Getting just the right gift for Mother’s Day can feel like a lot of pressure. While we’ve got plenty of ideas for what to get her, we also have firsthand experience both giving and receiving Mother’s Day gifts.
And not to brag, but we are pretty great at giving gifts. Ahead, you’ll find the best Mother’s Day gifts we’ve ever given and received. And if you need more gift ideas, don’t forget to check out our favorite practical gifts, unique gifts and Etsy gifts.
Last year for Mother’s Day, I gave my mom the Aura Carver Mat. Because she has five kids who live all over the world, I thought it’d be especially meaningful (and practical) to take our photos from the cluttered family group chat to this digital frame that can store and display them in one place. It was easy to set up (I pre-uploaded some of her favorite photos in advance), and it also comes with free unlimited storage. Unsurprisingly, she loved it! — Stephanie Griffin, director of social
When I got to sample some new RMS products recently, my mom got in on the fun and ended up falling in love with this Kakadu Beauty Oil, which launched in February. So, naturally, I got her one of her own this Mother’s Day! It’s packed with a blend of light but super-concentrated nourishing oils that deeply hydrate and brighten the skin, improve texture, and protect from sun damage. Best of all, it’s under $100, so when she empties her first bottle (which she undoubtedly will), she can restock without spending a fortune. — Stephanie Griffin, director of social
This isn't a present Mom can use directly, but hear me out: It still makes a thoughtful Mother's Day gift for a mom with young kids. When I was looking for more creative ways to spend time with my toddler, cooking and baking came to mind right away. This stool offers a safe way for her to stand at the kitchen counter with me. She can help me mix batters and watch as I chop vegetables and scramble eggs. This uninterrupted time together, one-on-one and away from screens, is the real gift. Plus, it gets her more interested in food, and hopefully someday she’ll be able to do the cooking for me. — Elisabeth Sherman, associate writer
I drink at least two cups of tea every day (I love a cozy vibe!), so I highly recommend this David’s Tea wheel as a gift for any moms who love tea as much as me. All the blends are organic, and they are packaged in a satisfying array of hues inside the round container to create a color wheel. There are 36 tea sachets total, and you can choose from a variety of 12 teas, including roobois, chai, jasmine and black tea (my personal favorite is Saigon Chai). And when guests come over, I love to offer them their choice from this varied selection. — Elisabeth Sherman, associate writer
My mom loves scoping out birds in the backyard — she already has two bird feeders (one that’s specific to hummingbirds). Last year I got her the smart, solar-powered Bird Buddy, which photographs and catalogues the birds that come to have a snack, so she’d never miss another winged visitor. I was able to pair it with both our smartphones, so we can bond over birding together, and she’s since told me it’s the best gift I ever gave her. — Chelsea Stone, editorial director
Last year, my sister and I gifted our mom a custom faceless illustration of the three of us. It was so easy to order: All we had to do was decide whether we wanted a physical print or a digital file and send the artist a photo. We went for the physical print, but having the option for a digital version is great for last-minute shopping. The first draft was ready in less than 24 hours, and we were able to request revisions too. My mom was obsessed and still talks about how it was one of the best gifts she’s ever received. — Amina Lake Abdelrahman, home and gifts editor
My family knows I love to sit around in my PJs, which is why this extremely thoughtful gift was so well received. The high-waisted pants and short-sleeve top are made of washable silk (because who wants to dry-clean pajamas?), and they fit super loose for extra comfort. There’s not much I look forward to more than a cup of coffee, my newspaper and this silky, great-looking set come Saturday morning. Plus, they are also perfect to throw in a suitcase for overnight trips. — Tobey Grumet Segal, reviews editor
My mom is a huge animal lover, and our two dogs mean the world to her. I got her these two wall prints of our dogs for Mother’s Day, and she absolutely loves them. They even managed to print an old picture of my senior dog as a puppy and still make the photo look as great as ever! You can pick from so many options to give the mom in your life the best personal gift possible this year. — Gabriella Triolo, social coordinator
Finding quality jewelry at a low price isn’t always easy. My mom is a jewelry lover, but I wanted to get her a quality gift that wouldn’t set me back hundreds of dollars. These earrings look and feel luxurious but only cost around $40, making them the perfect affordable gift for her this year. — Gabriella Triolo, social coordinator
