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Over the years, I’ve found the best way to wow my mom on Mother’s Day is to pick up a gift that’s straight from the heart.
A personalized purchase speaks louder than something that just anyone can be gifted. It shows you listen and you care. I don’t know about your mother, but my mom’s favorite gifts I’ve given her over the years usually have three specific focuses in mind, with winner items prioritizing her comfort, enjoyment or something to beautify her body or home. A good gift should be uniquely personalized, uncomplicated and should speak to your mother’s interests. Does she like music or maybe tech? Is she artistic or more sporty? Does she like affordable or more bougie gifts?
Shop Our Top Four Best Mother’s Day Gifts
Usually, my gifts are a mixture of all three. For example, one year I got her an electric tea kettle because she was really into drinking tea at the time, but she didn’t want to wait for water to boil. Another year, I got her a custom embroidered knitting tote so she could take her knitting stuff with her on the go. Gifting your mother the perfect gift is impossible, but you can certainly get very close by paying attention. Is she on the market for slippers? Get her slippers, but get them embroidered with her name or her favorite flower. Is she a dog mom? Get her a custom makeup pouch with your dog’s fuzzy little face on the front. A unique gift is bound to take you far. It’ll also hopefully win you points to get you that favorite child spot you’ve been vying for.
With the holiday right around the corner on May 10, now is the time to start shopping so that you don’t find yourself searching for something meaningful at the last minute. Keep reading to shop our unique picks below.
While some people might disagree, flowers have always reigned supreme in my book as one of the best Mother’s Day gifts you can give someone. Oftentimes, they can be seen as an afterthought. That’s only because the bouquets you can pick up at the store aren’t very special, or of good quality, for that matter.
A specialty bouquet from 1-800-Flowers, like this Honey Bee Buzz style, blows all other bouquets out of the water because they are crafted with care and made with the freshest blooms, thanks to local florists. These specialty arrangements can be shipped anywhere and come in sizes small, medium and large, varying in price. My mother is a huge fan of flowers, especially for Mother’s Day. She often requests hydrangeas, which 1-800-Flowers has in spades.
Matcha making is a process that can be fun and therapeutic, but getting the right setup is key. This kit from Amazon is just $9.97, 63% off, and comes with everything your mom might need to get her at-home matcha game going. The kit is nestled in a decorative box and comes with a beautiful blue crackled bowl and matching whisk stand, along with a matcha whisk, sifter and a spoon.
Napping is an important part of any mom’s daily life. It keeps them sane. That’s why this set from Cozy Earth is a quintessential Mother’s Day gift because it is comfortable, cute, and practical, all things I know my mother loves. My mom is a big fan of getting PJs for Mother’s Day because she loves her naps. These are breathable and have a nice stretch, something very important to my own mom, and it also comes in a slew of styles, including funky prints and colors to reflect your mother’s unique personality.
If your mother isn’t the flowers or cards type, this crochet tulip arrangement should do the trick, since it lasts forever and it’s like cards and flowers all in one. The little faux arrangement comes with three colorful crocheted tulips stuffed into a pot with an adorable face. The pot also works as a sentimental card, thanks to a sweet message written on the body. Best of all, this little guy doubles as a companion.
This chocolate shop is located in New York City and features the most decadent little morsels of goodness. This box includes a selection of options such as sunflower seed praline and other unique combos. Michelin-starred chef Gabriel Kreuther curates the box, so you know the flavors are going to be excellent. Even when it’s not Mother’s Day, my mom is a massive lover of all things chocolate, from bonbons to Snickers. She’d likely devour these in a day.
For the mom who could never choose just one picture of her kids, this digital frame will be a savior. It’s easy to upload new photos and have them change slowly or stay in one place. This was also another hit gift with my mom last year. She’s a very sentimental person, but not so tech-savvy. Thankfully, this Aura frame is really easy to use since you upload photos by utilizing the Aura app. My mom’s favorite photos of us are all there in a frame that rotates pictures every few minutes, some from our Hawaii trip and others from her fab girls’ trip to Paris.
