32 Gift Ideas Moms Will Actually Love on Mother’s Day

Are you on the struggle bus when it comes to buying Mother’s Day gifts?

I get it! Choosing a gift that collectively sums up your love and appreciation in one package is nearly impossible. And let’s be honest. This holiday comes once a year, and you’re still recovering from last year, right?

In the midst of my busiest season—spring—Mother’s Day always sneaks up on me. With spring sports, school field trips, school concerts, and the sudden burst of yardwork, I also have an unfair share of family birthdays and anniversaries mixed in, so Mother’s Day often gets sidelined.

Despite our busyness, moms should be celebrated, but how? If you grew up with a mom and mother-in-law like mine, these ladies deserve the best because they are the most selfless, wonderful human beings on the earth. Growing up, for example, my mom annually planned a Mother’s Day breakfast for her mom and extended family at a local restaurant, wrapped an unknown gift from “all of us,” and had all four of us kids dressed up—all before church. In the afternoon, we gathered at a relative’s house to celebrate my other grandma, complete with a homemade dish to pass (or two) and another mystery gift.

As a child, I loved ordering hot pancakes and orange juice at a special restaurant with one side of the family and then hanging out with my cousins on the other side for the rest of the day. Usually, lots of cheesy potatoes and baked beans were involved. Until I had kids of my own, I had no idea how much effort my mom went through to ensure everyone else had a great Mother’s Day, year after year. And for the record, my mom never complained.

My girls surprised me with a Happy Mother’s Day Board

Instead of passing the burdened torch like some sort of hazing ritual, my mom and mother-in-law stopped the nonsense. Today, they insist that Mother’s Day should be a “free” day, so I decide what I’d like to do. Though it sounds selfish, this has been the best gift anyone has given me. Over the years, I haven’t demanded anything fancy or expensive. I simply ask for rest—Who doesn’t love a good nap? One year, I also asked for new laundry baskets. This year, I’m asking for new sports chairs. For those of you who know us, it’s waaay past time for new chairs.

No one but me wants laundry baskets or sports chairs for Mother’s Day, so here are some helpful ideas that your mom (or wife) might actually love. I’ve separated the ideas into categories for easy sorting, but I need to mention that I buy the same thing for my mom and mother-in-law because they are equally incredible and live nearby. I know. I’m super lucky. I wish everyone had a family like mine. In fact, I’ve written a book about my family because not everything in life is lovely. Follow my book publishing journey here.

So, when you’re short on time but want to honor your mom/wife this year on Mother’s Day, here are a few of my recommendations categorized into gift ideas from a husband, young kids, teen/college kids, and gifts for grandma. Mix and match to create the best gift for the best mom.

Mother’s Day Gift Ideas (From A Husband)

As a spouse, I’m sure you feel the pressure of Mother’s Day, especially because you know the invaluable worth of your wife. Say how much she means to you (not just in a card), and pick one of the following:

Family Picture Session

Time flies when you’re raising kids, so freeze your family by organizing a short photo session—emphasis on you organizing the photo shoot so your wife doesn’t have to. Local photographers offer many packages, and 30 minutes is plenty of time. If you live near me in Southwest Michigan, consider Nicole Marie Foster Photography.

Karrer Family Photo by Nicole Foster Photography

Date Night at a Favorite Restaurant

Make a reservation at her favorite restaurant, but NOT on Mother’s Day. Book the babysitter and do the legwork because it’s exhausting sometimes.

Shopping Day With (or Without) You

Depending on your appetite for shopping, plan a day when your wife can spend the day out, either with or without you. Either way, she will have fun! And no, Menards doesn’t count.

Car/Van/SUV Detail

If your wife is like me, she spends hours cleaning out her carpool vehicle and has nothing to do with the mess. The French fries, granola bar wrappers, and water bottles are endless. Splurge and book her a minivan/SUV interior detail. We will both thank you. If you’re near me, check out Richland Auto Detailing.

Personalized Necklace

Jewelry is always a big hit, but make it personal, not cheesy. I love this Mother Bird on a Branch necklace on Etsy and also these Custom Cascade Birthstone necklaces. Just remember the moms who have lost children. Should you include those children too? Would your spouse love or hate something like this? Often moms feel conflicted if they have babies in heaven, but you know them best, so choose wisely. On a side note, a personalized necklace would be a wonderful gift for moms who have adopted children or gained bonus kids through marriage. The symbolism of an equally loved and unified family gives me the good kind of goosebumps.

