We remember when personalized Mother’s Day gifts meant monogramming a tote bag for her months in advance and spending a fortune to do it. Now, there are so many cool personalized gifts for mom (and Grandma and your mother-in-law too) that make a gift a lot more special — but not necessarily much more spendy.
So take a look at our picks this year for cool personalized gifts for moms of all kinds, whether they’re from you, or you’re shopping “for” the little ones. And don’t forget the best one of all — a hand-signed Mother’s Day card. Of course.
Just be sure to check delivery dates from the maker or shop. Even if it won’t arrive by Mother’s Day, it just might be awesome enough for an IOU.
CMP is an rstyle affiliate
Related: The most fabulous indie Mother’s Day gifts supporting women makers + shops
Personalized Hand-Poured Soy Candle
$14, Silver Dollar Candle Co.
This little shop in Knoxville makes the coolest candles! Labels have options like You’re Lovely, I Love You to the Moon and Back, and You’ve Done a Pretty Good Job Raising Me, above. For something extra special, you can choose her favorite scent (mmm…lavender mint!) plus they’ll personalize the lid for you however you’d like.
Custom Star Wars Family Portrait
$80+, Henry James Paper Goods
For the mom who knows her AT-AT from her BB-8, Kadie Foppiano can turn the entire family into Star Wars characters — or just look at the other options in her shop if you’d prefer a more traditional family portrait.
Related: 26 of the coolest custom family portrait artists
Her Own Personalized Song
$175 (est), Songfinch
Fill out a Mad Lib style questionnaire about her and provide some more specific info, and within a week, a pro songwriter will create a personalized song (your choice of genre!) just for mom that she can listen to, download, and show off to anyone willing to listen.
Personalized Jewelry or Keychain from a Child’s Art
$varies, Formia Design
We can never resist including talented metalsmith artist, Mia van Beek, in our Mother’s Day gift guide each year. She’s always adding new items, like this sweet take on a personalized sterling silver tennis bracelet ($199 and up, also shown at very top). And her work is not only amazingly accurate, she works fast!
Personalized Embroidery Hoop from Your Photography
$45, Needle Little Joy
How clever is this? Send her a photo and the artist will print onto fabric, then beautifully embroider a personalized note, name, or date over top. Her needlework is lovely judging from the other work on her site.
Related: 7 of the coolest affordable photo gifts for Mother’s Day
Framed Art Quality Print of a Child’s Drawing
$41+ framed, Minted
You could always frame any piece of artwork yourself, of course, but this version makes it look that much more pro. Not sure who will be more thrilled to see this on the wall — mom, or the artist. Psst…would also be a cool personalized gift for mom from an adult child if you can find artwork you made as a kid yourself!
Custom Photo iPhone Case
$44.99+, Tiny Prints
So she can show off pics of the kids or grandkids without even opening her photo library. This version is for iPhone 6 and 6 Plus or check out other styles if you can’t pick among three, four, or eight favorite photos.
Heirloom Family Recipe Printed on a Plate
$50+, PH Pottery
We originally shared this in a past roundup of favorite personalized gifts and still love it! Have her actual recipe — or one passed down — in the original handwriting, on plates and serving platters. Truly special heirloom and way to preserve your great aunt’s babka recipe or your mom’s famous pasta sauce.
Related: More personalized gift ideas for mom we absolutely adore
Personalized Mother-Daughter Bracelet Set
$38.99 + $8 for personalized message inside, Jessie Girl Jewelry
We’re sniffly just looking at this sweet, affordable bangle set from Jenn Colgan, made even more sentimental if you have your own message or names engraved on the inside.
Personalized Wooden Cheese Board
$28.95+, Sugar Tree Gallery
A cheese board that says Mother, Mama, or Grammy is a perfect gift for an entertaining mom. (Well, one who entertains. Though she may be entertaining as well!) And I love the block letter style here, which feels more current than a lot of the curlicue script versions out there.
Custom Minimalist Bar Necklace
$50, by Wen Chang at Hatch
Have the words I Love You, Best Mom, or something else entirely engraved on this modern bar necklace. You can even choose the gold-filled chain length, depending on her style.
Personalized Lucite Tray from Child’s Artwork
$40+, Simply Silhouettes
One more way to turn original artwork into a special, personalized gift for mom: a gold or silver foil-pressed piece of art preserved in a tray that’s perfect for a nightstand, vanity, or coffee table.
Related: The coolest customized Mother’s Day gifts to blow her mind: Gift Guide 2016
Personalized Keepsake Name Ring Sets
$53–1,000+, Nelle & Lizzy
Whether this is her first Mother’s Day, or her first Mother’s Day as a grandma of four, find incredibly special keepsake jewelry at this shop, including gorgeous personalized rings. Choose from various precious metals, typefaces, and even add birthstones. Wow.
Personalized Leather Camera Strap
$44.99, Exsect
Whether it says I Love You or her favorite inspiring mantra, this is a great personalized gift for moms who aren’t putting away their DSLR any time soon.
Related: The coolest personalized holiday gifts for everyone on your list
Gold Initial Charm Necklace
$21, Brika
Amanda Reis of Sweetheart Jewelry Box has crafted this sweet, delicate initial necklace that’s so affordable, it would be fantastic to get her several to wear all together.
