This year I went all out to curate gift ideas based around interests and found 27 great gift ideas for moms this Mother’s Day. From companies like BloomNation that provide you with a BloomSnap to view your flowers before they’re delivered to the recipient, companies whose gifts help create sustainable income for women around the world, to themed gift collections for garden lovers, the tech savvy, shutterbugs, those who love to cook for fun, glam moms who enjoy accessorizing, and active moms who enjoy a good workout, chances are one of these gift ideas will be a great fit for the special woman in your life this Mother’s Day.
Moms Who Love to Cook
Bosch dishwasher— Moms who love to cook know that easy clean up makes a job they love even easier. For the past three years I’ve had a Bosch dishwasher and it’s honestly something I don’t think about very often but one appliance that I couldn’t live without. Thanks to three racks, it holds all of our family’s dishes and more. From plates of all sizes, serving dishes, dog dishes, and pots of pans and all sizes it’s a clean up champ that helps save us money each time we run it thanks to the Energy Star rating and uses less than 2 gallons of water as it operates quietly in the background. Sure, a Bosch is a pricey investment but if your dishwasher is on the fritz and you’re looking to make Mom enjoy cooking even more thanks to easy cleanup, this is a gift that will be appreciated even when she’s not thinking about it! Bosch also has a $200 mail-in-rebate on select dishwashers before April 30 so maybe make it an early Mother’s Day gift!
Cookbooks— I love to bake and I’m always looking to up my baking game thanks to inspiration from new cookbooks. Two of my new favorites are Keith Cohen’s Artisan Bread- 100 Years of Techniques and Recipes ($30) and Ms. American Pie ($28) by Beth Howard that feature beautiful photographs and truly mouthwatering recipes! Cohen shares beloved recipes fromNew York’s Upper East SideOrwasher’s Bakery (one of the top 10 bakeries in America) including their most famous breads whose recipes have been adapted for home baking, tips for making artisan bread from starters, and includes how-tos for their new line of wine and beer breads. Ms. American Pie is so much more than a cookbook. It not only shares 80 popular pie recipes but also a very personal story about how pie helped her cope with losing her husband suddenly and her journey from Southern California to Eldon, Iowa where she now runs the highly successful Pitchfork Pie Stand out of the home depicted in Grant Wood’s American Gothic painting. While Howard shares delectable recipes for favorite pies she made for celebrities at California’s Malibu Kitchen (lemon meringue for Barbra Streisand, coconut cream for Steven Spielberg, strawberry rhubarb for Dick Van Dyke), the book also includes her philosophy of pie ideology–pie builds confidence, pie builds community, pie connects people- and tends to bring happiness around every corner.
Bobby Flay Serving Pieces from Kohl’s— Great serving pieces make a fabulous meal even better and I’m loving the affordability, durability, and style of pieces from Bobby Flay’s new line at Kohl’s that includes a 13” Stoneware Lasagna Pan ($44.99- on sale for $34.99) and Acacia Tri-Server ($39.99- on sale for $16.99). The design of the Lasagna Pan makes it a great oven-to-table piece for lasagna, casseroles, and even cobblers and large fixed handles make it easy to grab with oven mitts. I love the unique coloring of the Acacia Tri-Server that will only get better with age as we use the three nicely sized compartments for holding a variety nibbles for a pre-dinner snack.
Movie Loving Moms
Bella Hot Air Popcorn Maker ($16.99)— Say goodbye to artificially flavored popcorn in the bag that’s full of ingredients you can’t pronounce. Bella’s affordably priced popcorn maker makes healthy and delicious air popped popcorn so you can season it to your liking. Just dump the popcorn in, turn it on, and sprinkle some seasoning and you’re ready for an at-home movie night! Pair the Bella Hot Air Popcorn Maker with this West Bend Popcorn Seasoning Pack ($8.90) and you’ve got a great gift for under $30!
Tivo Roamio Plus DVR ($399.99 plus service)— I’ve always loved our TiVo and yes, I know you can stream but there’s something about being able to record the shows I want to watch and have them ready for me. We recently upgraded to a TiVo Roamio Plus and the ability to record up to 6 shows at once, store up to 150 hours of HD content, watch live and recorded TV anywhere, and the easy integration with our existing digital cable provider makes this the best solution for our family. Being able to record 6 things at once means that the things I love to watch are never bumped in favor of kids’ programming or my husband’s favorite shows! Plenty of space for all of our favorite content means there’s always something to watch, when we’re ready to watch it. TiVo, I just love you!
