Mother’s Day Gifts Our Shopping Editors Are Buying for Their Moms

Choosing a Mother’s Day gift can be tricky: You’re shopping for someone who rarely asks for anything, but deserves everything.

This year, we’re cutting the guesswork. I asked my coworkers (a team of shopping experts!) with moms of all different interests and backgrounds — what they’re buying. I’m glad I did because they had the most thoughtful gift ideas, from unique finds for as little as $13 to splurge-worthy luxuries, all vetted by people who do this for a living. 

And since I’m a mom of two, I’m skipping the usual “I don’t want anything” routine and sprinkling in a few things I’d love to unwrap myself — not-so-subtle hints intended. 

PEOPLE Mother’s Day Picks for Every Kind of Mom

“I’ll never forget the floral scent of the Halston perfume my mom wore daily throughout my childhood, but in recent years, she’s switched to Black Opium. It smells warm and rich with a subtle sweetness that’s noticeable when I hug her but never too strong — ideal since she’s become sensitive to heavier fragrances. She wears it year-round, so Mother’s Day is the perfect time to restock her signature scent.” — Jeaneen Russell, shopping writer

“Years ago, my dad bought my mom a gorgeous jade pendant while on business in Taiwan, and for as long as I can remember it was a staple in her jewelry collection. When she accidentally lost the pendant last year, I knew I couldn’t rest until I found a comparable replacement.”

“Although I ended up finding an incredible deal in New York City’s Chinatown, this necklace was on my shortlist. The design is an ideal balance between sophisticated and understated. Plus, jade is believed to bring good fortune and absorb negative energy.” — Izzy Baskette, shopping writer

“My mom, 57, always has her finger on the pulse of the latest beauty and skincare trends — and it shows, as we’re often confused as sisters (much to my dismay at 25). She’s been hinting that she wants to try a red light mask to target fine lines and dark spots, so I’m gifting her the mask I swear by for smooth, glowing skin. Luckily, my purchase coincides with the brand’s Mother’s Day sale, so I’m scoring an extra 15 percent off the already-discounted mask with the code MOM26.”—Maggie Horton, shopping writer

“My mom is a real estate agent of 10+ years and the hardest-working person I know. This means that she’s often slinging deals from the comfort of our couch long after I (and most of the world) have slammed our laptops shut for the day. This Lola blanket will make her evening work sessions, movie days, and afternoon naps all the more cozy — and I love that it’s machine washable for when her assistants (a.k.a. our family dogs) inevitably take it over.” — Averi Baudler, shopping editor

“My mom loves purple, so a few years ago, I bought her the lavender Our Place pan to brighten up her kitchen. It’s now only available in that color in the smaller version, which she also owns, since she went ahead and purchased nearly every other pot and pan in the brand’s collection to match right after — yes, that’s how much she loved it! I have the sage green pan and can attest to just how easy it is to clean thanks to the nonstick coating. It’s truly a great gift if your mom loves to cook and you’re willing to splurge (or go in on one with your siblings!).” — Alex Nelson, associate editorial director

“I gave my mom her first pair of Cozy Earth pajamas years ago, and she hasn’t stopped raving about them since. She adores their buttery-soft feel that’s ‘cooling yet somehow cozy,’ in her words. The brand has so many different styles to score now, so I’m planning to update her collection with this stunning melon toile that’s primed for spring and summer nights.” — Clara McMahon, senior writer & strategist

“I’m gifting my mom, 61, this cooling comforter since she deals with frequent hot flashes but still loves to be bundled up when she sleeps. She’s always kicking off the covers in the middle of the night, then pulling them right back on, so I wanted something that might help her stay comfortable without overheating. It’s made with breathable, cool-to-the-touch fabric, so she can still snuggle in without getting too warm.” — Toni Sutton, shopping writer

