Mother's Day 2023
Inspiration to help you celebrate the mothers and mother-figures in your life (and a reminder that Mother's Day is just two weekends away!!!)
Somehow I am realizing it is the end of April, and Mother’s Day is just a few weekends away! Time is truly flying - I expect especially for me as I had to correct myself when I told a colleague I was almost 34 weeks pregnant and then quickly realized I’m actually almost 36 weeks pregnant! Yikes!
As a mom of young kids, with many mom friends, a mom and mother-in-law, and a very dear mother-figure in my life, Mother’s Day registers as an important day to take extra time to recognize and celebrate the work of mothering. My phase of motherhood is in the thick of it and physical - my children are small and their physical need for me is great (I’m literally growing one of them in my body!) Sometimes, it’s hard to imagine what other phases will look like - though I know the physical needs will wane as they grow up - it is hard to picture. This is true of so many things in life - it’s hard to imagine anything other than what your experience is, and then, something shifts, and your experience is different, and it is hard to remember what it was like before, and hard again to imagine what it might be like in the future. But, of course, I know that there are so many different phases and stages of motherhood and so many ways to practice and recognize motherhood.
Hallmark will make you believe that all mothers want to be pampered and showered with gifts on Mother’s Day - and while that may be true for some (and I’m sure most would not say no to gifts or pampering), I think what many mom’s would love are acts of gratitude. To be genuinely thanked for everything they do, to have their mental (and maybe physical too!) load relieved for a day (even better, for a weekend), NOT have to clean their homes, to spend quality time with their loved ones, and to have some time to themselves (this is especially true for those of us with young children - may be not true for every mom!)
And of course, a gift doesn’t hurt, but it certainly doesn’t have to break the bank!
I love picking gifts out for people in my life - it’s definitely an act of love and an important way that I show my loved ones that I care about them.
Many marketing teams and ad campaigns around this time of year are making us imagine that most moms are receiving elaborate $1K+ jewelry gifts (FYI that there is ABSOLUTELY nothing wrong with that, your girl here would certainly not be turning her nose up at that gift horse - it just isn’t my reality!). My take is that most people are not able to shell out that kind of cash on an annual basis, and that is totally normal and OKAY! (Hopefully parents of young kids for whom they have to pay for childcare can relate to the limited disposable income). But you can find an extremely thoughtful gift to show your love and appreciation for any mom or mother-figure in your life without breaking the bank or saving for months!
When I started thinking about Mother’s Day gifts, I started first by thinking about things that are on my own wishlist. A little selfish, I know, but it is a good place to start! I think the perfect type of gift for a holiday like this is something that feels like a special treat, that she might be eyeing for herself, but has put on a wishlist or a maybe or someday list.
So that’s the inspiration & mentality behind these ideas - the types of things that have been pinned, screenshotted, saved on Instagram, maybe even added to a cart but eventually closed out of. A special token of appreciation that will inspire delight in the recipient, but also not break the bank (everything is under $200, and mostly everything is closer to $100).
Happy Mother’s Day to you, and the mothers you are celebrating. Also, if this is a difficult holiday for you - thank you for reading, and please know that I see you and am thinking of you.
I’m breaking my ideas down by categories — based on interest, relationship or stage of motherhood, but really, any and all of these gifts would be amazing for any mom you are shopping for - the organization is just for fun!
For the Entertainer & Home Decor enthusiast:
Furbish Studio is a personal favorite for home decor and entertaining items. If you are shopping for someone who loves adding special pieces to their home or hosting dinner parties, they carry many beautiful things!
Napkins: Their tabletop collection, especially the napkins, placemats, coasters, tablecloths are gorgeous, and they wash very well! I have this set and I look forward to adding this to our collection sometime soon!
Napkin Rings: These are so fun to brighten up a tabletop, definitely the type of things someone wouldn’t buy without a reason!
Picture Frames are always a great choice. Bonus if you add a picture to it!
Lettuce Leaf Vase: A Beautiful and interesting vase to add to her collection. You can fill with a bouquet from Trader Joes!
Cookbook: This is a great new cookbook, but it could be any one that looks good to you!
For the Beauty lover - pick something special that she’s been wanting to try, splurge on or wants to add into her routine.
Tata Harper Resurfacing Mask: this is a holy grail mask in my book!
Eye Mask: Eye masks are so fun to have and use whenever you want, but maybe not something you’re regularly buying yourself.
Dior Lip Oil: Perfect lips for everyone
Makeup Case: Who could not benefit from a new makeup case?
Merit Mascara: I’ve heard from multiple sources that this is one of the best mascara’s on the market right now.
Hair Pin: This is gorgeous, sweeps your hair up in a perfect twist and is (apparently) comfortable against your head if you’re lying on the couch or a pillow. Not a need, but certainly a want!
For the new mom - something to bring some normalcy and adulthood to the baby days, or fun to the long, sometimes mundane, newborn haze. (Also, if you are shopping for a mom-to-be, check out my “Getting Dressed When You’re Growing a Human” series, - Part 1 or Part 2 — there are pieces in there that could make great gifts!)
Hill House Robe: A comfy, special robe
Lake PJs: A pair of the best PJs so she can feel chic and more like herself even when adjusting to life with a new baby!
Audio Book: a LibroFM gift card so she can listen to audio books during the constant feeding routine.
Wireless Earbuds: Wireless headphones to listen to audio books while wearing or bouncing a baby!
An offer to come over and hold the baby for an hour or two while she sleeps/takes a shower/works out/goes for a walk/runs an errand/watches a show alone in her room.
Baseball Cap: A chic cap to wear on neighborhood walks and look extremely chic!
Uniqlo Round Shoulder Bag: The ability to go handsfree and look good while doing it!
For the most stylish mom you know:
Chimi 04 Sunglasses: These look good on everyone, and would be a great gift for a style lover or someone who doesn’t care so much about style alike!
Julia Amory Husband Shirt: A beach or pool coverup, shirtdress or oversized shirt with shorts or jeans.
Woven Tote: These are eveywhere this season and a big bag is especially great for summertime - to the pool, beach, lake, running errands!
Monogram Mary Sun Hat: Everyone is happy for some sun protection and this is so chic!
Beaded Necklace: Beaded necklaces are so fun for layering, especially in the summertime - she can add it to her stack for the upcoming season!
Modern Long Sleeve Striped Shirt: In general, buying clothes can be a little trick, but this shirt seriously looks good on everyoene. Size up if in doubt!
For the gardener (or aspiring gardener):
A Houseplant (from your local nursery or garden center.)
Bergs Potter Pots: A collection of chic pots that can be added to a tabletop, patio or porch!
Watering Can: A watering can that is functional and beautiful!
Woven Garden Basket: To carry cut flowers and compose a perfect bouquet.
Hanging Citronella Candles: Enjoy the garden despite any bugs that might try to hinder your enjoyment.
Your Mom, or the mom-figure in your life:
A card telling her how much you love her and how grateful you are
A beautiful bouquet of flowers from a local flower shop
Candlesticks & Tapers: Something beuaitful for her table or mantel.
LL Bean Tote: With a witty monogram, or just her initials. Practical, fun, and chic.
Dieux Instant Angel Lotion: This is a great moisturizer for anyone - whether they are very into skincare or not!
Porcelain Tray: Just something pretty for her bedside table, or bathroom, or desk.