Mother's Day Gift Guide - Minnesota Parent

Mother’s Day can feel like a Hallmark holiday thrown into a mad-busy month.

But a meaningful gift allows you to slow life down and express your love. It creates new memories and reminds Mom how important she is.

That’s exactly what this curated list delivers. Based on extensive research, reviews and testing, it’s designed for the stylish, soulful mom. These are items she didn’t realize she needed – both practical and fun.

10 Gift Ideas for Mom

Tea Plant

A faux plant is the gift that keeps giving, adding a burst of green and a sense of vitality to any space. It beautifies as it destresses. 11” tea plant looks realistic, comes in a darling footed pot and fits anywhere. Mom will enjoy it all year long and never once worry when she last watered it.

2. Runner Rug

Here’s a super practical gift any mom would appreciate: a new rug! Replace that old ratty rug with this fresh, neutral runner – or buy it for that spot that’s always needed a rug. Available in brown or grey, this non-slip, pet-friendly runner holds up well and is easy to wash, earning superb reviews.

3. Bird House

This whimsical gift is a symbol of the house she’s lovingly cultivated – and an invitation to slow down and soak up some birdsong. Walmart’s Pioneer Woman line now includes beautiful birdhouse for unbeatable prices: the Blue Maizie Birdhouse, the blue-and-red Vintage Birdhouse and the larger Sweet Rose Birdhouse. They come with an attached chain and hook – they couldn’t be easier to hang – and the roof can be removed to add more feed.

You’ll also find some adorable birdhouses at HomeGoods (now available for online purchase), including the aqua She Shed Birdhouse.

4. Tree Swing

Here’s a gift that will stir nostalgic and produce countless cherished memories over the year. There’s nothing more classic than a wooden tree swing. Trust The Porch Swing Company to makes the very best. Its Wood Swings Co. Premier Engravable Tree Swing has earned solely 5-star reviews.

“This swing is perfect,” one reviewer wrote. “It’s comfortable, strong and feels like the summer days of my childhood. Easy to hang, looks great and seems like it will last for decades.”

Another reviewer wrote, “I debated ordering this for 3 years…I wish I hadn’t have waited! I absolutely LOVE it!”

The Premier Engravable Tree Swing adds charm to any home – whether it’s for a bustling household with young children, a cabin or the townhome of a retiree looking to entice the grandkids.

The swing ships for free. This durable swing made of yellow pine comes with 12’ of rope for each side, clamps and a lifetime warranty. The swing is nice and wide, comfortable for kids and adults.

5. Hair Straightener

Chances are good Mom hasn’t purchased a new hair straightener in a decade. Do her a favor and get the FHI HEAT® Platform Plus 1″ Ionic Tourmaline Ceramic Professional Hair Styler This is the one! It prevents hair damage, and the anti-slip grip makes it easy to do all kinds of styling. There’s even a heating option for damp hair! This styler will make Mom feel chic – even if she hasn’t slept through the night all week. It’s currently on sale for $107.99 with code MOMSDAY.

6. A Double Hanging Chair

This gift speaks to a mom’s heart: It brings people together, enveloping them in comfort.

Hanging chairs are popping up everywhere, and the Double Hanging Chair is the best one you’ll find. It’s sturdy and comfy – fun for the kids, stylish for the adults. The grey finish and cushion make this chair neutral, an easy addition to any space – whether you’re putting it on a porch, in the backyard or inside. It comes with a stand, screws and hardware – everything you’ll need for easy assembly.

There’s a reason this hanging chair has garnered such excellent reviews. “The chair is so relaxing – it has become my favorite spot,” one reviewer wrote. “I love that this chair is a deep seater which makes it cozy,” another wrote. “When I’m by myself, I can sprawl and have my feet up while I work.”

Others praised the “high quality” construction “designed to last” and noted that the cushions are better than expected and the “grey color is perfect” – a “great buy for the price.”

7. Brazilian Bum Bum Body Cream

There’s body cream, and then there’s Sol de Janeiro Brazilian Bum Bum Body Cream. If the mom (or mother-figure) in your life works too hard, give her an orange tub of self-care: this divine body cream. Try the 2.5 oz. Jar for $22 – or spring for the 8 oz. jar ($48) that she’ll never want to run out. Recommended for the bum, legs, tummy, and arm, its natural ingredients provide super hydration and boost circulation. The Bum Body Cream was named a Glamour Beauty Readers’ Choice Award Winner for Best Body Lotion for a reason!

8. Photo Shoot

Here’s a special gift you can surprise Mom with this May: a family photo shoot. She’ll cherish the photos for the rest of her life.

Rebecca Slater, a professional photographer based near St. Paul, has taken pictures for Minnesota Parent and comes highly recommended. The mom of an active toddler, Rebecca gets it. She knows how to put your active kiddos at ease, drawing out their personalities and making the shoot fun.

Photo by Rebecca Slater / By Rebecca Studios

Rebecca has an incredible eye. She can capture magic in any scene – whether she’s shooting portraits or skillfully coordinating an extended family shoot (which would make an incredible Mother’s Day gift for the beloved matriarch in your life.) She’s down-to-earth, easy to be around and a true pro when it comes to her craft.

“Rebecca always knows how to keep the entire family engaged and helps ensure my husband and I don’t get overwhelmed,” one local mom wrote in a testimonial.

“I highly recommend Rebecca,” another mom said. “She always makes the sessions very relaxed. I have a hard time picking my favorites when I get the pictures back.”

9. Ultrasonic Skin Spatula

Every hard-working mom deserves to have great skin! You’ll thrill her with this spa-grade at-home skincare tool. Available in pink or mint green and on sale for $26.99 (with code HYDRATE), you get a lot of bang for your buck with Spa Sciences Lela Ultrasonic Skin Spatula, which has earned an impressive average of 4.8-star reviews. It is acclaimed for deep cleaning, extraction, serum infusion, and lifting, providing multiple easy-to-use modes.

“I’m in love with this skin spatula, it helps me remove all my blackheads painlessly,” one wrote.

“It cleans my pores, gets rid of more than 60 percent of blackheads and really brings out the natural plump as it improves blood circulation on the face,” another wrote. “I love how easy to use it is,” one reviewer noted. “I was eyeing similar devices to this, but this one had the best features and also a good price.”

10. Table Runner

A table runner will speak to her heart – and her desire to bring people together around the table, making it a place of beauty and warmth. The Homewear Homespun Table Runner comes in six colors. It has garnered outstanding reviews.

“It has a very elegant look and feel,” one reviewer noted.

“It looks absolutely perfect,” another wrote.

There you have it! A gift for every mom or mother figure on your list! I hope you liked out gifts ideas for mom.

Christina Ries is a freelance writer in Inver Grove Heights. She and her husband, Ted, have four children.

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