Below you will find gift ideas categorized by different interests to make it easy to pull out suggestions that might best cater to your mom or a mother figure in your life who deserves to feel extra special on Sunday!
I hope you find something fun below!
For the Foodie
- Afternoon Tea or a Day Trip to a Local Winery
My sister and I have treated my mom to a fancy schmancy afternoon tea and a day trip to a local winery for Mother’s Day before and she absolutely loved both experiences. The three of us got dressed up and had so much fun sipping hot tea and digging into tiny bite-size treats during high tea and had a blast trying different wines at a local winery! Quality time is the name of the game for this gift idea!
- Cook Smarts or Blue Apron Subscription
Moms who love cooking but wish they had more time to put into meal planning and food prep might enjoy a subscription to Cook Smarts or Blue Apron. Cook Smarts is the less expensive option and $8 a month gives you access to free weekly meal plans customized to your dietary preferences (gluten-free, vegetarian, Paleo, etc.) and includes a detailed grocery list, but all of the grocery shopping is up to you. Blue Apron costs more ($9.99 per person per meal) but includes the delivery of all the ingredients you need to make the latest Blue Apron recipe. (Ryan and I previously ordered four weeks of the vegetarian Blue Apron meals and loved every single one!)
- Chocolate Making Class
I would be willing to bet that most moms out there love chocolate and taking a chocolate-making class with mom at a local chocolatier sounds like a great way to indulge your sweet tooth and have fun together at the same time. (Orlando friends, check out Farris and Foster’s!)
For the Hard-To-Buy-For Mom
- Themed Gift Basket
Get a little crafty and put together an adorable themed gift basket! (The above picture is from my bachelorette party gift basket post, but you get the gist!) One idea: Fill a movie-themed gift basket for your mom with some delicious movie munchies and a few of her favorite DVDs. Make the basket extra special by including her favorite bottle of wine, some gourmet popcorn, a box of her favorite candy and a gift card to the local movie theatre! Other gift basket theme ideas: Books, baking, gardening, fitness, coffee/tea, stationary, crafts, etc.
- Tickets to a Concert, Musical, Sporting Event, etc.
I know my mom would love tickets to just about any musical out there, so that’s always a safe bet! Perhaps your mom would enjoy tickets to a concert or sporting event? Think about your mom’s interests and purchase tickets for the two of you to experience something fun together!
For the Fitness Enthusiast
- Gym Bag
I gave my mom a pretty and feminine gym bag for Christmas this year and she uses it nearly every day to bring her stuff to and from Jazzercise. With so many options out there, it’s easy to find a bag that will fit your mom’s style and needs. Some of my favorites: Gaiam Everything Fits gym bag (<—This is the one I own and adore), Nike Victory bag, soft teal Stella McCartney bag, Yoga Stripe Duffle (I have the matching yoga mat sleeve!)
- New Workout Apparel
If there’s a mom in your life who regularly works out, chances are she’ll welcome some new additions to her gym wardrobe! Black compression capris are always a safe bet (I love Moving Comfort’s endurance capri) and you can never have too many comfortable workout tops. Some cute options: Old Navy Active 1/4 zip pullover, Athleta Fast Track tee, semi-fitted tank, printed racer back top
- Activity Tracker
I get asked about my Polar Loop activity tracker nearly every day by women at my gym. I think this is a great gift for numbers-oriented moms who may be looking to increase their overall activity or those who might need a little extra motivation to get moving! Another great option? A heart rate monitor! (I love my Polar FT4 heart rate monitor.)
For the Fashion Forward Mom
- Cute Cover Up
With summer right around the corner and pool days on the agenda, a lightweight cover up is a great gift option for moms who love to spend time by the water. Some cute cover up options: Crochet tunic, bandeau cover up, long-sleeve embroidered cover up, Aztec tunic (<— I know that one isn’t for everyone, but I thought it was too cute not to include!)
- Comfortable Pajamas
Everyone can always use a new pair of cute, comfy pajamas, right!? Check TJMaxx and Marshalls for some adorable finds! (The pjs pictured above are from Macy’s.)
- Stitch Fix Gift Card
I gave my mom and sister Stitch Fix gift cards for Christmas and to say they were a huge hit would be a serious understatement. They were both so excited and every time my mom gets a new fix delivered, I receive picture texts from her asking whether she should keep something or send it back. (Just in case you’re unfamiliar with Stitch Fix, please see this post for more information.)
