Here’s the conundrum. Each year in May, mom gets her very own celebration day. But isn’t mom the person who usually does most of the gift shopping the rest of the year? So let’s admit it, folks, when it comes to finding the perfect gift for mom, sometimes, family members come up empty on fresh ideas.
Heck, even mom herself often feels stumped when pressed for gift ideas. But thanks to this gift checklist, you can help your loved ones brainstorm gifts mom will be sure to love.
This list of gift suggestions is organized by mom types, because, after all, most moms have specific passions and attitudes that make us who we are. Shoppers with this list in hand can use mom’s enthusiasms to hone in on the perfect Mother’s Day gift ideas, while enjoying an exercise in thoughtfulness.
To make shopping for mom even more fun, combine gifts from different categories to pull together a custom gift basket perfectly suited for mom’s tastes. After all, no two moms are exactly alike.
Happy shopping! Have fun brainstorming gift ideas for mom!
Bookish Mom
eReader
Bookseller gift card
eBook gift card
Book light
Audio book club subscription
Socialite Mom
Bulletin board, calendar, white board combo
Large, colorful tote bag
Movie star sunglasses
Address book
Lifestyle magazine subscription
Fitness Mom
Exercise DVDs
Running store gift card
Sporty headphones
Water bottle
Jump rope
Zen Mom
Yoga mat
Desktop zen garden
Yoga class gift certificate
Tea pot with tea cups
Green tea assortment
Writer Mom
Mom writer book or eBook
Fancy pen or assortment of pens
Notepads or journal
Hip laptop bag
Writing magazine subscription
Stylish Mom
Jewelry holder
Lipstick/lip gloss tote
Scarf rack
Sparkly keychain bob
Fashion magazine subscription
Green Mom
Thrift store gift card
Solar-powered watch
Composter
CSA (community supported agriculture) membership
Reusable shopping bags in various sizes
Frugalista Mom
New wallet
Assortment of coupon clipping cutters
Storage container to hold coupon cutters
Cutting mat
Couponing strategies book or eBook
Work Away-From-Home Mom
Smart shoulder bag
Scheduling apps for smart phone
Housecleaning service
Pretty makeup bag
Working mom magazine
Gardening Mom
Garden tool storage cart
Watering can
Garden clogs
Kneeling pad
Seed packets or plant starts
Funny Mom
Joke of the day calendar
DVD of favorite humorous movie or TV show
How to be funny book or eBook
Signed celebrity photo of favorite comedian
Tickets to a comedy show
Work-at-home Mom
Desktop organizer
Picture frames
Magazine holder
Stylish hook racks for charge cords
Work at home magazine subscription
Movie Mom
Popcorn maker or microwave popcorn assortment
Favorite movie theater drink assortment
Movie storage rack
Pre-purchased movie tickets
Entertainment magazine subscription
Foodie Mom
Favorite restaurant gift certificate
Assortment of favorite condiments
Food item of the month club
Food magazine subscription
Gourmet food store gift card
Inspired Mom
Inspirational thought for the day calendar
Tear-jerker memoir or autobiography book or eBook
Seasonally scented candles
Photo posters with inspiring thoughts
Uplifting statuette or figurine
Techno Mom
Electronics charging station
Music/books/apps gift card
Smart phone portable keyboard
Gadget sleeves or cases
Tickets to local science and industry museum
Artsy Mom
Umbrella from a museum store
Biography of favorite artist
Tickets to a gallery exhibit
Art supplies of her own
Small prints of her favorite artwork
Type-A Mom
Gift card to home organizing store
Checklist pads
Purse organizer
Designer sticky notes
Organized living magazine subscription
Sporty Mom
Baseball hat
Portable snack/drink cooler
Tickets to a game
Fashionable sweat suit
Bleacher seat cushion
Chef Mom
Cooking class
Cooking magazine subscription
Cooking tools in a vase with a bow
Cooking store gift card
Vintage cookbooks
Hip Mom
Gift certificate to a retro boutique
Funky socks
Subscription to a local ‘zine
New specs with artful frames
Tickets to local indie band concert
Decorator Mom
Gift card to her favorite antique or decor store
Décor magazine subscription
Interior design color wheel
Portable tape measure
Binders with sheet protectors for idea clippings
Thoughtful Mom
Monogrammed thank you notes
Beautiful kitchen apron
Floral air freshener spray
Potpourri in favorite scent
Lavender drawer sachets
Traveler Mom
Gift card to local international store
Passport holder
Neck pillow, eye-mask and ear plugs
Stylish luggage
Travel magazine subscription
Caffeinated Mom
Coffee making tools
Stylish and colorful mugs
Black tea assortment
Chocolate covered coffee beans
Coffee shop gift card
Crafty Mom
Craft tote bag or rolling case
Sketch pad to plan future projects
How-to book or eBook on favorite craft
Table top craft tool sorter
Craft magazine subscription
Whole Living Mom
Gift card to whole foods store
Organic chocolates or bakery items
Purely made lotions or body butters
Whole living magazine subscription
Essential oils in preferred scents
Sidebar:
Just Add Creativity: Budget Gift Ideas For Moms
Families on a budget can get creative and come up with homemade goodies that fit mom’s unique tastes. Here are a few ideas:
Bookish Mom: Handcrafted bookmarks
Writer Mom: A coupon for writing time
Frugalista Mom: An embellished coin jar
Gardening Mom: A homemade terrarium
Foodie Mom: A fancy homemade coffee cake for brunch
Type-A Mom: Clean the house while mom stays in bed
Sporty Mom: A family ball game outdoors
Thoughtful Mom: Hand-written letters about why you appreciate mom
Crafty Mom: Spend the morning making collages together
Christina Katz is a writer mom, a fitness mom, a gardening mom, a movie mom, a foodie mom, an inspired mom, and a decorator mom. Her latest book is Permission Granted, 45 Reasons To Micro-publish.
