Chances are, your mom changed your diaper, packed your lunch, and helped guide you through your teenage years — all without expecting anything in return. She deserves a standing ovation, but since that’s tough to wrap, a thoughtful Mother’s Day gift is a fine alternative.
This year, we rounded up a collection of gifts that we think do a much better job of showing appreciation than a bouquet of flowers or a card ever could. Many of our picks, such as Tapo’s inexpensive robot vacuum and Ohom’s self-heating mug / charger, are designed to make her day run a little smoother, while others are aimed at helping her unwind with music, exercise, and — of course — soft serve.
No matter what kind of mom you’re shopping for, there’s something here that’ll make her feel truly seen, celebrated, and maybe even a little spoiled.
How much do you want to spend?
$630
The Skylight Calendar Max is perfect for busy moms who juggle multiple schedules. The 27-inch, color-coded smart calendar syncs and displays family schedules so everybody can see what’s going on at a glance. You can also use it to store grocery lists, assign chores, create meal plans, and even display family photos.
$45
The Birthdate Candle is made for those select few who know when Mercury is actually in retrograde. Hand-poured with soy and coconut wax, it mixes astrology, numerology, and tarot to create a personalized scent tailored to your birth date. The beautifully designed label also doubles as a cosmic birth chart, offering an in-depth look at your astrological profile.
$110
Amazon’s latest 6-inch Kindle is made to be read anywhere — in the bedroom, at the beach, on the bus, etc. The pocketable ebook reader sports a sharp 300dpi display and a new dark mode that makes it enjoyable to read regardless of your environment; however, like prior models, we’d argue it’s the marathon battery life that really seals the proverbial deal.
$10
A creative twist on a classic Mother’s Day gift, Lego’s two-twigged Cherry Blossom set lets mom construct her own 14-inch bouquet using 400-odd Lego bricks. The pastel-hued floral display is a great way to bring a touch of the outside world in, particularly if your mom doesn’t have the greenest of thumbs.
$349
If you ever wished you could set up a (somewhat) legit ice cream shop at home, there’s the Ninja Swirl. The clever 2-in-1 machine can spin up soft serve and traditional hard scoops in a few easy steps, not to mention creamy milkshakes, gelato, and frozen yogurt. Plus, it doesn’t require you to leave a tip, which is a rarity in this day and age.
$30
The Echo Pop will make mom’s everyday routine just a little easier, if not more enjoyable. With a simple Alexa command, she can hit the lights, schedule an alarm, launch her favorite murder podcast, and carry out a host of voice-controlled actions. The entry-level smart speaker comes in an array of fun hues, too, letting you add a splash of color to any room.
$16
Anker’s 10,000mAh Zolo Power Bank is the epitome of an everyday carry. The clever USB-C charger can quickly supply up to 30 watts of power to phones and other devices, and it’s outfitted with a built-in 5.4-inch cable so you needn’t worry about grabbing your cord before heading out the door.
$119
From phone calls to playlists, the AirPods 4 make everything sound a little better. Apple’s latest earbuds deliver improved audio and voice call quality that’s on par with the Pro model, ensuring you come through clearly no matter what’s going on around you. The included charging case even has a built-in speaker, making them juuuust a little harder to lose.
$47
Hazelight Studios’ follow-up to It Takes Two is, without a date, one of the best co-op games you’ll play this year. The split-screen mashup of sci-fi and fantasy pinballs between genres at breakneck speed, introducing new ideas and novel gameplay elements at every turn. Now, let’s hope you and your mom have a good working relationship.
$98
As the name implies, the Ui 3 Self-Heating Mug isn’t your average ceramic vessel. Not only can the 12-ounce smart mug maintain your mom’s ideal coffee temperature long after she brews it, but the included charging pad can wirelessly juice Qi-compatible phones and earbuds, providing a convenient all-in-one solution that’s fit for any workstation.
$6
The past few months might not have been as life-shattering for most as 2020, but we’d argue life doesn’t have to be pure chaos for a stress ball to come in handy. The NeeDoh Nice Cube, like all of Schylling’s colorful dough-filled shapes, makes for an inexpensive release that can be squeezed, squashed, and pulled to your heart’s content.
$229
Even if your mom lives halfway around the world, the Aura Aspen can help her feel close. The new 12-inch display looks more akin to a traditional photo frame than other models, in part due to an antiglare screen, slim bezels, and a 4:3 aspect ratio. It can also automatically showcase images via Google Photos, iCloud Photos, or a companion app, the latter of which even allows for text captions.
$24
You can help mom indulge in a bit of self-care with Laneige’s Lip Sleeping Masks. Filled with moisture-boosting ingredients like antioxidants, Vitamin C, and coconut butter, the overnight masks hydrate and protect the lips, leaving them soft and silky smooth. Plus, they comes in a variety of delicious scents, from vanilla to peach iced tea.
