The 33 Best Last-Minute Mother’s Day Gifts

In Japan, delicate sakura or cherry blossoms are a reminder to pause and appreciate the ephemerality of nature (and life). This sweet, little Lego Cherry Blossoms set has a much longer lifespan than the two weeks of the actual flowers, but constructing the 430 pieces into two branches with pink and white flowers cupped with green leaves is certainly an exercise in mindfulness. Some moms might enjoy building this on their own, others might appreciate a shared project, or maybe it could be presented fully assembled by a Lego-loving offspring. Once built, the charming flowers will fit in a bud vase.

Moms spend plenty of time making thoughtful arrangements for others’ birthdays. Give hers its proper due with the GLDN Aura Birthstone Hoops. Each gold-vermeil hinge earring features eight 1.3-millimeter, lab-grown gemstones. Choose from 13 different glitzy options, including rubies and midnight sapphires. GLDN ships these earrings out within one business day of ordering and offers three shipping speeds domestically, including one business day rush shipping for $35.

Sure, mom appreciates fresh flowers and fancy chocolates, but what she deeply treasures is hearing how much she means to you. Even better if you package those thoughts in the joyously impressive card, like those from Paper Love. They are flat when folded with sweet illustrations on the front and then pop open into intricate, laser-cut designs inside. We love the Paper Love 3D Floral Arrangement, which reveals a lush, bright, and summery array of garden roses, sunflowers, daisies, and more in a lacey white vase. It includes a removable note to jot down all the ways in which you value everything mom’s done for you.

With hair coloring, childbirth, or menopause, plenty of moms battle dry locks, and even the ones who don’t would surely love a little shine boost. The blend of three lightweight botanical oils in the lovely-smelling Kérastase Elixir Ultime L'Huile Original Hair Oil smooth frizzy strands and adds a nice glossy sheen, without weighing hair down or looking greasy. Add one or two pumps to the lengths (not scalp) of towel- or fully dried hair to smooth everything out.

Sometimes we forget to ask our parents about their earlier lives. Avoid that pitfall with the six-chapter Tell Me Your Life Story, Mom: A Mother’s Guided Journal and Memory Keepsake Book, which gives her remembrances structure and offers a bound keepsake for future generations. The hardcover book traverses 75 short questions (What type of weather do you love the most?) and 126 in-depth ones (What were the highlights of your post-high school experience?). Some of the prompts are unexpected—“Did you have any friends that your parents disapproved of?”—all the better for discovering unknown corners of her life. She could fill it out on her own bit by bit, or along with the kids as a sweet bonding exercise.

Book-nerd and puzzler moms might go nuts for the New York Times Games Gift Subscription. Spelling Bee, Wordle, and Sudoku, plus three other games and tons of crosswords of varying difficulty, are all part of the subscription. It includes access to more than 10,000 games in the archive, and users can track their stats and pop back into half-done puzzles on different devices. If mom is more of the pen-and-paper type, then get her the hardcover New York Times Classic Crosswords, which features 100 puzzles, plus a cloth ribbon marker.

To elevate a mundane outdoor meal to an al fresco fête, give the mom on your list the machine-washable Rumpl Original Puffy Blanket, one of our favorite puffy blankets. It has a breathable, quick-drying nylon shell, comes in a wide range of fun patterns, and is plenty warm for cold nights out by the fire.. It also has a water-resistant coating, so whether Mom wants to picnic on a damp day or is just prone to spilling wine, she’ll be safe from any sogginess.

Whether she’s an empty nester with more time to spare or a frazzled mom in search of some calming me time, the Kuretake Gansai Tambi Watercolors is a joy for both experienced and burgeoning artists. Made by a 115-year-old sumi-ink manufacturer in Nara, Japan, the 36-paint set boasts buildable, beautifully pigmented colors, which dry to a glossy, smooth finish. The paints are easy to layer and the vibrant colors are satisfying for all skill levels—for a pleasingly affordable price.