For the Beauty Buff
- Spa Gift Certificate
A gift certificate to a local spa is a present I’m pretty sure anyone would happily accept! By not purchasing a certain spa service ahead of time, moms can select the service they want. Some might prefer a massage while others would love a pedicure or a facial. And if you can afford to send your mom to a spa for a full day, you are fabulous and need to move to Ocala to become my new best friend.
- Birchbox Subscription
I began subscribing to BirchBox late last year and look forward to receiving my small box of beauty samples each month. The reasonable price (only $10 a month) makes it a great gift for moms who love trying new beauty products! There are many different subscription options, so you can select the one that appeals most to you and your budget.
- Nail Polish
I usually include a nail polish in my mom’s Christmas stocking and she seems to love receiving a new color to add to her collection. It’s a small gift that goes over well!
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Note: This post is not sponsored in any way and is simply a list of some fabulous finds I think would make a great gift for Mother’s Day this year. Some affiliate links are included and I sincerely appreciate your support!
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Laura @ Raise Your Garden says
Refreshing list. I love getting new pj’s and nail polish for for Mother’s Day!
Maybe I should “accidentally” send this list to my husband. After the shrunken [real] alligator head he bought me in Florida last year, I try not to aim too high =)
(I mean, if he wanted a shrunken alligator head, I have zero problems with him buying it for himself, but Mother’s Day….bleh.) Don’t worry, it’s on his desk at work, and he’s happy so it worked out!!
Julie says
Haha!! This made me laugh! 🙂
Linz @ Itz Linz says
great guide! the chocolate making class looks the most fun!!!! now that i have baby william, it makes mother’s day gifts for my mom and jonny’s mom and all our grandmas super easy – baby pictures!!! haha
Julie says
Congratulations to you again!! So exciting!
Carla says
Im so so so addicted to my trackers 🙂
I wanna try them all.
so I bought my own mom one for mothers day.
living vicariously.
Jackie says
Great gift guide! I am not a mother but would still love those gifts!
Brynn says
Last year my sister and I took my mom on a wine your for the day. We had a total blast! The year before we did a girls weekend in NYC. I live to spoil my mom!
GiselleR @ Diary of an ExSloth says
I’m loving all of these gifts…but mostly for myself haha. The spa day would be perfect for my mother tho but I hadn’t even thought of it! Thanks for sharing 😀
Melissa @ Freeing Imperfections says
Great gift guide! I wanted to post a gift guide and include what I got my mom for mother’s day, but since she reads my blog that was a no go.
I love the themed gift basket and nail polish ideas. Pretty sure any mom would love all of this!
Brittany says
Love these ideas!!
Erin @ Girl Gone Veggie says
I’m going to see Wicked this Thursday and I can’t wait!!
I love the Mother’s Day list. I would love to treat my stepmom and MIL to a chocolate making class. Unfortunately they both live on the East Coast so I’m planning on sending them some chocolate and jewelry instead!
Julie says
Wicked it the best!!!!! Have fun!
Chelsea @ A Fit LittleOne says
The chocolate making class is perfect!! I will have to keep that in mind for next year!
Jenn@ Mark My Miles! says
This is my first Mother’s Day and I couldn’t be more excited! Love giving my mother and grandmother gifts each year and put a lot of thought into them. I love the themed basket idea! Thanks for sharing these!
Sonja @ The {Happy} Travel Bug says
Paper source has some really cute Mother’s Day stuff this year. My Mom loves her tea, so I got her some special tea called “Home is where your Mom is” along with a matching mug. Love to find new things that I haven’t done before. Thanks for all your suggestions.
Sarah @ Sweet Miles says
I was thinking about getting my mom a mani/pedi gift card. She deserves some “alone” time for sure!
Ali says
This is a good list! I pretty much love everything on it! Those pajamas look so comfy and are really cute!
Kelsey says
Great gift guide, thank you for putting this together!
Ashley Pitt @ A Lady Goes West says
This is a great list. I’ve actually done so many of these gifts for my mom in year’s past. This year I ordered her a plant, which is something I’ve never done before.
Here’s another one to add to the list: a photo on canvas. That’s what I gave my mom last year. You can choose any lovely photo and have it put on a wall canvas, with wrapped edges. Super easy. Target even does it.
Julie says
Love that idea!
Leslie @ Life Begins at 30? says
Great list! Lots of awesome ideas!