Fun fact: my mother just learned how to use speakers and headphones this year. She’s really into listening to music now, especially in the shower, although she often just props her phone up on the sink or in a precarious spot inside the shower. All this to say, she’d benefit from something like these stick-on speakers that can adhere to any surface, including bathroom walls. Most importantly, this set is waterproof, so your music-loving mom won’t have to worry about breaking the tech while soaking in a relaxing bubble bath. Be it David Bowie or Bruce Springsteen played shower-side, this is something I’ll be adding to my cart for my mom this Mother’s Day.
Another thing my mom likes, and something I love just as much, are novelty gifts. This Acoustic Gramophone Amplifying Speaker is a great example of a novelty gift done right because it is both cute and practical, since it’s shaped like a little gramophone for style points, but it is used to amplify your music. To use, you’ll want to slip your phone into the carved slot. The carved piece is said to amplify smartphone sound by roughly 7–15 decibels, thanks to natural resonance and acoustic chamber design that reverberates the sound your phone puts out.
Give the gift of nostalgia with this adorable suitcase-style record player. If you’re looking for bonus points, make sure to include some of your mother’s favorite vinyls if she doesn’t have a collection already.
Available in five fun colorways, these Skullcandy earbuds offer a super-comfortable in-ear fit and amazing sound. These earbuds also double as an accessory and can be clipped onto bags or your keys. I gifted these to my mother last Mother’s Day, knowing she wasn’t super savvy with tech, but she took to it like a duck to water. My mother clipped these to her belt loop so she had her music close to her hip, ready to listen wherever she went.
Where art meets music, this Custom Song Wall Art condenses your favorite chorus into a 24-inch wide piece that you can have forever. The custom-made piece is supposed to replicate the sound waves/audio waveform of your chosen chorus. The audio replicated into art could be from one of your mom’s favorite tunes or even a sentimental soundbite that speaks to her heart.
I think that the most special gift of all that you can give someone, especially your lovely mother, is a gift that cannot be replicated or recreated. On Uncommon Goods, you can get your own three-minute song written by singer/songwriter David Morgan. The song’s contents are up to you. Maybe you want to capture a funny moment like that time your mom had to shave her head bald (not speaking from experience), or maybe you want to keep it sentimental. Whatever you choose, Morgan will write it up and compose it for your mom to enjoy.
Is your mom a big fan of The Real Housewives? Or maybe she’s really obsessed with NSYNC? Whatever she might be into, you can buy your mom a one-of-a-kind message from their favorite star via Cameo. The site features celebrities both big and micro, including musicians, from whom you can request a custom video. The length of your requested video, along with the celebrity chosen, often determines how much you’ll pay for said Cameo. Tommy Lee, Flavor Flav, Mark McGrath and Ne-Yo are just some of the musicians you can request a message from on the site.
My mother is an avid baker. You’ll often find her in the kitchen whipping up banana bread or a cobbler now and again. To broaden her baking horizons, I’d get her this recipe subscription service that sends you new recipes to try for 12 months. Each recipe comes in a little collectable envelope with new and innovative recipes delivered on the 15th of each month. Included recipes are of a historical nature,, which is super fun for moms trying to diversify their recipe game.
If your mom is a bit of a bookworm and blows through titles like nobody’s business, then Book of the Month might be a great option. For the avid reader, this subscription service offers one hardcover book a month starting at just $59.99 a month. Subscription holders will be able to choose one book from a curated list of five to seven new releases, making it easier to discover your new titles without committing to anything too serious. You can also add up to two (or more) extra books to your box for a reduced price, depending on your subscription.
My mom’s water bottle is practically attached to her hip. Her current water bottle is well-loved and, because of that, it has seen better days, which is why I’d get her this Bink bottle in lavender, her favorite color. The 36oz bottle features a flip top to prevent spills and a handle for easy carrying. If your mom isn’t a lavender kind of girl, this style of Bink also comes in a slew of other colorsolors so you can pick the one that suits your mom best.
