30 Best Social Distancing Mother’s Day Gifts
This Mother's Day is a good time to get creative with your gift.
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Every year, on the second Sunday of May, a special day honoring mothers arrives. To celebrate, people often get together with their moms for a special meal and to bring them a gift, but with social distancing measures and quarantines in effect across much of the country, neither may be an option this year.
Mother’s Day is also one of the holidays that sees the highest sales in flowers. And although sending flowers is still an option during this chaotic time, that doesn’t mean that you have to take this route.
Instead, consider one of these 30 social distancing Mother’s Day gifts — most items are under $50, some are even free and your mom can truly enjoy these gifts while she’s staying at home.
Collection of Succulents
- Price: $29.99
If your mom doesn’t exactly have a green thumb but you know she’d enjoy having some greenery, consider succulents. You can send her 12 mini premium pastel succulents, each in their own 2-inch square pot. They only require watering once per week during the spring, summer and fall. And in the winter, watering requirements are reduced to once every two to three weeks. So when social distancing measures are lifted, your mom won’t have to worry about high-maintenance plants cramping her style.
Weighted Throw Blanket
- Price: $49
While top-brand weighted blankets carry a price tag of over $100, you can snag this one for your mom for less than half that amount. Choose from 12-pound, 15-pound or 18-pound options. Weighted blankets have been studied for their effectiveness in relieving pain, lessening anxiety and improving your mood. Think of this gift like a hug for your mom while social distancing is in effect.
Amazon Fire TV Stick
- Price: $49.99
Social distancing quarantines are the perfect time to discover and binge a new series or simply catch up on your favorite shows. If your mom doesn’t have a smart TV, consider giving her the gift of streaming, which can provide hours upon hours of in-home entertainment. With this 4K Ultra HD streaming stick, she can subscribe and watch shows on Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Hulu, HBO and more. And there’s plenty of free content to be had, too. Plus, your mom can use the stick’s Alexa Voice Remote feature to launch and control content.
Essential Oil Diffuser Bracelet
- Price: $25.99
Moms who love essential oils and aromatherapy will delight in this attractive leather diffuser bracelet that allows you to enjoy your favorite scent throughout the day. To use, you simply add a few drops of your favorite essential oil to the felt cotton pad inside the bracelet. Four essential oils — orange, lemon, tea tree and peppermint — and eight additional felt pads are included. It’s the perfect solution if you’re seeking a versatile gift that can be used when lounging around the house now and also taken on the go later.
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Essential Oil Diffuser With Oils
- Price: $36.99
If your mom enjoys essential oils but you don’t think the bracelet is something she would use, consider this diffuser and essential oils set. Oils included are sweet orange, lemongrass, tea tree, lavender, eucalyptus and peppermint. Once your mom fills the diffuser with the recommended amount of water, it will run for up to 15 hours with no refill required. The ultraquiet diffuser also features a timer, automatic shutoff and a two-speed mister.
Baby Jade Bonsai Tree
- Price: $39.95
For a more unique succulent gift, consider a bonsai tree for Mom. Named the Baby Jade, this particular bonsai is native to South Africa. Its leaves, branches and trunk store water. The bonsai, which is about one-third the size of a regular jade plant, will arrive in a pot that includes a well on one side for holding water. A ceramic fisherman figure, complete with a fishing pole and a fish, is included to create a zen-like setting.
Copper Water Bottle
- Price: $34.50
Made of pure copper, this striking, handcrafted water bottle features both smooth and hammered finishes. Not only will your mom enjoy drinking out of this unique piece, but she’ll also enjoy the health benefits that drinking copper-infused water imparts. Copper has antibacterial and antioxidant properties that are believed to support good health, including through the elimination of toxins and free radicals.
Portable Espresso Machine
- Price: $48.50
This portable, lightweight espresso machine is a perfect choice if your mom enjoys drinking the dark, bitter brew but hasn’t been able to get her fix lately. And even if your mom has a home-based espresso machine, she can’t very well take that with her on trips. Once social distancing measures are lifted, this gift could become essential if your mom likes to have her espresso fix within arm’s reach. No batteries or electricity required.
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La Chatelaine Luxury Travel Soap and Hand Cream Collection
- Price: $34.75
Even though nonessential travel is discouraged right now, all moms deserve to be pampered. And the gift of a moisturizing travel set doesn’t mean your mom has to go anywhere to use it. The set includes hand-wrapped, triple-milled soaps made in the South of France, as well as luxurious premium shea butter hand creams — all made with ethically sourced organic and natural ingredients.
Luxury Bathtub Caddy
- Price: $49.97
With your mom’s social calendar at a standstill, there’s suddenly time for indulgences like extra-long baths. In that case, a luxury bathtub caddy makes perfect sense. The extendable caddy features two side trays for her favorite bath and spa accessories. There’s also plenty of room for a glass of wine and a book or tablet, so your mom can have all of her favorite things within reach.
