31 unique Mother's Day gifts for the mom who's hard to shop for

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Side by side image of Bokksu gift box and Phenomenal Mother tshirt — From Japanese snack boxes to a heartwarming t-shirt, we rounded up unique Mother's Day gifts for your mom that go beyond the usual floral bouquet.
Bokksu and Bloomingdales

Any chance we have to give someone a gift is a chance for us to show them our love and make their life easier. For moms, there are common gifts (like flowers) where function or appreciation can wane over time. If you're thinking of getting a more unique present for your mom for Mother's Day, it can be good to think outside the box.

Never underestimate the power of a unique and more personalized gift. It's the physical manifestation of saying, I see you. Here are 31 unique gifts for moms that give you a chance to be deeply thoughtful.

31 unique gifts for moms to get for Mother's Day in 2022:

A subscription box of Japanese snacks and teas

Classic gift box, from $39.95, available at Bokksu

Best for: The foodie mom

For the mom who loves traveling and trying new foods, this subscription box of authentic Japanese snacks, teas, and candies is perfect (and one of our faves). Products are sourced from family makers, and each box includes 20-24 snacks plus a magazine that serves as a guide to each product's story. You'll probably be tempted to order one yourself after seeing how much she loves hers.

A retro-style instant camera

Polaroid Go Instant Camera Starter Set, from $105.05, available at Amazon

Best for: The mom who cherishes physical photos

If your mom loves to capture the moment but misses the old days of film cameras, Polaroid's Go Instant Camera is a perfect mix of nostalgia and function. This tiny camera is easily portable and instantly prints photos on film small enough to fit in your pocket.

A t-shirt with a heartwarming message

Phenomenal Women's Tshirt — Bloomingdales

Phenomenal mother t-shirt, from $35, available at Bloomingdale's

Best for: The truly phenomenal mom

It's not the most unique gift on the surface, but this shirt gives bragging rights and is a play on poetry by the legendary Maya Angelou. Available in gray, pink, and white, you can give your mom the ultimate compliment in the color that matches her style.

If you really want to stay on theme, you can pair this tee with a Maya Angelou book.

A sleek, wireless charging pad

Wireless phone charger pad — Stay Courant

Wireless charger pad, from $120, available at Courant

Best for: The mom who always forgets to charge her phone

It can be hard to remember to constantly plug your phone in for a charge, especially when the battery is weak. A wireless charger pad is the type of seamless tool that makes life a lot easier. No need to fiddle with a cord anymore — just sit your phone down like you were already doing. The best part about this charger pad is its stylish aesthetic and ability to charge multiple devices.

A vibrant bouquet of dried flowers

pink dried flower arrangements for mothers day 2022 from east olivia a flower delivery service — East Olivia

Spring dried flower bouquets, from $55, available at East Olivia

Best for: The mom who likes longer-lasting Mother's Day flowers

A bouquet of flowers is nice, but they die quickly. This vibrant bouquet of dried flowers lasts far longer (and doesn't require any care).

If fresh flowers are more mom's thing, you can browse some of the best Mother's Day flower delivery services here.

An affordable and effective skin cream

Maelove the one cream gentle face moisturizer 2022 — Maelove

One Cream, $29.95, available at Maelove

Best for: The mom in search of a good face cream

This gift is great because it can be appreciated by a mom who's a skincare buff or prefers a no-frills nighttime routine. This affordable moisturizing cream blends squalane, coconut extracts, and glycerin, and is one of the many Maelove products we've tested and loved.

A subscription that brings Mom an exciting new book each month

Book subscription, from $49.99, available at Book of the Month

Best for: The mom who reads more than anyone you know

Help your mom spend more time reading and less time searching an endless selection of titles.

If they're constantly carrying a book, they'll enjoy this monthly book subscription of curated picks — subscribers pick a new book every month out of a selection of five new fiction and nonfiction works.

You can learn more about Book of the Month here.

A tension-relieving massage pillow

Back and neck massage pillow, from $64.95, available at Amazon

Best for: The mom who needs to relieve some tension

There's nothing like a good massage that leaves you feeling relaxed and at ease in your body. Gift this massage device for the back that allows your mom to appreciate deep back massages at home. Made with three deep-kneading massage nodes, this pillow relaxes muscles, eases tension, and mimics a natural hand massage.

An elaborate pop-up card

Lovepop mother's day hummingbird card unique gift 2022 — Lovepop

Mother's Day Hummingbird Bundle, $34, available at Lovepop

Best for: The mom who's happy with a simple "thank you"

Mother's Day is all about thanking Mom for the infinite love she gives. Give the gift of gratitude with a beautiful pop-up card and paper bouquet bundle (you can also just buy the card separately.)

Other Lovepop card options include Baby Yoda, cats, bird houses, butterflies, and sea turtles.