The subtle but striking ring retails for $998 and is affixed with a semiprecious stone set atop a thin 14k band. The profile of the ring is subtle, while the deep, wine colored stone is a striking addition that draws the eye. The color also just so happens to mirror a certain tight end’s football team colors, what with the red and gold. Kansas City Chiefs fan or not, this ring, true to its name, can be passed on from mother to daughter for generations to come.
For moms on the go, we’d suggest something like a Hulken rolling tote. The brand is known for its convenience and ease of use, seen used by the likes of Kim and Kourtney Kardashian, Jennifer Hudson and Chrissy Teigen, among others. The tote is a rolling style with a handle up top if you want to carry it over the shoulder. Hulken features a slew of interesting color options to fit your mother’s specific needs. Knowing my mom, she’d probably fancy this ruby red hue with a metallic finish. If gifted to her, it’s likely my mom would use this for a quick stop at the grocery store or for running errands.
For the fashionable mom in your life, bless her with these shades from Ray-Ban. The brand’s new Khal Bio-Based sunglasses come in this retro-inspired style with turtleshell frames and round, colorful tinted lenses. For $160, you’re getting quality frames with durability in a classic composition that will never go out of style. That is something practical AND stylish moms can get behind.
Dolly Parton Scent From Above Eau De Toilette, Perfume for Women 1.7 fl oz with Full Lip Gloss
This is a duo set featuring a perfume and a full lip gloss from Dolly Parton’s Scent From Above line. The fragrance is scented like mandarin, blackcurrant, pear, peony blossom, lily-of-the-valley, vanilla orchid, tonka bean, amber, patchouli, and much more.
Dolly Parton can do no wrong. At least, that’s what my mother always tells me. The universally loved musician has a line of fragrances and lip products set in duos available at Walmart. The duo set features a bottle of her Scent From Above Eau De Toilette, which is scented like mandarin, blackcurrant, pear, peony blossom, lily-of-the-valley, vanilla orchid and a whole mess of other things. Translation: this perfume is floral and fruity. It comes in a travel-sized 1.7 oz bottle with a decorative butterfly on top. You’ll also get an accompanying full-sized lip gloss in a Parton-approved peachy pink glittering hue.
I don’t know about your mom, but my mom does a lot. She’s a single mom with three kids, all aged 26. Safe to say she’s earned herself a break. To give her a spa day without that daunting price tag, Kitsch has a spa box for just $89, jam-packed with hair and body essentials to get your mom nice and relaxed, from a wet/dry brush and a conditioning mask to a shea butter shower bar and shower cap. You’ll get 10 total products, which is a $161 value, for just $89. That’s something to celebrate.
Personalized gifts are always an easy way to show that special someone you care. These earrings from Mill Rock East are custom and cute, fitted with up to four birthstones of your choosing. These dainty hoops come in silver and feature round cubic zirconias of all different hues embedded in the sides. Stylish and 30% off? What’s not to love?
Comfort is key for most mothers I know, especially those over 50. You can give the gift of both comfort and style, my favorite combo, with these fuzzy pink slippers from Wolf & Badger. The slip-on style is affixed with playful beaded brooches that depict a cocktail and a bottle of gin that further liven up the pastel pink design. If pink isn’t your mom’s thing, these slippers come in three other colorways.
Socks are another must-have item for everyone, but to make them into a great gift, a theme is key. These socks from Uncommon Goods feature a guitar print set on a black background. The socks are ankle length and retail for $14. Simple, practical and musical, just how we like it.
This Vault Locket necklace’s charm can be programmed with a custom YouTube playlist, audio notes, photos, videos and a handwritten note that the wearer can “unlock” by pressing the jewelry to the top of their phone. The pendants can be changed out and pricing varies based on the pendant and chain you choose. Pendants can be bought solo to be put on an existing chain if you choose. This is a sentimental option that is disguised as your everyday piece of jewelry. I would gift this to the mom who lives far away, giving them a piece of yourself wherever they may go.