Bathtime Essentials Wine Holder
- Price: $38
If you think a bathtime caddy would be more clutter than convenience for your wine-loving mom, consider gifting her a single bathtime wine glass holder. The elegant holder, accented with beach stones, easily attaches to any tub wall by suction. It even comes with its own BPA-free plastic wine glass.
Buttercream Frosted Mother's Day Cookie Pail
- Price: $39.99
If your mom likes baked goods but isn’t much of a baker, treat her to some of Cheryl’s delicious buttercream-frosted cookies. For less than $40, the gourmet gift company will send your mom a Mother’s Day-themed pail brimming with 24 pink and white frosted flower-shaped cookies. Even better, each cookie is individually wrapped for maximum freshness.
Charming Mother's Day Treats Basket
- Price: $49.99
Tea and cookies, anyone? Send your mom this gift basket filled with upscale snack items she will definitely enjoy but would never buy for herself. From decadent dark chocolate-covered almonds to lemon-flavored cookies dusted with powdered sugar to lavender Earl Grey tea, your mom will be able to indulge in some sweet snacking during her social distancing routine.
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Upcycled Cotton Sari Robe
- Price: $50
Sure, you could gift your mom an ordinary terry cloth robe, but why not go for something unique? Instead, send her a kimono-style robe with accompanying sash handmade in India from the remnants of reclaimed saris. Lightweight and colorful, each robe is refreshingly unique in pattern and offers the perfect way to lounge in style this time of year.
Birth Month Flower Pendant Necklace
- Price: $48
Another unique handmade gift pick for your mom is a pendant necklace based on her birth month flower — the perfect choice for a mom who loves nature and symbolism. For example, a rose is the birth month flower for June and October’s is marigold. Each birth flower blossom is dried and pressed before being beautifully preserved in an elegant resin pendant accompanied by a silver chain.
Birth Month Flower Earrings
- Price: $40
If you think your mom would get more use out of a pair of earrings than she would a necklace, opt for a pair of these equally gorgeous ear adornments. The earrings include dried pressed birth month flowers — each set in a silver-plated brass bezel attached to a sterling silver wire.
Another option is to make your mom’s Mother’s Day surprise extra special by giving her the birth month necklace and earrings, which, when combined, equal a lovely gift under $100. If you can’t comfortably afford both the necklace and earrings on your own, consider asking your siblings to pitch in and give the gift together.
Anker Soundcore Bluetooth Speaker
- Price: $25.99
Any music-loving mom will appreciate this affordable, portable Bluetooth speaker. Whether she’s cooking in the kitchen, working in the garden or spending time poolside, she can have her favorite tunes on tap. Plus, you can feel good about giving her a high-quality gift that won’t wipe out your wallet. The speaker includes features you might not expect at this price point, such as 24-hour battery life, a drop-proof casing and exceptionally clear sound with deep bass tones.
MyPillow Classic Pillow
- Price: $39.99 and up
Increase your mom’s chances for more restful and enjoyable sleep with a MyPillow Classic Pillow. This popular pillow is designed to adjust to each user’s specific sleeping needs, no matter if you’re a side or back sleeper. The patented interlocking fill is the key to the pillow’s comfort. Your mom will also enjoy being able to machine wash and dry the pillow with no worries about pulling a lumpy pillow out of the dryer. And if for some reason the pillow doesn’t work out for your mom comfort-wise, she can put it in the guest room.
Stoneware Tea Bag Pocket Mug
- Price: $32.99
If your mom enjoys sipping hot tea, she’ll love this 16-ounce stoneware mug that includes a tea bag pocket. The pocket eliminates the need for clumsy saucers, which means she can easily hold her mug and enjoy her tea while sitting in her favorite spot. This handmade mug is attractively finished in a blue-green glaze and is both microwave and dishwasher safe.
Weaving Loom Kit
- Price: $39.27 and up
Gift your crafty mom a weaving loom that will allow her to make wall hangings, tiny pillows, decorations and other crafts while she’s social distancing. The under-$40 price point listed works best for moms who already have a yarn stash and other weaving supplies on hand. Only the loom and the use instructions are included. For $54.98, however, you can get what’s in the basic kit, plus two weaving needles, a mounting bar for displaying work and a cotton ball of warp.
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Ballerina Herbal Warming Slippers
- Price: $48
Give your mom the gift that will keep on giving — season after season. These comfy, cozy ballerina-style slippers have removable insoles filled with lavender buds and heat-conducting flax seeds. Imagine your mom giving her feet a relaxing treat after working all day in the kitchen or returning from an evening power walk. All your mom has to do is pop them in the microwave for the recommended amount of time. And if she’s in the mood for cool slippers instead of warm, she can allow them to chill in the fridge until she’s ready to use them.