A customized coffee subscription

Driftaway coffee subscription 2022 — Driftaway

Coffee subscription, from $75, available at Driftaway

Best for: The mom who always makes coffee at home

For the mom who loves coffee (especially making it at home), gift a new batch of high-quality coffee every month. Unlike your typical grocery store or cafe brand, Driftaway lets the subscriber customize the coffee to their tastes.

A customized beaded bracelet

Person wearing a stack of Baublebar beaded bracelets — Baublebar

Custom Multi Disc Piza Bracelet, $40, available at BaubleBar (20% off with code CUSTOM20 at checkout)

Best for: The sentimental mom

Our words carry meaning, which is why a bracelet with a good message can be a powerful gift. These custom bracelets from BaubleBar can include up to 12 characters. (Note: Orders placed after April will arrive after May 6).

If this bracelet isn't exactly your mom's style, you can browse more Mother's Day jewelry gifts here.

A national park-themed family portrait

Uncommon Goods National Park Custom Collage Print 2022 — Uncommon Goods

National Park Custom Collage Print, from $55, available on Uncommon Goods

Best for: The mom who wants a more unusual family portrait

Photos capture a moment, but something about a painting immortalizes it. With this unique custom portrait, you can include your whole family (pets included) as well as a favorite park to overlook.

Uncommon Goods also offers other custom family art, from wall art of your mom's favorite quotes from when you were young to a more cartoon-y family print.

A candle that includes a hidden crystal

Intention candle, from $35, available at Moonlight Jewels Co.

Best for: The mom who loves candles and crystals

Handmade in small batches in Canada, these unique candles are the gift that keeps on giving. Not only are they themed with wonderful intentions like love and opportunity, but each candle has a specific stone in the wax. Once the candle reaches its end, your mom will be left with a keepsake crystal.

A more modern tarot deck

The Modern Witch Tarot Deck, $21.99, available at Amazon

Best for: The mom who always gets a tarot reading

If your mom loves tarot readings, you can't go wrong with gifting this beautiful tarot card deck that professional tarot readers love for its beautiful and inclusive illustrations. It also comes with a guidebook to help Mom learn all the card meanings.

A luxury laptop stand

Grovemade wood laptop stand, from $170, available at Grovemade

Best for: The mom fully working remote

Even with pandemic restrictions and mask mandates easing, there's still a lot of working-from-home going on. If your mom hasn't upgraded their workspace, this lux laptop stand will be much appreciated. It elevates the laptop screen to prevent slouching and improve ergonomics.

A truly unique water bottle and matching cup

Nude Glass Mr. & Mrs. Small Bedside Water Set, from $133, available at Bloomingdale's

Best for: The mom who always stays hydrated

Quirky decor is a nice way to add personality to a space. These creative glasses are designed to serve as bedside water glasses, made with a jug and small glass that acts as a bottle stopper. This unique set of glasses is eye-catching and, ultimately, helps keep mom hydrated.

Refillable Chanel lipstick

Rouge Allure L'extrait Lipstick, from $55, available at Chanel

Best for: The mom whose favorite lipstick is a tiny little nub now

For the mom who loves glam, get them lipstick that's just as bold as they are. Chanel's new Rouge Allure L'extrait lipstick is intensely pigmented and hydrating, bringing all-day comfort and long-lasting color. Plus, since this lipstick is refillable, it's a gift that can last a long time.

A coffee table book full of travel photos

Lonely Planet's Ultimate Travelist: The 500 Best Experiences on the Planet book 2022 — Amazon

"Lonely Planet's Ultimate Travelist: The 500 Best Experiences on the Planet," $96.49, available at Amazon

Best for: The mom who needs help planning her future trip

For the mom who loves to travel and dream about the world, share the gift of a stunning photo book that doubles as a coffee table book. This one features 500 places around the world, complete with beautiful photos and sightseeing tips.

An award-winning, Black-owned whiskey

Uncle Nearest 1856 Premium Aged Whiskey, from $55

Best for: The mom who always orders an Old Fashioned

This award-winning and Black-owned whiskey pays homage to the first Black master distiller in the US. This premium whiskey, bottled at 100 proof, is perfect for smooth drinking on the rocks or mixing into a bourbon cocktail with friends.

A waterproof Bluetooth speaker

Ultimate Ears Boom 3 Portable Waterproof Bluetooth Speaker in Purple 2022 — Amazon

Ultimate Ears Boom 3 Portable Waterproof Bluetooth Speaker, from $126.99, available at Amazon

Best for: The mom who loves some poolside tunes

The days of mp3 players and radios keep moving further into our past, but a way to play your music loud and with a sharp sound is still essential. Gift this easily portable speaker (and our top pick for waterproof speakers). It has up to 15 hours of playtime, a booming bass, and works with Bluetooth devices.

