Unique Mother’s Day Gifts – No Flowers, Please!

[alexapapi]

Hi everyone,
I’m looking for something different this year for Mother’s Day. No flowers, no chocolates — I want to surprise her with something truly memorable.
Anyone ever gifted an experience (like a class or event), cool tech gadgets, or something handmade that went over really well?
Open to creative suggestions!

[Cassie]

I took my mom on a 3 day trip once and paid for everything. It was a hour flight away and she loved it.

[AMandM]

Speaking both as a daughter(-in-law) and as the mother of adult children, it depends a lot on the recipient. My MIL received a spa day one year and hated it; I wouldn't have minded it, my SIL would have loved it. OTOH my MIL loved the hand-decorated plant pots we gave her one year, which would have been a pointless gift to me.

I would love a class for something I'm interested in but don't know how to do--stained glass, Indian cooking, flower arranging, pysanky. Bonus if it comes with some basic supplies to keep going on my own. I would also enjoy a visit to a historic house, a concert, maybe an aquarium. Those things can be tough to schedule, though.

[Cranky]

My dd gave me a years subscription to a local wine store. Excellent choice!

Otherwise - what does she like to do, and what is something she wouldn’t buy herself?

[Dee_the_third]

Does Mom enjoy cooking?

If so, some good options: https://alexandracooks.com/2025/04/26/mothers-day-gift-guide-3/

[kite]

Two fruit trees:  Persimmon and Italian Prune Plum.

[LaineyAZ]

I got a bird feeder in the shape of a porch swing:
https://www.amazon.com/Solution4Patio-Squirrel-Proof-High-Capacity-Rust-Resistant-Hanging/dp/B07HC9MHWL/ref=sr_1_7?crid=1RPVE3LF9XA9J&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.xxlACe-a3v2_v5vUSA0HWltccfRgoUGpE0a3GsrHjgU4L7_3jKICYGhdC4KFSnZk2sftJZkhKzXNyn-zgKGSnUdiVQ9MUWIpCXFEfATui5YWPmkt2aYrTP0C8hpoQvDH3bdrmI00Q5zZgjX2vGycYuQu4toFucO0-kW78oe6AkSLy9Jng1YOzLrmWceiJNmW6M-T7S0FTUj4CdJp7aIk4EgZlFzXJUKvdtjuJmJlvLKh3-H1Pegz4V7QY3VryItVaysxGW18RWde1Neit0Oe5VXjuaid9ijvaRLLc8ghSEc.okCOTdeClhu3ge2KxNiqPssi1Ip9eTEUOQaOJ87jHWE&dib_tag=se&keywords=bird%2Bfeeder%2Bin%2Bshape%2Bof%2Bpicnic%2Bbench&qid=1746324970&sprefix=bird%2Bfeeder%2Bin%2Bshape%2Bof%2Bpicnic%2Bbench%2Caps%2C160&sr=8-7&th=1

[AMandM]

Something that's both handmade and has the potential to be truly memorable would be a custom-made piece of clothing sewn by a tailer/seamstress who really knows how to fit.

[cupcakery]

We love experience gifts.  One of my kids is taking me kayaking next Saturday.  We usually do something that day instead of gifts, but I love the framed photo collage I got one year.

[MaybeBabyMustache]

It's probably the cynic in me, but for someone to make their first post, it always feels like they are a journalist drumming up ideas for an article on best Mother's Day gift ideas.

[E.T.]

It's probably the cynic in me, but for someone to make their first post, it always feels like they are a journalist drumming up ideas for an article on best Mother's Day gift ideas.

This is a good point and I wouldn't have thought of it. That being said, it is an interesting conversation starter. My kiddo is young but I think I'll always appreciate a card or something like that with his art or writings on it. Free (or very cheap) and sentimental, that's perfect for me.

[clarkfan1979]

I bought my wife golf clubs yesterday. We are going to golf as a family over the summer along with my 8-year old son.

[jeninco]

My mom, who wants the next generations to have a better world, is getting a lovely donation to the ACLU. Unless she'd prefer one to any of the abortion funds, which help women be able to make their own damn decisions about having children. She is quite enthusiastic about either of these options.

[Telecaster]

I bought my wife golf clubs yesterday. We are going to golf as a family over the summer along with my 8-year old son.

I bought my wife a bowling ball drilled to fit my fingers.   

[MaybeBabyMustache]

It's probably the cynic in me, but for someone to make their first post, it always feels like they are a journalist drumming up ideas for an article on best Mother's Day gift ideas.

This is a good point and I wouldn't have thought of it. That being said, it is an interesting conversation starter. My kiddo is young but I think I'll always appreciate a card or something like that with his art or writings on it. Free (or very cheap) and sentimental, that's perfect for me.

Especially when they don't re-engage with the post

[NV Teacher]

Well you could really go for something unique and get her a bidet.  I love mine.