By Nicola Fumo, Forbes
Mother’s Day, which falls on Sunday, May 9 this year, will be here before you know it. Luckily, there’s still plenty of time to order Mother’s Day gifts. Whether you’re gifting your own mom, the mother of your children, a mom-to-be or another special mother in your life, Mother’s Day is a chance to offer a token of gratitude for all of the unseen, unheard labor that goes into motherhood.
Not sure where to start? We’ve gathered 41 unique gift ideas for all kinds of moms, from the kitchen gadget she doesn’t have (yet) to cool jewelry and plenty of gifts for rest and relaxation. For more ideas, check out our guide to Mother’s Day gifts for mothers in law and all of the great Mother’s Day sales and deals to shop from now through May 9.
A Personalized Necklace For Moms Who Want To Keep Their Little One Close To Heart
Accessibly priced but with a luxe feel, this customizable bar necklace from Made By Mary is a gift any woman would love, mom or not. Engrave the necklace with a child’s name or date of birth for an extra sweet touch. The brand also makes options featuring two hanging bars, perfect if you’ve got two names to include or can’t decide between a name or birthday.
An Everlasting Rose
For a Mother’s Day bud that won’t go in the bin, try Sofia Zakia’s solid 14k gold rose pendant studded with dainty diamonds.
A Dose Of Venom
Intoxicated Cosmetics harnesses the power of nature with its venom-based skincare set. Featuring three serums—snail, snake and bee—this set is formulated with niacinamide, betaine, trehalose and vitamins C and E—all ingredients that help improve the appearance of skin tone and hyperpigmentation. The Bee Serum also contains Royal Epigen which activates skin regeneration. Don’t forget to add Intoxicated Cosmetics’ newest product—Antidote Moisturizer (it’s currently pre-order only)—to give Mom the full luxury experience.
A Personal Sweat Lodge
If she’s a fan of infrared saunas, she’ll love this blanket that delivers far infrared rays for an intense, detoxifying sweat without leaving her bedroom.
Flowers Fit For A Queen
This regal blend of blooms in rich shades of violet and purple with pops of greenery are fit for a queen, so they’re perfect for mom.
A Preppy, Spring-Ready Bag
The ladylike Petite Lee Radziwill bag from Tory Burch is updated for spring in happy gingham. (And if picnic prints aren’t her thing, it comes in a bunch of other colors, fabrics, and leathers, too).
A Versatile Dress For The Mom Who Lives In Leggings
This sporty dress is so popular, it’s racked up over 2,000 five-star reviews on Outdoor Voices’ site. It features built-in shorts and soft, breathable material, making it perfect to wear for everything from running errands to chasing the kids around the playground. No wonder multiple women say they own it in a few colors.
A Vintage-Inspired Ring She’ll Want To Show Off
This pretty oval cut ring is sure to stand out from the sea of macaroni necklaces and heart-shaped lockets you’ve given Mom over the years. Choose from vermeil, 14 karat or 18 karat gold, and select whichever gemstone you think she’ll like best. Each of Aurate’s pieces have a lifetime guarantee, meaning she can get her ring re-plated or polished free of charge if it starts to wear down over the years.
A Gift For The Grandma Who Lives Far Away
If Nonna only gets to see the grandkids a few times a year, Facebook Portal will be a total game-changer. The device offers a better video chatting experience than FaceTime or Zoom because the camera automatically zooms in and out to fit multiple people in the frame. Plus, the impressive sound and video quality makes it feel like you’re in the same room with the person you’re calling. While she’d probably prefer an IRL visit, reading the the grandkids a bedtime story over Portal will be a close second.
A Stylish Leather Tote
This stylish Kier Cactus Leather Tote from Fossil, made from organically grown cactus leaves, is made in partnership with the Mexico-based company Desserto®. The collection includes four colorways.
The Best Skin Of Her Life
Packed with three cult-favorite products from Dr. Barbara Sturm, this set comes complete with everything needed to create a healthy, glowing complexion.
Something To Help Her Work Out In Style
Paired with Bala’s weighted bangles, these sleek three-pound weighted bars will help Mom work out in style. The weight of each bar is evenly distributed, and she’ll be able to choose from neutral colors or opt for a pop of pink.
