Mother’s Day — May 12 this year — is this weekend, so you’re running out of time to secure the perfect present for any of the moms in your life. Whether you’re celebrating one mom or several generations of them, we’ve curated a lineup of gift guides for each and every type of mother on your list.
To get the lowdown on the things she’ll love most (and that will arrive on time), we consulted actresses, beauty gurus, singers, and chefs — many of whom are at varying stages of motherhood — to bring you dozens of standout gift ideas. We’ve included many mom-approved Strategist favorites, some that are longtime top sellers on our site and others that we own ourselves or have given to our own mothers. Finally, we made sure to choose gifts at every price point so you can spoil your mom with something special no matter your budget. If you want to stay on top of all of our gifts coverage, sign up for our newsletter and you won’t miss a thing.
Time is ticking to find the perfect gift for the mother in your life, and to help you show your appreciation in time, we’ve put together a guide to the best last-minute Mother’s Day gifts at every price point. Among our suggestions that will arrive on time are a set of Japanese watercolors for the mom looking to take up a new artistic pursuit, a book of logic puzzles for the mom who can’t resist a good puzzle or murder mystery, and an adjustable cell-phone stand that’s perfect for video calls and recipe videos. Read more here.
We have one-stop shoppers in mind with this Mother’s Day gift guide that includes picks for every type of mom (including the mom who won’t pass up on reconnecting with her inner child). We made sure each gift is available on Amazon, so you can shop these multipurpose French incense papers, old-fashioned photo printer, and colorful water bottle that 14 Strategist staffers adore without a second thought. Read more here.
We think about the best gifts for moms every month of the year, and this master gift guide for moms has 54 fantastic gift ideas to show for it. There’s a body wash for the mom who loves luxurious bath products and a make-your-own-miniature-bookstore kit for the crafty mom. Finally, for the mom who is looking to expand her jewelry collection, we found a very affordable and very convincing dupe of Bottega Veneta’s drop earrings. Read more here.
There’s no reason to put a price on love, and these 50 Mother’s Day gifts under $50 honor that sentiment. Amid the assortment of thoughtful gifts is a pruner that will arrive well in time for May flowers and exfoliating socks that will help ready her toes for sandal season. For the home cook, we’ve included this egg poacher that we crowned the best overall after lots of testing. Read more here.
For even more ideas, consider this list of 60 gifts under $100. There’s something for every type of mom, such as a velvet travel jewelry case for the mom who will never miss a chance to accessorize, the absolute best organic-cotton socks, and a pair of somewhat dainty Teva sandals for the mom who appreciates comfort but won’t forgo style (multiple Strategist editors and the Olsen twins love them). Read more here.
With less than a week remaining until Mother’s Day, you’re almost out of time to order a special flower arrangement. Luckily, we have more than 25 recommendations for real flowers, including a spa-inspired bouquet that comes with a honey bath-bomb trio and a monochromatic arrangement that’s brimming with roses, feathery astilbe, and ranunculus. If your mother would prefer a less traditional bouquet, there’s a modern, structural arrangement of pink cymbidium orchids and Asiatic lilies in a sleek black dish. Read more here.
Editor’s note: While each of these flower arrangements currently have delivery dates available for May 12, don’t dillydally as they’re going quickly.
Though she might feel overwhelmed at all times, a new mom can use her first Mother’s Day as an opportunity to honor and celebrate this new stage of life. To help you find the perfect gift to match the occasion, we surveyed new and seasoned mothers to find the 48 best gifts that will help her smooth her transition into motherhood. Along with this ice roller for de-puffing and refreshing her skin, we’re recommending these postpartum supplements that two Strategist editors and fashion historian Ruby Redstone swear by. For a versatile gift that keeps on giving, there are these soothing nursing pillows that can be warmed up or frozen to serve as a hot or cold compress for sensitive breasts. Read more here.
