SMT Mother’s Day Gift Guide

So many wonderful ideas, thanks to you. 🫶

May 01, 2024

Hello! A lovely SMTer named Ashley emailed me over the weekend asking if we could crowdsource some Mother’s Day gift ideas, like we did with our earlier spreadsheets (including the one on multiples). “I need ideas that aren’t over the top,” Ashley wrote.

To be frank, I was not planning to do a gift guide for Mother’s Day. I have had complicated feelings about the holiday since my mom died many years ago; it only got harder when we were in the thick of IVF. Now, as a parent myself, I do what I can to count my blessing on Mother’s Day. Still, it is not the easiest day. If you are someone who struggles with it, know that I am right there with you.

That said! I love mothers and anyone who fulfills a motherly role — and I want them to be celebrated. So when Ashley asked about gathering suggestions, I was more than happy to ask on Instagram. Reading through the submissions you sent made me smile. So thoughtful! Thank you to everyone who took the time to share. (If you have an idea you would like to add, please fill out this form.)

SMT Mother's Day Spreadsheet

Below, I have highlighted 10 gifts from the spreadsheet that I loved, including the prettiest necklace, a trio of fancy salts, versatile rechargeable lamps, and more. Four of these suggestions are ideas that *multiple* people submitted — is there any higher endorsement? For the full spreadsheet of 120+ ideas, click here, and for quick links to the items below plus a few of my forever faves, click here.

But first: A gentle reminder that gift giving doesn’t always need to be about stuff. The spreadsheet has some great ideas for get-togethers and experiences, such as afternoon tea or a membership to a museum. I would add subscriptions make great gifts, too, including right here on Substack! 🙃 And finally, why not lend a helping hand? I loved this from Alisha:

“Us kids and grandkids all come over and do her mulch/compost on her gardens and landscaping every year. My mom loves her gardens, but it’s a lot of work to mulch and compost them in the spring! We all come over, blare some music, and knock the job out then spend the rest of the afternoon grilling out and enjoying being together. My mom almost cries every year, she loves it so much!”

So Many Thoughts Mother’s Day Gift Guide

Note: I use affiliate links, which means if you buy something by clicking below I may receive a small commission at no cost to you. Thank you for your support, always.

Click to shop: Lake pajamas

Elizabeth loves: The Scallop Robe in Baltic Blue and the Pima Short-Long Set in Hydrangea

Erin says: “It’s just so nice to have a fresh set of pajamas for the summer or winter! I love to give Lake because of the great quality and variety of options! There is something for everyone. Lake does everything right so it’s hard to go wrong! Think about the recipient and just pick the style, fabric and colorway that matches her best!”
Kate says: “The Pima Cotton is really soft, high quality and comfy. They have really cute styles and patterns!”
Bethany says: “So comfy, and usually don’t splurge on PJ’s.”
Emmelie, who specifically recommends the caftan, says: “It’s universally flattering. Something she’d never buy for herself. Looks good on everyone!”

One more submission to include in this group from Erin, who recommends “bougie sheets or pajamas (think Parachute, brooklinen, Cozy Earth, SKIMS, etc).” She says: “I sleep in a ratty t-shirt most days and don't want to spend $$$ treating myself, but I’ve sacrificed SO MUCH SLEEP over the years, nice sheets/pajamas make it a little more luxurious for me.”

Click to shop: Books on Tulips, Peonies, and Dahlias

Tea says: “I’m biased because I wrote these books. But even the New York Times gave them a rave review and said they were ‘delightful’ and a perfect hostess gift. 😊 These are the most beautiful little books on flowers, hand illustrated, with so much information—not just for gardeners but for flower lovers. Perfect Mother’s Day or hostess gift to pair with a bouquet. 💐”

Elizabeth adds: I love this! Thank you for sharing.

Click to shop: Dorsey ‘Clemence’ necklace

Theresa says: “It’s beautiful!”