The prettiest way to put a pot on has to be the Cuisinart GK-1 Digital Gooseneck Kettle. Our pick for electric gooseneck kettles, it has a temperature control that is adjustable by five-degree increments, an easily-maneuverable rounded handle, and a precise angled spout for making pour-over coffee or just pouring smoothly into a mug. Its matte black finish also doesn’t pick up fingerprints like stainless steel does, and its shapely design with a small footprint looks nice out on the kitchen counter.

Moms are often getting pulled in different directions, from meetings and client calls to household emergencies, like locating a precious lost toy (that looks exactly like a pile of other ones). But that doesn’t mean she needs to suffer the indignity of a lukewarm cup of coffee. The battery-powered, portable Ember Mug 2—our favorite in testing mug warmers—keeps coffee toasty, and its temperature can be adjusted from the Ember smartphone app to her exact liking. Just note: It has to be hand-washed, so it may not be the best choice for the mom who throws everything in the dishwasher.

There aren’t tons of high-quality apparel options available for quick shipping. But one of our all-time favorite pajamas is available on Amazon in more than a dozen colors, from forest green to deep pink. Made out of extra-smooth jersey with crisp contrast piping, the Eberjey Gisele PJ Set is both super soft and stylish. Any mom who likes a good Sunday lounging around will appreciate the upgraded comfort and refined coziness.

The Nécessaire The Body Wash is so fancy, it has an accent in its name, along with an extremely chic bottle. The gentle gel cleanser makes for a hydrating, non-stripping rinse, purportedly due to its niacinamide content, along with vitamins C and E, and cacay, marula, and meadowfoam oils. As opposed to most bar soaps, which have pHs so high that they disrupt the skin’s natural barrier, this body wash also has a gentle pH between 5.5 and 6.5. You can choose from bergamot, sandalwood, or eucalyptus scents, or fragrance free if your mom is on the sensitive side. And its refills come in double-sized metal bottles.

For active and outdoorsy moms, consider the comfy and breathable Darn Tough Light Hiker Socks, which are made of a durable blend of merino wool, nylon, and Lycra and have underfoot padding. Our outdoors team put 18 pairs of hiking socks through more than 160 miles of testing, and these were our top pick. While they are among the most durable out there, the lifetime warranty means mom can send back worn-out socks at any time, and the company will replace them for free.

If mom prefers her massage to be more of an effective beat down, than soothing spa ritual, she might love the ProsourceFit Acupressure Mat and Pillow Set. The linen, cushioned-foam mat is covered with small plastic spikes, each of which have 27 points. All she has to do is lay on it for 10 to 30 minutes and let the little spikes do their work on her back muscles; it might be a little intense in the first five minutes, but afterwards she’ll feel much more loose and relaxed.

If your mom still reads paper books and shares a bed with someone else, she absolutely needs a personal reading light. The Glocusent Bookmark Style Reading Light—our pick for best reading light—is a boon to nighttime reading (and spousal harmony) after lights-out time. This tidy, lightweight device has a slim clip that is easy to twist and secures tightly to paperbacks and hardbacks alike to brightly illuminate the page. It’s easy to charge with its USB-A connector and has a long-lasting battery.

We love watching tea steep in the Hario ChaCha Kyusu “Maru” Teapot, one of our favorite tea-making items. Because the basket is so big, tea leaves have room to fully unfurl and release their flavor—resulting in a stronger, better cup. The large handle and short spout make pouring easy and drip-free. This little pot is delicate, though, so hand-washing is best.

Watching birds flit in and out of this window-mounted feeder is almost as absorbing as bingeing Love Is Blind—and probably a lot better for the brain. The suction cups can support up to 22 pounds (that’s a lot of birds!), and the seed tray slides out for easy refilling and cleaning. Like any bird feeder, this one gets messy pretty quickly, but the whole thing is a cinch to clean with soap and water.

