Meaningful, Personal Mother’s Day Gift Ideas for Every Mom You Know

We asked and research told us that, more than anything, moms want to hear words from the heart. They want you to express how much they mean to you and how much you love them. There are lots of appropriate ways to do that (sorry, but texting on Mother’s Day doesn’t count). But we think the best way is with a beautiful, heartfelt card for her to display and keep for always.

Every mom-to-be is different—but many start thinking of themselves as mothers the second they know they’re pregnant. So yes, it’s absolutely appropriate to recognize and celebrate them on Mother’s Day. To decide what to give her, think about what she wants and needs: 

• Is it early in the pregnancy? Give her a Keepsakes Sonogram photoholder ornament for Baby’s first picture, or a While I Was Waiting for You journal to write about her experiences or dreams for her child.
• If she’s in the “nesting” phase, help her get organized and ready with a baby memory box, card keeper or stack of thank-you notes or stationery. Consider adding a handmade gift certificate for a few hours of your time: wiping surfaces, hanging tiny clothes on tiny hangers and moving heavy things where she tells you to.
• Is she ready (so very, very, VERY ready) for this baby to be out of her belly? Try a cute Letter Board Announcement or Family Handprints picture frame—or a koala lovey and book to read to her new little one.

The first Mother’s Day is such a special and important one for new mamas. They’re excited, exhausted and basking in all the milestones (and new baby smell). Show them love with these ideas:

• Give her a cozy date night in. Many new mamas aren’t comfortable leaving their babies just yet. A gift card for her favorite food delivery service and something comfy-cute, like a supersoft throw blanket, set her up for dinner and a Hallmark Channel movie right from the couch.
• Welcome her to the club. An Official Mom Club New Member Kit might look something like this: A no-spill travel mug (not just for traveling!), The Love of a Family Board Book for the baby, Fierce Love: It’s a Mama Bear Thing for her and a note that reminds her she’s got this.
• Take the stress off. Order a cleaning service to come tidy up her home. She can use the time for snuggling instead of sweeping.

Is being the “chill mom” her dream? The secret to the perfect Mother’s Day gift is knowing a little bit about her coping techniques. What does she do to relax? What are her favorite self-care practices? How does she achieve inner peace?

• A little pampering: Moms who are always on the go (does the driving ever end?) likely don’t have time to pamper themselves. If her magic words are “spa day,” set her up with a Green Tea/Aloe Yin-Yang Ceramic Candle and some bath and body supplies like this moisturizing soap and lemon verbena hand cream.
• A big laugh: This mug and towel gift bundle is made for moms who are powered by love, laughter and caffeine. Add a bag of her favorite coffee to contribute to her stash.
• A good workout: Send her off with a sling bag and lanyard for her gym card.
• Any quiet time she can get: Give her a good-size notebook for journaling or list-making, a nice pen and a lumbar pillow for a little extra support.  
• A getaway: There’s no gift more meaningful than the gift of time together. Plan a road trip or weekend getaway just for the two of you. Bonus points for cheesy matching T-shirts or hats.

When her faith and her family mean more to her than anything, gifts that reflect what’s in her heart have special meaning. Symbols of her faith and words from scripture are daily reminders of the many ways she’s blessed.

• At home: When the kids are old enough to say grace that doesn’t rhyme, Candace Cameron Bure’s Mealtime Prayers set offers 30 cards with a range of blessings. And the gold-toned wire cross from her collection carries a simple message for a door or wall: Grateful. All day. Every day.
• Time to reflect: Also from the Candace Cameron Bure Collection by DaySpring, this exclusive “Mug full of coffee + heart full of Jesus” mug and an Encouragement Jar for Mom tell her she’s never alone—and we’re not talking about the kids.
• Out and about: Let her know she’s thought of, loved and prayed for with a heart and cross on a layered necklace. Or gift this cute, roomy canvas tote as a reminder to walk in love.

Single moms are hard workers, caretakers…and tired. Show them extra love for all they do with these ideas:

• Give her a break. Pair up an offer to babysit with agift card for some much-needed pampering. Maybe it’s for a spa mani/pedi or massage, or a movie and snacks, or her favorite shop and a nearby coffee stop.
• Give her a hand. Pick a date and spend time helping her around the house. Take on any to-dos like painting or touching up nail holes, hanging shelves or putting together furniture, small repairs, weeding or planting in the garden. Surprise her with a gift card to a home improvement store or garden center, too.
• Give her some free time. Set her up with a week- or month-long subscription for a ready-made meal-kit service. Deliver the news with a cute kitchen towel, oven mitt or recipe organizer.
• Give her a treat. She likely doesn’t treat herself often (what mom does?), so give her something she doesn’t have to share—like a handbag, indulgent sweets, bath and body sets—or something else she loves.