“My mom always jokes that she wants to be buried in her athleisure, and given her affinity for athletic wear, I’m not surprised. So whenever I’m in need of a functional (and fun!) gift for my mom, athleisure comes to mind first. She loves loose long-sleeve tops to throw over her yoga sets, like this Alo ribbed modal top, so I’m eyeing that next. It’s soft, lightweight for warm Florida days, and machine washable post-workout.” — Madison Yauger, senior shopping editor

“My wife, a lifelong tennis player, rarely comes out and asks for any specific gifts or talks about clothes at all. So I was stunned the other day when she mentioned that Quince has some really nice looking tennis skirts that she’d love to try. She’s liked everything she’s tried from the brand, so this will definitely be waiting for her on Mother’s Day. (Plus, the team she plays on wears navy blue, so the coloring is perfect.)” — Clint Davis, shopping editor

“My son loves giving my wife earrings for every gifting occasion. She’s a big fan of gold hoops, and this pair from Anthropologie looks like it will go with everything in her closet. I’m leaning toward the pink option because most of her office outfits are white or black, so the color will add a fun touch.” — Clint Davis

“Even though football season is long over, my mom is pretty much always repping her beloved Bengals in some way. She flips every time I get her a new jersey or shirt from the team, so I knew I had to grab her something from Abercrombie’s NFL collab. This retro-style sweatshirt is the brand’s ultra-soft Sunday Crew (a favorite of my wife’s), and it comes in 22 team options and seven sizes. It’s going to make her count down to fall.” — Clint Davis

“My mom doesn’t ever ask for anything, so when she does, I know it’s something she really, really wants. She specifically told me that she needed a small steamer for her upcoming travels, and after doing some research, I settled on this one that looks like a mini iron. Its key selling point? ‘It removes wrinkles in seconds,’ claimed one shopper. It’s also ‘so lightweight and compact,’ said another, so it won’t take up too much precious suitcase space. (And if you know my family, you know that we’re heavy packers!)” — Alyssa Grabinski, senior shopping writer

“This year I wanted to do something outside of the traditional flowers, so I asked my mom if there’s anything she needs or that she’s been wanting. Her answer? A personalized piece of jewelry with my sister’s and my birthstones so that she always has a piece of us with her. Caitlyn Minimalist had this gorgeous personalizable option with two different gem shapes for a unique yet timeless heirloom she can wear everyday.” — Rylee Johnston, shopping writer

“These are so much fun to send! My boyfriend and I plan on sending them to all of the moms in our lives. They come with a large pop-up floral arrangement that lasts longer than traditional flowers and can act as a gorgeous piece of decor. Bonus: There’s even a mini card inside, so we can leave a personalized message.” — Rylee Johnston

“My mom is the definition of the woman who has it all. Buying her presents usually means contributing to clutter, and at this point flowers feel trite. But she’s a certified gym girlie, and I’m positive she hasn’t upgraded her sneakers since I was born. My marathoner friends swear by Hoka, so I’m sure she’ll be happy with these. And if she’s not, it’s a good thing we’re the same size.” — Tatjana Freund, senior shopping editor

“My mom has two grandkids who live in another state, so she and my dad are always on the road. This car organizer will help her keep track of essentials as they pack and unpack after each trip. She often pokes fun at my neutral organizational products because she says they have ‘no personality,’ so she’ll love this adorable floral pattern.” — Erin Johnson, editorial director

“Last year, my husband surprised me with this locket, and I adored it so much it immediately became part of my daily necklace pairing. Available in sterling silver and gold-plated versions, it’s beautiful and highly sentimental; in addition to adding up to two photos inside, you can opt to engrave the interior or exterior (mine carries a line from my son’s favorite bedtime story).

“This year, I’m gifting the very same pendant to my mom for a matching moment and letting her choose how she’d like to customize it with her favorite photos of her grandkids and engraving.” — Heather Adams, senior shopping editor

If your mom has ever said she doesn’t want anything, I hope this Mother’s Day gift guide decodes what she actually meant. Keep scrolling for more gift ideas.

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