Mother’s Day Gift Inspiration

This is a weird Mother’s Day for sure. New mothers have started their journey in the midst of unprecedented times. Whether they wanted it or not, their days are without visitors, without help, and many even had their baby showers cancelled. Grandmothers who may have been used to visiting with or even taking care of their grandbabies are missing hugs from their little and not so little loves. Moms everywhere have had to “lean” in so hard to all of this in so many different ways that we’re about to fall over! So what does Mother’s Day look for us in the time of the corona virus? Certainly snuggles, macaroni necklaces, and breakfast in bed isn’t cancelled. I’m also hoping for some personal time of some sort- dreaming big over here. But there was also never a better time to send something special through snail mail or via a front porch delivery. Maybe a safe social distancing get-together for a mimosa or a nice walk around the neighborhood! Whoever you’re browsing for – even if is for yourself – I hope this round-up helps! Happy shopping and a Happy Mother’s Day to all.

I love looking at plants but keeping them alive isn’t at the top of my list these days while I’m busy keeping two busy little girls happy and loved. BUT we all know mamas who like to play in the dirt and have a bit of a green thumb and this list is for them. They can bring the outside in with a potted fern or orchid, or even a very low-maintenance option with the beautiful Herend catch-all dish that I wouldn’t mind on my bedside. This watering can is actually like something I use while I attempt to keep my indoor plants looking fresh and its’ long skinny spout is perfect for refilling the water in flower arrangements. She can enjoy Mother Nature’s feathered friends with a new bird bath or precious bird feeder. thumb through beautiful birds in this coffee table book or even de-stress by coloring her own Audubon masterpieces. The nature loving mom in your life will appreciate knowing there is funding toward the protection of endangered creatures given in her name via a donation to the World Wildlife Foundation and it can even come with a little stuffie of whichever animal you choose.

While I am sure all grandparents are missing their little loves during this time where many of us are apart more than we’d like to be, for that mama in your life who is especially missing her grandbabies, help ease her pain with a little something from this round-up. Even if she can’t have sleepovers, she can have matching pajamas. Or tell her how you really feel with one of these Q & A books – prompts help guide you to share your heart in a way that is a keepsake for her. She’ll need a place to put her readers after staring at pictures of her family all day in the digital picture frame, or classic silver plate bamboo frame, so a monogrammed dish for her bedside is perfect. Canvas totes embroidered with her grandmother name will come in handy whenever in person sleepovers resume. And help her keep her treasures close to her heart with monogram jewelry like this necklace or bracelet. Perhaps one of the most meaningful gifts we’ve ever given is a commissioned painting of the girls from Jenny Grumbles. I had this one done of Margaret for myself one Mother’s Day and then commissioned another one when she was older as a thank you from us to our in-laws after they watched Margaret for a week while we went to Hawaii and soon we’ll have one done for Catherine. Read more on her website here.

From fluffy Weezie towels to invigorating shower spray, here is (almost) everything a mom needs to turn her own bathroom into a spa escape. My personal favorite indulgence is this Bulgari bath soap. I find the Chill Pills particularly funny, and a nice bath to chill out does in deed sound right up my alley right now!

Some of us are ready to throw in the (kitchen) towel at how much cooking we’re doing but others are thriving and in their element! Give your favorite chef something special like a pretty new apron or Julia Child’s classic, My Life in France. The Jacques Pepin book is as sure to be as beautiful as it is inspiring. A fresh rosemary plant is a pretty and practical gift as is the gel cooking mat that looks straight out of Provence! If she doesn’t already have a salt pig, I highly recommend. I may be a novice, but it is one of my favorite kitchen items. And how fun are these splatter dip and serving bowls with lids? Her creations can look stylish and stay fresh for leftovers – if there are any!