Redbox Gift Card (start at $10 for digital, $25 for physical gift cards)— If mom gets nostalgic and misses wandering the aisles of her local video store from time to time, give her the next best thing but with more ease and convenience thanks to Redbox. Redbox makes it easy to browse available movies and games at nearby kiosks and reserve titles to pick up later. Plus with DVD and Blu-ray rentals affordably priced at $1.27 and $1.50 respectively, a gift card for $20 can go a long way, making it a perfect gift for kids who really want to get something for mom with their own money don’t have a fortune to spend. Physical gift cards for $25 can be ordered online or sent digitally in amounts beginning at $10 and available in any amount in $5 increments.
Tech Savvy Moms
What do tech savvy moms want? Devices, more power, and great cases that fit their devices and needs to keep them safe from hazards of daily use like drops and germs. Here’s a list of must-have favorites for moms this Mother’s Day.
Powercell 6000+ Portable Battery and Wall Charger ($74.99)— The Powercell 6000+ from Ventev is a portable 6000 mAh Li-ion battery and wall charger that simultaneously charges any two devices, regardless of brand or type and is my new favorite charger! I have lots of them but appreciate portable chargers that do double duty to charge my devices and also serve as a place where I can plug them in to charge at night when traveling. Also, the rapid speed at which the Powercell 6000+ chargers allows me to power up fast and keep going and the integrated prongs fold for portability.
Dashport r2240 Rapid Car Charger ($35)— Nothing is worse than being in the red on the go and with Dashport, you never have to suffer a dead device when you’re on the road thanks to dual ports that support the higher power needs of phones and tablets. I love the stylish slim design that features one port at tip and one on the side to minimize dashboard clutter and easy access to the USB ports. From a convenience factor, the LED indicator light assists me in finding the plugs easily to power up in the dark.
Ventev’s Chargesync Charging Cables ($14.99-24.99)— Kiss your tangled micro USB and iOS device cables goodbye and replace them with Chargesync. I absolutely love these highly durable 3-footflat cables that are available for micro USB ($14.99), Apple 30-pin ($19.99), Apple Lightning ($24.99) devices because they never tangle, are always long enough, and come in eight vibrant colors – blue, green, orange, pink, purple, red, white and gray. Choose a different cable color for each member of the family so they’ll have a dedicated place to plug in and you can instantly know whose cable is whose around the house!
Antimicrobial Case for iPhone and iPads from NueVue (start at $44.99)— Since a report from the Annals of Clinical Microbiology and Antimicrobials states that 94.5% of all smart phones are contaminated with some kind of bacteria – and 30% of the bacteria end up on the owner’s hands, a phone case that helps keep your phone germ-free is all kinds of genius! NueVue cases features BioCote®, an antimicrobial technology, which provides continuous antimicrobial protection for the life of the product by reducing levels of microbes on the surface. Simply sliding your phone in and out of the case makes it cleaner and more hygienic. Canvas, cotton twill, and leather (my favorite!) NueVue cases in a variety of bright and eye-catching colors are available for iPhone, iPad, and iPad mini
Glide Leather Case for iPhone 5/5s and Galaxy S5— As moms, we’re always tossing our phone around so it needs a durable case where it can be protected. After all, it’s always tragic when you drop a phone and pick it up to realize the screen has shattered. One of my first cases was an envelope style that fully protected my phone and when I got to test out Glide, I remembered why I loved it so much! Like my old case, Glide is an ultra-slim form-fitting leather case that lifts my phone out upon pulling the tab up thanks to a magnetic clasp that releases the phone for easy removal. It protects my phone whether I’m tossing it in the front seat of my car, walking to school to pick up the kids, or from the other contents in my purse. Glide cases come in black for the iPhone 5/5s ($16.98 on Amazon) and black and camel for the Samsung Galaxy S5 ($39.95).
Photo Loving Moms
Samsung NX30 or NX300 for brilliant photos($999 and $499, respectively)— These days I get a lot of comments about the gorgeous images I’ve been featuring on Facebook and Instagram and I give all the credit to my NX30 and NX300, SMART cameras that take truly stunning images, comfortable to hold in my hand, and makes uploading to different devices easy. I love the leather wrapped look of my brown NX300 and like to pair it with the new 30mm lens to keep in my purse to capture those important moments. The more bigger-bodied NX30 is an ergonomic choice for days where I constantly have my camera out and need the 18-200mm lens for ultimate flexibility when capturing images on the go. Both are great choices for mom who is looking to upgrade from her point-and-shot since even taking photos on the auto setting yields great results. If money is no object, splurge and make the investment in the NX30. You also won’t regret the NX300 as a more budget friendly option. For examples of images I’ve taken with the NX30, visit my Rio2 World Premiere and Celebrity Photos Through the Lens of my Samsung NX30 Mirrorless Camera post. You can also get a glimpse of how easy it is to upload and share photos through the SMART camera features through this post with Instagram video.