Perfume is always a reliable gift option, but finding a good one that doesn't cost a fortune isn’t easy. But when I tell you this is the only scent she’ll ever need, I mean it. It comes in beautiful packaging, and the smell is even better. [It] smells like the coveted Baccarat Rouge, minus the high price tag. It’s long-lasting and truly gives a luxurious feel while still under $100. Also, the fragrance is cruelty-free and vegan so if that’s also important to her, then this perfume is perfect. — Gabriella Triolo, social coordinator
My mom loves to test out new olive oils and I knew she’d never buy this one herself, so I thought Mother’s Day was the perfect time to splurge. This organic cold-pressed olive oil is free of additives and preservatives, and can be used alone or added to your favorite recipes; our family favorite is olive oil cake. — Lindsey Smith, associate editor
Finding a gift for your significant other’s mom can be daunting, but from experience, I highly recommend these heavy-duty, cut- and water-resistant gloves if she’s a gardener. They’re fantastic for all her gardening needs, and the unique finger nodules make them ideal for digging. Throw in a couple packs of seeds and you have a great gift set! — Lindsey Smith, associate editor
The first thing my mom wants to do when she comes to visit is get a cupcake from the famous Magnolia Bakery. This Mother’s Day, I’m bringing the bakery to her with the help of the bakery’s sampler pack. It includes six chocolate and vanilla cupcakes and two pints of their incredible banana pudding. I may even send one to myself for being such a great pet mom. — Lindsey Smith, associate editor
It’s a bit of a tradition that I gift my mom tea every year (see both of the Mom-approved recs on this list), and after trying these myself, this year she’s getting these incredibly cool tea discs. I love that this set is completely plastic-free, and the added thermos means she can take her favorite flavor to work. It also just looks so luxe that I know she’ll feel like the queen she is when she sees it. — Lindsey Smith, associate editor
If you know me, you know my go-to place for gifts is Kendra Scott, so there’s no exception when it comes to Mother’s Day. A few years ago, I gifted my mom this demi-fine engravable charm with her initial on one side and her name on the other (engraving is complimentary). That way, she can change up the look — it’s basically a two-for-one gift! It comes in silver, gold and rose gold, and you can shop a bunch of other styles that can be engraved from Kendra Scott, so you can deck out her jewelry box (without breaking the bank). The demi-fine collection is the perfect in-between line that feels a little more special than fashion jewelry but way more affordable than fine jewelry. — Tamara Kraus, senior lifestyle editor
My mom loves gifts that elevate her home, so I recently gifted her this incredibly soft Jenni Kayne throw. It’s 100% cashmere, comes in two gorgeous neutral colors and features a handcrafted stitch-edge detail that complements her couch beautifully. According to my mom, it's the perfect weight while watching a show or reading a book. It’s also large enough that it can be used as an added layer on top of a bed. Just keep in mind that it’s dry-clean only. — DaVonne Onassis Bacchus, manager, operations and strategy
My mom absolutely loves a charcuterie board. I knew I had to upgrade her usual setup of using a bunch of little plates, and this cheese board has been perfect for her. It swivels out for more room for meats, nuts and cheeses; comes with its own little containers; and even has three pretty cheese knives inside. She whips it out whenever I come home, and I love seeing how happy it makes her. — Rachel Lubitz, former senior lifestyle editor
My mother-in-law is always trying to find her keys, wallet, sunglasses, etc., so we knew these would be the perfect gift for her. It took her several months to actually set them up, but once we set them up for her, they became one of her favorite gifts! Would highly recommend gifting this to the mom who seems to lose everything — just make sure you set it up and show her how to use it if she’s not super techie. — Hayley Saltzman, former head of social
Everyone in my family had witnessed my frustration in the past, desperately trying to tame my full head of curly hair. And then, last Mother’s Day, my family gave me the Dyson Airwrap, and life changed for the better. With this high-end multistyler, I am now able to miraculously straighten, curl and generally style my hair in literal minutes. And because Dyson put so much effort into creating a product that eschews high heat, I can boast a healthier head of hair to boot — without stepping into a blowout bar. — Tobey Grumet Segal, reviews editor
This year, I’m planning on gifting my mom this limited-edition fragrance from Snif’s “secret menu.” The fragrance is sweet and gourmand but not exactly what you’d expect from a croissant-scented perfume. Yes, it does smell like the French pastry, but no, it doesn’t leave you smelling like a bakery. The layers of croissant accord, vanilla, tonka bean, black currant and wild berry jam leave a deliciously rich impression that isn’t cloying. After testing the fragrance myself, I was impressed with its complexity and staying power. Paired with the Body Butter Bar — a solid lotion bar of the same scent that literally looks like a pat of butter — Crumb Couture makes for a cute gift set. And I’ll definitely pick up a fresh croissant to go with the theme too. — Sophie Shaw, associate beauty editor