If a mom in your life was as inspired by Ina Garten’s Cosmopolitan demonstration than look no further than this generously sized cocktail shakers. If she is someone with entertaining tendancies, chances are she has some sort of serving wear she leans toward “having too much of” like a ton of different pitchers or cake stands. Why not add to that collection with this unique jadite pitcher or the wicker wrapped option. From the jacquard napkins, acrylic tray, or my favorite – the wheat napkin rings – this mama will be ready to have a party as soon as possible.

If the mom you’re shopping for is the kind that doesn’t know how to say no and is always doing something for others, this is her collection. Some hand cream and body butter to relax, a cozy blanket for her to snuggle under during the rare moment she’s not moving, or a heart dish from For Pete’s Sake Pottery to let her know she’s always in yours. Maybe order some blooms from Sarah Tucker’s collection and put them in a pretty bud vase. She deserves to keep her feet cozy in these house slippers. But when she’s ready to get back out there, dropping of meals for those in need, this Clevermade tote is perfect for her errands of goodwill. My guess is she’ll love knowing a donation was made in her name to a non-profit that is directing their funding towards corona virus preparedness and response programs in vulnerable populations in the US and abroad.

If the mama you’re shopping for is sporty spice, you might find something from this group. Whether she wants to look at pretty pictures of people playing tennis, or get some new gear for her next game with a cute bag or towel, there is something in this mix. Maybe she’s a golfer and needs a set of monogrammed balls while she social distances and hits the links! A water bottle is good all the time, but especially when working up a sweat. If she likes to swim laps, then this cheerful daisy cap is perfect for keeping her hair nice and dry and protected from chemicals. And perhaps the star of this selection are the chinoiserie yoga mats that I’m not sure if I want to do tree pose on them or put on my wall?

A mom with a great sense of humor is a gift and perhaps there is no better time to lean in to the humor (and practicality of our present day) than with a little something funny like a chic toilet paper cover or pretty soap container for all her of hand-washing. This pretty ceramic container with an air plant is for the mom (like me) who knows she’ll kill any other type of plant! She won’t get mad if you tell her to “take a chill pill” because she knows you mean one of these bath bombs. Chances are this mom is enjoying a good quarantini and would get a kick out of these embroidered cocktail napkins from Sew Sew Swell, even if her drink is a vodka soda and lime- hold the vodka. And what is more practical than a sassy leopard mask? My friends at Parker & Hyde have this great version here.

Honestly, the new mom probably wants some sleep, maybe a little break, for dinner to just magically appear, and for dishes to do themselves. BUT – in the absence of those (or in addition to them) here are some fun ideas that I would’ve loved. UberEats is a great way to have her favorite meal, or a gift card for her to use whenever, to have one less thing on her mind. Qeepsake is a fun app to subscribe to that asks you questions each day about your little ones and will turn it into a memory book for you, so no need to pick up scrap booking in all the spare time you she doesn’t have. Everyone loves Chanel and this lotion is luxury in a bottle – she can treat herself to hydrated hands while wearing some cozy fluffy slippers. I was excited to match with my girls as soon as possible, so a cute set of coordinating jammies would be so fun. Some fresh flowers are always nice – I am forever a hydrangea lover, probably because they struggle growing here in FL – you always want what you can’t have! Or a delivery of beautiful blooms curated by the talented sister duo, and my friends, Molly Boyd of Molly Boyd Event Design and Sarah Tucker. You can shop those flowers here. A pretty heart dish to remind her how much she is loved and supported, even from a far. And as always, a handwritten note is always something I treasure. These from Shannon Kirsten are as pretty as they are witty! For the thoughtful shopper looking for a way to acknowledge their partner, I think a meaningful piece of jewelry, especially with a birthstone, is a great way to go. I love estate jewelry so I linked a few vintage options that I would (hint hint Curtis) accept in a heartbeat! One of my most special items is the painting the endlessly talented Amanda Ryan Tucker did of me and the girls. I reached out to her about it when I was finishing my breastfeeding journey with Catherine. It was a special way to honor that chapter in my life, of pregnancy and nursing, and it warms my heart each day hanging in my bedroom.