Let’s take a look at 10 practical Mother’s Day gifts that mom is sure to love.
Ask most people and they’ll tell you that buying a gift for their mom is hard. The truth is, moms (or mother figures) rarely verbalize their needs or wants.
They are so busy putting everyone else’s needs before their own, that they don’t even stop to think “Hey, I could really use such-n-such.”
But everyone has needs and wants, and Mother’s Day is the perfect opportunity to show our love for Mom and try and meet those.
In that same vein, what are some practical non-gift gifts that mom might enjoy? Well, Moms spoke, and we listened. Here’s what they said:
- Breakfast in bed
- A nice, long nap
- A handwritten letter of appreciation
- A day/week without cooking, chauffeuring, cleaning, etc.
- A trip to the aquarium, botanical garden, zoo, or other outing of sorts
- Dinner out
- A picnic
Those “non-gifts” are great ideas, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t also tangible items she wants or needs. So we’ve got your back and your mama’s, too.
Today, we’re focusing on great ideas for those ultra-practical gals who aren’t much for trinkets and jewelry but still deserve a thoughtful gift this Mother’s Day.
Here are 10 creatively practical Mother’s Day gifts that any mom would love to receive.
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10 Creatively Practical Mother’s Day Gifts
Alrighty, here are our top picks of the best gifts for your practical mama. No frills, knick-knacks, or fresh flowers in sight, but there are plenty of unique gift ideas that will either spoil her or make the perfect addition to her no-nonsense home.
For even more great ideas, check out our Mother’s Day shop for thoughtful cards and fun activities!
Okay, could you hear me out? Spa days may not seem like practical Mother’s Day gift ideas, but they are. What’s more practical than pampering and taking care of her beautiful self?
Arrange for her to have a massage, get her nails done, or even get a facial—whatever she would be most comfortable with. The best part is, if you’re so inclined, you can join her!
Tip: Depending on what kind of service you decide on, spa days can get a bit pricey. Have the whole family pitch in and give this great gift as a group.
- Great for those new to cooking
- Tons of courses to choose from
- Perfect for making memories
A cooking course? Really? Doesn’t she do enough cooking already? But there’s a good chance she has a French, Italian, or Thai cooking class she’s always wanted to take but never got around to.
This is a great way to cross that special class off of her bucket list and have fun together doing so! There are so many different courses to choose from making this one of the most perfect experience gifts.
- Unique
- Useful (health insights, lineage)
- Great for the family historians
Along the lines of an Ancestry.com subscription, this takes it one step further with genetic testing from 23 And Me.
She’ll discover everything from the proportion of her DNA that comes from each of the 45 worldwide genetic populations, to what her genetic risks with diseases are, to finding lost relatives.
If your mother is the scientific type who has always wanted to know more about where she came from and where she is going, this could be a memorable experience!
And it goes without saying, experiences are better than gift-wrapped presents anyway.
- Relaxed Fit
- 100% Cotton
- Stylish and Comfortable
A great option for the lady who loves to be comfy and casual and yet stylish at the same time! Gentle Herd clothing is a gift mom can get behind, too, because it’s ethically, responsibly sourced, and made with love.
Perfect for busy moms and the new mom on the go, as well!
- Ultra-Strong Suction
- Efficient Navigation
- Multi-Floor Mapping
Okay. We all know the old “don’t get her a vacuum for X holiday, birthday, etc.” but this is different. This is a tool that does the work for her, and she’s going to love it.
I remember when my dad bought one of these little guys for my mom and she side-eyed him as she opened it. Fast forward a month or so and she was singing “Oufy’s” praises. Now she says she can’t live without him.
Whether you go with “Oufy” or another great little robot vacuum we know it will make mom’s life a whole lot easier.
- Top-notch Sound Quality
- Trusted, Reliable Brand
- Fully Automatic
“What goes around, comes around.”
Ever heard that saying? What she enjoyed in her youth has cycled back around, so it’s time to pull those LPs out of the attic and dust them off.
Now your music-loving mama can play her classic vinyl. Or you can go the extra mile and haunt your local thrift shops for some of her favorites: they’re inexpensive and fun to browse. This will make her the hit at her next party, and you’ll earn the title “The Best Son/Daughter Ever.”
Take that, siblings.
- Charcoal filter eliminates odor
- Stainless Steel
- Double bin makes cleaning easy
This is the perfect present for that green-thumbed, eco-conscious mom, and is the perfect way to help her in her endeavors.
Cute and unassuming, this bin can keep all of her organic waste sealed away and smell-free in her kitchen until she’s ready to take it to the compost pile or her garden.
A simple and clean stainless steel design makes this bin an easy choice for our list of the best Mother’s Day gifts for the practical gal.
- Natural Australian sheepskin
- Minimalist and chic
- Durable and comfy
You’re going to be her new best friend (if you weren’t already) after you give her these shearling slippers.
Whether she’s home from a long day at work and her dogs are howling, or the temperature drops and she just needs to keep her tootsies warm, these great slippers will help mom stay comfy and warm.
The moccasin design will keep her feet at the perfect temperature (thanks to the natural moisture-wicking quality of the shearling) while it’s also chic and lightweight. No more clunking down the hallways desperately trying not to wake the baby.
She’s going to appreciate this pick of practical gift ideas for sure.
- Choose from Walnut, Cherry, or Maple
- Support Small Business
- Practical & Sweet
How much will she love receiving this? A cutting board with your favorite family recipe (maybe one of her mother’s or grandmother’s) engraved on it!
You can select the size and whether you want it engraved front and back or only one. Simply include a high resolution photo, scan, or typed Word Doc with your recipe.
She’ll use—and appreciate it—every time she chops up the ingredients for another delicious meal.
Remember to give it with love and a big hug and kiss, then bask in the glow of knowing you gave the perfect gift to the perfect mom.
If you don’t have a recipe you want to do, here are some more personalized cutting boards that mom will love.
Bonus: 10 More Practical Mother’s Day Gift Ideas
Ok so here ya go. Super duper highly practical gift ideas for mom this Mother’s Day:
- Cordless phone charger
- Custom “Best Mom Ever” tumbler travel mug
- Instant Pot pressure cooker
- Personalized wine bottle opener (you know why)
- New set of super-soft bath towels
- New coffee maker
- Charcuterie board with utensils
- Bullet blender
- Neck-and-shoulder massager
- Digital photo frame
Tell us what you think! Do you have suggestions for practical Mother’s Day gifts? Let us know about them in the comments!
I always appreciate a good, practical gift! Last year I surprised my mom with a carpet cleaning service and invited her to spend the night at my house while hers was getting cleaned. It was fun for the both of us, and I was concerned I wouldn’t be able to top it this year. But the 23andMe genetic testing you suggested is RIGHT up her alley, I can’t wait to order it!! Thank you!