20 of our favorite self-care gifts for mom to help her slow down.

Among the most popular Mother’s Day gifts now and forever: Self-care gifts for moms. (And grandmas and stepmoms of course.)

We are all increasingly aware that, especially since COVID, moms are working harder and longer than ever before, often juggling paid work — at home or not — family obligations, household chores, and their own well-being. With no breaks. At all. So any opportunity to help her slow down is a good things.

That said, we need to acknowledge that self-care has become a bit of a misused word that’s unfortunately tied with, well, consumerism. We know that real self-care is not about bath salts or chocolates, and better mental health access isn’t something you gift wrap. Still, we understand the people search for self-care gifts for moms because…they want to take care of their moms in their lives in some way, whether that means pampering, treating, indulging a little, or even giving her a small break she needs.

These Mother’s Day self-care gifts provide just that, whatever your budget.

They may not be as impactful as say, institutional changes that can improve her life overall, but these gifts should help her slow down a little, and at minimum — remember she’s loved.

(But psst… she should know that every day. Just saying.)

– Updated for 2023 –

Thoughtful self-care gifts for mom to help her slow down and remind her she’s loved

We may receive a small commission when you purchase from affiliate links in this article, which help support our own small business at no additional cost to you.

Anti-Anxiety Mantra Bracelets (Presently, $48+)
These gorgeous bracelets are one of our newer favorites — and a perfect self-care gift for a mom who needs a reminder to breathe. They were designed by two talented sisters to help manage their own anxiety and OCD, using phrases from effective cognitive behavioral therapy techniques. Pick the mantra that’s right for her and pair with her favorite gemstones and crystals to bring all good energy every time she looks at it.

Vahdam Artisanal Tea Trio (Vahdam Teas, $25.49 on sale)
When relaxing at her favorite tea shop isn’t on the schedule, bring these exquisite gourmet teas to her. And be sure to check all their tea gifts, to find the perfect self-care gift for Mother’s Day to help her slow down. (That Weekend in Paris gift set sounds perfect to us!)

Calm app or Headspace app annual subscription ($69.99/1 year at Calm; $69.99/year with 20% from 5/8-5/14 at Headspace)
A subscription to one of our favorite meditation apps is generous and thoughtful. Both Calm and Headspace offer breathing exercises to help her relax, meditation sessions to reduce stress increasingly over time, even wind-down programs to help fall asleep more easily.

Box of French macarons
($65, Goldbelly)
Self-care can look like a lot of things: Like maybe it’s the Iggy’s donuts your Rhode Island-born mama misses or a night home alone, bingeing Lupin or Emily in Paris with a box of Laudrée macarons she remembers from a special trip to France. Goldbelly makes it easy to send treats like these and more directly to mom in time for Mother’s Day — including entire dinners so she can take few nights off if she’s the family meal-planner.

Also be sure to check out Liz’s picks for the best iconic NYC food gifts you can have delivered — whether her self-care takes the form of Veselka pierogis, or Russ & Daughters bagels.

A beautiful new yoga mat
($50.14, Amazon)
If her idea of self-care is an hour alone in a yoga studio or at home with videos, this pretty yoga mat gets high marks for comfort, cushioning, and of course, good looks. Consider pairing with a subscription to the YogaGlo app (shown at very top) or Apple Fitness +.

Cleanse and Glow skincare set
(Aloisia Beauty, $124 or available individually or as minis)
More about pampering than self-care per se, check out CMP favorite Aloisia Beauty. They make many K-beauty-inspired skincare projects that we’ve recommended (they’re Liz’s absolute faves!) and this three-product set is perfect for all skin types. Turns out there’s something a little indulgent about committing to a two-step cleansing routine morning and night and we love it.

You can also add on a pretty heart-shaped rose quartz Gua Sha , or if you know mom will be doing some summer traveling, take a look at Alouisia’s three mini sets too.

Self-Care planner gift set
($56, Silk and Sonder)
Journaling is a proven self-care activity with meaningful benefits, and this beautifully illustrated, 30-day wellness planner is filled with journaling prompts and other exercises to get her thinking what she needs to take care of her self. This gift set also comes with soothing bath bombs, a soy candle, a pretty pen, and access to a members-only online community.