CanvasPop Photo Canvas— Over the holidays I got to try CanvasPop and continue to be wowed by the high quality of the canvas print I received for them that they’re worth featuring again. They amazed me with the ease of going from digital to canvas and quality unlike any of the other canvases that I’ve ordered to date and ordering is as easy as uploading an image from your computer, Facebook, or Instagram account and letting CanvasPop take care of making your image look amazing on canvas. For my full review, visit this post: CanvasPop Transforms Digital Images into Gorgeous Large Format Canvas Prints.
Vintage Camera Pillows (sponsored)— Photo loving moms who have an appreciation for old school style, will appreciate the throwback to a different era thanks to these vintage camera pillows that feature photos of old cameras taken by artist Ronda J. Smith. Smith prints her original photos on cotton sateen and then sews them onto cotton-twill, creating a true work of art for your home. Flashbulb, Instant Shooter, or The Tourist are available from Uncommon Goods for $55-65 along with other great Mother’s Day gift selections.
Active Moms
Running Shoes from New Balance— While at Disney Social Media Moms (#DisneySMMs) last week, I was gifted a pair of their Women’s Neutral Light Running Shoes ($109.99). Perfect timing too since I was wearing a hole in my other pair! I’ve been breaking in my new shoes for the past couple weeks and truly enjoy running in them. Sure, they’re award winning having been awarded the “Best Update” in Runner’s World 2013 but for my daily runs with #OlivertheDog I’ve found them to be cushy, supportive, light, stylish, and extremely comfortable. I have the dark purple version with the silver accents but they also come in blue with pink accents and yellow with silver.
FlipBelt ($28.99)— Workout gear may be built for performance but even the best gear doesn’t always feature convenient places to stash your phone or a set of keys where they won’t bounce around and be distracting while you exercise. Enter FlipBelt. Made of a Spandex-Lycra blend and designed to be worn around your waist, FlipBelt is the newer cooler version of a fanny pack. How does it work? Pull FlipBelt on like pants to wear where it’s most comfortable, stash your phone, keys, energy gels, etc. in any of the 4 pockets, and then flip it inside out to keep everything secure so you can be hands-free. Available in 8 colors.
Jabra Rox Wireless Bluetooth Stereo Earbuds ($129.99)— Nothing is worse than an earbud tangle mid-workout. Give mom the gift of unplugging great Dolby sound thanks to Jabra’s Rox earbuds that are dust and water resistant. Mom can control her playlist and calls from in-line controls so she never has to touch her phone while exercising. The ColorCore EarGels provide a secure fit though the optional EarWings feature helps keep them in place during the most active workouts. I also like the power saving mode that’s activated by magnets when I clip them together around my neck so I won’t have to worry about losing a connection to my music mid-workout because of a low battery.
Garden Loving Moms
Flowers from BloomNation— If you’ve ever had the experience of ordering flowers for a loved one and the delivered product not resembling the photo on the website, BloomNation allows you to rest assured that your flowers will appear exactly as they should. Simply type in the zip code to search handcrafted arrangements from local florists to send to a loved one, click on the arrangement you like to order it, and the florist will send you a BloomSnap before it’s delivered to show you exactly how it will appear when it arrives to the recipient’s home. Having been duped by an online florist who sent a sub-par arrangement to a friend and whose customer service was less than stellar when I tried to resolve the issue and get a replacement sent, I truly appreciated seeing a BloomSnap sent via BloomNation from York Flowers, the local florist who created my order. BloomNation’s helpful BloomSnaps ensure that you get exactly what you pay for and your arrangement will be perfect for your loved one! Use the code MDAY10 for $10 off a $75 order About York Flowers: At York, we use the highest quality plants & flowers, selected daily to fill our retail locations in Northwest Washington DC and Historic Annapolis, MD.Our staff includes many skilled floral designers with over 150 years of combined experience, who will translate your floral wishes into beautiful designs appropriate for all you personal and corporate gift-giving requests.Our product line features truly superior roses,. Imported Holland, tropical and exotic flowers, tropical green plants, beautiful blooming plants and dish gardens, custom made fruit & gourmet baskets, mylar balloons, stuffed animals and more.
Succulent Living Wall Planter Kit (sponsored)— Any mom who enjoys their outdoor garden will appreciate having some additional green thanks to this rustic yet easy to care for succulent garden. Designed to grow inside or out, vertically or horizontally, the succulent garden from Uncommon Goods ($100) is sure to be a conversation piece whether it hangs on the wall or serves as a table centerpiece. Instructions help even the most green-thumbed mom get started in planting and caring for her new garden. For other ideas, visit these gifts for mom.
