So, it’s going to be a weird Mother’s Day this year. I saw a funny meme reminding men that kids aren’t going to be bringing home homemade gifts from school this year so they needed to get on it. To help you all out, here are my suggestions:
The Gift of Time
All I want this year is some time and freedom from my children. I love them, and want to spend Mother’s Day with them, but I’m also over them. My husband has a demanding job so caring for the kids falls squarely on me from Monday through Friday. So, just not seeing them for a while would be the greatest gift of all. Trust me when I say that your wife will love you forever if, on the afternoon before Mother’s Day, you run her a bath, hand her a bottle of wine, and say “see you tomorrow.” And, it’s free! Do it, fellas!
Want to give her something tangible? Pull together a little spa gift bag, like this one I quickly pulled together. Love that adorable jute Mama Knows Best shopper:
Jute Tote, $88 
Hair Towel Wrap, $34 
Capri Blue Volcano Candle, $34 
Bath Soak, $24 
Bath Towel Wrap, $48 
Beauty Blooms Gift Set, $68
And, while she’s luxuriating in the bath and ignoring your family, spend the time making her a cute handmade gift with the kiddos. Need some idea? This handprint bouquet is adorable and super easy with small kids, and this one (pictured below) is a bit harder so might be a fun project for slightly older kids. Don’t have the time or inclination to be crafty? Grab a piece of clay or Play-Doh, smack the kids’ hands in it, and scratch in their names and the date. Or just fold a piece of paper in half and have the kids make a “card.” It doesn’t really matter. We like anything made by these little monsters.
Flowers
Flowers are ALWAYS appreciated. Skip the roses and get her a bouquet with mixed spring flowers, like ranunculi and peonies. Support suffering local businesses by shopping at local flower shops. And if you’re buying for a mom or grandma who doesn’t live nearby, you can either look for local florists in their neck of the woods or shop at one of the many great online flower shops like Bouqs Co., Farmgirl Flowers (image below is one of their gorgeous arrangements), or Urban Stems. If you’re on a budget, look for a local grocery store that sells cut flowers and watch a YouTube video on how to arrange them in a vase or whatever container you can find in your house. Can’t find one because you’re a man and thus incapable of locating anything without assistance? Paint a half-gallon milk carton with the kiddos and put them in that.
Jewelry
The Mama Bracelet
I love jewelry. She loves jewelry. And I like Mother’s Day inspired jewelry. Right now, I’m really digging these pretty Mama bracelets (I particularly love the super delicate Zoe Chicco one that also comes in a ring and necklace if that’s your preference). Thankfully, there are a bunch of great ones at all the price points:
The Birthstone Ring
I know that you’re probably having terrible flashbacks of childhood trauma when I mention birthstone jewelry, but this stuff is so good. I found this jewelry maker on Etsy, MARYJOHN, that has the most gorgeous birthstone rings ever. They’re stackable, and would love love love that evil eye diamond ring and the aquamarine ring — each of my kid’s birthstones — as a gift. They also have custom stacked sets.
**Note: I’m not sure if you’ll get these by Mother’s Day based on lead times indicated by the seller (message them for more info), but trust me when I say that if she gets them a week late she’s not going to care because these are awesome. **
Aquamarine Ring, $195.30 
Evil Eye Diamond Ring, $142.20 
Stacked Set, $352.80
The Comfy Pajama Set
There’s nothing better than a good pajama set, especially since we’re wearing them all day these days. Here are a few really great ones (also threw in that robe from Urban Outfitters because it’s so good).
Cocktail Print Set, $80 
Postcard Set, $130 
Sloth Set, $115 
Shibori Set, $78 
Mixed Print Robe, $59 
Slouchy Set, $132 
Polka Dot Set, $24.99 
Floral Set, $21.99 
Menagerie Set, $98 
Swan Lake Set, $175 
Cheetah Sleep Set, $118 
Pink Heart Set, $24.99 
Washable Silk Set, $178 
Linen Silk Set, $248
The Thing She Wants/Needs So She Wont Leave
This year, get her anything she wants so she doesn’t run away without you and the children, even if it breaks the rules. I am deeply in love with my Dyson stick vac, and even though it would normally be a faux pas to get her cleaning tools for Mother’s Day, she’s cleaning constantly right now and will appreciate ANYTHING that makes it easier. We all laughed at that terrible Peloton Christmas commercial, but right now it’s also totally appropriate to get her an exercise bike if she wants one (hostage face optional). If she’s been stress baking, she will love you for tracking down that 25lb bag of flour, some yeast and/or whatever baking tools she doesn’t have and has been complaining about not having. She wants to grow vegetables? Build her a raised bed or order one online, or get a few inexpensive containers and seeds if your budget and/or space are small (and, for more ideas, check out my blog post on Social Distancing Survival where I discussed gardening). If she’s somehow offended by your purchase, tell her it was all my fault for suggesting it.
If you didn’t find anything here that you think is exactly right for the mom in your life, check out my Valentine’s Day Gift Guide for more inspiration.
