Face Cream Good For Windburn
Of course it’s not just Moms who need to look after their skin; particularly out on the water when the full force of both the wind and sun are at play; but there’s no doubting that Moms are certainly some of the most conscious of such issues, typically being the most sensible member of the family.
For unmistakably sunny days there is of course no substitute for a high SPF suncreen, but for everyday use whatever the weather, Dermatone Maxi Tin Face Protection SPF 23 is my go to choice against wind and daylight. This product features a tried and tested formula, which protects against all types of harsh weather, and which is crucially water resistant.
Dermatone Maxi comes in a handy 18 gram tin that will fit in Moms handbag or pocket, making it the ideal addition to any gift bundle.
Boat Shoes
Sketchers are everywhere these days, and for good reason; my wife in particular will attest to just how comfortable they are for everyday use.
To that end it’s awesome to see that Sketchers have produced a deck shoe that combines the look of a traditional deck shoe with the comfort of their trademark sole design.
Moms are lovers of all things practical, so she’ll really dig a pair of shoes that both look the part and are exceptionally comfortable, whether she’s lounging on deck or actively working when under sail.
Lip Balm
Just as the skin on your face can be damaged by sun and wind exposure, so too of course can the skin on your lips.
A decent lip balm is a must to prevent sore and cracked lips, and O’Keeffes are masters of the craft of making products to combat dry and damaged skin in challenging environments.
I’ve personally used O’keeffes ‘Working Hands’ hand cream, so if this is anything to go by then their lip balm is almost certainly the best on the market for the job. As you would expect it also features SPF protection and water resistance, making it ideal for use in harsh weather.
Hand Cream
If the movie Zoolander taught us anything it’s that well cared for hands are worth their weight in gold.
Boating, and in particular sailing can be demanding on hands so your Mom will really appreciate a decent quality hand cream to help ensure her hands stay moisturised and healthy.
My pick is ‘Supergoop’ Forever Young Hand Cream, as not only does it protect and moisturise hands, it also features a high SPF rating (40) to help protect against the inevitable sun exposure that comes with a days boating.
Sunglasses
For a Mom who takes her boating seriously a decent pair of sunglasses is an absolute must. Knowing just how much glare and reflection is present when at sea, whether from the sea, sky, or deck of the boat, it’s best to opt for as much protection as possible.
Ray-Ban 4068
A great choice on the market at the moment are Ray-Ban 4068 oversized wrap arounds. Normally when someone says the word ‘wrap arounds’ I have visions of mirrored lenses on glasses more styled towards skiers than boaters.
The Ray-Ban 4068s are neither of these things; instead utilising a dark tortoise shell frame and traditional non-polarised lenses. At the same time the large lenses and wrap around design ensure that no stray light or glare can make its way into your eyes.
Oakley’s ‘She’s Unstoppable’
For commanding a boat or working as part of a crew polarised sunglasses are the better option because they do a better job of reducing glare.
The clue is more or less in the name with Oakley’s She’s Unstoppable sunglasses. These fully polarised shades offer the same understated aesthetic as the Ray-Bans, but with full polarisation.
Windproof Jacket – Gill
Having a decent jacket on can be the difference between a successful boating trip and a miserable one, so if your mom’s jacket is getting a little tired a new one could be the perfect give to reinvigorate her boating spirit.
Despite being a British company Gill are far and away the most popular brand of sailing/boating clothing and apparel in North America today.
A great all round jacket suited to leisurely boating is the Gill 2017 Womens Crew Lite Jacket. As the name suggests this isn’t a heavy duty piece of clothing for wearing in seriously challenging conditions, but nonetheless it is fully waterproof and breathable, making it exceptionally comfortable for almost all other occasions.
Baseball Hat
Although more serious waterproof headgear comes in handy when you’re in full swing on deck, a fun themed baseball cap is the ideal gift for a Mom who has everything.
If your Mom has a great sense of humor and a love of boating, then a ‘Boat Hair Don’t Care’ hat is surely the way to go.
Flask
Whether it’s roasting hot, or cold and windy; adequate hydration and refreshment is vital when you’re spending a long day at sea.
So if she hasn’t got one your Mom will really appreciate and reap the benefits of the gift of a decent vacuum flask, perfect for keeping soups and hot drinks on cold days and ice cold water on hot days.
A great choice is this insulated flask by Mira; it keeps liquids hot for 12 hours and cold for 24, and because of the stainless steel construction it will stand up well to the demands of a marine environment. Opt for the 34oz version if your Mom likes her boating excursions long.
Designer Lifevest
Who said lifejackets and buoyancy aids can’t be stylish? If your Mom is out on the water a lot then there’s no question that she’ll want to look good whilst doing so.