Aromatherapy Neck and Shoulder Wrap Pad
- Price: $22.99
Wrap your mom in comfort with this plush shoulder wrap that’s filled with lavender, chamomile, lemongrass, peppermint, flaxseed and wheat. The wrap can be used hot or cold by heating it in the microwave for the recommended time or placing it in the freezer for a couple of hours prior to use.
As another option, this gift can be paired with the ballerina slippers, so mom can relax her feet and shoulders simultaneously for right around $70. Again, if that’s too expensive, consider asking your siblings to chip in. You might even be able to add some more self-care items from the list to make your mom’s gift even more spectacular.
Printable Mother's Day Coupon Book
- Price: Free
Because everyone has had to suffer through social distancing for weeks on end, your mom likely has plenty of things she would like to do once this pandemic subsides. Give her a book of coupons. This particular book is unique in that it’s not prefilled in with someone else’s ideas. Instead, you can fill out the coupons with things that make sense for your mom. Think dinner at her favorite restaurant, a weekend at a quaint B&B, a day-trip for some girls-only shopping or a spa day to be scheduled once the social distancing measures are lifted.
Wireless Earbuds
- Price: $29.99
Rather than shell out $159 for the Apple product, give mom this pair from Sharper Image. Granted they don’t have all the features the Apple product does, but they still make a nice gift that won’t break the bank. Plus, you won’t have to pay extra for the wireless charging case.
Floral Airpods Case
- Price: $26
If your mom already has Apple AirPods 1 or 2 but no case, then this is the perfect gift. It’s a case specifically for those Apple products. It doesn’t charge the AirPods, but it does include a gold ring that you can hook onto your keys or your bag for convenience. The case comes in two floral prints designed by Rifle Paper Co. — Meadow and Garden Party.
Amope Pedi Perfect Foot File
- Price: $26.64
At-home pedicures have likely been your mom’s only option for a while now — and maybe for weeks down the road. One of the perks of getting a professional pedicure is that the technician knows just how to smooth out all of the rough spots on your feet. But when you try to do that at home, the results just aren’t the same. To allow your mom to get pro-pedicure results from the comfort of her home, gift her this Amope Pedi Perfect foot file. It’ll have her feet super smooth in just one use, according to the package.
Another perk of gifting your mom this tool is that she might decide to continue to DIY her own pedicures from now on and save a bundle of money.
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Sunbasket
- Price: $100 to $200
If your mom has been wanting to try a meal plan delivery service, now’s your chance to make her wish come true. Sunbasket features fresh farm-to-table ingredients to create delicious 30-minute recipes. For $100, your mom will receive one week of Sunbasket for two people. For $200, she’ll receive an additional week. Once you purchase the gift, your mom will be able to choose the recipes she likes and the delivery day that works for her. Although this gift idea isn’t as affordable as the other options on this list, it is something to consider. If you can’t comfortably foot the bill alone, consider asking your siblings to contribute.
Beautify Your Mom's Yard
- Price: Varies
As a Mother’s Day surprise, sneak over to your mom’s house the day before or the morning of Mother’s Day and plant some beautiful flowers in her flowerbed. Consult with the local garden center to choose the best flowers for the area where they will be planted. Another idea would be to purchase a birdbath or even a bird feeder and birdseed and set it up as a surprise.
These ideas work best if you live close by or within a reasonable driving distance to your mom’s house. If you don’t, you could purchase a bird feeder or a birdbath online and have it shipped to her. Or simply order flowers for her.
Make a Video Montage
- Price: Free
Have each member of your family — you, your spouse and any children who are old enough — record a special video message to your mom. The messages can contain special stories or memories that involve her or you can tell her why you are thankful to have her as a mother or grandmother. You can opt to do this with just your family or you an include your siblings and their families if desired.
To get creative, consider using a video collage maker like Kapwing, which has a free option. Then, you can share your creation across social media platforms.
Have a Virtual Painting Party
- Price: $22.99
No one has to summon their inner artist to make this gift idea work. Instead, buy one of these DIY painting-by-numbers kits for both you and your mom and have a virtual painting party to commemorate Mother’s Day. The kits come with everything you need, including a preprinted canvas, acrylic paints and brushes. All you have to do is set up a virtual chat between the two of you and get started.
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About the Author
Cynthia Measom
Cynthia Measom is a Texas-based writer specializing in finance, business, parenting and education. With almost a decade of online writing experience, her work has appeared on websites such as Chron.com, The Bump and The Motley Fool. Measom received a Bachelor of Arts in English from the University of Texas at Austin.
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