Abi@AbsofSteel says
For now the plan is to buy my mom a massage, which she is gonna love, but that themed gift basket idea is so cute I might have to consider adding it on!
Kelby says
These are awesome suggestions! Thank you! I think a Blue Apron subscription would be a unique and fun gift for my mom. xo Kelby
Audrey @ In Shape Cupcake says
Stitch Fix Idea is awesome!
Polly @ Tasty Food Project says
The chocolate making class is a great idea! My mom and I both have a major sweet tooth!
janet says
I always get my mom stuff she would “never buy for herself” … she grew up in the depressions and learned that basics are good and luxuries are easy to avoid.
(She was jealous that her friends had honesttogod Campbells Tomato Soup whereas her farmer’s wife mother made homemade tomato bisque .. how things change in this foodie era!!!)
I always get her fancy bath soap from Philosophy;s Amazing Grace line, fancy foodstuffs, and nail polish that costs more than $3. And she loves it …
janet says
We also have the rule that at her age (and my dad’s … 86 and 87) that gifts must be consumable and leave nothing after so soap, food, nail polish, etc. work well as she says “I don’t need any more STUFF to deal with when/if we move out of the house and into a home”
Sandra Laflamme says
This is the perfect gift guide. A chocolate making class (or baking class) would be an excellent gift. I know a lot of moms would love Stitch Fix too!
Bethany @ Accidental Intentions says
So many great ideas! Thanks for the suggestions, Julie. I really need to figure out what I’m going to do for my mom for Mother’s Day…like ASAP. Haha.
I didn’t know you had a Polar Loop! I started wearing one a week ago, and I’ve found it to be an interesting experience. Do you feel like yours tracks your activity accurately? I was on my feet for literally 11 hours on Friday working at an expo, and my Polar Loop told me I only hit 50% of my activity goal, which seemed very unfair 🙁 Haha. How has your experience been with it?
Ashley @ Saving Money in your Twenties says
Love the winery or tea idea! I’ve taken my mom to a few wineries for her birthday or mother’s day- she loved it! You’re so right- the quality time is probably her favorite part! 🙂
jen @ impossible jen says
that glitter butter polish was part of my favs, i love it alone. just enough sparkle.
http://www.impossiblejen.com/2014/04/friday-favorites-41114.html
Tracy says
This is what I bought for my mom this year:
http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/dogeared-mom-loved-heart-boxed-pendant-necklace-nordstrom-exclusive/3336584?origin=keywordsearch-personalizedsort&contextualcategoryid=2375500&fashionColor=&resultback=3322&cm_sp=personalizedsort-_-searchresults-_-1_9_C
I’m so excited about it!!
Megan @ The Skinny-Life says
Great list! Maybe I should send this to my Mom as my list? These are all things I want! It’s really amazing how many healthy resources are readily available to us now compared to a few years ago.
Lauren @ Focused To Be Fit says
There are some great ideas on here! We decided to get my mom a gif tcard to Sunglass Hut because she’s been wanting some Ray Bans!
Annette@FitnessPerks says
This is such a great guide! I like the idea of a gift card (especially for cute clothes or a massage). 🙂
Alexis Teevens says
Just ordered my mom the Gaiam gym bag. Thanks for doing this on a Monday so it has time to ship before Mother’s Day!! So smart!
Lucy says
I got my mom an early Mother’s Day gift: fresh tulips, her favorite candy and reading material. 🙂
3girls1apple says
These are some great ideas. I was drawing blanks for mothers day gifts. Thanks for sharing from 3girls1apple.com
Sarah @ Sarah Sincerely says
Great ideas! My mother-in-law is the most difficult person in the word to buy for, because if she wants something, she typically goes out and gets it. I’m loving the idea of a cover-up or a themed basket!
KT says
This is a great list and most of these would make great presents for any female.
I’m trying to think of something extra special to get my mom this year. Her 60th birthday is the day after Mother’s Day and both of us kids are currently living in Australia so neither of us will get to spend the day with her 🙁
Sara @ LovingOnTheRun says
I would love to do a cooking class with my mom! I hope to do that once I am back closer to home.
Michelle @ A Healthy Mrs says
Great ideas, Julie!
Nancy says
I was eying up a half-zip workout piece like the one you’ve shown above – except it was at Nike, and it was on for a silly sale price, literally like $19 or something. I don’t know why I didn’t buy it….
Runner Girl Eats says
Great list. I love giving spa gift cards and tickets to shows. Anything that involves spending time together is extra special.