The Gift Of A Comfy Tush (And Back)
If your mom is living that WFH life, she needs this cushion set from Purple, makers of one of the most comfortable mattresses ever. Featuring the same Purple grid technology, this seat and back cushion set turns any chair into a comfy, more ergonomic setup. The back cushion also offers lumbar support, so you can help Mom live a more pain-free life.
A Scent That Freshens Up The Room
Choose up to three non-toxic candles from Otherland’s signature and seasonal collections. You’ll also be able to type up a special message to the recipient. The cherry on the top? A floral presentation box and matching matchbox just for mom or the mother figure in your life.
For The WFH Mom
If Mom is spending a lot of time working from home, give her the gift of more “screen estate” for her laptop. The Duex Pro is a display that magnetically attaches to the laptop lid and slides out to more or less double the screen size. It’s extremely portable, only adding a half-inch and 1.8 pounds to her laptop—but it affords tremendous flexibility to her workday.
Drinks That Are Always The Perfect Temp
This ceramic mug has a special charger that heats the bottom of the mug to keep beverages toasty—plus the warming base doubles as a wireless phone charger!
A Way To Reverse Time
If your mom is always looking for ways to keep her skin looking—and feeling—fresh, the Lumiere Skyn HyperGlo Light Mask is the solution she needs. Utilizing low-level light therapy, this light mask helps smooth rough texture, promote collagen production, increase blood circulation and improve the appearance of expression lines and wrinkles in under 25 minutes every other day.
An Upgraded Apron For The Kitchen Enthusiast
Whether she’s a baker, a cook, an amateur or an expert, this gift set from Hedley & Bennett will be much appreciated by any mom with a penchant for creating in the kitchen. The bundle includes the brand’s handsome Carryall Apron in Bordeaux, a pair of chambray napkins and a GIR Ultimate Spatula.
The Kitchen Gadget She Doesn’t Have Yet
High end blender brand Vitamix has just released its first hand-held blender, a powerful and precise tool with a 625-watt motor to blend even the toughest of ingredients. With five speeds to achieve just the right texture, it’s the tool even the most gadget-hoarding mom doesn’t have—yet.
Home Grown Herbs, No Green Thumb Required
For any mom who enjoys cooking and likes the idea of having fresh herbs in the kitchen, this grower makes raising common herbs almost effortless.
An Upgraded Water Bottle
If your mom is still toting around an old plastic water bottle, give her the only upgrade she’ll ever need with a Simple Modern bottle. With a ton of colorful and vibrant designs to choose from, it’ll brighten up her day. More importantly, a vacuum-insulated design will allow her drinks to stay hot or cold all day long. The stainless steel interior is resistant to rust, easy to clean and BPA-free, ensuring harmful chemicals and material won’t seep into the liquid.
A Spa-Like Experience At Home
Between trips to the spa and salon, your mother will appreciate being able to give her dogs a nice soothing bath. And we aren’t talking puppies here. MaxKare’s foot spa is like a mini jacuzzi, delivering a gentle massage through bubbles and heat to soften the feet. Plus there are rollers on the bottom that massage her soles, helping ease the pain after a long day. Throw some quality foot soaks into the gift basket and she’ll wonder how she ever got along without one.
A Gift For The Beauty Lover
Gift her a three month subscription to Beauty Pie, and Mom will be able to shop luxury skincare, haircare and makeup products at factory prices. That translates to deals like $40 foundations for just $11, and $90 serums for just $13. With prices this good, we wouldn’t be surprised if she opts to renew her membership after the three months are up.
A Neck Massage On Demand
For some mothers, that designation is their full-time job, and their bodies are aching at the end of long days just like everyone else. The heated kneading beads in these shiatsu massagers will melt the pain right out of her neck, back, legs and other parts she didn’t realize were hurting.
Pictures That Double As Wall Art
Mixtiles are 8×8-inch framed photos you can hang, move and rehang to your heart’s content thanks to the residue-free sticky pads that adhere them to the wall. They solve a common problem: Frames are often just too much trouble to hang and potentially damage the wall with nail holes. Give a few to Mom (they’re only $11 each) and she’ll probably start to fill the house with Mixtiles.
A Matching Bracelet Set For Mom And Her Mini
Available in gold-filled, rose gold-filled or sterling silver, this cutesy bracelet duo is sure to please both mama and her little one. The dot-chain design represents connectedness, and both bracelets come with chain extenders so your recipient can get the right fit—and her tot can continue to wear the piece as she grows. (Sizing for the mini bracelet starts at newborn and goes up to age 5.)
