The telltale signs of May approaching have been cropping up all week: dandelions blooming, pollen-covered windshields, and grocery stores stocked with Mother’s Day cards. If you’re stumped on what to get for your mom (or the mother of your children) this year, look no further — here’s an idea for almost every kind of woman.
For the Chef
For the mom who’s always sautéeing, roasting, baking, or stir-frying, how about an oil cruet that’s so pretty she’ll want to keep it displayed on her counter? This one from White Hearth Pottery is handmade in Northern Virginia. $48.
For the Conversationalist
Every mom knows how hard it can be to coax her teenagers into talking about their day around the dinner table. Christian and homeschool mom Meredith Woodruff created Concrete Conversations, aesthetically packaged sets of thoughtful conversation starters to keep on your coffee table or kitchen counter. In addition to the original, Concrete Conversations offers a kids edition and a couples edition. $36 for the boxed set, $23 for card decks only.
For the Hydrated Mom
You know the one — she never goes anywhere without her chapstick and water bottle. Upgrade her 5-second, passenger-seat makeup routine with this lip gloss from Kosas, which feels amazing and is made free of mineral oil, talc, silicones, parabens, sulfates, and phthalates. $24.
For the Trendy Mom
Back in our Christmas gift guide, I recommended a scarf from Madewell that juxtaposed the luxury of silk with the casual, iconic pattern of a bandana. For spring, Madewell remixed it in a blush pink shade that’s perfect for moms and would pair beautifully with a light white sweater or a denim shirtdress. Currently on sale for $39.99.
Alternatively, for something understated, wrap up an eyelet bandana like this one. $22.
For the Sentimentalist
Moms are often too busy taking pictures of their kids to be in the pictures themselves. Find a local photographer and book a family photoshoot, so she’ll have treasured images to update her walls and fill her Christmas cards.
If that’s not in your budget, make her a scrapbook of a recent family trip, or of a special period in your family’s life.
Or try a freshly updated version of an old classic with this photo ornament from Artifact Uprising that she’ll want to display all year. Currently on sale for $33.15 with code MADEFORMOM.
For the Romantic
Does she love anything with “French” in the label or swoon at the scent of her favorite flower? France-based perfumery Solinotes offers budget-friendly signature scents that smell just like their inspiration — from flowers like jasmine, cherry blossom, and freesia to her favorite flavors like vanilla, almond, fig, and grapefruit. U.S. customers can find Solinotes at C.O. Bigelow or (sigh) Amazon. $23.
For the Mom on the Go
These loafers from Aldo are the most comfortable, versatile shoes I’ve ever owned. They will take her anywhere. Just don’t buy so many that they sell out, please — I need to be able to buy these for the rest of my life. Various pricing, depending on size.
For the Mom Who Has One Pair of Earrings
This one’s a splurge, but it’s too cool not to include. These earrings from Mejuri can be worn as simple hoops or with the attachable links for a chunky look. They come in gold vermeil, sterling silver, two-tone, or gold with white or black enamel links. (Extra sets of interchangeable links can be bought separately for $98 per pair.) $228 for gold vermeil, $198 for sterling silver.
For the Hostess
It’s part coffee table book, part cookbook, part Pinterest board. The Dinner Party, by Martin Benn and Vicki Wild, is a how-to guide for throwing gourmet, on-theme dinner parties, playlist recommendations included. Is it sometimes over the top? Yes. Is that part of the fun? Absolutely. Williams Sonoma has it for $42 — but Walmart has it for $29.80.
For the Farmers Market Aficionado
Buy her a string market bag that will stretch to fit all her groceries but also fit in her purse or coat pocket. They’re so inexpensive to make, they’re best bought locally — I found one at a local farm stand — because online shops have to up the price to make it worth shipping. If you have to buy online, try Etsy listings like this one.
Once you’ve got a bag in her favorite color, fill it with a bouquet of flowers — bonus points if you got stock flowers from somewhere like Trader Joe’s and assembled a bouquet yourself.
For the Mom with Expensive Taste
Quilted jackets are one of this spring’s biggest trends, but Barbour makes it timeless. This one would look equally appropriate over a pair of jeans as it would a white cotton sundress. Cuff the sleeves for a peep of Barbour plaid. $270.
For the Mom who Loves Experiences
Does she appreciate quality time instead of gifts? How about booking her a massage, taking her for a mother-daughter pedicure, or sending her and dad to take a tennis lesson together?
Elle Purnell is the elections editor at The Federalist. Her work has been featured by Fox Business, RealClearPolitics, the Tampa Bay Times, and the Independent Women’s Forum. She received her B.A. in government from Patrick Henry College with a minor in journalism. Follow her on Twitter @_ellepurnell.
