The 23 best Mother’s Day gifts, according to moms, grandmas and one great-grandmother
Your mom won’t tell you what she wants, but you can’t go wrong with these all-time favorites from mothers and grandmothers we spoke to
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“Getting to be a mom is the best Mother’s Day gift in and of itself.” We all know the deferential cliche moms trot out when asked about Mother’s Day gifts. But they’re lying. The real answer isn’t complicated or expensive: we just want to feel appreciated. Figuring out how to do that can be a challenge, but not with a little inspiration.
To jog your creativity, we asked several moms, grandmothers and even a great-grandmother from all walks of life about the best Mother’s Day gifts they’ve ever received. Think: personalized anything and everything, photos of mom and her favorite people (because she shouldn’t have to be relegated to behind the camera) and gadgets that make her day a little easier. And to round out the list, Filter staffers chimed in with a few of the hits among moms in their lives.
Cutie Pie Designs Personalized Embroidered Linen Napkins
Janice Heft, a mother and grandmother, had become so accustomed to lining her table scape with colorful paper napkins that it became her signature aesthetic. But her crafty daughter found a more sustainable alternative: embroidered keepsake napkins listing every family member’s name that serve as functional place cards. “I’m going to use them forever and ever, and I can always order more as people join our family,” Heft says. “They’re reusable and they need to be washed and ironed, but they’re not paper so they leave less of a footprint.”
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Skims Sleep Long Sleeve Button Up Set
These pyjamas were a dream Mother’s Day gift for Shoshana Postelnik, a tech recruiter. “They are so buttery soft and aesthetically pleasing,” she says. “Skims is one of my all-time favorite brands. Plus, they have these faux-feather slippers that would also complete the look.” Grab the sleek PJs for your favorite lady in classic colors such as heather gray and black, or in festive patterns like zebra and bunny print.
Artifact Uprising Modern Wall Calendar
Steal this genius idea, and gift grandma an analog wall calendar that serves as a keepsake photobook – no iCal required. “The best gift I ever got was a picture calendar where every month my grandkids are recreating a memory or event that took place that month the previous year,” says Rima Rozen, a retired professor. “It’s the best because it depicts those beautiful faces, and it’s the first thing I get to see when I go into the kitchen every morning.”
CookUnity Meal Delivery Service
Mom won’t have to lift a finger this Mother’s Day, or for the foreseeable future, with a subscription to CookUnity meals. Unlike meal kits, they’re fresh foods delivered to your door, ready to heat and eat. “On busy workdays, it’s easy to pop meals in the microwave to serve myself or my family. My kids even like them,” says Maxine Silverman, a social worker. She gave herself a subscription for Mother’s Day after experiencing the relief of premade meals. “A friend made me a bunch of food after the twins [were born] and that always stands out,” she says. You can choose between four and 16 meals per week, with dietary options from high protein to vegan.
Kayali Utopia Vanilla Coco Eau De Parfum Intense Travel Spray
A flower bouquet might last a week. A bottle of her favorite perfume will last hundreds of spritzes. “I got a mini Kayali perfume that’s so good,” Nihah Mohammad, a registered nurse, says of this sweet-meets-tropical scent. “It was a good gift because it helps me feel good and refreshed, especially when there’s no time to take care of yourself.” The travel-friendly size means she can enjoy it wherever she goes.
Bokksu Market The Japanese Tea Box
My mom relies on tea to cure her afternoon slump. She recently tried out this beautifully packaged set from Bokksu Market, which practically screams ‘gift me!’. She especially appreciated that it includes an adorable teacup and a QR code, which offers more detailed brewing instructions.
Even as an avid tea drinker, she noted that the kit includes varieties she hadn’t tried before, including a Genmaicha blend made from brown rice and a tea made from corn. Lauren Gould, Filter US editorial cordinator
AceThrills Engraved Bamboo Cutting Board
If she truly thrives while cooking, make her feel like the head chef of her kitchen with a keepsake cutting board. “It’s something I use on a regular basis,” says Lesley Sherman, a children’s music entertainer. The bamboo surface won’t shed microplastic, and the affordable price means you don’t have to be shy about putting it to work. Amazon sells several variations, but Sherman owns the classic: “Everything tastes better in mom’s kitchen.”
Madewell The Essential Curve Shoulder Bag
When my mom was in the market for a new work bag, she wanted one that would last for years, didn’t break the bank and looked chic enough for her corporate job. She eventually landed on the Lexington Tote from Madewell, which is roomy enough to hold her work laptop, heavy Lululemon water bottle, and makeup bag. Lauren Gould, Filter US editorial coordinator
Shutterfly Custom Photo Puzzle
Sherman’s all-time favorite Mother’s Day gift is a photo of her and her children that they turned into a puzzle from bespoke-design service Shutterfly. “It’s just decorative, and we actually ended up putting it in a frame,” she says. Upload your own design, or select from dozens of show-stopping templates that put mom and her best memories on full display.
Anydeli Silicone Food Storage Containers (set of six)
“I never found a food storage container that was as durable, multifunctional or kid friendly as these,” Emily Farris, a Filter contributor and mom, writes in her review of the newly released Anydeli containers. They’re made entirely of silicone, which makes them a plastic-free option that’s safer than glass for her kids’ lunchboxes. Thanks to a stainless steel rim, they’re also leak-proof, although “unlike so many other leak-proof containers I’ve tested, the lid is easy to get on and off, even for my kindergartener”, she adds. For the busy mom and home cook, they may be a perfect gift. Karen Yuan, Filter US commissioning editor
Le Creuset Mini Round Cocotte in Provence
Padma Lakshmi, who frequently cooks with her daughter, recently told us that her Le Creuset Dutch oven was her buy-it-for-life cookware. “I’ve literally had it for over 20 years,” she said. She has a large yellow one, but the brand has about a billion “colorways” to choose from, including this spring’s big new drop: Provence, a lavender named after the French region famous for the flowers. I have to say it deserves the fanfare: it’s a lovely gradient of purple that softly deepens down the sides of a pot. You can enjoy it yourself through Lakshmi’s favorite model, the signature oval 6.75qt, or our contributors’ oft-recommended Mini Round Cocotte, which mom could use to serve dips, bake eggs or just show off on the counter. Karen Yuan, Filter US commissioning editor
Cob’s A Pop of Joy Gifting Tin
Does she love popcorn? Eat gluten-free? Enjoy puns? If you said yes to any of the above, she may be a fan of Cob’s popped sorghum, a celiac-friendly snack that tastes like nuttier popcorn.
