Katherine Robinson
We’ve got the best Mothers Day gifts 2021 for Sunday 9 May. Our top picks of jewellery, perfume, luxurious treats, personalised presents and gift ideas which are meaningful, unique and thoughtful for your mom, stepmum, mother-in-law or grandma
For many of us, the pandemic may have meant that we’ve not seen as much as our dear moms as we would have liked over the past 12 months. So with that in mind, for Mother's Day 2021 there’s never been a better time to show your mum – biological or otherwise – that you love and appreciate her.
Mother’s Day this year falls on Sunday May 9 in the US, so now’s the time to get thinking about what you want to gift the special lady in your life.
We’ve gathered together our pick of thoughtful and unique presents that she’ll love – and all of these can just as easily be gifted from sons or daughters and can be given to special aunts, grandmas, mothers-in-law and stepmothers too.
RELATED: 20+ great gifts for mom: birthdays, special occasions or just because
Any partners on the lookout for meaningful Mother’s Day gifts to give mum on behalf of younger children or first Mother's Day gifts will also find present inspiration if they scroll to the end.
Read on for our Mother’s Day gift guide – there’s something here to suit all budgets and interests.
Thoughtful Mother's Day gifts from older children
Mother’s day puzzle sign, $30.87, Etsy
This is such a pretty and thoughtful gift! This personalized puzzle sign is customizable with up to 14 names and to top it off, the frame can be stained to match the room you think she'd place it in.
MasterClass annual subscription, $180 (buy one, get one free), MasterClass
Would mom like an acting class with Natalie Portman? A singing class with Christina Aguilera? How about a photography class with Annie Leibowitz? If you gift her a MasterClass subscription she can do all of these, plus there are hundreds more amazing online classes with experts to choose from, with new ones being added every week. MasterClass are currently doing a buy one, get one free offer on subscriptions, so you can even keep one for yourself and do the classes too – learning a new skill together. If you’ve left the Mother’s Day gift shopping late, this is a great idea!
Nathalie Lete mom dish towel, $22, Anthropologie
Featuring sweetly embroidered embellishments, this dish towel - designed by French artist Nathalie Lete - is a thoughtful gift for Mother's Day that will have pride of place in mom’s kitchen.
SHOP: 10 luxury gifts from British brand The White Company to gift your mom on Mother's Day
Mom, I Wrote a Book About You, $11.19, Amazon
There are several fill-them-in, tribute books available, but this hardcover version is one of the nicest we've seen. You create a truly heartfelt gift by following the prompts such as "My favorite meal you used to make was…" and "What I love most about our relationship is how we...” to relive your fondest memories and remind her what she means to you. If you want a thoughtful gift for Mother's Day then look no further - the Amazon reviews section is full of customers saying how it made their mums cry!
Mama bear engraved bracelet, was $80 now $39, Mint & Lily
How about a thoughtful Mother's Day gift that lets mom carry her babies with her? This sweet bracelet depicts a mama bear with her cubs, and it can be engraved with a special message for an extra $5. It's available in gold and rose gold plated and silver.
Monogram luxury pj set, $120.00, Eberjey
These gorgeous pajamas have hundreds of five-star reviews. They can be personalized with mom's initials and they're available in 19 different colors, from sorbet pink to black and everything in between.
Thank you Mom candle, $34, Homesick Candles
This lovely candle, which is scented with bergamot, lavender and sage with mild notes of jasmine and ylang ylang has space to make it meaningful with a handwritten note on the packaging. The printed note reads: "Freshly trimmed flowers on the kitchen table. The smell of breakfast sizzling on Sunday. A house made a home because of you."
Rose Quartz Gua Sha, $29, The White Company
If mom is into beauty, she needs a gua sha in her life - and in her skincare regime! This gorgeous facial massage tool is hand-crafted from natural rose quartz, and it's renowned to help tone, firm and stimulate the skin. Just massage while you're cleansing or moisturizing by gliding the tool over the skin of the face and neck to help improve the complexion. A lovely thoughtful Mother's Day gift that will give her a glow!
