Candles, slippers and robes are great but moms everywhere are quietly wishing for a few things that cannot be wrapped. Every December we are asked what we want for Christmas and every December we smile politely and say something practical like, “Oh, I don’t know, maybe a new robe?” But the truth is, the question hits differently when you are a mom.
Something More Magical and Not Sold on Amazon
Let’s be honest. If Santa wanted to do moms a real favor this year, he would skip the stockings and slide a full night of sleep right under the tree. Maybe even a clean house. Maybe both. While the world is busy making gift guides filled with perfume and pajamas, we are over here dreaming about something far more magical and definitely not sold on Amazon. So this year, let’s skip the guesswork and talk about what moms really want.
I should also say that I am an introvert. So consider this list especially meaningful for moms who recharge by being alone. Not left alone with a baby monitor nearby, but truly and completely alone.
1. A Weekend Afternoon At Home Alone
The first thing on my Christmas wish list is simple: a weekend afternoon at home by myself. There is something restorative about being in my own space with no little voices narrating their every move. My ears are not straining for suspicious silence and I am not tracking snacks or schedules in my head.
And the best part is, I can do whatever I want. Maybe that means cleaning or organizing because it somehow feels enjoyable when no one is undoing it behind you. Maybe it means sitting on the couch with a book or watching a show without pressing pause every few minutes. Whatever it looks like, solitude in my own home feels like a gift most moms dream about.
2. A Week Without Being In Charge Of The Kitchen
Next on my list is for someone else in the house to plan, shop, cook and clean up all the meals for an entire week. I know it is a tall order. It might even qualify as a Christmas miracle. But the more I think about it, the more incredible it is that moms handle all of this on an ordinary Tuesday with no applause or even a thank you.
Just one week without being in charge of the kitchen, with no meal planning and no grocery runs and no “what’s for dinner” echoing through the house, would feel absolutely delightful.
3. To Enjoy A Hot Cup Of Coffee
Then there is the dream of drinking a hot cup of coffee in the morning. Just one cup. That is all moms are asking for. I have tried getting up early to make it happen, but the moment I sit down, I hear little feet running down the hallway like they have been personally alerted that Mom might be relaxing.
They snuggle in for a moment before the requests begin to roll in. Snacks, milk, a missing toy, a specific show or sometimes all of it at once. Moms are not asking for a full morning off. We just want fifteen quiet minutes to hold a warm mug and enjoy a cup of coffee before it turns into iced coffee against our will.
4. A Clean House Not Cleaned By Me
And the last thing on my list is a big one. I know it is unlikely, but you cannot get what you do not ask for, so here it is: a clean house that I did not clean. It is a bold dream, but a mom can hope.
I mean someone else doing the dishes and putting them away. Folding the laundry and putting it away. Vacuuming, dusting, changing the sheets, the whole magical domestic fairy godmother treatment. I know it is basically asking for a unicorn, but a mom can dream.
Our Wish: A Little Space, A
As I close, I realize that what moms truly want is to be recognized for everything we do big and small throughout the year. And for introverted moms, feeling recognized often looks like having a little space, a little quiet and someone stepping in to share the mental load we carry without thinking. Yes, we appreciate thoughtful presents, but we also love feeling seen. So if you are gifting the slippers or the cozy robe this year, tuck in a handwritten note of gratitude too. It will mean more than you know.
Cassidy Vineyard Pflanz
I’m originally from North Platte, NE, and Lincoln has been my home for more than a decade. My husband, Justin, and I have been married for almost ten years. We welcomed our first child, Maxwell, during the pandemic, and our youngest, Zoey, arrived in a much calmer chapter of history.
Justin and I are both small business owners—his in the motorsports industry, and mine as a personal trainer and social media manager. Our flexible schedules have allowed us to prioritize family life. When I have a spare moment, you can find me diving into photography, a good book, a favorite podcast, or the kitchen. Motherhood may not be as glamorous as social media makes it out to be—it’s demanding, exhausting, and often messy—but I can’t wait to share the beautifully messy journey with you!
