candles, I can’t even tell you! I also tried two other Christmas scents and they were equally good. And the cans they come in are so cute. I want to store them. — Sarah Aswell
26. Klee Kids Enchanted Shampoo and Charmed Conditioning Combination
My daughter has very thick hair. Although it is beautiful, it is very troublesome to wash. Don’t talk to me about brushing your teeth in the future! Klee Naturals is a game changer. We love the natural ingredients and scent, and they also have an anti-tangle spray to prevent tangles. — Katie Garrity
27. TheraIce Cooling Gel Soothing Sleeping Mask
I’m not entirely sure when the shift happened, but I couldn’t get a good night’s sleep without a sleep mask. I love this because (a) it lasts overnight and (b) it has the added benefit of cooling. — Julie Spranks
