We’ve always talked about acknowledging those important mother-like figures in our lives with their own special gifts on Mother’s Day. So many of us are fortunate to have other women in our lives who deserve a little extra thanks in May — or sometimes a big extra thanks — and we have lots of ideas.
For more ideas, don’t miss our 2016 Mother’s Day Gift Guide and Gifts for moms category for the latest picks.
Maybe you have a close godmother, a foster mother, or were raised by a grandmother or aunt for whom a traditional “Love you Mom” card wouldn’t be appropriate. Maybe you have a best friend who’s a single mom. Or a sister you want to shower with some love. Maybe like Kristen, you find affordable gifts for the teachers in your kids’ classes who are moms as an excuse to honor them a little more during the year. Or maybe like Liz, you have an amazing stepmother who’s been a huge part of her upbringing. While plenty of the ideas in the rest of our Mother’s Day gift guide are great for them too, here are just a few more.
Never too many Mother’s Day gift ideas for inspiration, right?
Our picks are all editorially chosen by our staff; there are no sponsored recommendations, just the stuff we love. CMP is an rstyle and amazon affiliate.
Other Mother’s Day Gift Guide categories:
The coolest keepsake jewelry for Mother’s Day
12 ideas for cool homemade Mother’s Day gifts from the kids
Special first Mother’s Day gift ideas for new moms
Cool Mother’s Day gifts for Grandmas
27 Mother’s Day gifts under $25
12 sweet homemade food gifts for Mother’s Day
The coolest personalized Mother’s Day gifts
As Good as Gold bangle ($48, Kate Spade)
While it’s called the solid gold bangle, that refers to the recipient, not the bangle, which is actually a very pretty 12k gold plate. The box that it comes in is just as lovely, but it’s the hidden As Good as Gold engraving on the inside that really makes this perfect.
Bespoke vintage map keepsake box ($199 by Vanessa Scott-Hayward at Hatch)
If there’s a special place in her heart, how great is this gorgeous, totally custom keepsake box covered in vintage maps. Orders take 14-21 days but rush orders are available if you hurry.
Bling Bath goat milk bath salts ($15, Beekman 1802)
Pampering? Check.
Females are Strong as Hell embroidery hoop art ($20, Thread Honey on Etsy)
The shop is on vaca until May 3 so if you can wait a bit, you can get your hands on our favorite Kimmy Schmidt quote in lovely embroidery hoop art form. It doesn’t even matter if she knows the show, it’s still an awesome message. Because it’s true.
Bouquet of spray roses ($50/40 at The Bouqs; $60/80)
Don’t scoff at flowers — there’s something magical about receiving them when you least expect them. The wonderful thing about ordering from the Bouqs, besides how fresh and beautiful their locally grown flowers are, is the price; you can double any bouquet size for an extra $10.
Related: 15 of our very favorite personalized gifts for mom
Artisanal Breakfast in Bed gift basket ($65, Mouth)
If you can’t be there to pamper her in person, she can have her own indulgent breakfast in bed complete with coffee chocolate granola, toast with honey maple cream or strawberry balsamic jam, and a big-bodied Sumatra from Brooklyn Roasting Co. But do it for the jam. Seriously.
Use promo code SAVE10 for $10 off orders $100+; $20 off orders $150+ with SAVE20
Handmade heart handmade vanity tray ($42, RossLab)
This pretty vanity tray, trinket dish, or even serving platter is handmade with heats in your choice of colors. She’ll think of you every time she looks at it.
Scarf and Jewelry combo ($50-60, FashionABLE)
We have loved supporting fashionABLE since we first discovered their beautiful handmade accessories that give back to the Ethiopian women creating them. In time for Mother’s Day, they’re pairing their Frehiwot scarf (you pick the color) which is normally $48 on its own, with a cuff, earrings, or necklace from Miriam Designs. Her own designs help support US women recovering from addiction, and there’s something beautiful about knowing how a gift like this connects so many women across states and even continents.
Related: Mother’s Day jewelry ideas that glitter and give back
Custom canvas printed photography ($varies, Canvas Pop)
A sentimental photo gift may be just the thing for her, whether it’s pics of you, of your own kids, of a place you traveled together — you name it. We really like Canvas Pop for their easy, high-quality canvas printing right from your Instagram or Facebook photos (or anywhere, of course). Also because the free digital proofs help ensure you get what you want, and the 100% guarantee ensures it too.
Claudia Person herbs tea towel ($16, Martha Stewart American Made shop on eBay)
If she’s a cook or a gardener, this is so sweet. It would be lovely wrapped around flowers you’ve picked from the garden, a bottle of gourmet tarragon vinegar, or accompanying an invitation for a homemade dinner at your place.
Related: 6 easy Mother’s Day brunch recipes the kids can make. . . with someone else’s help
Custom hand-stitched heart necklace ($60, Cool Mom Picks Indie Shop with free shipping)
Update: Regretfully, the great.ly shop is no longer in operation. We hope you’ll find other cool stuff you love throughout our site.
We love these hand-stitched, embroidered necklaces by Zelma Rose in our own shop. They’re not too fancy, not too twee, and say just the right thing without any words at all. Plus you get to support a fantastic indie maker, and what cool mother-ish person wouldn’t love that?
Monogrammed Cosmetics Ba ($55, Cool Mom Picks Indie Shop with free shipping)
Update: Regretfully, the great.ly shop is no longer in operation. We hope you’ll find other cool stuff you love throughout our site.
Make a gift like this even more special by popping in a travel bottle of her favorite perfume, body lotion, or a fun new lipstick.
Les Fleurs du Chocolate spring truffles ($40,Vosges)
You kind of can’t go wrong with chocolates on Mother’s Day, and if she has a thing for truffles, we love this spring assortment from one of our favorite indie chocolatiers. Especially with flavors like Siam Citron, Mirabelle Orange, and Violette. Yum. Feel free to invite us over when you open them!
Molton Brown Pampering Gift Set ($72, Molton Brown)
When we walk into a fancy hotel that stocks Molton Brown toiletries, we know we’re in good hands. If you can’t splurge on a whole weekend away, you can at least get her a delicious spa-at-home feeling with a Honeysuckle & White Tea bath gel and lotion set. Mmmm.
We’re glad we’re not the only ones thinking about mother-ish people to us on Mother’s Day. Thanks Emily McDowell, we can always count on you.
