Shopping & Reviews

13 Gifts to Buy this Mother’s Day

Trade in chocolate and flowers for tinned seafood and a marble cheeseboard

By Amanda Arnold


Published on May 3, 2016

Chocolate is nice. A new set of glasses is thoughtful. Flowers are fine. Until they die.

But for this Mother's Day, to show mom how much you appreciate (almost) every little thing that she does, go beyond the nice, the fine, the acceptable—and buy her gifts that are beautiful, unnecessary, even fun. No matter how much she loves you, she doesn't need another mug with your face screen-printed on it.

Tinned Octopus in Olive Oil

Conservas de Cambados Pulpo in Olive Oil, $12 for 4 oz. tin on Amazon

This high quality Galician octopus oil sprinkled with paprika is the perfect, elegant-yet-effortless snack to serve on a cheese board as as part of a tapas spread. Plus, look at those tins!

Del Professore White Vermouth

Del Professore White Vermouth, $28 on Astor Wines

Don't default to wine—get mom something a little more creative. Pick up a bottle of vermouth, like this one from Piedmont, which is perfect for elegant nighttime cocktails or even day-drinking.

Marble and Wood Cheeseboard

Regione Cheeseboard, $58 on Anthropologie

Cheese tastes better when served off a marble cheeseboard with engraved wood ends.

Tropical Leaf Tea Towels

Tropical Leaf Tea Towels, $16 on Bulletin

These handmade, block-printed tea towels made with unbleached flour sack cotton are as beautiful as they are functional.

Seasonal Jam All Year Long

Sqirl Jam Club Membership, starting at $60 for 4-month membership on Sqirl

Sign mom up for the club—the club where you get a two-pack of seasonal preserves from Sqirl, Los Angeles' canned fruit whisperers. Commit to a four, six, or 12-month membership, depending on how much you love mom.

Handblown Spanish Porron

Handblown glass porron, $34.50 on Amazon

Use this traditional Spanish wine pitcher like you would a decanter, or use it the real Spanish way: to pour a stream of wine directly into your mouth.

(Fake) Brown Paper Bag Planter

Brown Paper Bag Planter, $55 on Bulletin

Because mom has a sense of humor.

Evil Eye Tumblers

Evil Eye Tumblers, $80 from Wolves Within

These beautiful tumblers are shaped and hand-carved in Greenpoint, Brooklyn, and work as either glasses or decor.

Reindeer Horn Bottle Opener

Horned Beauty Bottle Opener, $30 on Anthropologie

Crack open a cool one in style.

A Cookbook to Make You Fall in Love with Basque Food

The Basque Book, $20 on Amazon

This new cookbook from New York City's Alex Raij, chef-owner of La Vara, El Quinto Piño, and Txikito, is the perfect primer for Basque food.

Pour-Over Immersion Brewer for Cold Brew at Home

Hario Cold Process Pour-Over Immersion Brewer, $24.95 on Williams-Sonoma

Pair with mom's favorite coffee beans, or one of these subscriptions.

Baggu Canvas Tote Bag

Baggu Canvas Tote Bag, $29.99 on West Elm

Perfect for everything from weekend picnics to grocery shopping to beach trips.

Windowsill Planter

Oscar Rectangular Rail Planter and Frame, $21.95 on CB2

This planter is perfect for windowsill gardens. Consider gifting mom some unusual herb seedlings that are perfect for warm-weather cocktails.

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