The Best Mother’s Day Gift, Based on Her Love Language

Take it from an editor who’s tried it—there is nothing more fun than gifting mom a subscription to this question-a-week digital life chronicler. The questions are auto-generated, but you can also customize or write your own, everything from “what was your most memorable vacation?” to “what’s your favorite dinosaur and why?” (my son wrote that last one). She’ll love the chance to share the most meaningful parts of her life, but the best part is that at the end of year, every question gets packaged into book form, something you can read and treasure together.

Words of affirmation isn’t just about being flattered; it means Mom really values a genuine expression of gratitude. It also means she’s probably one of the first to articulate her own affection for those she loves. Hence the gift of this floral-themed paper set, pretty pen and elegant envelope seals all included. Bonus points: If you pre-open it and write the mom in your life your own thoughtful message on one of the letter sheets.

How best to share your appreciation? In photos—but also anyone on the receiving end of a photo book knows that time and a ton of attention went into every single page. Choosing the images, writing the captions (something I love to do is annotate printed photo pages with my own handwriting for a tactile touch). Tie it all up with a bow and she’ll be blown away.

The chance to carry her kids right next to her heart? There’s no better way to gift a physical demonstration of just how much mom means in your life. This particular locket is made from 18-karat gold vermeil and is ready to be engraved at no extra cost to you. As for the photo? You put it in yourself, which means she can swap the photo as she pleases (directions for how to put it in right are available on-site).

A cute cap that pronounces—en francais—exactly how you feel about her? You can’t go wrong. (Also, how chic is this denim and poppy color combo?)

Assuming you have one nearby, this is the perfect gift for the mom who is craving quality time. (Ahem, it me.) Because truly, there’s nothing better than walking amongst gardens full of blooms. The whole fam gets to enjoy Mother Nature while burning off some energy, too. And she might even walk away with a family pic or two.

Mom loves a buzzy novel she can’t but down, but what if you could both read it together, then FaceTime or meet for coffee to discuss? Enter the latest from Curtis Sittenfeld, a collection of short stories that explore marriage, friendship and fame. Heck, you could even digest the book together chapter by chapter. (Reminder: Romantic Comedy was another one of Sittenfeld’s hits that mom couldn’t put down.)

Mom’s been meaning to put pen-to-paper—this colored pencil set (dreamed up by her favorite children’s book author and illustrator, Oliver Jeffers) is just the collection to get her started. As far as hobbies go, this is one that would be fun to do together. Mom can create while the kids do too.

Breakfast in bed? While you talk about her day? There’s a pan for that. Because quite honestly, scrambled eggs never looked as pretty as they do cooked up in this stunning ceramic frying pan, available in a multitude of hues. (Our preference is mustard, just in case you’re wondering.)

A full-blown vacation away can be hard to come by, logistics and all, but what if you could gift mom an afternoon at a nearby hotel where she can enjoy all the luxury amenities (pools, spas, beach access and more) without paying for a night’s stay? Enter ResortPass, which offers access to major hotels including Marriott, Four Seasons and more. A gift like this delivers quality time and an opportunity to relax.

Quality time is important—but does it even count if no one documents it? What mom really wants is a nice photo all together (not a selfie!), which is why Shoott is the perfect gift. The actual 30-minute photo session costs $0, instead you pay by the pic. Packages are affordable and the photographers are all talented professionals. As the saying goes, Instagram or it didn’t happen.

The petite version of Cuyana’s beloved Celestia shoulder bag is the exactly the style mom would reach for to run a quick errand, but also for a kid-free night out. It’s stylish and sustainably crafted from lambskin leather, but spacious enough for mom to fit what she needs for herself inside. (After all, what a luxury to go out sans kids.) More than anything, it’s something that feels like a treat. Does she need it? She’d say no. But does she want it? Absolutely.

Even while harried, a delicate necklace like this will help mom feel pretty and polished and, frankly, a bit sparkly. It’s a thoughtful addition to what she already wears, but also a style that won’t weigh her down. (I tried this piece on in-store and was blown away by its lightness, not to mention how easily it layers.)

