I Shop for a Living, and These Are the 9 Best Gifts for Mother’s Day

Every year, Mother’s Day rolls around and I find myself in the same predicament: Shopping for a mom who says she already has everything she could ever need or want. But even though my mom is impossible to shop for, it’s still fun to hunt for the perfect gift that will bring a smile to her face. 

As someone who spends my days combing through the best that brands have to offer, I’ve got my eye on some gifts for moms of all types, from outdoor explorers and gardeners to cozy bookworms and culinary enthusiasts. Starting at $8, these Mother’s Day gifts, including a luxurious tea box and a practical beach umbrella, will bring joy to our moms for years to come.

Best Mother’s Day Gifts

Ember Temperature Control Smart Mug

My mom is never without a cup of tea, though she sometimes sets it down and forgets about it until hours later when the tea has long since gone cold. That’s why I love this Ember temperature control mug, which keeps your drink at your selected temperature (between 120°F – 145°F) for up to 1.5 hours. I also love that after two hours of inactivity, the mug goes into auto sleep to save energy. It’s certainly a splurge, but will make for a luxurious and thoughtful gift for moms who have a soft spot for hot beverages. 

Outdoor Research Oasis Sun Hat

I know my mother-in-law loves to spend time in her garden once the weather warms up, and this sun hat from Outdoor Research is perfect to keep her shaded as she prunes her roses. It has a nice, wide brim that gives good coverage for the front and back of the head. It’s also made from water-resistant material, so it’s great for bringing into the pool, too. At $30, it’s a fun gift that will protect our moms from sunburns all summer. 

Maison d’Hermine 100% Cotton Napkin Set

For moms who love to play hostess, as mine does, I love gifting beautiful napkin sets that are luxurious yet practical. This Maison d’Hermine napkin set has a delicate, blue pattern that reminds me of Portuguese tiles and will certainly impress mom’s guests. The napkins are made from 100% cotton, so they’re soft but will stand the test of time.

Harney & Sons Paris Tea

My mother-in-law is the one who turned me onto Harney & Sons Paris tea, and every once in a while, I’ll give her a box to replenish her stash. For moms who love to enjoy a nice cup of tea, the Paris tea from Harney & Sons is a strong black tea with hints of currant, bergamot, vanilla, and caramel. All of these flavors come together in a very malty, full-bodied tea that’s bound to have any mom feeling refreshed and ready for the day. The tea box has over 9,500 five-star reviews on Amazon, with many shoppers buying it for their moms. One reviewer shares, “Got this for my mom. She adored it!” and another adds, “My mom loved this gift, and I plan on getting it again for her.” At just $8, this is a low-lift gift with high returns.

Crocs Unisex-Adult Classic Lined Clog 

Now, here me out: Every mom needs a pair of comfortable, kick-around-shoes that she can wear out to the mailbox, to take the dog out, or for a brisk dash to the garden for some herbs. I gifted my mother-in-law a pair of fleece-lined Crocs over the holidays and I don’t think I’ve seen her without them since. They’re not something to wear to weekend brunch (or are they?) but they’re extremely durable, comfy, and easy to slide on and off. Now that they’re 42% off, it might be worth it to grab two pairs: one for mom and one for yourself. 

Instant Pot Milk Frother

An electric milk frother is an exciting tech upgrade for moms who love their morning cappuccinos or lattés. For mine, who sometimes enjoys a bit of steamed milk in her tea, this Instant Pot milk frother gets the job done. It stood out in our tests of milk frothers thanks to its ability to froth up silky smooth milk.

Marcato 150 Pasta Machine

We love our culinary moms, the ones who first taught us how to experiment in the kitchen. Mine was always trying out some new kitchen trick throughout my childhood, and I’m thinking of adding this Marcato 150 pasta machine (which is 15% off by the way) to her toolkit. We loved it when we tested pasta makers for its durability and ease-of-use. It’s made by an Italian company that’s built pasta makers for generations, so it’s designed to excel. It’s capable of rolling out 10 different thicknesses and can make spaghetti, linguine, lasagna, or fettuccine.

Rio 7-Foot Outdoor Beach Umbrella 

My mother-in-law lives minutes away from the beach, and during the warmer months, she only spends a select few afternoons away from the shore. She was gifted a beach umbrella years ago, and we’ve all gotten to enjoy it. But she isn’t the only one who loves it. Our editors named the Rio beach umbrella as a beach day essential for its sturdiness and cleverly designed anchoring system that burrows into the sand to keep it standing up in the face of beach breezes. At $45, it’s an attractive price for days of nice, cool, reliable shade at the beach.

Alpha Camp Heavy Duty Canopy Lounge Chair

Summer is a time for Shakespeare in the park and open-air jazz nights. As someone whose mom loves all kinds of outdoor entertainment, I’m definitely considering gifting her this Alpha Camp canopy lounge chair. It’s a well-built and cleverly designed chair that has extra support built in along with an overhead canopy that provides plenty of personal shade. The materials also have an anti-rust coating, so the chair will stay pristine through evenings at the park, campground, or backyard barbecues.