Let’s preface this gift guide by saying that most moms are thrilled to get a handwritten card for Mother’s Day or to spend time with their loved ones. Buying a splashy or expensive gift isn’t necessary. But if you are wanting to treat mom to something special, here are some suggestions that you haven’t already seen a million places and that you’ll be proud to give.
Sentimental Charms
For my family, the sentimental gift for each Mother’s Day is a charm for my bracelet. My daughter picks one that is symbolic of the year we just spent together. I have a paw print for the year we bought our dog. A turtle for our first trip to Hawaii. The charms are mostly inexpensive, but I love that each one says something about our family experiences. Sometimes I tell her what I want and sometimes she picks, but I love each and every one of them. Here are some great sources if you want to start your own collection: Tiffany & Co; Little Rooms; Rembrandt Charms; and Alex and Andi.
Gold Medusa Medallion Necklace
If you’re not already familiar with Awe Inspired Jewelry, it’s time to change that. This incredible family-run company has the stated purpose of raising inner strength, celebrating diversity, spreading feminism, and advocating for social justice every day. I have one of their necklaces that I wear almost every day and it’s of amazing quality. Awe uses a lot of goddess imagery in their jewelry, and I love that they’ve taken the historically-feared image of Medusa and created this modern symbol of female strength and fierceness. $175
Classic White Leather Sneakers from OluKai
I’ve had these sneakers for over two years and they are still my number one pair. They are classic and cool, made with premium full-grain leather that are soft from day one. The non-marking Wet Grip outsole ensures traction in slippery conditions and the heel drops down to convert to slip-ons. A portion of the proceeds directly supports the Ama OluKai Foundation which partners with Hawaiian-based organizations to help preserve the land, ocean, and community while maintaining the Hawaiian culture and traditions. $120
Custom Family Recipe Journal
Hands up if your mom still has recipes cut out from magazines or jotted down on the back of envelopes? Up her game with a customized family recipe journal from Papier with sections for meals, ratings, dietary requirements, as well as hints and tips for each recipe. With your family’s name on the cover, this will be an heirloom for sure. $35
Raising Legends Sweatshirt
Love this empowering sweatshirt from Ford and Wyatt, a woman-owned business in Los Angeles, California. It’s made from 100% cotton French Terry and is garment-dyed, enzyme washed, and buttery soft. The “raising legends” message speaks to a mother’s pride in her kids. $64
Fill Mill Candle System
This stylishly sustainable candle system is comprised of a sleek refillable vessel and recyclable soy wax tins that snap in with a magnetic locking system. Right now, a starter set of concrete vessel and three wax tins is $75 and you can sign mom up for auto refills.
Lomography Instant Mini Camera
Yes, everyone has a camera on their phone now, but this beauty allows for IRL gratification and has old-school design cred. This Lomo uses easy-to-find Instax film, and you’re able to play with effects like long exposures for streaky images or combining multiple exposures to build up layers of color and light. $99
MoMA Tennis Cap
This minimal hat from the Museum of Modern Art Design Store is sleek and stylish, winking to the momma with an artsy side. Produced by US heritage brand New Era, the adjustable design is made from sanded cotton twill and features an embroidered MoMA logo. This one is on my list! $32
Icon Coffee Table Book
From singers to writers, activists to artists, politicians to filmmakers, Icons is a celebration of the strength of women. Written by Micaela Heekin and beautifully illustrated by Monica Ahanonu, each portrait is accompanied by a short biography about what makes each woman a force to be reckoned with. This diverse and inclusive collection features the world’s most inspiring women, including Michelle Obama, Beyonce, Aretha Franklin, Dolly Parton, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Yayoi Kusama and so many more. $18
All About Mom Edition Swatch Watch
This Limited Edition Mother’s Day 2023 Swatch watch is for all the Gen X moms out there. It’s got a matte red case and matching strap with a white printed face and glow-in-the-dark hands. The little calendar wheel displays hearts in various colors. $95
Did you know?
The name “Swatch” is a contraction of “Second Watch” – coined by Nichole Lopez because the new watch was introduced with a new concept of watches as casual, fun, and relatively disposable accessories.
Monogramed Tennis Racket Cover
Have you noticed that everyone seems to be playing either tennis or pickleball these days? Channel her inner Palm Beach babe with this personalized tennis racket cover from monogram experts Mark and Graham. Comes in classic navy or white nylon and fits most standard sized rackets. $120
Main photo by Leah Hetteberg at Unsplash.