A luxe lipstick—like this one from YSL—is one she’ll reach for over and over again, not only for its moisture, but for the hint of color that helps her feel that much more put together at pick up. Tie it up with a cute ribbon and add a card.

Mom is a badass—this we know. She’ll proudly wear this oversized fit, embroidered with the very mantra that energizes her everyday. (You know her too well.) Even better? The softness of the sweatshirt, made in Portugal, making it a design she’ll reach for on repeat. Now the hard part: Picking mom’s favorite color. FYI, this comes in six different hues.

Real talk for a sec: There’s no one more elegant than mom. That’s why she’ll love this rainforest-themed double-sided design, made from mulberry silk, which she can dress up with a blazer for the office or tie around her purse.

Flowers are nice and all, but what if you could up the ante and gift mom a bouquet of stunning blooms, plus a box of Martha Stewart-approved pastries? This collab between Urban Stems and Goldbelly delivers exactly that—lush pink peonies and an assortment of treats (think buttery French croissants, Cherry Danishes and more)—all shipped straight to her door. It’s limited edition, so join the waitlist now. (Did we mention it serves 12?)

There’s not much that beats someone else working out the week’s meal plan—but bonus points go to whoever does the cooking, too. Blue Apron now offers a plan that checks both of those boxes, providing prepared and ready meals (everything from cheesy truffle cavatappi to four-cheese enchiladas) that show up at your door, no cooking required. For mom, weight=lifted.

The search for a charger is real and if mom finds one, the truth is that it ultimately just gets tangled up in her purse. This clever design comes works with all of her USB-C compatible devices and features a retractable cord that rolls up when not in use. You’re solving a problem for her—and ensuring she’s always got a full battery. It’s an unexpected act of service that resonates.

It’s the gift of time you can’t put a price on, but there is honestly no greater feeling than someone else handling the annoying details required of maintaining a clean house. MaidPro is renowned for their 49-point checklist, which means no dust bunnies left behind. But seriously, they’ll do everything from disinfecting your sink to wiping down the picture frames—the best.

If mom has to do the cleaning herself, she’s all about a one-and-done model. Enter the latest vacuum tech from Dyson, which not only picks up Cheerios, it deep cleans her floors with its wet cleaner head, designed to remove spills and stains from hardwood floors. Talk about addressing a pain point. Of course, beyond simply gifting her the vacuum, you could offer to add this task to your chore chart. Hero status. 

Be still her organization-obsessed heart: This digital touchscreen calendar is something the entire family can use to keep track of life’s logistics. Better yet, it comes with a built-in chore chart so that even the kids can keep track of their daily to-do’s (everything from homework to playroom cleanup). The best part? With a “Plus” account, mom can display family pics.

If mom can’t get to a massage appointment, bring the massage appointment to her. Zeel is a service that connects you with local and vetted providers that come to your door, massage table included. With a few taps in an app, mom can choose her therapist, the type of service she wants, also the time most convenient for her. As far as physical touch goes, this definitely counts.

Moms are used to downplaying lots of aches and pains, which is why this purse-sized massage gun is the perfect tool for her to have at the ready when she needs on-the-go relief. Of course, the next best thing is having her partner around to rub her shoulders on demand, but this is a worthy alternative—and one she’d love to have.

If you can’t be there to snuggle with mom, a luxe set of pajamas is the next best thing. This particular style—made from Pima cotton—will keep her feeling warm and stylish. We love the hand-drawn botanical pattern; not to mention, the refined piping detail along the collar, pocket and cuffs.

On the flip side, let’s say you can find time to snuggle together—wouldn’t an ultra-plush and luxe throw blanket make it all the better? This option from Cozy Earth is just what mom will reach for the next time you two enjoy a movie night on the couch.

Life’s little luxuries abound—for example, this detangling hair brush from La Bonne Brosse will help mom maximize her hair care routine and achieve peak performance from her rinse-out or leave-in hair treatments, too. It’s plastic-free and a brand that’s adored by French women everywhere. As far as physical touch? It’s the next best thing to a scalp massage, if you ask us.