If cooking and music are your mom’s thing, consider this personalized cutting board shaped like a record. Upon ordering, you can customize your record cutting board’s center label with a band and album name of your choosing, something that means a lot to your mom. For mine, it would be something Bruce Springsteen-related, but a family name or favorite track could work just fine. The cutting board also comes with a stand, allowing your mom to display the custom piece with pride.
Etsy is the best place to search for custom, meaningful gifts. We found this personalized music box for $138+ made of wood with a lined interior. The box can be customized down to the wood used, text engraved on the top and interior and the song used. The Etsy seller has a list of songs available so you can choose something to fit your mom’s taste. Is she into classical music? How about something more contemporary? This list has likely got what she loves. Pricing varies depending on the customizations made.
My mom is a puzzle fiend. When she’s not sitting knitting hats, my mom is likely working on a puzzle until her back hurts. This year, I gifted my mom this 500-piece custom puzzle from Snapfish, a gift I know she’s going to be obsessed with. All you need to do is upload a photo to the website (I chose a family portrait) and choose the size of puzzle you want. The photo will be transformed into a puzzle for your mom to enjoy. I’m thinking my mom will likely glue this puzzle together so she can frame it.
Etsy always seems to have the most creative gifts on standby. One of our favorites is this fridge magnet that doubles as a music box. You can customize the magnet with a meaningful photo and a special song. After sending the seller the song name and artist, your custom magnet should be loaded up with your chosen tune. You can hit the play button on the magnet to make your song play, while your chosen photo is displayed in the background.
Some mothers are puzzle people, while others favor Legos. If your mom is a Lego fanatic, we’d suggest this Retro Radio set for $99.99. The set is the right amount of challenging and doubles as decor once it’s all put together. This set is exclusively available at Lego.com.
Finally, I can settle the debate among my siblings. Whose is my mom’s favorite? I’d like to believe that after I gift her this customized throw pillow from Etsy, it’ll be me. The pillow can be customized down to the embroidery on the front, to the fabric it is made of. Pricing depends on the chosen customization.
As established earlier, my mom has worked hard enough dealing with three kids. All I want is to give her the gift of comfort, and this Weighted Blanket from Lola Blankets just might do the trick. If you didn’t know, weighted blankets are meant to calm the nervous system, reducing anxiety and improving sleep quality. Lola Blankets’ blankets are the cream of the crop because they last forever and they’re super cozy and plush. These branded blankets are used by celebs like Oprah Winfrey, Selena Gomez, and Simone Biles, among others. Plus, these blankets come in all sorts of colors, so you can get your mom one that suits her style to a tee.
While you may not be able to hire your mom a mixologist to hang around at the house, you can definitely get her the next best thing. This machine allows you to pre-load spirits in pretty glass containers and then make perfectly portioned cocktails using little pods. One of my friends gifted this to her mother, and she was influenced to buy one for herself. Now every time I’m craving a cocktail after a long, hard day, I pop over to her house for a mixed beverage made with little to no effort.
Busy moms don’t really have time to sip a nice, warm and cozy beverage slowly, especially if you’re a mom with young kids. They’ll always end up cold once you get around to drinking them. With an Ember in their arsenal, you can keep your drinks to the temperature of your liking for hours on end. The smart mug features a heating component on the bottom that keeps your beverage at a steady temperature. The mug also has an auto-sleep mode that triggers when the mug is empty or after roughly two hours of inactivity to conserve battery life and keep you and your loved ones safe.
Moms who love to entertain will die for these musical wine glasses. The set features glasses with notches on the side indicating specific notes. You’ll want to fill the glass to the desired note, dip your finger in water and run that wet finger around the rim to create a crystal clear sound. Your mom’s parties will never be boring with these on standby.
This story originally appeared on Billboard