Shopping for moms with a unique sense of style can be a challenge. Our designers have pulled together on-trend jewelry and home accents for every style, from simple to showy.

• Expressive moms: Inspire them with affirming words and hand-painted designs from artist and poet Morgan Harper Nichols. Her new collection with Hallmark includes colorful zipper pouches and purses, trinket dishes, mugs and more. 
• Minimalist moms: This sweet, simple MOM with heart necklace says everything it needs to. 
• Fancy moms: A dated, collectible porcelain Keepsake Ornament crafted by Artist Terri Steiger features a floral filigree design and heart pendant. Or give her an iridescent ceramic jar candle with a copper lid and peony and lavender fragrance.
• Sentimental moms: A glass and brass card keeper with metallic rose design puts her most treasured cards and letters on display. Or create a mother-daughter diary: Pick out a pretty journal and pass it back and forth, each adding your thoughts, photos, quotes, sketches, lists and dreams until the pages are overflowing with memories. 

Being a parent doesn’t mean you have to act like a grown-up all the time. If you know she’s never too old to play, she’ll love gifts with some fun built right in. 

• Hello to creativity. Wrap up some adult coloring pages and her favorite crayons with a snuggly Crayola Crayon Throw Blanket (choose pink, red or green) to inspire creative relaxation. 
• Buh-bye to work. Sign her out with a message that speaks the truth— “This whole grown-up thing has been fun but I have to go now.”
• Family night is a go: Gather around a puzzle or game—we’ve got them for children of all ages. 
• Yay for crafternoons! Plan some time together and make a photo slideshow; paint, cross-stitch or draw something; or put your creative talents to use in another way for some creative hang-out time.

You thought you loved her before you saw her in Mom Mode, but somehow she seems even more magical. So in addition to whatever special day or grand gesture you already have planned, let her know why you fall in love with her again every day.

• Love for family: Decorate her favorite spaces with reminders that she’s the heart of the home, like “Home is Where Mom Is” or “The best thing about my home is who I get to share it with.”
• Passion: Frame a romantic picture of the two of you with a message to your dearest, put the kids to bed and serve dinner by candlelight. 
• Strength: Deliver coffee in bed in a Tough As A Mother mug or surprise her with a “She believed she could, so she did” sign.

No one outgrows Grandma’s love. Whether the gift is from the littles in her life or a grateful grown-up, express your love and thanks with these ideas:

• Compile her best-loved recipes. Either new or beloved for generations—and especially if they’re just clipped or jotted down or stuck on index cards inside her kitchen cabinets—give her a nice way to store them. You can take pictures of hers, copy them onto cards, enter them in a file or—only with permission—gently and carefully transfer them to a book or box.
• Frame her favorite faces: She can never have too many pictures of her grandbabies. Give her a new frame or album to show off her little loves.
• Tell her family story. Create a family memory book for her so she can share photos beyond her phone. Gather pics from her extended family—or just spotlight yours—print them out and load them into an album she can share (you KNOW she will).
• Cozy up her space. If your grandma is in assisted living or not able to leave home much, spend some time decorating her space and making it comfortable and pretty. Besides family photos and keepsakes, you can brighten things up by changing out pillows and throws and adding some no-maintenance plants or flowers.

Here are even more ideas for giving gifts they’ll love and remember and special advice for choosing gifts just right for seniors.

We celebrate everyone who loves with a mother’s heart—and that includes the ones who nurture dogs, cats and plants. 

• Plant parents and crunchy moms: Give her a Peace, Love and Plants journal to help manage seeding, sowing, feeding and watering schedules. Or try something plant-inspired—our artists have covered everything from pop-up cards to puzzles with their favorite florals. 
• Dog moms and cat ladies: We will put puppers and cattos on anything. Any. Thing. Give her gifts to share with her fur babies, ones that will start conversations at dog parks, or ones that out who her real favorite co-workers are when she’s working from home.

We’ve learned a lot from talking to moms about what they want for Mother’s Day. Here are some more of our favorite ideas:

• Learn our four secrets to help you find a personal, meaningful gift.
• Give Mom an experience instead of something to unwrap: We’ve got lots of ideas for Mother’s Day experiences, including three mother-approved ideas, advice from four thoughtful dads and a whole list of activities that aren’t brunch.
• Get the kiddos involved—let them color theseMother’s Day coloring pages to decorate, frame or tuck inside a card or gift.
• Speaking of kiddos, many mothers say their favorite thing to do is spend the day with their family. Their one common wish: For everyone to get along.