a mother's day gift guide
hello.
i think often about how much invisible weight mothers carry. the behind the scenes labor, the love stitched into the mundanity of our days in hopes that it will make it feel extra special. i often think about how so many of these simple but significant gestures go unseen. so i wanted to create a thoughtful gift guide for you to reference as you think about how you want to gift the moms in your life. this guide isn’t about flashy, performative gifts. it’s about things that say: i see you, you’re valued and appreciated.
this year i wanted to make a list of gifts that are gentle, cozy, nourishing. a nightdress that makes sleep feel sacred. a gardenia to fill the kitchen with perfume. a snack box she doesn’t have to share. it’s also for those of us who might be far away, or working with a budget, or just needing to keep things simple. at the end, i included a few handmade ideas, because sometimes the most memorable gifts aren’t bought. they’re assembled, baked, written, or grown.
wherever you are with mother’s day this year, whether you’re celebrating, grieving, resisting, or just trying your best, i hope this guide helps you find something that feels like love.
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clothing
deiji studios set
linen that feels lived-in in the best way. minimalist, a little rumpled, and perfect for slow mornings with the windows open. loving this one, too.
tekla – organic cotton robe
crisp, structured, and impossibly scandinavian. for the mom who values good sheets, clean design, and never misses her skincare routine. i like this color, too.
salter house – wendy nightdress
it’s all the softness and nostalgia of a childhood summer. crisp cotton, romantic buttons, and the kind of shape that makes you feel held. the wendy nightdress is like wearing a sigh.
six bells
this store feels like stepping into a dream. their robes, knitwear, and kitchen pieces are all thoughtfully made. for the kind of mom who collects cookbooks and always smells like lemon and cedar.
eberyjey pajamas
buttery soft cotton in cheerful stripes and classic silhouettes. simple, cozy, and always just right. the kind of pj set you stay in until noon. and then maybe longer. long variation
little luxuries
for the mom who deserves a bit of extra care. small things that elevate the everyday.
-davines shampoo and soft hair gel
it smells incredible, and makes your hair feel like you just left an expensive salon. a little bottle of daily luxury. the conditioner is lovely, too. oh! last davines gem, this leave in hair soufflé for voluminous, shiny, silky hair.
-paper republic leather journal
hand-bound in vienna, refillable, and designed to age beautifully. it’s not just a journal, it’s the kind of object you live with for years. perfect for notes, reflections, dreams, or keeping track of your garden.
-aesop reverence hand balm and hand soap set
earthy, smoky, and strangely grounding. like if a hand cream went to therapy and got really good at boundaries.
-slip silk scrunchies
elevated, simple, and makes even a bad hair day feel pulled together.
-buly 1803 – scented matches
almost too beautiful to use. each box is like a miniature painting, and the matches are lightly perfumed. think smoky rose, powdered skin, old wood. strike one, and it’s like lighting a memory.
-buly 1803 – baume des muses lip balm
a lip balm disguised as a baroque treasure. encased in a heavy metal shell, with the faint scent of orange blossom. impractical in the most luxurious way. which is exactly the point.
-c.o. bigelow – toothbrush + marvis toothpaste set
a toothbrush that looks like it came from a 1920s apothecary and toothpaste that tastes like it was made for a silver spoon. chic, old-school, and secretly so satisfying to give. you can also throw in a couple essential oils from c.o. bigelow. soft, floral, and grounded. perfect for diffusing, adding to baths, or just dotting onto a wrist before bed. the west village rose is fresh and cool-toned; the vanilla is warm and calming without being sweet.
fragrances
if you’re not sure where to start…
these sets are perfect for the mom who’s hard to categorize, or who deserves a little variety… scent as a moodboard.
-diptyque set of three minis (orpheon, fleur de peau, do son)
this trio is pure elegance. orphéon is warm and woody, fleur de peau smells like clean skin and soft musk, and do son is airy with white tuberose. it’s like giving her a curated scent wardrobe.
