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Most of us fall back on the classics when it comes time to buy Mother’s Day gifts: flowers, fancy tea, a card, or a framed piece of kid art. But if you really want to show off this year, you might want to dig a little deeper. That’s why I created this helpful list of Mother’s Day gifts for every kind of mom, from artsy moms to fitness moms to moms who love to cook, curated from things I’ve tried and loved myself, as well as recommendations from cool people and celebs (many of whom are moms themselves). Heck, I even found something for the mom who (maybe) loves her dog more than her kids. And since Mother’s Day is right around the corner, all of the gifts below will arrive on or before May 12.
Under $25
For the mom who’s always running a bath
These bath powders will make her feel like she’s in a Japanese onsen.
For the mom who keeps the fridge stocked
This preserved-lemon paste is great in everything from marinades to cocktails.
For the mom who burns wicks
Fifty tiny tapers should keep her stocked up for at least a few weeks.
For the mom who burns toast
For the mom who burns miles
A discreet bike light that easily attaches to handlebars.
For the indoorsy mom who wants to get outside more
This solid perfume might help: It smells like white sage, a woodsy aroma that may inspire Mom to finally take that hike through the actual woods.
For the mom with a gossipy book club
For the mom who plans movie nights
This is the secret ingredient to having movie-theater popcorn at home on demand. All Mom needs to do is add a three-quarter teaspoon of the flavored salt to her popcorn of choice.
For the mom who plans hiking trips
If she’s been hitting the trail without one, Mom will surely appreciate having a LifeStraw in her kit, especially on longer treks. The lightweight doodad filters waterborne bacteria, parasites, dirt, and other contaminants from any water source, making it a must for outdoor adventures.
For the mom you’re trying to wean off potpourri
Introduce her to the joys of French incense papers, which she can either fold, accordion style, and light in this burner, or stow in her underwear drawer.
For the mom who buys the good ’chovies
Anna Hezel’s new cookbook is “for tin-thusiasts and a-fish-ionados.”
For the mom who could use a different kind of burning paper
A pack of 50 pink prewrapped cones that she’ll know just what to stuff with.
For the mom who journals
This stylish fountain pen will make even her pettiest thoughts look like poetry.
For the mom experimenting with fermentation
A container like this is perfect for making kimchee, sauerkraut, and pickles, according to the brand.
For the expecting mom
A dermatologist-approved oil that is good for preventing stretch marks.
For the mom who’s always redecorating
The tiny book is full of color combinations made by artist Sanzo Wada.
Under $50
For the mom who keeps up with the trends
The Owala FreeSip is a favorite of 14 Strategist staffers and counting.
For the mom who’s always up for another shot
This nifty moka pot comes with two cups so you can join Mom while she caffeinates.
For the mom who always has cut fruit in the fridge
This Italian orange peeler looks like a tiny sculpture and makes peeling fruit way less of a chore.
For the mom who hates wire hangers even more than Joan Crawford did
These nonslip velvet hangers will keep her sweaters pristine.
For the mom who calls her cat her baby
She’ll appreciate something to carry that precious cargo. A staffer at our sister website Vulture tested this backpack out with her cat, the Captain, after she saw Taylor Swift carrying it.
For the mom who calls her dog her baby
A gift for her pup is a gift she will cherish, and this doughnut-shaped dog bed will look nice in her home as well.
For the mom with a sweet tooth
Sure, you could always pick her up a box of chocolates. For the price, Mom will get two boxes. So if you’re lucky, she might share.
For the mom who’s dripping in gold
This jewelry cleaner will keep her jewels sparkling. It also works for keeping eyeglasses smudge free.
For the mom who prefers liquid gold
This grassy Italian olive oil is great for everything from ice cream to salad dressings.
For the mom with the best Bundts
For the mom who already has a bento box
These collapsible stainless-steel-and-bamboo chopsticks are great to bring to the office or on a camping trip.
For the mom with the softest skin
This green-scented scrub pairs both salt and finely ground pumice particles to offer a gentle exfoliation.
Under $100
For the mom who prints out photos
If your mom would rather look at her pictures the old-fashioned way, this compact printer will let her easily print them from her iPhone.
For the stylish mom
Can’t go wrong with some Eileen Fisher espadrilles.
For the stylish mom with bunions
These comfortable yet dressy sandals are a favorite of both Portuguese grandmothers and contributor Misty White Sidell.
For the mom who leaves her cups all over the house
Sure, a Le Creuset mug is nice. But a set of ROYGBIV Le Creuset mugs is even better.
For the mom who hoards airline miles
Jet-setting food stylist Judy Kim uses the AirFly Pro to watch in-flight movies with her AirPods.
For the mom who never misses a root touch-up
This magic hair mask will keep her hair healthy no matter how many times she goes platinum.
For the mom who carries everything on her shoulders
Sure, a massage gift card is always nice, but this nifty device can give her a neck and shoulder massage every day.
Under $200
For the mom with sore feet
Give the gift of on-demand (and heated!) foot massage and you’ll forever be on her good side.
For the mom who summers out East
A basket bag, but a touch more refined.
For the mom who appreciates tradition
Yes, a Mason Pearson is expensive, but the British-made brushes last for decades.
For the mom who hoards paper products
An easy-to-install bidet is the life-changing household gadget she doesn’t even know she needs.
For the mom who hoards tea
Sure, you could get her a Stagg, but it won’t have the same homey charm as a MacKenzie-Childs kettle.
For the mom who takes photos with her iPad
She can upload those snaps of her kids — or grandkids — directly from her favorite device to this sleek digital frame, which Strategist senior editor Jen Trolio has gifted to six different family members.
For the mom who never misses a blowout appointment
This hair gadget combines a hair dryer and a round brush into one simple, easy-to-use tool.
Under $400
For the mom who never misses a Botox touch-up
A luxe at-home microcurrent device she can use in between appointments.
For the mom who’s reconnecting with her inner child
A pair of Moxi Lollys will ensure she can hit the rink (or the street) in style.
For the mom who’s reconnecting with her inner teen
Elevate her baked-goods game with this all-in-one edibles-making machine.
For the mom who never got into the air-fryer craze
The key to this magic toaster (a favorite of Emily Mariko’s) is that it slightly steams the bread as it toasts, which mimics a professional bread oven at home.
For the mom who overpacks for the Rockaways
A hefty cooler is much easier to carry when you can sling it on your back.
The Strategist is designed to surface the most useful, expert recommendations for things to buy across the vast e-commerce landscape. Some of our latest conquests include the best women’s jeans, rolling luggage, bed sheets, coffee makers, and bath towels. We update links when possible, but note that deals can expire and all prices are subject to change.
Every editorial product is independently selected. If you buy something through our links, New York may earn an affiliate commission.