Flower subscription, from $44.99, Bloomsybox
What could be more thoughtful than a regular delivery of beautiful blooms? Sign mom up for a subscription with Bloomsy and she'll get premium farm to table flowers each month. And all plans come with free shipping.
1960s calendar, from $750, Zahava
This is such a lovely idea! You can get the dates of birth of mom's children minted in gold on this pendant, which was inspired by a 1960s charm, and marked with a diamond or the birthstone of your choice.
Aura Carver digital photo frame, was $199 now $179, Amazon
A digital photo frame is honestly one of those things you didn’t know you needed till you get one. This model makes a great Mother’s Day gift since you can preload it with photos using the Aura app and invite others in the family to share photos too. The Carver is Aura Frames’ newest sleek model and has a landscape-only orientation, which is great for group photos but will automatically display portrait photos side by side too. And there’s unlimited photo storage so you never have to worry about running out of space! There's currently 10% off, so you can snap it up for $20 less.
Rose and rose wine gift basket, $79.99, Harry & David
A wine basket is a great thoughtful Mother's Day gift, especially for the mom who already has everything! This one features a lovely bottle of Harry & David 2020 Pinot Noir Rosè, and some delicious treats to snack on, including some Royal Verano Pears and Gouda cheese and vanilla shortbread cookies with pink sanding sugar. The finishing touch, however, is the pre-planted pink mini rose. Gorgeous!
Love you mom bookmark, $8.35, Etsy
If mom is a bookworm then this wooden bookmark, etched with 'love you mom' in beautiful handwriting, is a perfect thoughtful Mother's day gift idea.
Heart-shaped snapshot photo collage, from $29, Minted
This gorgeous photo collage is the perfect Mother’s Day keepsake. It can be personalized with 30 of your favorite photos and special memories. Sure to induce a few tears when it’s opened on 9 May!
Strawberry Shortcake truffle dozen box, $24, Milk Bar
If mom has a sweet tooth there’s no thoughtful Mother’s Day gift that she will love better – A dozen delicious strawberry shortcake truffles through the post from Milk Bar. You can even make it a gift that gives back, including a donation to the North Texas Food Bank and Asian Americans Advancing Justice on her behalf.
A letter to Mom personalized heart sculpture, was $39.99 now 29.99, Personalization Mall
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Tell Mom exactly what she means to you, in a beautiful letter she can keep forever. Your words will be engraved on this sweet acrylic heart-shaped ornament. This is such a thoughtful gift!
I dig you gardening gift set, $48, Anthropologie
Is mom a keen gardener? If so then she’ll love this set of gardening tools – emblazoned with ‘grown with love’ and ‘I dig you’. Absolutely perfect!
Yeouth best anti-aging serum, $29.94, Amazon
Mom will love this – it’s a best-selling wrinkle fighting serum that has thousands of glowing five-star reviews on Amazon. It intensely hydrates skin, supports healthy collagen production, visibly reduces the look for fine lines and wrinkles and encourages a bright and even complexion. It’s formulated with a powerful trio of ingredients – vitamin c, hyaluronic acid and tripeptide 3 yet it’s still safe for sensitive skin. Says one satisfied customer: “The fine lines around my eyes are all but gone and my crows feet are following. But best of all is that my lip lines and smile lines are getting less and less noticeable!! The overall texture of my skin has improved immensely and my pores are shrinking too! I WOULD HIGHLY RECOMMEND THESE PRODUCTS!”
Actual handwriting name necklace, from $160, Capsul Jewelry
If anyone knows your handwriting, it’s mom. So imagine her delight when she opens this thoughtful gift – her name necklace written in your exact handwriting! Shoppers are raving about the quality of this necklace. Says one: "When I saw the necklace it was so perfect that it brought tears to my eyes!" This is also a great one to gift on behalf of younger kids too – get them to write their own name and you have a personalized gift that mom can keep close to her heart forever.
Infinity roses in medium hat box, $112, Amarante London
Red roses are always a great gift, and nothing says I love you like a beautiful bunch delivered to her door; we love this stunning arrangement and your mom is sure to, too.
