Mother’s Day is just around the corner! If you are anything like me, you might struggle with some ideas for your mom (or mother-in-law). What is something you can get them that they will actually like and use? Here are some (mom-approved and recommended) ideas I’ve come up with to get your creative juices flowing.

diy ideas

1.) pamper gift basket

I love the idea of a DIY pamper basket of sorts. My vision for this is getting some sort of straw basket and filling it with a small assortment of pamper goodies! I attached a bunch of ideas of mom-approved pampering products below. Like I said above, all the below products were PERSONALLY recommended by my mother……so I feel somewhat confident that any of them could be a hit.

links to above products

Sara Happ lip slip balm; Superfood SPF; The Body Shop Tea Tree Oil cleanser; Origins Ginger Souffle whipped body cream; The Body Shop inflatable bath pillow; Origins mini masking essentials kit; Londontown Kur perfecting nail veil; OPI Bubble Bath nail polish; Deborah Lippman Smooth Operator buffer nail file; KIEHL’S ultimate strength hand salve; Sephora Collection dry body brush; Lush Milk Bath reusable bubble bottle; Lush Deep Sleep bath bomb.

2.) memory book

This is another time-consuming project, but could be SO adorable and special for a mom or grand mom who isn’t as into material things. You can either make one digitally from places like Shutterfly or Staples or could go the more old-school route and cut and paste photos onto a scrapbook. Either will be very special!

3.) house items basket

Another great gift basket idea could be a basket with some general home goods inside it—like a candle, blanket, maybe some gourmet snacks or some NEST air freshener sticks.

links to above products

NEST Bamboo Reed Diffuser; MLMGUO chunky knit blanket in ivory white; Anthropologie Capri Blue rattan-rapped jar candle; Merci European chocolate gift set; Stonewall Kitchen dark chocolate almonds; Ferrero Raffaello almond coconut candy; Thymes Fresh-Cut Basil petite reed diffuser; Lemon Leaf home fragrance mist; Thymes Fraiser Fur car diffuser; Thymes Eucalyptus Statement 3-Wick Candle.

products

1.) makeup

If your mom, grandmom or mother-in-law is a lover of anything beauty, any of the below makeup products will be a special hit! My mother personally recommended each of these and I think they are all quite complimentary for varying skin tones.

links to above products

Origins Blooming Shine nourishing lip glaze; Charlotte Tilbury mini Pillow Talk lip kit; Lancome Hypnose Drama mascara; Tartelette In Bloom Clay eyeshadow palette; Bobbi Brown Shimmer Brick highlight and glow compact; Miss Dior Eau De Parfum; Charlotte Tilbury Hollywood Flawless Filter; Jo Malone Blackberry & Bay Cologne; Fenty Beauty Killawatt Freestyle Highlighter; Rare Beauty Discovery Eyeshadow Palette in Give Yourself Grace.

2.) custom stationary

Sometimes a great gift for Mother’s Day is a custom planner, set of thank-you cards or a really special notebook with a fancy pen.

3.) special jewelry

You know your mom better than most anyone else, so who better than to pick out a piece of jewelry for her than you? Of course, if she is into jewelry at all! I compiled a collection of quite stunning jewelry pieces that range from minimal and delicate to more bold and statement-worthy. Some of these items are a bit on the splurge side, but if you are looking for a really special gift they would be amazing!

links to above products

Monica Vinader siren stacking ring set; Monica Vinader Siren medium stacking ring; Monica Vinader Siren Cluster cocktail ring; Monica Vinader Keshi Pearl large hoop earrings; Monica Vinader Essential Bangle; Kendra Scott Beaded Camry gold statement earrings; Kendra Scott Framed Elisa Gold Multi Strand Necklace in Pink Opalite Illusion; Kendra Scott Brooke Multi Strand Necklace in Rose Gold; Kendra Scott Davie 18k Gold Vermeil Pendant Necklace; Kendra Scott Elton Gold Cuff Bracelet; Kendra Scott Davis 18k Gold Vermeil Small Cuff Bracelet; Kendra Scott Emilie Gold Chain Bracelet.

4.) coffee table book

Another special gift idea is a nice, beautifully photographed coffee table book in a genre that appeals to her. If she is into cooking, get a nice recipe book. If she is into fashion or interior design, here are some great ideas. Or you could go with one on gardening or history or general home-keeping.

links to above products

Hollywood Icons: Photographs from the John Kobal Foundation; At the Artisan's Table; 1,000 Places to See Before You Die (Deluxe Edition): The World as You've Never Seen It Before; Magnolia Table A Collection of Recipes for Gathering; A Place to Call Home: Tradition, Style, and Memory in the New American House; The Elvis Encyclopedia.

activities

1.) movie or show date

If you would rather focus on planning an activity to do with mom, taking her on a special movie or show outing could be very fun! Check out your local theatre for show options around that time or see if you can book tickets for live music somewhere.

2.) pamper date

Maybe you want to gift your mother with a full-on pampering date—manicures, pedicures, facials or massages are a great treat for that. Maybe pick somewhere a little more special that has a relaxing ambience so you can spend an afternoon there relaxing together.

3.) day trip

Another great idea, especially on good weather days, is taking a day trip to a small town or into the city (if that’s your thing) to do some retail therapy and sight-seeing. You could find a cute town with some shopping, coffee shops and nice places to eat.

4.) picnic

There is nothing like a yummy picnic on a sunny May afternoon, right? This could be a great low-key option that could still be special. You can either make or pick up some special food and sides and pack them in a basket and set up in a nice park or along a body of water. Don’t forget some yummy desserts!

5.) homemade brunch

Last but not least, you could always go for a homemade brunch spread! But you have to go all out here, I’m talking eggs, pancakes, fruit, potatoes, sausages, mimosas, coffee and fresh flowers to make it extra special.

what about you?

I hope this list gives you some fun ideas or simplifies your shopping list! At the end of the day, mothers are absolutely worth spoiling rotten for ALL they do for us. I would love to know if you have any ideas you would add to this list. Drop a comment below with one item you would put on your Mother’s Day gift guide!