Choosing gifts for moms can be an emotional experience. The best presents are usually the ones that make your mom tear up a little. That means you need to pick something that truly expresses how much you love her. Rest assured that you can find the perfect gift for mom. From traditional presents to experiences to acts of service, there are many great options.

We know that it takes a lot of time to find an unforgettable gift for your mom. That's why we put together this list of unique gifts for mom. From simple “thank you” notes to weekend getaways, we have a gift idea sure to put a big smile on your mom’s face.

If you’re not looking for ideas but need help with the process of picking the perfect gift, check out our gift-giving guide.

Gifts to Help Mom Get Up and Go

Long-term studies show that having a new experience is more satisfying than getting "stuff." When you give your mom an activity, you're really giving her a new and exciting memory. Is there something your mom has always wanted to do that you can make happen? Here are a few basic experience ideas to get you started.

Take mom on a picnic date in the park and bring along food from her favorite lunch spot.
Have a movie night where you and your mom binge all her favorite classics.
Surprise your mom with a homemade breakfast in bed on a lazy morning.
Go on a weekend getaway to a place neither of you has visited.
Get mom tickets to see her favorite show or band.
Buy her a meal at the new restaurant she’s been dying to try.
Visit a museum or art gallery exhibit you think your mom will appreciate.
Organize a spa day to give your mom some well-deserved R&R.
Encourage your mom to take up a new hobby with a gift card for a cooking, art, or crafting class.
Rent a tandem kayak, paddleboat, or motor boat and take mom out for a day on the lake.

Helpful Mom Gifts that Don't Cost a Thing

Not every gift comes with a price tag. Your time and effort are more of a gift to your mom than anything you can buy. These gifts might not cost a dime, but they do require a helpful heart.

Clean the house. Seriously, make it sparkle!
Commit to preparing dinner and bringing it to mom once a week for a month (or longer).
Wash and detail your mom's car so that she can cruise in style.
Offer to go grocery shopping every week for a month, so that mom can have more me time.
Make her a coupon book of favors she can call you for, like taking out all trash or vacuuming the house.
Tackle a difficult cleaning task, like washing exterior windows or cleaning out the gutters.
Touch up old scuff marks or paint over dings in a wall.
Mow the lawn or help mom get her garden ready for the spring.
Pamper your mom with laundry service for a month.
Spend a weekend volunteering with your mom at her favorite charity.

Personalized Gifts to Help Mom Relax

Too many moms don't make enough times for themselves. Mothers are selfless, and they need a nudge to kick back and relax. Help your mom get some me time with one of these gifts.

Gift mom one of her favorite family photos on a custom canvas.
Whip up a batch of floral bath bombs that will make your mom want to soak in the tub.
Personalize a throw pillow with a sweet message that makes your mom smile.
Put together a customized relaxation gift basket with her favorite scents and products.
Get her an essential oil diffuser and oils you know she'll like.
Spoil your mom with a subscription to her favorite wine or food club.
Pour a custom candle in a scent your mom will love.
Buy your mom a membership at a yoga or meditation studio.
Pick up a set of fancy markers and some adult coloring books in a theme your mom will like.

Thoughtful Mom Gifts that will Bring Tears of Joy

Moms often love sentimental presents. They appreciate the thought that you put into your gifting and know that it's an expression of your affection. Here are a few gifts mom will love because they take effort to make or buy.

Mold a keepsake of your hands intertwined with your mother's.
Fill a photo book with all your greatest moments together.
Order a cutting board engraved with your mom's favorite recipe.
Make mom a custom photo calendar with images of your family.
Have a bracelet engraved with a thoughtful message expressing your love for her.
Get mom a heart pendant with the birthstones of her children so she can always keep them close by.
Write your mom a personal letter every month for a year with this nifty “Letters to My Mom” book.
Design custom note cards with your mom's initials, favorite quote, or a design you know she'll love.
Choose a photo of mom with her kids or grandkids and have it made into a curved metal print.
Write your mom a poem that expresses everything you love about her, and have it framed.

Crafty Gifts Mom Will Love

The best mom gifts are often the ones that you make yourself. Moms loves these gifts because they take real effort and talent to make. Break out your crafting supplies and tackle one of these DIY projects to delight your mom.