Chances are good that you’ve seen Crazy Creek’s The Chair around—probably being toted by some in-the-know mom. And now your mom can be in the know, too. Shockingly, this packable outdoor chair weighs only a pound, and it has adjustable nylon straps, so you can get the sitting angle just right. Your mom can transport it using the carrying handles, and it stores flat for travel in a car trunk. This outdoor chair provides nice padding and back support at sporting events, backyard hangouts, and concerts. Anyone with a larger body may feel more comfortable in The Original Chair, which is usually about $20 more but bigger and sturdier.

This game-night favorite requires speed, pattern-recognition skills, and the ability to get the perfect word out before your opponents do. For example, can your mom come up with the name of a mystery writer before you come up with that of a pizza topping? Anomia is fun for adults and for kids who can read. And it provokes so much excited yelling and heart-pumping anticipation that players may need a calm-down break between rounds. Staff writer Samantha Schoech’s family refers to it as “the yelling game,” in a good way.

We’ve officially proclaimed our love for Supergoop Play Everyday Lotion SPF 50. And we think your mom deserves a big old jug of it, especially if she still wrangles little ones to apply sunscreen before leaving the house. Like any broad-spectrum SPF 50 sunscreen, this luxe lotion provides plenty of protection against both UVA and UVB rays—when properly applied. But unlike a lot of other sunscreens, Supergoop’s SPF goes on lightly, without leaving a white or greasy residue behind.

Who among us doesn’t need a stellar pair of backup shades? The adorable Sungait Vintage Round Sunglasses are a great choice. They’re pretty much universally flattering: We tested 29 inexpensive pairs, and the Sungait glasses looked good on a variety of face shapes. Thanks to their keyhole nose bridge, these shades are comfortable to wear. Plus, they’re durable enough to survive Mom throwing them into her purse or shoving them into her car’s cup holder. Also, if they do break, they’re covered by a lifetime warranty.

If your game-loving mama has already mastered Risk, Monopoly, and Catan, you can give her a new game to test her skills. Cathedral is one of Wirecutter’s favorite board games, and it’s especially good for harried parents because each play lasts only about 20 minutes. In the game, two players compete to outmaneuver each other on the board, using beautiful hardwood pieces and forward-thinking strategy. The mom you love can play this game with a friend or with one of her kids (it’s suitable for ages 8 and up). And it’s so pretty, she can even leave it on the coffee table between battles.

If the mom in your life likes to cook but currently uses a subpar mill to spice her dishes (or—gasp!—no grinder at all), give her a Peugeot Paris u’Select Pepper Mill. This sleek model looks cute sitting out on a table or countertop, and it grinds like a dream. The Peugeot has been a favorite of cooks since it was introduced more than a century ago, and it’s still the best mill because it’s easy to use, produces an even grind, and retains a classic look. We’ve spent years testing pepper mills, and the Peugeot mill is still our favorite too.

Of all the common generalizations about moms, one we’ve found to be very true is that they tend to carry a lot of stuff. Give her something cute, durable, and, most of all, large enough to haul it all in with one of our favorite tote bags, the Baggu Duck Bag. It comes in a variety of lovely colors and prints that are sure to suit the mom in your life. And it holds up, even after years of carrying gym gear, groceries, or the typical mix my own mother carries: a 20-pound haul consisting of several books, a granola bar, tissues, sunglasses, three lipstick options, and a cellphone.

Sometimes you can’t beat a classic: Getting a bouquet of flowers in the mail is always a thrill. At Wirecutter we tested a dozen online floral delivery services, and the bouquet you need to send to your mother is from Urban Stems. This company’s arrangements are consistently beautiful, fresh, and well packaged, and ordering is a piece of cake. And there are various subscription packages, if you want to keep the flowers coming on a weekly, monthly, or bimonthly basis. The company offers next-day delivery nationwide, and you can see which bouquets are available for that speed by filtering by zip code and delivery date.

