I can’t tell you how many Mother’s Day gift guides I’ve seen in the past (and guilty, have even written myself!) that include things like baby swings, crib sheets, and baby carriers. You know, things moms probably need, might want, and maybe will allow them to drink a cup of coffee or put in a load of laundry, but really aren’t gifts for them. This guide is all about things that are actually for Mom to use for and on themself, rather than their precious little babe. We hope these gifts help mom relax, pamper themself, and maybe even reminisce on a time when they weren’t keeping another human alive 24/7.
I’m a mother but I’m also just a woman. And for Mother’s Day this year, let’s treat mom to a gift that’s actually for her and not her baby or toddler.
The best Mother's Day gifts for new moms
Originally $79, now $74
This woman-led brand is backed by Meghan Markle and one of Oprah’s “Favorite Things”—do I even need to go on? Moms like me heavily rely on caffeine, but if you’re not a coffee person, these yummy chai, matcha, and rose cacao super lattes (you can pick your flavors) will give you energy. They contain probiotics for immunity, and ashwagandha to reduce stress. These drink mixes will bring the barista to your kitchen, just in case you haven’t showered in a couple of days. Bonus: All you need is hot water and a frother (which the kit comes with). Be sure to speak with your doctor about the ingredients if you’re breastfeeding.
The one thing I wish I could have paid for as a new mom was more sleep. When you do get a bit of shut eye, you want it to be as pleasant as possible. Enter these stunning, soft silk pillowcases that come in a ton of colors, and can be machine washed on a delicate cycle in a mesh bag.
Speaking of sleep, you’re hopefully “napping when the baby naps” which might be in the middle of the day. A nice quality silk sleep mask is key for sneaking in even 20 minutes of shut eye at 11 a.m. This gorgeous pink paisley print is a new collab with Alice + Olivia, one of our fave designer brands.
Originally $279, now $250
There were definitely days as a new mom where I never left my New York City apartment, but was craving a little bit of nature. This personal garden fits on your windowsill, and will give you tons of pride as you see your basil, parsley, cilantro, and lettuce grow. It’s super high-tech and controlled via an app, so you’ll never forget to water your plants, even with “mom brain.” This cool garden is actually self-watering and LED lights will ensure a perfect environment for your plant babies. The starter kit comes with eight seed pods and a six-week supply of hydroponic growing system nutrients.
One thing that was a rude awakening for me as a breastfeeding mom was that even though I was no longer pregnant, I couldn’t drink wine any time I wanted. There was a lot of timing and pre-planning involved, and I didn’t have the energy for that. Luckily, these non-alcoholic wines taste delicious, and as a bonus, you won’t have a hangover when your baby wakes up at 5:30 a.m. The wines are gluten-free and vegan-friendly, and come in red, white, and sparkling varietals.
Moms want sleep more than anything (are you sensing a theme here?) and taking a hot shower with this creamy body wash will feel like a trip to the spa. Even if you know you’re not going to get eight hours, this gentle, 98 percent natural formula has ingredients like lavandin, orange, jojoba, and chamomile to relax your body and mind.
Originally $200, now $140
There is nothing better than the taste of a fresh coffee first thing in the morning. This gorgeous machine will give you a stunning shot of espresso and also has attachments to make perfect cappuccinos, lattes, and macchiatos at home for a fraction of the cost of going out. A good coffee machine is truly a must for any and all moms!
Made in Los Angeles, the company uses 100 percent recycled gold to make luxury jewelry that will really mean something to Mom. This line is loved by celeb moms like the Kardashians, Shay Mitchell, Ashley Graham and many more. As someone who lives in a small city apartment that has been chock full of large baby and toddler gear for the last three years, a timeless, dainty necklace would be the perfect space-saving gift. Bonus: Get 20 percent off your orders sitewide plus free shipping(!!) with the code MAMA now until May 2.
I have these slip-on sneakers in “Desert Cat” and they are lightweight and perfect for strolling around town. They are cute and comfy while still being stylish, plus, they are machine washable. I definitely feel trendy and fashionable in these without having to wear wedges or heels, another plus for moms who inevitable end up carrying their toddler around town. The brand recommends sizing up one size.