Comfy, chic new loungewear and some time alone
(wide-legged pants $39.90+ on sale, Quince)
Napwear, loungewear, or errands-wear: It kind of runs together these days, doesn’t it? That’s just one reason we love Quince for its comfy but attractive separates that can roll off the couch and head out the door — at a price that won’t break the bank. If you want some terrific options in sizes from 00 to 40, Universal Standard is another loungewear brand we love too.

For chillier spring days or summer nights, this Barefoot Dreams cardigan we featured in our post about 16 of our favorite hygge gifts for everyone who needs more comfort and coziness right now has been super popular with our readers! It pulls any outfit together nicely and will make her feel “dressed” even if she has no intention of getting off the couch.

You Are Only Just Beginning: Lessons for the Journey Ahead from Morgan Harper Nichols
(Amazon, $16.99)
The latest title from one of our favorite Instagram follows, Morgan Harper Nichols, You are Only Just Beginning includes meaningful poems and essays about those countless moments of “beginning” we all have. Makes a perfect self-care gift for a new mom who is just starting the journey of parenthood, or the seasoned mom whose teens are leaving home. Sniff.

Ultrasonic cool mist aromatherapy diffuser
(Amazon or Nordstrom, $59.99)
Serenity now! This fancy diffuser has two different wood bases to match her decor and lights up to provide a pretty glow along with those pretty smells. Also, check out our favorite essential oils from Aura Cacia if you want to go add on to your gift.

Mindful Breathing Necklaces
($85-$115, Uncommon Goods)
Based on the breath techniques of ancient Japanese Komusō monks, this pretty and delicate necklace helps bring the focus back to the breath in a few moments. It’s a thoughtful self-care gift for a busy mom, or someone prone to stress and anxiety. In fact our own editor Liz loves her necklace which comes in four finishes.

Dinner meal kit subscription
(Martha Stewart’s Marley Spoon shown above, roughly $8.69-12.99/portion)
If Mom is the head chef at home, a great self-care gift is to give her a break from meal-planning and grocery shopping by subscribing to one of our favorite meal kit delivery services. Maybe a few dinners for two?

Alternately: support her favorite local restaurant with a gift card. Some of us would never turn down a plate of sushi or Tikka Masala that we don’t have to make ourselves!

Balance and Tranquility seed growing kit ($12, Uncommon Goods)
Gardening is legit self-care. Especially when it yields your own self-grown, natural stress relievers like lavender, peppermint, and chamomile. This box even comes with recipes for teas, a DIY sage smudge stick, and more.

A DIY Eucalyptus Shower Scrub
(varies)
You can make this one with some basic ingredients, essential oils in her favorite scent, castile soap, and a mason jar. Moms always love homemade gifts, and this one is really useful.

Good Karmal all-natural caramel gift box
(from $14, Good Karmal)
We’ve looooong loved these extremely delicious, chewy caramels individually wrapped in positive quotations meant to uplift and inspire. And they now offer all kinds of gift box designs perfect for Mother’s Day, from silly to sweet. Nice change from the expected box of chocolates.

Alcohol-free wines and spirits
(prices vary, The Zero Proof)
Even if she doesn’t always abstain, there are times when self-care might mean passing on the alcohol. We like The Zero Proof‘s extensive line of no-alcohol wines, spirits, and mixers — including top brands we’ve shared on Cool Mom Eats, like Curious Elixirs, Lyre’s, and Spiritless. This way any mom can enjoy her favorite mocktail without any of alcohol’s effects. They also offer gift cards so she can pick her own.

A night away…at home
(free)
Camp out with the kids or shack up in their rooms, while you give mom the luxury of a whole night — or weekend — to herself to relax and recharge. Including breakfast in bed in the morning. Pure indulgence.
Photo by Maddi Bazzocco on Unsplash

Send a letter to Congress on her behalf
(free)
Want a real self-care gift? Write to your elected representative on her behalf, and ask for something meaningful that will really take care of moms — Paid family leave? Preserving social security? The peace of mind of universal background checks? You name it.

Send it off (be sure to sign your own name, of course), then tuck it into a greeting card.

Fighting for a better world for the next generation may be the most caring thing we can all do for moms right now. After all, isn’t that what we all dream about?