A digital photo frame can serve as a direct link between you and your mom: You can send new photos for her to admire, no matter how far away she is. The Aura Carver is our favorite from testing, thanks to its sharp, bright display and easy setup. Load it with photos of you and your mom or of your kids (if you have some), and deliver the Mother’s Day gift that keeps on giving. Bonus: You can remotely update the photos it displays to keep your mom current on trips or growing grandkids.

We are big fans of the Zojirushi travel mug (so much so, in fact, that there’s even a custom Zojirushi emoji for use in our company Slack). And the hype is well earned: With its vacuum insulation, the lightweight Zojirushi Stainless Steel Mug keeps beverages hot or cold for many hours. It has a well-designed exterior, an easy-to-clean nonstick Teflon interior, and a locking, leak-proof lid that you can operate with one hand. Plus, this model comes in several cute colors. The mom in your life will think of you every time she sips perfectly hot coffee while she’s walking the dog or takes a slug of cold water on a long drive.

On Mother’s Day, a box of chocolates is a classic gift for a reason. After all, who doesn’t love chocolate? But for a less-fussy option, we recommend giving the mom in your life the Tony’s Chocolonely Chocolate Bar Variety Pack. These gourmet bars come in cheery, bright packaging, and what they conceal is equally fantastic. This six-pack features some of Tony’s best flavors (milk chocolate caramel sea salt, dark milk almond sea salt, and milk chocolate nougat). Tony’s sources its ingredients ethically, and the company works to end the practice of slavery and child labor in cocoa farming.

Your mom deserves a day at the spa—obviously! If she already has a favorite spot where she gets her nails done or her shoulders rubbed, buy her a gift certificate there. Otherwise, we love the options available through ResortPass: The program isn’t available in every city, but in those that do offer it, you can pay for pool, spa, or amenity access at participating hotels for what the company cutely dubs a “daycation.” The only way to improve the gift? Buy enough credit for two and join your mom for the fun.

Give your mom a membership to MasterClass, and she will be able to pick from a long list of virtual classes taught by famous instructors: mindfulness with Jon-Kabat Zinn, writing with Judy Blume, makeup with Bobbi Brown, and so on. It’s also a great gift for moms with curious kids: Deputy editor Christine Cyr Clisset’s kids watched the Alice Waters cooking class by themselves, and her 9-year-old “can now make an amazing salad dressing.” Now that’s a gift that keeps on giving.

With a Bookshop.org Gift Card, your mom can choose the exact books she wants to read, and she can also choose the indie bookstore that she’d like her purchase to support. If she can’t choose just one indie store, Bookshop has a general fund it divides among all participating shops. So far, it’s raised many millions for the cause. Like a real brick-and-mortar bookstore, Bookshop.org has sections for browsing, best-seller lists, and bookseller recs.

Your own mom can support a working mom in El Salvador who’s trying to stock her store, or she could help a florist in Colorado who’s trying to buy a delivery van with the Kiva Card. Kiva works with microfinance institutions all over the world to facilitate microloans between individuals. You choose the gift card amount, and then your mom can pick projects or individuals from a menu of countries and categories, including agriculture, arts, and health. The loan recipients repay in small increments, which appear in her Kiva account. Once she’s made her original loan back, lending can start again.

Give the candy connoisseur what she wants: the ability to pick her own treats from a menu of unexpected sweets, like champagne or rosé gummies, chocolate-covered espresso beans, and lemon-ginger kombucha bears. You pick out a box from the Sugarfina Candy Drop from varying price points, and she receives an elegant email with your personal note. Then she can go online to choose her candies, and the box will be delivered to her door. And the tasteful acrylic cubes the candy comes in can be repurposed.

We love finding gifts that are unusual, thoughtful, and well vetted. See even more gift ideas we recommend.

Dorie Chevlen contributed reporting. This article was edited by Hannah Morrill and Jennifer Hunter.