Undeniably Boutique Gift Card

 I live in Southwest Michigan and love to support local shops. Your wife can buy clothes, makeup, and accessories at Undeniably Boutique or shop the online boutique from anywhere!

Charcuterie Board Breakfast

If you live near me, buy a charcuterie board from The Grazing Table instead of the boring breakfast-in-bed routine. The Grazing Table offers delivery. And don’t eat all the good stuff. Save some for her!

The Grazing Table in Kalamazoo, Michigan

Tickets to a Comedy Show or Theater Production

Quality time doing something out of the ordinary will earn you bonus points! Consider tickets to a comedy show or theater production. I love our local Barn Theatre.

Order Treats From Gretchen’s Bakery

Locally, Gretchen’s Bakery offers delicious, mouth-watering treats. If you have an event to attend on or near Mother’s Day, buy two boxes of goodies…one so your wife doesn’t have to bake and the other for your family to share.

Gretchen’s Bakery Goodies

Personalized Journal

I love these personalized journals from Paper Sunday. Each journal page is personalized with your wife’s name in a Bible verse! Choose from hundreds of designs and shipping is fast.

Buy Mom A New Book

Is your wife a reader? Buy her a new book and give her a day to actually read it. Provide snacks and keep the kids away. This idea may be more challenging than it appears. Unfortunately, my book isn’t ready yet, so you’ll have to choose something else for now, but follow my publishing journey here.

Mother’s Day Gift Ideas (From Young Kids)

If you have young kids, they love to create homemade goodies for mom! Gifts for moms at this age don’t have to be expensive because they are packed full of love. Mom will keep these gifts forever:

Shrinky Dinks Project

Are you a crafty Dad? The possibilities are endless, but use Shrinky Dinks to make hand print keychains, magnets, or other keepsakes. I assure you that Shrinky Dinks are super easy…but watch the oven closely because they cook fast!

Shrinky Dink Project Possibilities Are Endless!

Homemade Cards

Who doesn’t love a homemade card? As the years fly by, these homemade cards will become more valuable. Get out some construction paper, scissors, and even the glitter, and let the kid’s creativity flow! Just remember that moms can spot glitter from miles away, so clean everything up as if your life depended on it. Because it does.

Homemade Coupons

Consider adding some homemade coupons inside your hand-crafted card. Moms will love to cash in on coupons like “I’ll be quiet during naptime,” or “I’ll do the dishwasher TWICE,” or “Ten hugs and kisses,” or “I’ll Choose My Own Adventure for Dinner!”

A Family Picnic

A Mother’s Day picnic outside is fun for everyone! Especially if you plan, cook, and clean it up. Keep it simple with sandwiches, chips, and brownies. Or, order a charcuterie board from The Grazing Table. Don’t forget the large blanket and drinks, and pack extra napkins and wet wipes for the kids. If the weather is poor, opt for a picnic inside the house somewhere unexpected, like the playroom. The kids will go wild!

A Family Bike Ride

I love outdoor activities with my family, and if your kids are old enough to pedal a bike on their own for a few miles, consider going on a family bike ride. The teens may complain, but that’s part of the adventure. As an added incentive, stop for ice cream on your way back!

Spend a Day at a Festival

In Holland, Michigan, we have the annual Tulip Time Festival, which is a family-friendly event for kids of all ages. Plan a day to visit. You’ll be amazed at all of the gorgeous tulips! I’m sure you have creative festivals in your area too!

My daughter at Tulip Time in Holland, Michigan

Kid’s Gift Choice

If you have young kids, give them the “freedom” to choose a gift for Mom without worrying about what they pick out. We’ve all received those gifts, so avoid hiding their precious treasures in the trash. Go to a store like Bath & Body Works or Ulta, and have the kids pick out whatever they like. Chances are, Mom will actually like it. Good luck!

Flower Frog Mason Jar Pottery with Dandelions

A local pottery artist, Magpie Mischief Pottery, has these creative Flower Frog Mason Jar Toppers, Air Plant Holders, and Garden Herb Markers available on Etsy. Buy the Flower Frog and pop in some dandelions from your yard.

Mother’s Day Gift Ideas (From Teens/College Kids)

Quality Time

The gift of time is the most valuable gift you can offer your mom if you’re a teen or college kid. Give her a gift card to the movies and go with her! Then treat her to coffee or a meal, even if it’s a value meal.

