You know what Mom really wants on Mother's Day? Everyone to mind her p's and q's — ahem, I'm talking about her peace and quiet. But if want go give her something tangible, then these unique Mother's Day gifts are your best bet.
You read that right: You won't find any basic bouquets or generic beauty buys on this list. Nope, these gift ideas are far more creative than the clichés — only the best for Mom, after all! Some of these Mother's Day gifts are purely practical, but most of them skew toward the sentimental. LegacyBox is the best of both: She'll think it's just a photo and video scanning service, but it's actually a thoughtful way to ensure your family's memories last forever. There's also a digital picture frame that topped our tests, a Monica Vinader locket with custom engraving and a slew of gift ideas that'll inspire much-needed self-care.
You've still got plenty of time on your side, but you know as well as I do that Mother's Day will sneak up on you fast (it always does!). So, make a list of all the women you're shopping for — your mom, wife, grandma, mother-in-law and so on — and get shopping.
In this guide, gift ideas are broken up into the following categories: Trending gifts | Pampering and relaxation gifts | Jewelry gifts | Flowers and gardening gifts | Tech gifts and gadgets
Update, April 29, 2025: We checked all product prices and availability and moved some reader faves to the top of the list.
Trending gifts
I'm not playing games here — these chic platform sandals are actually Crocs, which means they have the same comfort level and durability as the brand's ultra-popular slip-ons. "I can walk 30,00 steps on vacation in these with no foot pain." one Crocs convert commented. Another added: "I ordered these as a shoe to be able to dress up or dress down for my Euro trip and they did not disappoint! I have a wider foot and they did not squeeze my foot or cause blistering."
Enter any maternal puzzle lover's dream. Each day of the year, this wooden square will reveal a new brainteaser. Arrange the nine interlocking pieces until just today's date is shown.
Florals for spring? Groundbreaking. Hear me out, though: The cheery pattern on this quilted crossbody will never go out of style. Snag it in an equally playful shade, from powdery pastels like sky blue and soft lavender to eye-catching brights like kelly green.
Memories last forever; the film that captured them all certainly doesn't. And while she has the best of intentions to digitize your family's photos and home videos, LegacyBox will actually get the job done (and a whole lot faster). Go with the Family package to preserve up to 10 items at once (a reel, tape or pack of 25 photos counts as one item). Each box comes with detailed instructions, barcodes to properly track items throughout the digitizing process and a prepaid shipping label to send it back.
Waldo has met his match: It's Mom. Yep, you read that right. Her kids will get a kick out of this search-and-find book, especially when they realize the characters are close to home (to say the least). Personalize the book with up to five characters — two adults and three kids — then write a dedication and choose a cover.
Pampering and relaxation gifts
Sandal season is practically here. Speaking of which, snag this pair of hydrating booties to make sure her feet are in tip-top shape before she bares her toes. It requires 10 minutes of idle time to work its moisturizing magic, which is the perfect level of commitment for a busy mom.
You know what she needs more than anything else? A good night's sleep — something that's hard to come by for most moms. This Nodpod mask blocks out light while also applying gentle pressure across the head, a similar sensation to a weighted blanket. Thousands of sleep-obsessed shoppers say it's changed the game, including a night shift nurse who called it a "marvelous little invention" and claims it "stays put even if you're a side sleeper"
Now, she'll be able to dive into her latest read anytime, anywhere. Instead of sticking her book, e-reader or iPad on a regular ol' pillow, she can rest it on this stand intended for reading without neck or wrist strain. "It's the perfect size to sit on my lap, strap the page of my coloring book down, clip my light to it and drift away," one satisfied shopper wrote.
What if I told you that you could give her the gift of a two-week manicure without a dreaded trip to the nail salon? Enter Dazzle Dry, a nontoxic nail polish system that certainly dazzled Senior Beauty Editor Jennifer Romolini in recent tests. Follow the four-step system to a tee and the brand claims polish will last anywhere from seven to 14 days (I can confirm this is true). Snag a mini kit so she can test it out — I'm partial to this spring-ready bubblegum pink shade, but you can always opt for something more subtle if that's more her speed.