Craft a paper flower bouquet featuring your mom's favorite florals.
Make a DIY photo flowerpot that proudly displays moments of your childhood.
Create a set of marbled clay ring dishes that compliment your mom’s aesthetic.
Stamp a tote bag with flowers from your garden — this is a great project to do with your kids!
Order a monogrammed canvas pouch to keep her handbag neat and organized.
Stitch up a photo quilt that captures some of your family's precious memories.
Organize the recipes that she's collected over the years and make them into a cookbook.
Design a set of hand-stamped napkins that coordinate with your mom's kitchen décor.
Get heated and make mom a custom wood-burned cutting board.
Help mom stay clean in the kitchen with a no-sew tea towel apron.

Low-Cost Gifts for Every Mom

The thought and effort you put into a unique gift for mom is much more important than how much the gift costs. There are tons of meaningful, affordable gifts out there. Remember that you don't have to spend a lot of money to gift mom something she'll love.

Write a thoughtful card or letter to your mom expressing your gratitude to her.
Give her a small bouquet or houseplant with a balloon.
Write your own “Things I Love About You” fill-in journal that will warm her heart.
Buy your mom a custom mug and fill it with her favorite brew.
Take your mom out for her favorite ice cream or dessert.
Pick up that handy kitchen gadget mom has always admired.
Choose a game like dominoes or trivia and make time to play it with your mom.
Gift her a compact, portable Bluetooth speaker so she can take her tunes with her.
Pick up her favorite lip balm or a travel-size fragrance she'll love.
Wrap up a new manicure or pedicure set to replace the one mom has had for 20 years.

Splurge-Worthy Gift Ideas for Mom

A mom appreciates any gifts that comes from the heart, but that doesn't mean moms don’t like a little luxury too. If you have extra room in your budget, consider a splurge-worthy gift for mom. These pricey gifts are great for moms who love to be spoiled.

Invest in an iPad so that mom can finally FaceTime with her grandkids.
Choose a tasteful piece of jewelry that represents her unique inner and outer beauty.
Make a growth-oriented financial investment, such as a bond or stock purchase, and gift it to your mom.
Spring for a fancy box of chocolates from a candy shop in your local area.
Indulge mom in a relaxing spa day or overnight spa trip.
Get her a makeup gift set from her favorite high-end cosmetics brand.
Take her on a weekend wine tasting or gourmet food tour.
Hire a professional cleaning crew so mom can take the weekend off.
Buy her the designer heels that she's been talking about.
Commission an artist to make a hand-painted portrait of your mom.

Ideal Gifts for New or Expecting Moms

New and expecting moms have a lot on their plates. The best gifts for these moms are ones that take a bit of stress out of everyday living. Remember that your time is one of the most precious gifts you can give to a new or expecting mom.

Get her a spill-proof, personalized tumbler to keep her drink warm while she's busy with the baby.
Find a fuzzy robe and slipper sit that will make midnight feedings a bit comfier.
Look for an adult weighted blanket to help ease some of the anxiety of being a new mom.
Buy the new mom a copy of “Experimenting with Babies: 50 Amazing Science Projects You Can Perform on Your Kid”
Give her a bamboo bathtub tray for a new mom who needs some me-time at home too.
Put together a new mom survival kit. Every new mom needs some pampering!
Offer to babysit so that she can have a little time to herself.
Gift her an ice roller to soothe headaches and eliminate puffy undereye bags.
Pay for a subscription to a streaming service she loves for a year.
Wrap up a pair of noise-cancelling headphones so the new mom can get a bit of peace and quiet.

What to Consider When Picking Gifts for Mom

Keep these tips in mind as you pick a gift. Remember that the gifts moms will love the most are the ones that come from the heart.

Consider your mom’s likes and dislikes. You know her better than most people do. Use that knowledge.
Set a budget, even if you think you don't need one. It will help narrow your gift options and ensures you don't spend too much.
Instead of buying the first thing that looks good, make a list of your gift ideas. Come back to your list after you're done browsing and pick the best gift on it.
Make sure that your gift is personal. It should reflect your mom's personality, likes, and needs.
Put effort into wrapping and delivering your gift for mom. There's nothing like receiving a beautifully packaged gift when you weren't expecting one.

Creating Beautiful Gifts for Mom with Mixbook

There's no bad time to give the moms in your life a meaningful gift. Photographic mementos like family photo books and canvas wall prints are perfect for even the pickiest of moms. Mixbook can help you create a unique gift that your mom will never forget. Get started on your next great gift today.