Here’s the conundrum. Each year in May, mom gets her very own celebration day. But isn’t mom the person who usually does most of the gift shopping for the rest of the year? So, let’s admit it, folks, when it comes to finding the perfect gift for mom, sometimes family members come up empty on fresh ideas.
Heck, even mom herself often feels stumped when pressed for gift ideas for herself. But thanks to this gift checklist, you can help your loved ones brainstorm gifts mom will be sure to love.
This list of gift suggestions is organized by mom types, because, after all, most moms have specific passions and attitudes that make us who we are. Shoppers with this list in hand can use mom’s enthusiasm to hone in on the perfect Mother’s Day gift ideas, while enjoying an exercise in thoughtfulness.
To make shopping for mom even more fun, combine gifts from different categories to pull together a custom gift basket perfectly suited for mom’s tastes. After all, no two moms are exactly alike.
Happy shopping! Have fun brainstorming gift ideas for mom!
Bookish Mom
- eReader
- Bookseller gift card
- eBook gift card
- Book light
- Audio book club subscription
Socialite Mom
- Bulletin board, calendar, white board combo
- Large, colorful tote bag
- Movie star sunglasses
- Address book
- Lifestyle magazine subscription
Fitness Mom
- Exercise DVDs
- Running store gift card
- Sporty headphones
- Water bottle
- Jump rope
Zen Mom
- Yoga mat
- Desktop Zen garden
- Yoga class gift certificate
- Teapot with tea cups
- Green tea assortment
Writer Mom
- Mom writer book or eBook
- Fancy pen or an assortment of pens
- Notepads or journal
- Hip laptop bag
- Writing magazine subscription
Stylish Mom
- Jewelry holder
- Lipstick/lip gloss tote
- Scarf rack
- Sparkly keychain bob
- Fashion magazine subscription
Green Mom
- Thrift store gift card
- Solar-powered watch
- Composter
- CSA (community supported agriculture) membership
- Reusable shopping bags in various sizes
Frugalist Mom
- New wallet
- Assortment of coupon clipping cutters
- Storage container to hold coupon cutters
- Cutting mat
- Couponing strategies book or eBook
Work Away-From-Home Mom
- Smart shoulder bag
- Scheduling apps for smart phone
- Housecleaning service
- Pretty makeup bag
- Working mom magazine
Gardening Mom
- Garden tool storage cart
- Watering can
- Garden clogs
- Kneeling pad
- Seed packets or plant starts
Funny Mom
- Joke of the day calendar
- DVD of favorite humorous movie or TV show
- How to be funny book or eBook
- Signed celebrity photo of favorite comedian
- Tickets to a comedy show
Work-at-home Mom
- Desktop organizer
- Picture frames
- Magazine holder
- Stylish hook racks for charge cords
- Work-at-home magazine subscription
Movie Mom
- Popcorn maker or microwave popcorn assortment
- Favorite movie theater drink assortment
- Movie storage rack
- Pre-purchased movie tickets
- Entertainment magazine subscription
Foodie Mom
- Favorite restaurant gift certificate
- Assortment of favorite condiments
- Food item of the month club
- Food magazine subscription
- Gourmet food store gift card
Inspired Mom
- Inspirational thought for the day calendar
- Tear-jerker memoir or autobiography book or eBook
- Seasonally scented candles
- Photo posters with inspiring thoughts
- Uplifting statuette or figurine
Techno Mom
- Electronics charging station
- Music/books/apps gift card
- Smart phone portable keyboard
- Gadget sleeves or cases
- Tickets to local science and industry museum
Artsy Mom
- Umbrella from a museum store
- Biography of favorite artist
- Tickets to a gallery exhibit
- Art supplies of her own
- Small prints of her favorite artwork
Type-A Mom
- Gift card to home organizing store
- Checklist pads
- Purse organizer
- Designer sticky notes
- Organized living magazine subscription
Sporty Mom
- Baseball hat
- Portable snack/drink cooler
- Tickets to a game
- Fashionable sweat suit
- Bleacher seat cushion
Chef Mom
- Cooking class
- Cooking magazine subscription
- Cooking tools in a vase with a bow
- Cooking store gift card
- Vintage cookbooks
Hip Mom
- Gift certificate to a retro boutique
- Funky socks
- Subscription to a local ‘zine
- New specs with artful frames
- Tickets to local indie band concert
Decorator Mom
- Gift card to her favorite antique or decor store
- Décor magazine subscription
- Interior design color wheel
- Portable tape measure
- Binders with sheet protectors for idea clippings
Thoughtful Mom
- Monogrammed thank you notes
- Beautiful kitchen apron
- Floral air freshener spray
- Potpourri in favorite scent
- Lavender drawer sachets
Traveler Mom
- Gift card to local international store
- Passport holder
- Neck pillow, eye-mask and earplugs
- Stylish luggage
- Travel magazine subscription
Caffeinated Mom
- Coffee making tools
- Stylish and colorful mugs
- Black tea assortment
- Chocolate covered coffee beans
- Coffee shop gift card
Crafty Mom
- Craft tote bag or rolling case
- Sketch pad to plan future projects
- How-to book or eBook on favorite craft
- Tabletop craft tool sorter
- Craft magazine subscription
Whole Living Mom
- Gift card to whole foods store
- Organic chocolates or bakery items
- Purely made lotions or body butters
- Whole living magazine subscription
- Essential oils in preferred scents
Just Add Creativity: Budget Gift Ideas for Moms
Families on a budget can get creative and come up with homemade goodies that fit mom’s unique tastes. Here are a few ideas:
- Bookish Mom: Handcrafted bookmarks
- Writer Mom: A coupon for writing time
- Frugalist Mom: An embellished coin jar
- Gardening Mom: A homemade terrarium
- Foodie Mom: A fancy homemade coffee cake for brunch
- Type-A Mom: Clean the house while mom stays in bed
- Sporty Mom: A family ball game outdoors
- Thoughtful Mom: Hand-written letters full of mom appreciation
- Crafty Mom: Spend the morning making collages together