-fischersund discovery set
intimate, earthy, elemental. these Icelandic scents feel like they were made in a windswept cabin where someone writes poetry by candlelight. especially good for the mom who loves cold climates, bonfires, or björk.
-liis discovery set
weightless, modern, and emotion-forward. these are skin scents with depth. think clean sheets, book pages, and unspoken thoughts. bo and studia humanitatis are standouts.
for the poetic moms. these perfumes are inspired by horses, but feel more like memories. delicate, layered, and emotionally resonant. rotano is particularly lovely. smoky suede and myrrh.
now let me be a little more specific…
-for the elegant, linen-wearing, book-club mom
matiere premiere – parisian musc: soft and clean with just enough edge. ambrette and musk that smell like freshly washed cashmere and quiet confidence.
escentric molecules – molecule 01: almost imperceptible but magnetic. like the scent of warm skin after a day in the sun. subtle, comforting, and unforgettable.
-for the mom who meditates, gardens, and always has tea on
gabar – ground: smells like stillness. earthy, rooty, a little smoky. like sitting under a tree with your palms open to the sky.
xinu – monstera: green in a way that feels sacred. dewy, resinous, and alive, like a greenhouse tucked inside an old library.
the maker – naked: sheer, mineral, comforting. smells like sunlight on skin after a bath. clean, calm, and close to the soul.
-for the chic mom who always knows what restaurant just opened
le labo – another 13: cool, clean, and quietly intoxicating. smells like the kind of woman who always gets a table, even when it’s fully booked.
diptyque – orphéon: woody, musky, with a hint of powder and gin. like a jazz bar tucked behind a bookstore.
-for the nostalgic, cozy mom who still has your baby blanket
gabar – lull: soft as a whisper. lavender, rice, and sandalwood. like the scent of rocking chairs, bedtime stories, and warm skin.
sorce - snow moon magic: chai, marshmallow, and milk sugar. smells like childhood, but elevated. like baking cookies under a full moon.
d’annam – white rice: delicate, milky, and pure. the scent of steamed rice, fresh linen, and quiet mornings. comforting in the most intimate way.
-for the spiritual, intuitive, maybe-a-little-witchy mom
relique d’amour – oriza l. legrand: damp stone, lilies, and holy water. ghostly in the most beautiful way. like memories held in candle wax.
l’artisan parfumeur – passage d’enfer extrême: red lily, jasmine, incense, sandalwood, vanilla. soft and smoldering. like silk robes, lit matches, and handwritten spells.
-for the mom who throws dinner parties that feel like films
regime des fleurs – little flower: delicate but intense. incense, rose, something green. smells like a movie made by sofia coppola if it were written by a poet.
frederic malle – portrait of a lady: a deep, resinous rose with spice and smoke. unapologetic, magnetic, and unforgettable. like the third glass of wine when everyone starts telling the truth.
chanel – le lion: amber, labdanum, citrus. warm and grand, with a backbone of elegance. smells like a power move made in slow motion.
candles
if you decide to buy mom a candle, pair it with this candle warmer. this one is minimal and effective, and it’s perfect for moms who want the scent without smoke.
-tuberose diptyque candle: heady, floral, slightly narcotic in the best way.
-opopanax diptyque candle: resinous, warm, and churchlike. it smells sacred.
-fig and cassis jo malone candle: fruity without being sweet. like afternoon light in a stone kitchen.
-byredo altar: witchy, smoky, and sacred. smells like dried flowers, candle wax, and holy spaces.
-byredo cotton poplin: clean linen but not boring. smells like cool sheets, library light, and quiet perfection.
-trudon salta: pink grapefruit made serious. citrus wrapped in vetiver and sophistication. bright but brooding.
foods, snacks, beverages
-frog hollow farm fruit box: organic, peak-season fruit shipped straight from the orchard. think apricots, peaches, or cherries that actually taste like summer. it’s the kind of gift that says: here’s something sweet, and here’s a reason to slow down.
-bokksu snack box: beautifully packaged japanese snacks. sweet, salty, surprising. like sending her a little adventure.