Tea is her reading fuel, so make sure she has a whopping 75 cups' worth. This collection of five loose-leaf blends was made with bookworms in mind, with a mix of black, white and herbal varieties that complement just about any story.
Jewelry gifts
You're not seeing things: Pavoi makes gorgeous jewelry that only looks expensive. These chunky huggies are bursting with color, which will be a nice change from her everyday earrings. Pick between gold and silver, depending on her preference — or better yet, snag one of each since they're such a steal!
Heart-shaped lockets are timeless. This hammered version is a fresh take on a classic style, but it's still packed with just as much love. You can engrave it, for no extra cost, with a sweet message, her kid's initials or a custom doodle by her little ones. Keep in mind that this price is for the gold vermeil pendant only, so you can either pair it with a chain (starting at $56) or she can track one down in her jewelry box.
Flowers and gardening gifts
Gardening can really take a toll on her body. She's got a kneeler, a stool and a trusty pair of gardening gloves, but is she doing anything to protect her arms? These UPF 50+ sleeves act as a barrier from the sun, sharp thorns and common irritants, including poison ivy and stinging nettle. They even earned a professional gardener's stamp of approval, with one raving that they "stay in place well and the elastic at the top doesn't irritate my skin."
A framed photo will do, but this is a more unique way to display the whole family. List everyone's birth month (up to 20), then this Poland-based Etsy maker will personalize an arrangement and press it between glass. Each order is custom and takes up to two weeks from start to finish, so place your order stat.
Is her thumb just starting to turn green? Then give her this indoor garden, which requires little to no work on her part. Seriously, she just has to add plant food, water the six pre-seeded pods, then program the grow light and follow the instructions on the app about future feedings. The herbs will start to germinate after a week or two, and they'll be ready to harvest within two months. But on the off chance that the pods fail to sprout in 21 days, AeroGarden will replace 'em for free.
Flowers are as classic as it comes, but they only last one or two weeks tops. This bulb typically blossoms one month after its arrival (give or take a few weeks) without any feeding or watering. Once the final flower blooms, she can peel off the wax and plant it in the ground to bask in its beauty for years to come. (Psst, these pretty pink and white flowers are toxic to dogs and cats, so steer clear if she has any furry friends!)
Bird Buddy is a leader in the smart bird feeder game, but I bet you didn't know they have one just for her favorite fast-fliers. That's right — the camera picks up flying jewels as they flutter by or take a pit stop before continuing on their pollination journey. She'll get notified via the app whenever a bird's within view, plus it'll outline the exact species, alert her if a bird looks unwell or if non-feathered friends are getting too close to the feeder.
Tech gifts and gadgets
A hand massage does wonders after a day of typing and scrolling. Carpal tunnel, arthritis or just achy, overworked hands — this cordless device uses heat and different types of compression with varying intensity levels to bring instant relief. Teachers, hairdressers, paralegals, athletes and crafters all swear by it, with one five-star fan writing that it's "a spa day for my arthritis-riddled hand."
Digital picture frames are the gifts that keep on giving. Just ask Senior Tech Writer Rick Broida, who included an Aura frame in his list of the tech products he can't live without. "The frame displays a running slideshow of precious memories, and it makes me happier than just about anything else in my home," he gushed. Although the brand's pricier Walden model topped his tests, this one is a touch smaller at 10 inches and more affordable (half the price) with all the bells and whistles — built-in speakers for video, unlimited cloud storage and no monthly subscription fees.
Because counting sheep gets old pretty fast. Take a look at the glowing reviews of this smart sleep clock and you'll realize that the price of a solid night's rest is right around $170. It has something for every stage of her sleep journey — light and sound cues will tell her it's time for bed; soothing nature sounds and guided meditations will put her to sleep; and a gradual sunrise alarm will wake her. "It doesn’t treat sleep like a productivity hack. It makes unwinding feel like an actual choice instead of an obligation," one well-rested reviewer raved.
The reviews quoted above reflect the most recent versions at the time of publication.
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Shop Mother's Day gifts: Best Mother's Day gifts for 2025 | Mother's Day gifts under $50 | Unique Mother's Day gifts | Last-minute Mother's Day gifts | Best Mother Day gift experiences | Best Mother's Day flowers
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