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Mother's Day Gift Ideas

From guiding us through life and helping us grow, to juggling daily tasks and family schedules, mothers take on a physical and mental workload that often goes unseen and underappreciated. Even though Mother’s Day is meant for celebrating moms and everything they do, we all know they deserve more than just one day of recognition. And if you’re a mother, you probably agree, too!

That’s why we think a Mother’s Day gift should be both meaningful and memorable. So how do you find a gift that measures up?

We’re here to help with a list of easy and affordable Mother’s Day gift ideas, some of which might even spark your own creative ideas!

Flowers

What Mother’s Day gift guide wouldn’t include flowers? A classic gift for any mom, consider a beautifully arranged bouquet in a vase with her favorite blooms, or perhaps a hanging basket for her garden or balcony. If she enjoys gardening, a potted plant or customized garden kit with her favorite flowers and essential tools would be a thoughtful choice. For ongoing joy, a flower subscription service can keep her home blossoming all year round. Whichever you choose, flowers are sure to brighten her day and show your love and appreciation!

Breakfast in Bed

For so many mothers, mornings are the most hectic part of the day. Sometimes busy mornings mean sacrificing breakfast to tend to kids, work, housekeeping, or all the above. If she’s usually too busy to eat breakfast in the morning, breakfast in bed is a small gesture that goes a long way.

Let her relax (and sleep in!) and start her Mother’s Day with some of her favorite breakfast staples, or a little bit of everything if she’s not picky. If the thought of waking up extra early to make breakfast is daunting, consider a breakfast casserole you can prepare the night before; all you have to do is wake up and pop it in the oven.

Gifts of Service

Let’s be honest: there are some household to-dos that are just so much easier to put off than others. (Think deep cleaning the bathroom, shampooing the carpet, and so on.)

Is there a task or project she’s talked about but hasn’t gotten around to? A great way to show your appreciation is to take some work off her plate. Whether you hire a professional or do it yourself, you’re making it easier for her to do the things she loves, like spending time with you!

This can even be as simple as running her errands for a day, getting her car washed or tidying up around the house.

Virtual Gifts

When you’re miles apart on Mother’s Day, digital gifts are a thoughtful way to show your love! Consider sending an egift card for her favorite spot or a personalized video message from a celebrity on Cameo for added excitement. Another special idea is creating a custom song with Songfinch, turning your memories into a heartfelt melody just for her. These virtual Mother’s Day gifts make it easy to make her day unforgettable!

“Open When" Card Bundle

Mother’s Day comes only once a year, but you can give a gift that continues to celebrate mom in every season. An “open when” card bundle is the perfect Mother's Day gift that keeps on giving.

You can purchase a card bundle or easily make your own. Buy various cards for different occasions (we recommend at least 10 cards) and label the envelopes with “open when” moments. Here are some ideas:

  • Open when you need a pick-me-up
  • Open when you want to read something funny
  • Open on a vacation day

The idea is that you’ll gift all the cards on Mother’s Day, but as the name of this gift idea suggests, she’ll open them as instructed. Don’t forget to include a card in the bundle that she can open on Mother’s Day! (Tip: Check out these ideas for what to write in a Mother’s Day card.)

Special Outing

Some of the best Mother's Day gifts can’t be unwrapped, so consider gifting mom an experience she’ll never forget. Think about her interests or, better yet, something she’s always wanted to do or learn. There are classes and workshops for just about everything these days, from macramé and macarons to candle-making and hand lettering.

Another way to spend quality time without breaking the bank is by being a tourist in your own town. Visit a restaurant you’ve never been to and explore some of the hidden gems your city has to offer. Or take a day trip and travel to a park, historic site, winery or other popular landmark around where you live.

Self-care

Personal wellness and self-care are things we all value, but moms especially; they spend so much time caring for others, so it only makes sense to return the favor. A spa package is always a good idea if you’re short on time (and can afford it), but why not make her gift a little more personal?

Create a personalized at-home spa kit, complete with things like a cozy robe, bath and beauty products in her favorite scent, nail polish or hair care. To really go the extra mile, include a bottle of wine, essential oils or a book in her favorite genre.

Subscription-based Gifts

What isn’t there a subscription for nowadays? From pet supplies to wine, even greeting cards, there’s virtually something for everyone. Subscription-based gifts are great because they give her something to look forward to every month. Plus, many subscription services offer gifting options that allow you to choose how many months you want to pay for.

Jewelry

Here’s a Mother’ Day gift idea: how about something she can wear… every day! No matter mom’s style, you can find a piece of jewelry to personalize with a custom name or message especially for her. Think outside the (jewelry) box with this one; maybe it’s a bracelet engraved with her favorite quote or lyric. Or a ring with the coordinates of a meaningful place engraved on the band. There’s a reason why jewelry is one of the most popular items sold on Mother’s Day.

Greeting Cards

Mother's Day is a day to celebrate all moms, so if you want to recognize the mothers in your life on Mother’s Day — friends, co-workers, women who have inspired you — a convenient and affordable option is to send Mother's Day cards. With Creatacard™, it's easy to send a thoughtful message to someone you care about:

  • Choose from our large selection of Mother’s Day cards.
  • Personalize with your own "Happy Mother's Day!" message, photos, video, signature, music and more.
  • Add a digital gift, like a gift card, Cameo or Songfinch.
  • Print at home or send in minutes via text, email or social media to help her celebrate a special Mother’s Day!

However you decide to celebrate the mothers in your life, it’s important to remember that it’s the thought that counts. We hope our Mother’s Day gift guide helps you not only celebrate the day but also enjoy every moment you have together.

Brought to You by the Writers of American Greetings

We are a team of writers and editors with decades of experience creating happiness, laughter and love for American Greetings. When we’re not writing greeting cards and other celebrations content for the company, we are award-winning authors, bloggers, world travelers, singers, photographers, parents, grandparents and pet owners. Most of us live in Cleveland, Ohio, home to American Greetings Corporate Headquarters for over 100 years.