Flowers? For Mother’s Day? Groundbreaking! But truly, you can’t go wrong with a beautiful bouquet of flowers, and last year for the holiday, I treated my mom to an arrangement she’ll never forget (or let me forget!). To probably no one’s surprise, I’m buying her another this year. I love this bouquet and brand because it comes freshly picked, wrapped in burlap and lasts forever. — Stephanie Griffin, director of social
My mom loves a heart-shaped pendant, so this year, I got her this sweet mother-of-pearl one from my favorite jewelry brand, Catbird. Since it’s cut from an abalone shell, each heart looks unique, and $10 of every sale benefits Direct Relief, which provides emergency medical assistance and disaster relief in the US and globally, so both she and I can feel especially good about this gift. — Chelsea Stone, editorial director
Why give your mom a plain, boring card when she is anything but plain or boring? My mom is going to be in for a huge surprise when she opens this 3D floral bouquet by FreshCut Paper. The brand has tons of cards to choose from so you’ll be sure to find a floral arrangement your mom will love. The brand also uses 100% recyclable paper and donates 1% of sales and plants a tree for each bouquet sold. — Lindsey Smith, associate editor
My mom is always looking for new ways to ease her back pain. She’s tried supportive pillows and those shiatsu massagers, and she recently even got a fancy, full-body massage chair. While the Theragun Prime might not be as relaxing as the massage chair, I got her one so she has a more portable massaging option. That way she can multitask and get some relief while watching late-night Japanese TV on the couch. — Kai Burkhardt, sustainability and outdoors editor
Sometimes a simple “Mom” necklace can feel a little cheesy, so a few years back, I got my mom this subtler take on the traditional “Mom” necklace, with one that reads “Mother” but in Morse code. And even better, it came as a set of two, so I got the one that reads “Daughter.” We’ve worn them together on occasion, and it just feels so sweet. — Rachel Lubitz, former senior lifestyle editor
What’s Mother’s Day without a gift that will make Mom cry? This gift really did. My family’s oatmeal chocolate chip cookie recipe, passed down from my mom’s grandma, is the stuff of legend. And to celebrate it in all its glory, I got her this plate personalized with the recipe, which is written in my mom’s own handwriting. She makes these cookies a lot, so it’s also been handy to have sitting on her kitchen counter on the stand that comes with it too. — Rachel Lubitz, former senior lifestyle editor
My mom and I are both perfume girlies, so I love being able to surprise her with a new fragrance each Mother’s Day. One of my greatest hits, according to her, has been this Byredo travel-sized eau de perfume kit complete with three of the brand’s top-selling floral-forward scents like white rose and freesia (the one I got her contains six fragrances, which they don’t make anymore, but this one is just as delightful). She travels a lot for work so I know she can pop these in her carry-on without getting in trouble with TSA, and the scents haven’t lost their potency in the handful of years since I bought them. — Marissa Miller, contributing editor
I live for giving my mom extra-special jewelry on Mother’s Day, and last year I wanted to celebrate the fact that after 60-plus years my mom finally got her ears pierced. For her first set of real earrings, I gave her these petite silver heart huggie hoops from Aurate. The quality is fantastic — shockingly so for earrings under $150. — Rachel Lubitz, former senior lifestyle editor
My mom travels a lot and is also the type of person who likes to be comfy 24/7, so it only made sense to gift her the Travel Napper from Bearaby. The blanket, which is 10 pounds, comes with a small signature duffel bag to bring with her on the plane, and she claims it keeps her calm, cozy and feeling like “she’s at home” no matter how far away she actually is. And even when she’s not traveling, it’s big enough for her to use as a blanket! — Stephanie Griffin, director of social
While Pandora’s charm bracelets have long made moms happy, I loved that I could get custom engraving in my own handwriting done on this sleek and simple bar bracelet. I had my mom’s name engraved on the front, and a personal note added to the inside for an extra touch. — Sophie Shaw, associate beauty editor
My mom has her go-to eye treatment, but she’s always asking me for the newest and latest ones out there. One of my favorite brands is A.P. Chem, and I’m so excited to surprise her with a bottle of the brand’s Enlightening Eye Treatment. It’s extremely lightweight and isn’t sticky, so I know she’ll love it. — Lindsey Smith, associate editor