A mom’s first Mother’s Day is a milestone, which is why we’ve created a couple of lists dedicated to helping new moms feel appreciated on their special day. There are dozens of ideas in this roundup of gifts under $100, including snore-blocking earbuds to help her get much-needed rest and a low-effort memory book to memorialize milestones. For the new mom who’s juggling motherhood and work, we also recommend this folding keyboard that’s compatible with tablets, laptops, and smartphones. Read more here.
While you might have had a hand in choosing (or making) the heartfelt gifts she’ll receive from your kids, she’ll also appreciate a meaningful present from her spouse. Among the many ideas we have to show her how much you appreciate her are an affordable silk pillowcase that’s a consistent best seller at the Strategist, a turban for strengthening hair and reducing drying time, and a roomy makeup bag that’s perfect for traveling. Read more here.
While most grandmothers just want to spend time with their grandchildren, a physical gift is a great way to show the grandma in your life how much you care about her. We’ve compiled a great list of gifts for grandmothers, according to grandmothers (and a few reliable grandkids). Recommended gifts include a delightful pair of duck-shaped toast tongs, a prompt-filled journal for reflecting on their moments with her grandson, and a crossbody iPhone case for the grandma who can’t keep track of her phone. Read more here.
Being away from your mom (or grandma) on Mother’s Day can be tough. That’s why we compiled a list of gifts specifically for long-distance mothers — such as a digital picture frame that everyone can contribute images to through an easy-to-use app. There’s also a “paper time capsule” with back-and-forth prompts that makes it easy for her and the kids to stay in touch. Finally, to make her next visit a bit smoother, we recommend this fleecy, scarflike travel pillow that many frequent travelers consider a necessity. Read more here.
For the mother who loves a cooking project, we have a list of 47 gifts for home cooks that includes a variety of gadgets, spices, and relevant reading materials, such as an expert-endorsed fermentation vessel, our top-recommended indoor garden for the mom who uses herbs with abandon, and a 20-ounce bucket of flaky finishing salt that’s beloved by celebrities and Strategist writers alike. Read more here.
If the mother in your life is the type who’s always thinking about her next meal, consider this list of gift-worthy food items and ingredients compiled by the Strategist’s kitchen and dining writer, Emma Wartzman. Her recommendations include these California-grown dates, considered by many food lovers to be the best, and sustainably produced premium vanilla, as well as a gelato gift set with inventive flavors like salted peanut butter with crunchy peanuts and Amarena cherry with amaretti. There are plenty of savory-leaning suggestions as well. Read more here.
Perhaps the fact that Mother’s Day comes around right when May flowers pop up is a gift from Mother Nature to moms with a green thumb. But for gardening-related gifts from the rest of us, we have an extensive list of tools, outdoor furniture and planters, gardening apparel, seeds and plants, and books. Among our picks: a mighty weeder that can tackle even the most nettlesome invasives; an affordable sensor that measures soil moisture, pH, and sunlight; and a gingham picnic blanket for garden picnics (and admiring her work). Read more here.
For the mother with a taste for the finer things in life, gift-giving can be challenging — not to mention pricey. But we scoured the less expensive offerings of some of our favorite fancy brands to help you find nice items she’ll appreciate that won’t drain your bank account. Our picks include mini-cocottes from Staub, beautifully packaged water-lily-scented soap from fragrance house Claus of Porto, and the very viral Dior Lip Glow Oil. (Pro tip: Our beauty columnist Rio Viera-Newton found that if you order the product straight from Dior’s website, it’s delivered in a lavish Dior box.) Read more here.
Editor’s note: It’s too late to get the Dior Lip Glow Oil by May 12, but it’ll still make a stellar gift if you can wait.
Jewelry is always a thoughtful, though often expensive, gift. But as writer Liza Corsillo says, “With so many jewelry brands offering the same bland birthstone pendants and initial necklaces, it can take some time to find something that feels truly special.” That’s why she asked a bunch of stylish people about their favorite entry-level — that is, under $250 — personalized jewelry. If you’re looking to give something extra-special this Mother’s Day, any of these picks would be dearly appreciated for years to come. Read more here.
Editor’s note: Even though it’s too late to get personalized jewelry to your mother by May 12, it still makes a wonderful gift if you (and she) can wait.
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