$17
In a world obsessed with youth, Collective Wisdom is a refreshing celebration of aging and the invaluable insights that come with it. The beautifully curated collection of stories serves as a profound source of inspiration, one that pulls together lessons on love, family, career, and self-care from a variety of women over 50 — including olympians and members of NASA.
$100
It’s still hard believe the Amazfit Active 2 retails for less than $100. The humble smartwatch includes everything, from offline navigation and voice commands to a strength training mode that can auto-detect sets, reps, and rest periods. It also features a vivid OLED display and a super stylish watchface — which isn’t something often associated with cheap fitness trackers.
$20
Motherhood doesn’t come with a manual, sadly, but the New Mom Edition of Listen B*tch is here to make the journey slightly easier. The illustrated self-care deck is packed with 50 daily, oft-hilarious affirmations and cheeky survival tips, providing new moms with a little support and a lot of laughter.
$70
Christopher Elbow’s tasty, 24-piece collection is far from your average box of chocolates. Each colorful piece of chocolatey goodness is handcrafted using Nicaraguan cacao, French sea salt, Madagascan vanilla beans, and other premium ingredients, resulting in rich, exotic candies that are as thoughtful as the beautiful package they’re housed in.
$35
Gifting the Pebblebee Card Universal is like gifting peace of mind. The rechargeable Bluetooth trackers are thin enough to slip into a wallet and compatible with both Apple and Google Find My networks, allowing mom to keep an eye on her credit cards, cash, passport, luggage, and even her car. Needless to say, the possibilities are endless.
$30
Any aspiring pâtissière will appreciate the Slice-and-Bake Cookie Dough Keeper Set. Designed to make preparing cookie dough quick and easy, it includes two silicone molds that let you shape and store your dough in the fridge until you’re ready to bake. Both molds feature handy score marks as well, making it easy for mom to slice the perfect portion.
$17
Niimbot’s inkless, rechargeable label printer can help you stay organized anytime, anywhere. The portable Bluetooth gadget effortlessly pairs with any iOS or Android phone and features a range of simple templates, allowing mom to create custom labels for everything from pantry items to office supplies.
$16
The Arteza Beginner Hand Lettering Set is ideal for anyone eager to fine-tune their lettering and calligraphy. The 12-piece kit includes a welcome assortment of pens in various shapes and nib sizes, along with a beginner-friendly guide, allowing you to start crafting personalized cards and level up you journaling skills right away.
$230
With the RV30 Max Plus, mom can enjoy spotless floors without lifting a finger. The powerful robovac / mop comes with features that normally cost twice the price, including lidar navigation, room-specific cleaning, and a self-empty dock. You can also control it via Alexa or Google Assistant, making cleaning almost effortless.
$30
The only thing better than a thick corduroy hat is a thick corduroy hat with a bird on it. Bird Collective’s embroidered, adjustable caps take a one-size-fits-most approach to fit and feature a selection of feathery friends, including chickadees, sandpipers, kestrels, owls, and the always unassuming red-throated hummingbird.
$15
Shinewee’s magnetic phone holder is made for multitaskers. With its strong, double-sided magnetic rings and ability to rotate 360 degrees, the versatile accessory can help secure your phone in a variety of positions, allowing you to use it hands-free. It’s perfect for the mom who enjoys binging The Pitt while she’s cleaning up.
$399
In the right hands, the Cricut Maker 4 is the ultimate tool for bringing creative ideas to life. The smart crafting machine supports Bluetooth and works with more than 300 different types of materials — including fabric, balsa wood, and cardstock — letting you create personalized mugs, iron-on T-shirts, custom greeting cards, and other DIY projects.
$25
Tough hikes require tough socks — or they should, anyway. Luckily, Darn Tough’s merino micro-crew socks offer a well-balanced blend of comfort, cushioning, and durability. In fact, they’re so durable the company continues to pair them with a lifetime guarantee should anything ever happen to them. No receipt necessary.
$36
You may be able to download topo maps on your iPhone thanks to iOS 18, but AllTrails remains a terrific resource for any adventure nut. The Plus subscription grants access to 3D maps and all sorts of real-time data, including light pollution and weather, as well as wrong-turn alerts to help you avoid any supposed “shortcuts.”
$475
The Tumi Celina Backpack is style and substance. It’s ideal for both work and play, with durable nylon construction, a leather handle, and adjustable shoulder straps. It has numerous compartments for keeping organized, too, including a padded laptop sleeve and easy-to-access pockets for stowing your phone and water bottle.
$180
If your mom fancies herself a runner, Shokz’s latest pair of bone conduction headphones will help keep her safe. They manage to deliver good sound and AI-enhanced noise cancellation, but because they leave the ear canal open, they’ll also allow her to hear passing cars, dogs, pedestrians, and other potential dangers.
$13
Retractable charging cables like the Free2Pull are quickly becoming a capital-T Thing, and we’re here for it. Baseus’ slick USB-C charger supports 100W passthrough and takes a puck-like form when not in use, with male connectors on either side that retract inward with a quick tug.