If you want an alternative to fresh flowers, Pressed Floral has incredibly delicate handmade floral necklaces that are the perfect gift. Once I saw these, I knew I had to get my mom one for Mother’s Day. The brand also sells the flower charms separately so if you have siblings, you can get one for each kid. — Lindsey Smith, associate editor
I gifted my mom a pair of these Lululemon sneakers for Mother’s Day because 1) I’m the best daughter ever, and 2) once I tried on my own pair, I knew she’d fall in love with them as well. I pretty much haven’t taken these off my feet since I first got them, and I bought my mom a pair the day I got mine. While they’re billed as running shoes, I’ve been wearing mine all around to run errands (as has my mom), so you don’t have to be a runner to appreciate these. — Hayley Saltzman, former head of social
I got this customizable necklace for my mom in 2021 after Michelle Obama wore a similar “VOTE” one the previous year. Unlike the former First Lady’s, though, mine spelled out “MOM” and was only about $25 on Etsy. My mom loved it, and she still wears it often! — Chelsea Stone, editorial director
I can’t even remember the last time my mom bought herself a new purse. She usually uses a travel crossbody that has no place in nice restaurants when she goes on dates with my dad. To upgrade her very small bag collection, I’m gifting her the oh-so-popular and fabulous Quince Quilted Crossbody Bag. It’s made from Italian leather and is as well made (if not even better) than brands costing five times as much. — Lindsey Smith, associate editor
My mom loves heart motifs, so I bought her a heart-shaped vase from Uncommon Goods for Mother’s Day years ago. (This similar one is just as nice.) To this day, it’s still the first one she breaks out anytime she has fresh flowers in the house. The gift that keeps on giving! — Chelsea Stone, editorial director
Dior’s lip products are my mom’s favorites, and I’m always happy to add to her collection. The Dior Addict Lip Glow adds sheer color that looks like a tinted balm on its own or feels like a hydrating base when worn under lipstick or gloss. It comes in 12 shades, so there’s an option for all the moms. — Sophie Shaw, associate beauty editor
Ever since I gifted this glow-inducing and cult-fave cleanser to my mom last year, she’s never looked back and repurchases it every time it’s empty! If you too have a skin care-obsessed mother in your life and want to give her something she’ll actually use and love, I can’t recommend this product enough. — Stephanie Griffin, director of social
If your mom is looking to participate in the “quiet luxury” trend, the Primo Belt from Alex Crane is the perfect gift. These belts are handmade in Oaxaca, Mexico, by a third-generation family business out of painted raw leather. The belt is incredibly lightweight and goes with any outfit. It’s something most moms wouldn’t buy for themselves but something she totally needs in her wardrobe. — Lindsey Smith, associate editor
I was gifted this bag for my birthday a few years back, and my mom loved it so much that I had to get her one for herself. It’s super durable, which she loves because, admittedly, it gets a ton of use. She’s had it for several years now and it hasn’t ripped or become discolored (despite taking it everywhere with her). It also comes with limitless amounts of space. — Stephanie Griffin, director of social
Thank goodness for a lot of siblings, because that means we can pool our money to get our mom a whole bunch of gifts for Mother’s Day this year. One of the things that she’ll be receiving is this super-soft blanket robe from UnHide — because if you know my mom, she loves to be cozy and warm whether she’s on the go or simply curled up on the couch. Also, it comes with pockets AND a hood! — Stephanie Griffin, director of social
I’m not a mom, but I am a pet parent, and for that I’m including my favorite perfume: Taken by Jane Booke. It’s such a complex scent overflowing with vanilla and hints of lily of the valley, bergamot and patchouli. If your mom is into muskier, darker scents, this will be her new favorite as well. — Lindsey Smith, associate editor
If you’re not helping your mom with her to-do list, the least you can do it upgrade the pen and paper she uses. The elegant refillable metal notebook and solid aluminum pen from Grovemade will help her forget all the times you didn’t clean your room or walk the dog. — Lindsey Smith, associate editor
For years, my mom has raved about this anti-wrinkle cream. She says it’s rich, packed with potent ingredients and, best of all, visibly reduces signs of aging. A few years ago, I gave her the cream, and this year, I’m gifting her another bottle! I love knowing that she’ll actually use it versus something else that’ll just go to waste. — Stephanie Griffin, director of social
Sometimes even a mom needs a stylish pair of kicks. So, it was with great joy that I received these rad Nike Blazer Mids with a snakeskin swoosh, especially since the last thing I want to do is put my heels back on. The mid height makes it easier to get these sneakers on and off, and I can wear them with everything from sweats to jeans to dresses. Plus, my teens think I’m cool. And really, isn’t that what it’s all about in the end? — Tobey Grumet Segal, reviews editor