Opting for a US Coast Guard approved jacket is a must when choosing a life vest, so a great choice is this HO Sports 2018 Pursuit CGA Women’s Life Vest. Not only does it meet this requirement, it’s also ergonomically designed with thicker floatation foam at the bottom than the top to allow freedom of movement in the arms.
Crucially this life vest also features an attractive yet understated design that says ‘feminine yet garish’, unlike a lot of the more juvenile designs available.
Anchor Necklace
Of course your gift doesn’t have to be something designed to be used whilst boating; keepsakes and ornamental gifts can be just as well received depending on your Mom’s particular tastes.
A great choice is this anchor necklace a stunning piece featuring a 0.1 carat diamond inlay and silver chain, perfect bling for those sailing club social events!
Boat Broach
If your Mom is into her pins and broaches then a boaty themed broach could be just the ticket as well – the finishing touch to a scarf or dress perhaps?
Inflatable Lounger
Whether your Mom likes the physical side of sailing or not, she almost certainly likes to relax too. Inflatable loungers are a lot of fun and benefit from being waterproof, so they can quite happily be placed up on deck, as well as in the garden or anywhere else.
They are of course also very lightweight and highly portable!
Duffle Dry Bag
Infinitely useful and built to last; roll top sacks are the bag of choice for boating and every other outdoor pursuit involving water and rain.
Available in a whole range of colours and sizes, you won’t have any trouble pinpointing one to fit your Mom’s tastes, and best of all she’ll thank you for it every time her gear survives an otherwise watery fate!
Camera Tripod
Moms are usually in control of the camera when it comes to family days out, and of course a day’s boating is no different. For composing great shots or time delayed shots with all the family it’s necessary to have a tripod. The trouble is of course that boats have a tendency to move somewhat, making standard tripods a bit of a no go.
The answer is a posable tripod such as a Joby ‘GorillaPod’. These are great because they can be attached to things like grab rails or bannisters, so they stay put when you need them to.
Waterproof Phone Case
Phones are ubiquitous these days, for absolutely everyone. If your Mom loves her phone but gets paranoid about it getting wet, buy her a waterproof phone case. These are great for everything from the occasional splash to full submersion.
Wine Glass Holder Gadget
This one’s a bit of fun and will certainly raise a smile or two. Whether your Mom is at sea, a picnic or anywhere else where wine is liable to accidentally get spilled (you know your Mom!) this will actually prove to be very handy.
Featuring a choice of three base attachments (a ground stake, suction cups, and a strap) this can be securely attached to a whole range of surfaces, and will (fingers crossed) help ensure the wine stays in the glass rather than all over the deck.
A great bit of fun, and hopefully the saviour of a fair few glasses of wine!
Anchor Cutting Board
What better tool for protecting galley surfaces when cutting up lemon slices for drinks than a nautically themed cutting mat?
A great gift for Mom, but maybe just make clear it’s for slices drink garnishes rather than preparing you dinner (Not a smart move in my experience!)
Clock
Hey who said that trinkets couldn’t be fun? Sure, your Mom might not need a nautically themed clock, but it will surely make her smile all the same, especially if she’s one for ornaments already. I can just see a clock like this adorning a bathroom or spare bedroom!
Boat Smartwatch – Garmin Quatix 5
Smartwatches are big business these days, the trouble is that they usually don’t serve much of a purpose, especially on dry land where it’s just as easy to use a phone to check your messages or the weather forecast.
At sea on the other hand, where one a large wave and a slip of the hand could see your phone plummeting into the murky depths below, smart watches make a whole lot of sense.
If your Mom is serious about her boating, this Garmin smartwatch will be a game changer for her. Featuring connectivity to compatible Garmin devices such as chartplotters and transducers gives the user access to all sorts of useful data such as vessel speed, wind speed, information to assist with racing, special settings for other other water based activity such as kayaking, and other must have technology such as personal heart rate monitoring. Very cool stuff!
Make no mistake, your son or daughter points will go through the roof if your Mom opens this at Christmas or on her birthday!
Boat Themed Perfume
There’s nothing quite like an aroma to evoke pleasant memories, so why not treat your Mom to a ‘sea inspired’ perfume?
Although taste in perfume is as subjective as taste in wine, for me the most obvious choice is to opt for something that conjures up memories of sailing in the glorious tropics; think hints of citrus, coconut and cool mint.
A great perfume that contains a good portion of these ingredients is ‘The Sea is as Turquoise’ by Curious Apothecary.
Gift Basket
If you’re really feeling adventurous (and generous) why not put together your own nautically themed gift basket? You could gather up a selection of the items I’ve suggested here, and maybe a few other things such as flowers or other decorations and present it nicely in a basket or other container of your choice.
Note: This is the option to go for if you really want to leap ahead of your siblings in your Mom’s good books!