Moms who Love Accessories
Joy Mangano Jewelry Box ($39.95)— I’m a stickler for organization so when Joy Mangano’s Premiere Jewel Kit Duo Custom Fit Two-Tier Jewelry Box arrived, I had a swoonworthy moment. This beautiful satin-finish box features a water resistant exterior and a place for every accessory loving mom to store favorite necklaces, bracelets, earrings and rings conveniently in the two generous trays with removable dividers. Traveling moms will love that they can remove one of the two trays and zip the box closed so it’s half its original size (usually measures 13-1/4”: x 11-1/8”W x 4-1/2” when expanded) to take favorites with them on their adventures. The Joy Mangano Jewel Kit Duo comes in the following colors: Leopard/Black, Floral/Purple, Giraffe/Saddle, Navy Stripe/Navy, Tartan Plaid/Red & Paisley/Deep Teal
A personalized piece of jewelry (sponsored)— Moms who enjoy keeping their loved ones close by wearing them in the form of personalized jewelry will love the unique Mother’s Day gift ideas from Bradford. Select from rings, necklaces, bracelets, and more perfect for gift giving for moms and grandmothers. Since I’m a fan of simple elegance, the “I Love You Mom” Engraved Diamond Pendant Necklace ($99) caught my eye. I also love the idea of the Mother and Daughter 3-Diamond Necklace ($99) for a graduating senior or for a new grandmother to give to her daughter as a new mom. For anyone with a big family, the Family of Love Diamond Bracelet ($119) has room for up to 10 names, making it a fabulous gift for a proud grandmother.
Gifts that Give Back
When women have money, they have choices. These important words have resonated with me since my first trip to Haiti where I witnessed the effect of economic development programs designed to create sustainable income for women through work. Since then, I’ve become a fan of shopping for gifts that give back because every dollar I spend helps someone rebuild their lives. Here are some of my favorite products that any mom would be proud to get.
Project Bead Mercy Bracelet ($12)— With the goal of educating children in Ghana one bead at a time, Project Bead is an organization that I can support as a mother and former educator. Every child deserves a chance to be educated because as my grandfather always said, education is something that can never be taken away from you. Project Bead aims to alleviate world poverty through education and are doing this one bead at a time. While the collection of Project Bead Bracelets is stunning, my favorite is the Mercy Bracelet, a bracelet made of clear glass beads created in honor of Mercy, a child who my friend C.C. Chapman met during a trip to Ghana with the ONE Campaign. Funds from the Mercy Bracelet help fund education to children like Mercy who never had a chance to go to school because she died shortly after C.C. met her.
100 Good Deeds Bracelet ($30)— If you have a mom who is passionate about doing good in the world, the 1GD bracelet exemplifies her purpose through a purchase that employs vulnerable women by giving them work that means dignity and freedom. Serving as a call to do anonymous good deeds while empowering women, the concept is simple. Wrap the hand braided bracelet featuring glass beads created by women in Haiti, Uganda, Rwanda, Zambia, and Johannesburg around your wrist. Every time you complete an anonymous good deed, slide the rubber ring closer to the brass button. Every time you move the ring, your one deed moving over that one bead signifies an act of kindness. And don’t we want to be kind?
FashionABLE Scarves (starting at $36 with many on sale right now!)— FashionABLE scarves are gorgeous accessories that are part of a long-term effort to fight poverty through opportunities for women in Africa. FashionABLE not only promotes economic development for women but assists them in starting small business cooperatives and requires the manufacturers they work with to provide fair wages and hiring practices to the women they hire.
Macy’s Heart of Haiti (products start at $9.99)— I couldn’t end my gift guide without mentioning Macy’s Heart of Haiti. Long time readers are familiar with my commitment to Haitian artists and love of the country after visiting twice and my devotion to helping artists create sustainable income through handmade goods for fair wages is unwavering. The purchase of any item from the Heart of Haiti collection helps artists preserve their cultural history, restore their homes, and rebuild their communities. It also helps the artists send their children to school because public education in Haiti doesn’t exist. The women we visited view education as a way to earn more money to create better lives for their children but need the income from the sale of these products to pay for tuition, uniforms, and other school fees. I could go on and on but the best thing to do is to take a look at the gorgeous items and select one for someone you love. There are so many things to choose from. All are handmade with love by fabulous people that I’ve had the pleasure of getting to know through my time in Haiti.
Some companies paid for placement in this year’s gift guide as noted above. Samples were received for testing purposes as always, the opinions are my own and based on things that I’d like to give or get as a Mom! I am a Samsung #Imagelogger and receive Samsung gear for my photos but I am not required to post about the products I use. Additionally, Amazon Affiliate links are included. Images are courtesy of the brands featured.