Timeless Sleepwear, Monogrammed Just For Mom
High-end sleepwear is a no brainer when it comes to Mother’s Day gifts. This long sleeve sleepshirt from Eberjey has a classic look and offers just the right amount of coverage. For an extra $15, you can have it monogrammed with up to six characters.
A Summer-Weight Robe For Indoors & Out
With summer around the corner, skip gifting a plush robe and go for something more seasonally appropriate, like this cotton gauze style from Richer Poorer. Plus, it doubles as a lightweight layer for getting out of the house, too.
A Go-Everywhere, Fit Everything Leather Tote
This leather bag from Away is hard to beat for its quality, thoughtful features and design. Highlights on the inside include space for a 15-inch laptop, a detachable zippered pouch and a key strap. For an extra $25, have it personalized with a choice of two monogram fonts in metallic silver or gold lettering. Initials can be placed on the front of the bag or on the removable crossbody strap, designed to loop around a telescopic handle of a wheeled carry-on. The side clips tuck into pockets with magnetic closures hidden in the bag’s seam.
A Contemporary Framed Photo
For the moms who can’t be with their families due to COVID-19 or otherwise, a smart photo frame is the perfect way to raise their spirits and keep them keyed in on family holiday fun. You can send new photos and video clips directly to the frame at any time.
Luxury Skincare That Lives Up To The Hype
This two-piece set from luxury skincare line La Mer will give mom a taste of the legendary Crème de la Mer, which does very much live up to the hype.
A Futuristic Foam Roller
Foam rollers aren’t just for fitness folks—they can also be great to work out a stiff lower back from sitting at the computer all day or roll out a shoulder kink from sleeping weirdly. This vibrating option takes those deep tissue therapy and myofascial release benefits up a notch (or three, which is how many speed settings it has).
The Ultimate Care Package For The Mom-To-Be
Set her up for success with this meticulous gift box from Bodily. It has everything she needs for birth recovery, postpartum and breastfeeding all in one stylish gift box.
Functional Loungewear For The Pregnant Mom
This three piece set from Storq includes a tank (with a nursing-friendly button placket), elastic waist pants and a robe jacket made from a soft stretchy cotton spandex jersey. The pieces can adapt from pregnancy to postpartum and onward, so she should get plenty of mileage out of the set.
A Diaper Bag That Doesn’t Look Like Sh*t
This smart neoprene backpack from Dagne Dover comes with a changing mat and an extra pouch for wipes. Plus, it has two special straps that easily clip to a stroller.
A Trio Of Outdoors Essentials For The Active Mom
Equip the outdoorsy mom with this trio of full-size products from Kinfield, which include its ‘Golden Hour’ DEET-free repellent, ‘Sunday Spray’ cooling aloe mist and ‘Waterbalm’ face and body moisturizer.
A Very Modern Box Of Candy
Is Mom CBD-curious? Is the name Martha Stewart enough to convince her to give the non-psychoactive cannabinoid a try? Gift this box of gummies and find out.
A Scent Experience That Far Outlasts Any Candle
With its matte ceramic finish and streamlined organic shape, this easy-to-use diffuser looks good enough to be left out even when not in use.
A Stylish Layer For Between Seasons
This oversized sweater coat is perfect for chilly spring or fall days when Mom needs something tailored to throw over her outfit. Charcoal gray and tan are classics, but the heathered blossom pink is a nice pop of color.
A Pet Bed For The Stylish Cat Mom
The adoring cat mom will be happy to unwrap the Canopy bed from Cat Person, a design-forward brand for all things feline. The clever design of this bed can be adjusted in three ways to suit the cat’s preferences. It also has a circular memory foam cushion for optimal comfort. Just note: The bed is recommended for cats 13 pounds and under.
Personalized Jewelry With A Cosmic Touch
Personalized jewelry is a go-to Mother’s Day gift, but there are only so many initial charms and nameplate necklaces a woman can wear before it starts to look a little nuts. Moonglow offers a more subtle approach, replicating the moon phase from any date (think birthdays, anniversaries or other milestones) onto jewelry, including necklaces, rings and bracelets.