You wanna know what’s better than silk? Washable silk. And you know what new moms don’t want to wear? Real clothes. Lunya has so many washable silk options, but we love this silk tee set the most because it comes with shorts and an extra flow-y T-shirt top that make life so much more comfortable and breezy during the summer months (the material is also thermoregulating, so you’ll feel cooler just slipping it on). Other amazing features include no slip grip (it doesn’t ride up at night) and a no twist waistband (no bunching up, ever). The silk material also feels insanely soft and luxurious. Trust us, every new mom (honestly, every human) will love this gift.
Originally $399, now $329
This is on the pricey side, but if the new mom in your life doesn’t have an Apple Watch, it’s absolutely worth it (and it’s on sale!). While it’s never a replacement for an actual doctor’s visit, it does have really cool features like ECG test capabilities, a mindfulness app, blood oxygen measuring, irregular heart rhythm notifications, and a crack-resistant screen. Plus a ton more.
After having a baby, there are a lot of people who want to help, but don’t exactly know how or what to do. Cooking a healthy, nutritious meal for the family would be much appreciated. This meal-service makes it easy for anyone—Partner, Grandma, or a friend visiting for an hour—to whip up something amazing. Meals come with pre-portioned ingredients and step-by-step instructions so you can focus on your fam and less about meal prepping, shopping, and cooking. This year they have a special Mother’s Day menu featuring Chocolate Peanut Butter French Toast, Croque Madame with Balsamic Sweet Shallot Salad, Lemon Ricotta Pancakes, a High Tea Set Bundle, a Salted Caramel Cheesecake Bundle and more. Meals start at just $25. Drooling.
If cooking is just not going to happen in your household, try a service like Territory Foods, which delivers pre-made “chef-crafted, nutritionist-designed fresh meals delivered straight to your doorstep.” You can microwave them in minutes or reheat them in the oven. The meals are healthy, free of gluten, dairy, processed oils, and taste great. This service is available in major cities like DC metro area, NYC, Philly, Southern California, among others.
A great gift for a set of girlfriends to gift a new mom would be an Aura Frame. Friends can download the app and load pictures that play on a loop for Mom to remember the good old days—the ones when she wasn’t covered in spit up.
I’ve personally done this three times, and I’m so happy each time. You book a free 30-minute photo session near you, and only pay for photos you love. Many moms don’t feel like their best selves right after giving birth, but having these sweet newborn and family photos will seriously make Mom smile for many years to come.
As a mom, it’s so much easier when things are HANDS-FREE. This little device goes around your neck and provides a light (so helpful if you’re trying to read while breastfeeding in the middle of the night), and has a built-in Bluetooth so you can take a call or listen to music without having AirPods in your ears. It’s also a great safety device if you walk your dog or stroller after dark.
It’s luxurious, absorbs fast (important for when you simply don’t have time for your hands to be all goopy), and the coconut milk scent will make you feel like you’re on the vacation you deserve. Whenever that will happen again. Kopari’s body butter is formulated with hyaluronic acid and vitamin B5, so it actually retains moisture (and so why you don’t have to apply again and again to get soft, supple skin).
This is for the new mom who loves to cook…when they’re not tending to their newborn and trying to squeeze in naps and showers. Aka, this is the fancy-pants frying pan they’ll want to use when they finally do have some time and want to get back in the kitchen again. This non-stick frying pan cooks food so incredibly evenly, and is incredibly easy to take care of and wash (it’s even dishwasher-safe). Plus, it’s gorgeous (as all Smeg products tend to be). It’s the type of gift they want but would never buy themselves.
Babies, as tiny and cute as they are, produce a LOT of laundry. Give Mom a break by gifting her back time and energy she would spend on this tedious chore. Laundry will be picked up, washed, folded, and delivered back to your home within 24 hours. It’s in 400 cities nationwide with more markets coming soon.
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