If you haven’t secured the perfect Mother’s Day gift yet, rest easy. Okay, not that easy, because it’s literally just a few days away. But if you hustle, we can still help you out with these awesome last-minute gifts that don’t feel improvised at all.

Even if they are, just a little bit.

Aside from being procrastination-friendly, these gifts are hand-picked by real moms, so you know for sure they’ll be something she actually wants. Perfectly curated gifts for deserving moms? That’s kind of our thing. – Caroline, Liz, Christina, and Lisa

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This post has been updated for 2023

Top image:Wesley Mc Lachlan on Unsplash

15 wonderful types of last-minute Mother’s Day gifts: Hundreds of ideas for every kind of mom

While we know you’ll enjoy the ideas here, be sure to find even more ideas in our Mother’s Day Gift Guide archives. We’ve been seeking out and sharing the best Mother’s Day gifts for 15 years now!

Got you covered, promise.

1. Last-minute Mother’s Day gifts: A handmade gift

Color blocked chocolate bark with flower sprinkles recipe by Paper & Stitch

Mother’s Day jewelry is always special, but it’s just a little bit more special when the kids make it. We included this DIY popsicle stick photo bracelet by It’s Always Autumn in our roundup of 13 creative DIY Mother’s Day gifts kids can make and give, because we knew it’s exactly the kind of thing that stays in the jewelry box forever.

More ideas:
–15 easy recycled Mother’s Day gifts your kids can make from stuff you have right at home
– Handmade Mother’s Day gift inspiration
–DIY wreaths and felt flower tutorials for Mother’s Day
– Homemade gifts from the kids for mom: From board books to body scrubs.
– Handmade cards to make for Mother’s Day
– Yummy homemade food gifts for Mother’s Day
– Handmade holiday giftts for friends and family — including moms

2. Last-minute Mother’s Day gifts: Books. Always books.

I always think a book — as well as a promise to provide the quiet time for mom to read the book — is a perfect last-minute Mother’s Day gift. Whatever she loves, that’s what matters.

Check out:
– 8 wonderful Mother’s Day gift book ideas to celebrate all she is, and all she loves.
– 20 of our favorite self-care gifts for mom to help her slow down (including Morgan Harper Nichols’s book, above)
– Diverse books from women authors
– Fun, indulgent romcoms
– Gifts supporting your local bookstore
–  Kindle and Audible downloads for reading or listening on the go
– Kristen’s book: A Thousand Miles to Graceland

3. Last-minute Mother’s Day gifts: Subscription boxes and gift boxes

What do moms love? Subscription boxes. Yes, even if the actual box hasn’t arrived by Sunday, an IOU can go a long way.

Try these posts for last-minute Mother’s Day gifts:
– The best subscription boxes for any kind of mom
– Practical subscription box gifts for moms who prefer something “useful.”
– A  personalized coffee subscription around her tastes
– A new board game subscription box to keep family game night fresh

4. Last-minute Mother’s Day gifts: Subscription to a fitness app or exercise equipment that can be here in a couple of days

It can be tough for moms to get to the gym, especially if when have little kids. So a subscription to an app like 8fit or YogaGlo (above) would make such a thoughtful gift for a mom who wants to practice good self-care right in her living room. Try pairing it with a gift card to lululemon or a sweet new water bottle to make it more “gifty”.

5. Last-minute Mother’s Day gifts: Breakfast in bed. Or just a homemade brunch.

Printable room service brunch menu door hanger from Hostess with the Mostess

Yes, I know this one’s been done a few times, but trust me. It never gets old. Getting served breakfast by the ones who woke you up countless times in the wee hours of the night? Priceless. For some extra oomph to the presentation of this gift, print out this adorable free Mother’s Day breakfast door hanger so that Mom can order what she wants and then snooze until it’s ready.

Not sure what to put on the menu? Glad you asked. We have some ideas.
–75 of the best Mother’s Day recipe ideas. .
– 9 impressive brunch recipes so Mom doesn’t have to lift a finger
– 5 beautiful and easy Mother’s Day cakes that kids can make themselves
–5 easy Mother’s Day brunch recipes that kids can help make
– A Mother’s Day tea party menu
– An amazing recipe for maple glazed bacon
– 8 decadent Nutella breakfast recipes
–6 stellar make-ahead breakfast recipes
–Perfect mimosa recipes
– Mom’s very own cold-brewed coffee — just add a coffee lover’s mug!

6. Last-minute Mother’s Day gifts: A handmade card

Flower petal card with free printable from Hello, Wonderful

Handmade Mother’s Day cards may be last-minute gifts, but they will always have a special place in our hearts (and on our walls). I love this sweet card above, originally shared in a post about lots of ideas for handmade Mother’s Day cards from the kids.

More:
– Handmade Mother’s Day cards from the kids
– DIY Mother’s Day gifts from the kids including cards
– Free printable Mother’s Day cards

7. Last-minute Mother’s Day gifts: A DIY spa treatment

DIY Cactus water + Vitamin C mask at Hello Glow

Gift cards for massages at a local spa can be nice but pricey, and while mani-pedis may be appreciated, we also love a good DIY alternative. Like these:
– DIY face mask recipes you can actually make at home
– Homemade mint sugar scrub.
– Homemade mason jar spa gift ideas all with safe, edible ingredients
– Liz’s favorite essential oil for de-stressing

8. Last-minute Mother’s Day gifts: Mother’s Day coupons and gift cards

Printable Mother’s Day coupons by Clementine Creative

You can’t go wrong with Mother’s Day coupons — especially when they’re for things that moms actually want and the kids promise to actually honor them when they’re redeemed.
–  Cool Mother’s Day printables (including the cute coupons, above)
– DIY and printable gift holder ideas
– Wonderful ways to make 12 of the most popular gift cards more special Try cards for:

• iTunes
• Amazon
• Sephora, Bliss, or anywhere she loves to buy her favorite mascara
• Her favorite department store (Nordstrom, anyone?)
• Her favorite local restaurant — or Grubhub, Seamless, Uber Eats, or Caviar, so she can choose her own
• A cause like Donor’s Choose (we love them!)
• NOT her kids’ favorite fast-food restaurant

9. Last-minute Mother’s Day gifts: Baked goods…made by someone else.

Via Sugarhouse Cake

The past few years have been especially tough on small, independent businesses, and that includes bakeries. For a last minute Mother’s Day gift, consider looking up local bakeries in your area (bonus if they are women-owned, we say) and order a few treats for mom.