My favorite child mum, $14.87, Wallmart
If mom has a sense of humor then this is the best Mother's Day gift idea for her. She'll have a giggle every time she has a coffee.
Butterfly nest box and planter, $26.99, Amazon
This really does fall into the category of the best Mother’s Day gift for the mum who has everything! If she has a garden and loves wildlife she'll love this butterfly nest and planter. Place in a sunny spot away from wind close to plants which butterflies and other pollinated insects are attracted to.
Sunflower butterfly puddler, $40, Uncommon Goods
And if you want to make absolutely sure butterflies will come to her garden, this stoneware garden piece attracts the little lovelies. Add a teaspoon of water and when it evaporates, the minerals which are left behind attract butterflies. Once they know where they can find the delicious treat, they’ll become regulars!
Handwritten recipe plate, from $70, Etsy
Does mom have a family heirloom recipe which she returns to again and again? Then this is the perfect Mother’s Day gift. Just scan it and send it off and it will be immortalised forever as a beautiful platter plate. Photo can be added too.
Hoya heart plant, $32, The Sill
How sweet is this? The Hoya Kerrii plant is commonly referred to as the Hoya Heart because of its heart-shaped leaves. This is a hand-potted, partially rooted potted single leaf cutting, which – with a bit of care – will flourish.
Skincare subscription, Proven Skincare
If you're really feeling like treating your mom, sign her up for a Proven Skincare subscription! Simply fill out the lifestyle quiz (you might have to ask her some sly questions) and it will find the perfect skincare regime for her. What could be better than the gift of great skin?
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Conversation roses, from $59.99, 1800 Flowers
We can guarantee that mom has never had a bouquet of roses like this one. Each rose is stamped with a delicately printed message, reading either: 'Best Mom Ever' or 'Happy Mother’s Day'. How meaningful!
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Birth month flower necklace, $48, Uncommon Goods
How about giving mom a bouquet that blooms forever? This meaningful necklace has the flower of her birth month (carnation for January, daisy for April, rose for June and so on) encased in a heart she can wear on a 24ct gold encased chain. The clear, eco-friendly, vegetable resin preserves the dried, pressed blossoms' color and form - and keeps your love for mom in bloom.
MORE: Mother's Day gift ideas for first time moms that Princess Eugenie would love
Thoughtful Mother’s Day Gifts from younger children
Personalised I Love Mommy This Much book, $34.99, Wonderbly
This is sure to be a bedtime story favourite! Personalize with your children’s and mom’s name to create a meaningful personalized story during which each child tells mom just how much they love her.
Kids quote art, from $38, Minted
Kids say the funniest things, but did you know you can have their quotes made into a stylish piece of wall art for Mom’s special day? The price also includes unlimited proofs with your own dedicated designer.
Thoughtful First Mother’s Day gifts
The Duchess necklace, $189, Merci Maman
This beautiful necklace is not only perfect for her first Mother's Day - but is a favorite of Kate Middleton's too. Duchess Kate was spotted wearing her personalized version following the birth of Prince George, and you can choose your charms and hand-engraved message to make it a truly one-of-a-kind gift.
First Mother’s Day shirts, was $49.95 now $24.97, Etsy
These cute shirts are available in a rainbow of colours and are just perfect for Instagram photos. They're currently on sale for 50% off so hurry to grab a bargain!
New mom coffee mug, $16.95, Etsy
Coffee is a new mom essential – though whether you get to drink it while it’s still hot is another matter! Either way, it’s sure to taste great from this sweet and funny mug.
Letters to my baby, $11.24, Amazon
This first mother's day gift is so lovely it almost makes us cry thinking about it! It's a love letter - well 12 to be exact - to your baby as a future grown up. Each letter begins with a different prompt such as: "On the day you were born...", "My future wishes for you are..." and "Your first home was like this..." All you need to do is fill them in, date them and seal them with the included stickers and store them away for you future child. Though they'll grow up, they'll always be your baby!
Baby handprint set, $19.43, Amazon
It’s a first time mom right of passage – doing your baby’s foot and hand print. This is a beautiful and thoughtful first Mother’s Day keepsake
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