The gifting tin includes six bags, among them the flavors olive oil & pink salt, cacio e pepe, seriously cheesy and Mediterranean herb. I shared the peppery cacio e pepe with a mom friend on a movie night and she understandably tried to co-opt the bag. Once the (sorry) poppy red tin is empty, mom can repurpose it for cookies or flowers. Karen Yuan, Filter US commissioning editor
Fujifilm Instax Mini Link 3 Smartphone Printer
Mom is busy. She doesn’t have time to stop at Walgreens to print out hundreds of photos she has accumulated of her offspring over the years. Save her an errand with the Fujifilm Instax Mini, which turns smartphone snaps into Polaroids in 15 seconds. “The Instax printer is incredible,” says Lauren Perez, a category manager for a children’s clothing distributor. “I put the photos on the side of my fridge and build a collage with them.”
Summer Fridays Lip Butter Balm
Loved by tweens and moms alike, this hydrating lip balm makes the perfect last-minute mother’s gift. I gave some to my mom for Mother’s Day one year, and it’s now a staple in her makeup bag.
It’s a little luxury that she can take with her anywhere, and also happens to be cruelty-free and vegan. Lauren Gould, Filter US editorial coordinator
Lululemon Unisex Find Your Balance Grip Crew Socks
Whether she is a longtime pilates princess or she has talked about getting into the sport (one session and she’ll be hooked), stock her up with these traction-heavy, breathable and cushioned Lululemon grip socks. “They’re so soft and comfy,” says Mohammad. “They make a good gift and motivate you to get moving.” Get them in three colors such as white, black and dusty rose (a fitting option for the occasion).
Brunch slippers
What started as a sample I received for testing somehow migrated to my mom’s house and became her new favorite pair of slippers. From the moment she put them on her feet, they immediately replaced her beloved Birkenstocks that were her designated indoor shoes for years. Her “bad” knees love the cushiony footbeds, which make them perfect for her work-from-home days. Lauren Gould, Filter US editorial coordinator
Vivulla68 Best Mom Ever Tumbler With Handle
This modern, insulated take on a classic ceramic mug print is better equipped for life on the go. “I really like my mug that says I’m the No 1 mom,” says Lota Malaluan, an educator. “It’s nice to know my child is thinking of me.” The double-wall design keeps coffee hot or water cold for hours, and the car cupholder-friendly size makes it convenient to bring everywhere. Malaluan says she uses hers every day.
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Pandora Sparkling Infinity Collier Necklace
My mom gifted me this 14K gold-plated, adjustable necklace for graduation, and loved it so much she bought another for herself. Matching necklaces put a sentimental twist on any simple piece of jewelry. While my mom and I have the infinity charm, Pandora offers plenty of options, from hearts to cherry blossoms. Lauren Gould, Filter US editorial coordinator
Luckor Personalized Mother’s Day Picture Frame for Mom
Perla Wagner’s home is covered in dozens of Mother’s Day picture frames she has accumulated over the years from her children and grandchildren: some handmade and fingerpainted, others glitzy and engraved. “I look at them all the time, all day,” says the grandmother and great-grandmother. “I have all the babies. They’re so cute.” This customizable acrylic frame in your choice of finish and orientation is an ideal sentimental gesture for any mother or grandmother who can use some extra love this holiday.
VistaPrint Photo Book
Not sure what mom will like? Trust us when we say she will forever cherish a montage of her and her favorite people – her kids. “My favorite [Mother’s Day gift] was an old-school photo album with pictures of the kids and me in them, which is so rare as I’m the photographer and my husband never takes pictures,” says Kelly Aisen, a title attorney. The reliable printing service is capable of handling even the most minute customizations, making for a bespoke gift for any occasion or any mom.
Printique Ceramic Mug
Owning a mug with your kids’ faces on it is a maternal rite of passage. “My most memorable Mother’s Day present was my first one 35 years ago,” recalls Dvorah Finestone, a retired quality manager and grandmother. “My husband, Bruce, bought me a mug with my daughter’s picture on it. It was not as popular or easy as it is today to create. I still have it. It’s adorable.” Among the many modern options, Printique offers a high-quality print for a fair price.
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Etsy Mixed Birthstone Dome Ring
If you appreciate mom, put a ring on it. Jessica Perez, a registered dietitian, considers this ring with her boys’ birthstones on it one of her prized possessions. “I love the meaning behind it,” she says. “Most moms have a necklace with their kids’ initials on it but it’s just a different and more subtle way to have the boys with me.”
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Godashop Custom Embroidered Mama Quarter Zip Sweatshirt
Roxanne Strudensky, an office manager, needed no time to recall her favorite Mother’s Day gift: “He got me this super cute mama sweater with the kids’ names on it,” she says. “It’s cute and comfortable and can be worn with anything.” The on-trend quarter zip comes in your preferred thread color (you’ve got 30 to choose from), plus your children’s names embroidered on the sleeve.
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Other pieces you might enjoy from the Filter, the Guardian’s guide to buying fewer, better things:
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