Plan a Day Out

Plan a day out with your mom and pay for some of it. Get tickets to a baseball game, go shopping, get a pedicure, paint pottery, stroll through a local farmer’s market, or join a charcuterie board class! The possibilities are endless, but the point is to be creative and spend quality time together.

Print a Photobook

Let’s face it. You’re the young, tech-savvy person in the family, so you’ll know how to create and print photobooks at lightning speed. Capture your adventures over the past year or hers! She’ll be amazed at all of the memories, and you’ll love how easy it was.

Puravida Bracelets

If you’re trendy, you already love these bracelets from puravida, so why not buy some for your mom too?

Bible Verse Temporary Tattoos

Memorize more scripture with these temporary tattoos at Dwell Differently. Buy one membership for you and one for mom!

Dwell Differently Temporary Tattoos

Funny, Personalized T-shirt

My mom is a Master Gardener, so she wears a “Plant Lady” shirt. The other day, my mom gave me a t-shirt that says, “I’m a writer. Anything you say or do will be used in a story.” So go ahead. Gift your mom a funny t-shirt because she doesn’t need another coffee mug. Just ensure it’s roomy enough to fit and that she’ll wear it. For example, crew necks choke me, so I prefer v-necks. You should know these things about your mom.

My new t-shirt

College or Professional Sweatshirt

If you’re in college or have a favorite professional team, buy her a hoodie with the logo. She has been buying your team stuff for years, so it’s time to give back and splurge a little. I’d probably steer clear of the shot glasses and beer pong cups, even if they have your college mascot on them.

 Mother’s Day Gift Ideas (For Grandma) From Adult Kids

This category is for all of you mortgage-paying adults who have upgraded your mothers to grandmothers. Grandmas will love any gift, but here are a few that I’ve used over the years:

Family Photo Session

Grandma loves nothing more than pictures of her children and grandchildren. Consider booking an extended family photo session with your siblings too! The pain of organizing will be worth the gain. If you’re local to southwest Michigan, consider Nicole Marie Foster Photography. Do not plan this on Mother’s Day.

Flowers For House/Garden

This is a favorite of mine. Michigan has great greenhouses, so I give my mom and mother-in-law gift cards to pick out flowers for their gardens. I don’t buy flower baskets for them because they like to pick out new and creative things each year.

Family Dinner

Quality time with family is a big hit near Mother’s Day or any day! If you’re like my family, I love to invite grandmas, grandpas, and great-grandparents over for dinner—just not on Mother’s Day. If you’re not a cook, go to a restaurant or have everyone bring a dish to pass. The point is to spend time with each other, so food quality is not the highest priority.

Transfer Old Movies To Digital

Transferring old movies or pictures to a digital format will bump you into the “Favorite Child” category. Gathering everything upfront is a lot of work, so I’ve never done it. However, the technology and number of companies that offer this service are far better than they used to be. Also, you’ll be forced to digitize everything eventually, so you might as well start now. And don’t forget that coveted “Favorite Child” status.

Tickets to the Local Symphony

Our small town has an incredible Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra. Treat your mom to a concert and go with her, or buy extra tickets for her friends.

Digital Picture Frame

You’ve seen these glitchy pieces of junk when they first emerged, but have you noticed them lately? They are so much better! Gift your mom with a digital picture frame that scrolls through pictures. It will keep her entertained for hours.

 I’m sure these ideas have sparked more, so get those creative juices flowing! Have you noticed, though, that there are women who, for one reason or another, aren’t able to have children and discount themselves from Mother’s Day? It’s heartbreaking to me because these ladies are often more of a mom than those who inherited that title. Not all moms are created equal, and the best ones often aren’t blood-related. These precious mom figures won’t read this blog and will avoid social media, church, and community events until Mother’s Day weekend blows over. So if you have one of these precious souls in your life, consider acknowledging them. It doesn’t have to be elaborate or weird, but it should show that you notice and value her. A simple bouquet of flowers, a card with “Thanks for being my second mom,” or even a funny t-shirt will cheer these gems up.

Most importantly, the mom(s) in your life will love anything she receives on Mother’s Day because it comes from you. This year, make her day extra special by gifting her a more creative gift showing how well you know and care about her.

—Holli Johnson Karrer

A Mother’s Day Gift From My Daughter