25 Mother's Day Presents That Aren't Shockingly Boring Or A Complete Dumpster Fire
Nary a robe in sight! And nothing that says MOM on it! Can you imagine?
If you’ve been here a minute, you probably know that my favorite competitive sport is presents. You know that old saying, “It’s the thought that counts”?
It’s a lie.
An excellent gift requires yes, thought, of course, but mostly it’s about the execution of said present, especially for Mother’s Day. Let’s not pretend otherwise.
(For the record, of course heart-felt things that small children make are the best of the best, and, to throw a little Love Languages at you, yes “quality time” is the bee’s knees. However, for the sake of this story, we are focusing on the shoppable.)
If you need a few ideas of what to get the mom in your life—or if you are the mom and have a partner who might appreciate some pointed suggestions, feel free to forward—I hope this starter pack sparks some good ideas. And if nothing seems quite right, well, no one’s ever really mad at gummies?
1. UPGRADED ESSENTIALS
This can mean anything from a luxe t-shirt to a next-level pillow to a thoughtfully sourced jar of her go-to spice. Need specific examples? Here we go.
Better T-Shirt: I’m not suggesting you need to toss the ratty American Apparel t-shirt the mom in your life has been wearing for a decade and invest in a tee from The Row. (Though bonus points if you do; especially if you get her the Chiara T-Shirt.) But you can find something that’s a little better. If you’re looking for exact options, I covered a few of my favorite white t-shirts last summer, which range from The Great’s Slim Tee ($95) to Hanes’s Perfect T-Shirt ($9). A handful of fresh white Hanes t-shirts tied up with a grosgrain bow would make just about anyone a happy camper.
Better Pillow: One of my college girlfriends swears by Essentia’s Classic Beyond Latex Pillow ($215) saying it changed her life. “It’s like putting your head on a marshmallow or cloud, while still being firm. I cannot imagine life without it.”
I personally love Parachute’s Down Side Sleeper Pillow ($150) and Nurse Jamie’s Healthy Skin Solutions Beauty Bear Age Delay Pillow ($79), until I learn to sleep on my back.
Better Spices: Two years ago this month, I sat down with Sana Javeri Kadri, who founded the incredible company Diaspora Co., and is creating a radically equitable, sustainable, and modern spice supply chain. I didn’t really understand how stale my own spices were until I started buying from Diaspora, and DEAR LORD you notice a difference.
You could give the foodie mom in your life an artisanal refresh, with seven of the brand’s best loved spices in the Bestseller Dabba ($200) or simply a single jar of Diaspora’s amazing Single Origin Aranya Pepper ($12), which is our house pepper. Bonus points if you get her an upgraded pepper mill too, like the Unicorn Pepper Mill ($50), which was Carla Lalli Music’s favorite, until she fell for the Mannkitchen Pepper Cannon ($200), which is also beloved by Molly Baz and J. Kenji Lopez-Alt, and (to tie this all back) Sana Javeri Kadri.
I confess to owning a Pepper Cannon, and while yes, it is ludicrously expensive, it’s also insanely amazing and efficient, and is my favorite kitchen tool. Ever. Again, I know this is insane.
2. SMALL SPLURGES
Many of the moms I know are comically bad at splurging on themselves, which is why this category is so much fun.
Astrology: Is she into horoscopes? Oh I have a suggestion for you: Get her an annual subscription to Channi Nicholas’s BRILLIANT Channi App ($108). I use mine every single day, as it gives you daily and weekly updates, mediations, detailed info on your birth chart and transits, and more. It’s really a rich experience and incredibly well designed.
Beauty: There are all kinds of cult beauty products she’s probably got her eye on, but one of my personal favorites comes from the skincare brand, U Beauty. I personally swear by the brand’s super chic and luxurious The Plasma Lip Compound ($68). Compared to the Chapstick I used before, it’s definitely a splurge, but it’s so silky and plumping and efficacious, I truly believe it’s worth every penny.
Fragrance is another option, as most moms will think this is a frivolous expenditure. In these cases, I think it’s nice to find a high-end assortment for her to try over time, and the best option out there is Vyrao’s High Five Discovery Set ($105). The set includes five of Vyrao’s most beloved scents, which were created by the chicest woman in the world, Yasmin Sewell (who worked in fashion for ages before starting her wonderfully witchy wellness-energetic healing-fragrance company).
Home: If the mom you’re shopping for likes to entertain, I’d suggest treating her to a new set of champagne coupes from Estelle Colored Glass. The Set-Of-Six Coupes ($205) is so festive; personally I love the mint green, but the rose is really romantic and the amber is sophisticated, so you really can’t go wrong. Pair it with a bottle of bubbly from Helen’s Wines for an over-the-top treat.
It’s also a great time of year to update her party linens. The limited edition J.Crew x Liberty home collection is mostly on sale right now, so there are loads of good finds. I love all the tablecloths, especially the Cabana Stripe ($49.50) and the Pink Floral ($128), which I own and style with the Resort Pink Gingham Napkins (4 for $24.50).
Is the mom on your list more of a beach/pool/lake/sunbathing lover than someone who wants to entertain? No prob. My recommendation is an elevated beach towel, preferably Turkish. Luxury linens brand Matouk (makers of my dream duvet insert) have a grass green and white Paros Chevron Stripe Beach Towel ($79) that’s just dreamy and comes in other colors if green isn’t your mom’s thing. The Turkish textile company House no 23 also makes a cool option; the brand’s hand-loomed Kupa Towel ($56) is particularly lovely.
3. LARGE LUXURIES
And last, but never least, we have my favorite category: Large Luxuries. These are major splurges that are truly something to dream about.
R&R: Of all the moms I spoke to about Mother’s Day presents, the number one dream request was a solo day/night away, ideally in a nice hotel, to sleep, read a book, relax by the pool, and just take time for themselves.
Fine Jewelry: While I love the idea of women buying their own fine jewelry, and definitely do this myself to mark major life events, there’s also something really wonderful about receiving it as a gift. You can’t go wrong with something personalized, of course (though I would recommend asking the mom ahead of time, as you can’t really return custom). For example: I wear my Clark and Wilder gold bangles every single day, and love that I will be able to pass them down some day. Sima at XIV Karats in Beverly Hills helped us make them; she’s incredibly kind and helpful if you’re ever looking for a specific piece.
Other incredibly special pieces I love? Cartier’s Clash de Cartier Bracelet (though I’d prefer in yellow gold), Jennifer Meyer’s Edith Link Bracelet with Oval Nameplate, Tiffany’s HardWear Small Link Necklace, and of course I’m obsessed with Cartier’s Georges L’Enfant zodiac pendants and his work with Van Cleef & Arpels from the 1960s and 1970s.
Okay friends, that’s it for now. If you want to follow me on @hillarykerr, I’d love it. And if you have anything to say or ask (preferably nothing terribly mean), please drop me a note either via DM or in the comments below.
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Love the coupe glasses! Definitely not something my mom would buy herself.