A durable new bag

staud colorblock tote 2022 — Saks Fifth Avenue

Staud Colorblock Tote, from $295

Best for: The mom whose purse is falling apart

It's easy to get attached to things that have been with us for ages and been with us through so much… like handbags. But if your mom's purse is falling apart, she'll appreciate a new bag that'll also have sentimental value since it came from you. What's important is getting a bag of a similar size, plenty of space, and lots of organizational compartments.

If your mom is more of a fanny pack person, you can't go wrong with Dagne Dover's Ace fanny pack. Or, if she loves designer shoulder bags, Gucci's Jackie 1961 is a classic that First Ladies and Hollywood stars alike have carried.

A doormat you can design with colorful tiles

Letterfolk Customizable Vinyl Tile Mat West Elm 2022 — West Elm

Letterfolk Customizable Vinyl Tile Mat, from $75, available at West Elm

Tile Set Bundle, from $30, available at Letterfolk

Best for: The mom with creative flair

This social media-famous doormat is fully customizable with different tile bundles, so Mom can switch out designs on a whim.

A raunchy and fun game for game night

Incohearant game, from $19.82, available at Amazon

Best for: The mom who loves game night more than anything

In this funny game, you have to guess what someone is saying from cleverly crafted gibberish phrases. The cards are designed for adults, from pop culture to raunchy references, making game night way more dynamic.

You can check out more of our favorite board games here.

A kit to replicate Guy Fieri's "Trash Can Nachos"

GUY'S BBQ TRASH CAN NACHOS Goldbelly 2022 — Goldbelly

Guy's BBQ Trash Can Nachos, from $61.95, available at Goldbelly

Best for: The mom who loves Guy Fieri (and nachos)

If your mom's obsessed with Guy Fieri (or just his food), gift this decadent nacho kit, complete with all the fixings and optional margaritas (it's also available with BBQ brisket and pulled pork).

If you don't know what food your mom will love the most, you can also just gift a Goldbelly gift card to get her favorite meals delivered from all over the country. You can read more about Goldbelly here.

A beautiful museum print

Plate 7 from Sonia Delaunay print from the Met Store 2022 — The Met Store

Framed print of Sonia Delaunay's "Plate 7," $75, available at The Met Store

Best for: The artsy mom

For the mom who loves art (or has walls that could use some love), gift a print from The Met Store, the New York Metropolitan Museum of Art's online shop. You can also shop art-inspired home decor and a huge library of prints by famous artists.

Custom-tailored vitamins

Care/of gift card for subscription, from $50

Best for: The health-conscious mom

With a thousand plus options, it's hard to know which vitamins are for you. Care/of handles this with a quick but thorough quiz that creates a personalized nutrition plan including vitamins, protein, and collagen. Giving the gift of health is always appreciated, and this one is even better with its custom-tailoring.

A simple jewelry and key dish

Jewel-Tone Birth Month Dish Uncommon Goods 2022 — Uncommon Goods

Jewel-Tone Birth Month Dish, $24, available at Uncommon Goods

Best for: The mom who's always losing her keys

For the mom who is always misplacing her wallet and keys, this dish (customized to her birth month) is a beautiful piece of decor that also serves as a handy tray to place all the things you need to grab quickly.

A curated wine box subscription

Wine subscription, from $49, available at Wine Awesomeness

Best for: The mom who appreciates the finest wines

There's something miraculous about tasting a wine that transports you to a different time and place. Whether your mom is a seasoned sommelier or casual sipper, a carefully curated box like this is the ultimate treat.

A DIY flower kit

Uncommon Goods Birth Month Flower Grow Kit — Uncommon Goods

Birth Month Flower Grow Kit, $35, available at Uncommon Goods

Best for: The mom who'd rather grow her own flowers

Floral bouquets are a classic Mother's Day gift, but the downside is they don't usually last too long. If your mom loves gardening, this kit lets you pick their birth flower (or just Mom's favorite flower out of the options) and provides the seeds, soil, and tools to grow them at home.

An evil eye wine stopper

Evil Eye wine stopper, $78, available at Joanna Buchanan

Best for: The mom who needs a little luck

For the mom who loves wine, a unique wine stopper will be endlessly appreciated. This will keep her wines fresh with a stylish twist. The evil eye symbolizes protection, and this sparkly wine stopper is a glamorous way to keep wine safe and fresh.

The best grippy socks

Bombas women's gripper socks 2022 — Bombas

Women's Gripper Socks, $14.50, available at Bombas (20% off with code COMFORT20)

Best for: The mom who loves practical gifts

If your mom is completely resistant to flashy gifts, gift something affordable and practical: grippy socks that keep her from slipping around the house or in yoga class. Bombas are some of our favorite socks for their comfort and functionality.

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