We’re partial to the sweet little cake jars from our good friend Erin at Sugarhouse Cake in Oregon — some of you may recognize her as one of the mods in our Recipe Rescue FB group! Like lots of small bakers, they generally need at least 24-48 hours notice so make sure that your plan for a last-minute Mother’s Day gift isn’t literally last minute.

10. Last-minute Mother’s Day gifts: A family getaway

Christina and her family love family biking trips  | Photo © Christina Refford for Cool Mom Picks

Want to make a big gesture without breaking the bank?  Mom may appreciate nothing more than a family trip anywhere beyond the confines of her own home. Whether you present mom with actual plane tickets on the big day or just a handmade coupon for the future, the idea of being able to travel this year makes me down right giddy.

You can get a few ideas for trips from these fun and affordable destinations, or see if there’s one of hundreds of US National Parks and Sites within driving distance. Even a hotel stay somewhere local could be a joy. Or, just play a day-trip like, a safe family day of biking somewhere near home.

11. Last-minute Mother’s Day gifts: An IOU for custom artwork

You can’t get these customized family portraits by Tamerswork (featured in our post 25 special Mother’s Day gifts under $25, which we totally want ourselves) in time for Mother’s Day arrival, but you can place your order and print out one of her gorgeous samples to show Mom that she’s got a unique piece of art on its way, hand-drawn just for her. She’ll agree it’s worth the wait, we’re sure.

Etsy also has tons of printable art — just add nice paper and ideally, a frame.

Art doesn’t just have to be on paper though. We recently discovered the incredible Quiltlove site, run by an incredible mom who creates one-of-a-kind quilts incorporating your own decorated squares. They’re incredible! And totally worth an IOU for a last-minute Mother’s Day gift.

Related: 15 beautiful Mother’s Day gifts that give back, beautifully

12. Last-minute Mother’s Day gifts: A subscription to her favorite magazines and newspapers

With Apple News+, Mom can have hundreds of magazines and leading newspapers right at her fingertips to  read whenever she has the time. (Oh, that’s another thing you can give her: time.) It’s just $9.99/month with the first month free. Bye paywalls!

An Apple gift card is always a good bet for purchasing apps, music, movies, and TV shows of all kinds. Or hey, if she needs a new pair of AirPods, plenty of Apple Store locations offer incredibly speedy delivery. Sometimes even same-day.

Related: 10 tech gifts for the mobile mom, all are as cool as they are practical

13. Last-minute Mother’s Day gifts: Some peace and quiet

In our guide to 10 tech gifts for the mobile mom, all are as cool as they are practical, we recommended a gift subscription to Calm, because what mom couldn’t use some deep breathing, stress management, and handy sleep aid? Yes, all of that is in this app. In fact, check our 7 favorite meditation apps that have helped all the moms around here get better sleep and more balanced over the last few particularly tough years.

Couple this with one of the printable coupons above for free time, and you’re set for a thoughtful last-minute Mother’s Day gift.

Related: 31 affordable Mother’s Day gifts, and how to make them even more special.

14. Last-minute Mother’s Day gifts: A donation to a cause that makes a difference in others’ lives.

Via Donors Choose

Sometimes, the best Mother’s Day gifts are the ones that someone else benefits from. Here are just a few issues we’re all thinking about these days.

• Ukraine: Lately, we’ve been supporting World Central Kitchen and other orgs that are giving back to Ukraine in big ways since they still need it–donate in her name to an organization supporting those affected by the war in Ukraine.
• Domestic issues: At home, we are longtime supporters of Feeding America’s efforts to help food-insecure families across the country, the ACLU for…everything, really.
• Public schools and teachers: Donors Choose to allow her to select her own classroom to support based on her own interests.
• Maternal health: If she’s a fan of global health initiatives, you can donate newborn kits or mother-child care to the International Rescue Committee in your mom’s name. If she’s an advocate for education, these organizations support children and education.
• Election protection and voting rights: Elections are more important than ever. Check out orgs like Fair Fight , working to preserve democracy through voting rights for all. Other favorite orgs include Democracy Docket and the NAACP Legal Defense Fund
• Reproductive freedom: There are also plenty of organizations working harder than ever to ensure reproductive justice and just overall essential healthcare access for women, something a lot of the moms (and grandmas!) in our lives are very concerned about. Particularly if we have kids old enough to need reproductive healthcare themselves.
• Support for marginalized groups: This month is also AAAPI Heritage Month, and a contribution to Stop AAPI Hate helps with their incredibly important work protecting vulnerable communities.

Really, there’s no ends to the possibilities when you think about what she’s passionate about — the environment, improving her own community, healthcare for children, fighting disease, support for elders, support for other mothers in need. Just pick the cause or organization that means the most to her and simply make a donation in her name — because that’s what a gift from the heart is all about.

15. Last-minute Mother’s Day gifts: A call or FaceTime from you.

If you can’t be together right  now, this may be the most meaningful of all. Just..don’t forget her.