Elizabeth adds: Dorsey is a favorite jeweler of the fashion-forward set. The glam designs, made with lab-grown stones, are stunning. I have (and love) the James Bezel Rivière necklace; there’s a bracelet, too. The earrings are a great place to start, including these huggies. And I would be remiss not to point out the, ahem, Spencer collection. 👑 PS: The brand offers complimentary two-day shipping.

Click to shop: Jennifer Fisher salt trio

Laura says: “It’s my kitchen hero spice/product and makes salmon and broccoli better — but even just to sprinkle on avo toast!”

Elizabeth adds: Jennifer is known for her beautiful jewelry — I had no idea she made salt!

Click to shop: Rechargeable lamps

Cassie says: “Can be used as a nightlight, on the table, outside, next to a chair, etc portable and cute!! There are fab accessories for said lamps, cute rattan lampshades (Amanda Lindroth!) or Pooky lights (UK shop now in US) makes some adorable mini shades for a posh upgrade.”

Elizabeth adds: I love the idea of these lamps and those chic ways to upgrade, too. (Psst: Matt, are you reading this?)

Click to shop: Aura digital picture frame

Katie says: “It’s the gift that keeps giving! You can continually upload photos to the frame.”
Brittany says: “It’s such an easy way to share photos with loved ones (or to display them ourselves so they don’t get lost in the void of our phones!). You can share photos to multiple frames at once through the app.”
Hillary says: “It’s very easy to use (my long-distance mother-in-law was able to set it up on our own). We can send photos directly from our phones to the frames and it feels like a sweet little ‘I was thinking of you’ when they see new content pop up.”

Elizabeth adds: Another popular style on the spreadsheet is the Skylight frame.

Maddison says: “Digital frame anyone can upload photos to and they shuffle through.”
Christina says: “My cousins and I (who all live in different cities) can upload photos through an app ($39* annual subscription) and they automatically appear on our grandmother’s Skylight photo frame. Lets her stay connected without having to wait for me or my mom to stop by and show pictures from our phones. This was especially useful while the pandemic was still at its height!”
(*Skylight reached out to say their subscription is $39/year, not $100 as submitted.)

Click to shop: Bouqs flower subscription

Michael Ann says: “They get excited every time they get the flowers. Maybe because they don’t understand that it’s for all year!”

Click to shop: ChappyWrap blanket

Elizabeth loves: Harborview Herringbone Blanket in Navy, the Lightweight Blanket in Meadow Floral

Emily says: “Everyone can enjoy at her house!”
Erin says: “This blanket is extra special and cozy! It comes in lots of designs/patterns making it perfect for anyone who likes to cuddle up with tea and good book or maybe someone who might want to sit out a cool summer evening with pals.”
Erin (a different one!) says: “It’s so soft, well made, washes well and is the perfect weight. I own four and have gifted [them] to my mother in law, mom, sister, sister in law and best friend! Seriously the best blanket ever!”
Kate says: “It’s timeless, it’s cozy, it’s beautiful and made by a Maine-based, women-owned company.”

Click to shop: Supergoop Unseen Sunscreen

Nancy says: “High-end sunscreen that absorbs easily, no white cast, smells good and works! I’m a grandma but I give this to my daughters for Mother’s Day because it’s pricy and they might not treat themselves to it.”

Click to shop: Storyworth

Claire says: “Allows the recipient to document stories and memories from their life; the final product (a book w all the stories) is such a treasure.”
Chris says: “They answer questions about their life and it gets compiled into a book after a month. I thought this might add more mental load for my mom but she has loved writing the stories and I have loved reading them!”
Shannon says: “It’s so easy and something that can be passed down.”
Lacey says: “She was able to answer a question each morning and the following year the book was sent to her. She was able to add pictures and memories. She was never a scrapbook mom but loved to take pictures. She loved sharing memories, too.”

Thank you again to everyone who took the time to share their thoughts! If you have a gift you would like to add, please fill out this form. For the full spreadsheet, with more than 100 ideas, click below.