-branche olive oil: sleek and delicious. if she loves to cook (or just loves a pretty bottle), this is perfect.
-blue bottle or verve coffee subscription: for the mom who’s very particular about her morning brew. a weekly or monthly delivery of good beans heaven.
-fishwife tinned fish: yes, fancy tinned fish is still having a moment. and fishwife does it best. perfect for the mom who always has crackers, pickles, and a glass of wine ready. bonus: the packaging is art.
-ghia gift set: for the aperitif mom. the one who loves a pre dinner drink, even if it’s alcohol-free. the bottles are gorgeous, and the flavors are complex, botanical, and grown-up.
-valrhona chocolates: design forward chocolate bars with decadent, delicious flavors. fun to unwrap, better to eat.
home
-hatch alarm: this is one of those products that you wouldn’t think to get for yourself. but after i received this as a gift, i don’t know how i could live without it. imagine waking up in the morning without feeling panicked or hysterical? i love my hatch so much.
-indoor garden: a countertop herb garden or windowsill planter for the mom who always says this needs more basil.
-sill plants: this is something i might gift myself because i turn into a bit of an apothecary cottagecore garden witch during the spring and summer months. let me tell you a few of my favorites. the gardenia bush is the most beautifully fragrant little plant to keep in your home. if she has a patio, consider gifting a mandarin or lemon tree. a vanilla bean plant is unique and unexpectedly lovely.
-homecourt: my two favorite scents are the steeped rose (velvety and rich) and neroli leaf (crisp and green).
-flamingo estate – garden essentials kit: a set of hand soap, body wash, and lotion that smells like a greenhouse after a rainstorm.
-barefoot dreams blanket: yes, it’s everywhere, but there’s a reason. this blanket feels like being wrapped in a cloud that just told you it’s proud of you. the ultimate cozy flex.
subscriptions
-for the film lover – MUBI is curated cinema at its best. thoughtful, international, and artsy.
-for the reader – the new yorker, the paris review, or literary hub for stories, essays, and sharp cultural critique.
-for the cook – nyt cooking is the coziest, most inspiring (and reliable) collection of recipes.
flowers
-urban stems is your best bet for beautiful, reliable flowers. this bouquet is stunning. i’m also fond of this one.
handmade & heartfelt
if you’re short on time or money (or just feeling crafty), here are a few simple but meaningful things you can make
-a personalized recipe zine: type or write a few family recipes, print it out zine-style, and tie it with string. bonus points for including stories or notes.
-a spring syrup or infused oil: lavender honey, rosemary simple syrup, or chili garlic oil in a little bottle with a handwritten tag.
-a memory jar: fill a jar with folded slips of paper, each one a memory, a reason you love her, or a quote she’d adore.
-pressed flower bookmarks: gather some spring flowers, press them in a book, and glue them onto cardstock to create something she’ll use every day.
-a playlist: old songs she loved, songs that remind you of her, or ones you think she’d dance to while cleaning.
-a framed letter or note: write her a letter, not a text, not a card. a real letter. frame it. let her hang your words somewhere she can reread them.
-a mini photo book: print out old photos and make a little book with captions. it doesn’t have to be fancy, just personal. something she can keep on her nightstand.
-a hand-sewn sachet: fill a scrap of linen with dried lavender or rose petals, stitch it shut, and tuck it into her drawer. a little softness in her day.
whatever this day holds for you: joy, longing, ambivalence, nostalgia, i hope you let yourself feel it. mother’s day can be so many things at once: a celebration, a wound, a wish, a memory.
this guide isn’t about perfection or performance. it’s about gestures. the small ones that say i see you or i thought of you when the garden bloomed and i love you without needing to wrap it in a bow. whether it’s a candle, a letter, a nightdress, or a jar of rosemary syrup, i hope you give something that feels like home.
okay, that’s all for today.
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i love you.
bye.
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this is truly the perfect guide, even though i probably want this stuff more than my mom does! LOL
these are such sweet ideas! i hadn't thought of making my mom a playlist, i love it