Today I’m sharing a few ideas for making the mother(s) in your life feel celebrated like the queens they are.

Let’s face it: moms make the world go around. No matter how helpful our partners are (and some dads truly are superheroes), I don’t think anyone would argue the fact that mothers are the engine behind the operation. 

We know what everyone needs and when. We juggle family dynamics and write lists and research nutrition and cleaning supplies and understand who our children are at the deepest level. We share our food, use our shirts to wipe snotty noses, and lay awake at night praying for guidance, wisdom, and safety over our families as we begin the whole thing over the next morning. We give of ourselves wholly, without a second thought, day in and day out. 

So, yeah, we deserve a nice little Mother’s Day weekend. Husbands, if you’re reading this, take notes. 

Mother’s Day Ideas

Here are some ideas for making the mother(s) in your life feel celebrated, seen, and cherished: 

Preemptive bouquet 

This is straight out of the Tyler Nuss playbook. Since before we got married, he’s been “surprising” me with gorgeous flowers a few days before special occasions. He’ll bring home a bouquet on the Monday of my birthday week or have Farm Girl Flowers delivered the Friday before Mother’s Day. That way, I can enjoy the flowers throughout the whole weekend. It’s a hype builder, his way of letting me know that he wants me to feel as special as possible. 

This also takes the guessing game out of it for moms–like, YES, you will be celebrated this weekend and here’s a bouquet to prove it. You know? 

Farm Girl Flowers: You can’t go wrong. These bouquets are stunning. Check this off your to do list today and get those bouquets scheduled for the Friday before Mother’s Day! (The “just right” size is plenty big enough!!)

Native Poppy: If you’re local to San Diego, I recommend Native Poppy. Their flowers are gorgeous, and you can order ahead and pick them up in Solana Beach, North Park, or Mission Valley. They also deliver almost everywhere in SD county! 

If you don’t want to spend a ton of money on this, Trader Joe’s and Whole Foods have some great options (and don’t sleep on Jimbo’s!!). If you do go the grocery store route, just make sure to trim those babies and plop them into a vase or mason jar for the full effect. 

Schedule a facial or nail appointment 

Send the mom in your life for a little alone time. Chances are, you’ll spend Mother’s Day as a family, but mama needs a break–trust me! This is a great thing to do on the Friday or Saturday before Mother’s Day. 

Book a facial, massage, or nail appointment at a local (well-reviewed) spa. Definitely pay (and tip!) ahead of time to make this a seamless experience. And, by all means, send that woman out the door early so she has time to stop for an iced coffee on her way! 

A few San Diego spa options: Skin Habit in Pacific Beach or North Park, Shop Good in One Paseo or North Park. If you really want to splurge, send her to La Estancia in La Jolla or Rancho Valencia in Rancho Sante Fe for the day. 

Mother’s Day gift ideas

I feel like there are two important attributes of a solid Mother’s Day gift: it should be useful, and it should be just bougie enough that she would hesitate to buy it for herself. 

If we are dealing with the type of woman who just buys herself whatever she wants (baller!), then go for the spa day or experience route. 

If your wife is of the pickier variety, then just flat out ask her what she needs or wants and then go get it ASAP. 

Another route is, frankly, the gift card route. Make it intentional though! Send her off to the mall by herself with a Nordstrom or Anthropologie gift card and tell her not to come back until it’s dark out, lol! I don’t think any sane mother would balk at that. 

If you do want to show up with a wrapped gift in hand, here are a few ideas:

Jewelry

I’m kicking off this list with jewelry because it’s always a win in my book. I’ve had my eye on these door-knocker earrings from Jenny Bird this year, and I love the mixed metal drop style too.

You can’t go wrong with a simple, timeless piece of fine jewelry from Quince (a much more affordable alternative to Mejuri and the like). I’m drooling over this dainty chain and diamond line signet ring.

I love these stacking bracelets from Anthro and have been wearing mine for years. If you have kids who want to get their mom something for Mother’s Day, you could have them each choose a different color. The beauty is that all of the colors look cute together, and she could wear them as a stack!! So fun, right?

For something more understated, these dainty initial bracelets from GLDN are gorgeous. You could get one bracelet to represent each child with their initial on it.

Pajamas + loungewear

I love the idea of pajamas and loungewear for a Mother’s Day present. I, personally, find it hard to spend money on that kind of thing, but it’s SO nice receiving it as a gift. Lake has the best, softest pajamas and sets. I have this striped set, but this ruffle one is so cute too.

Shoes

You can’t go wrong with an all white pair of Hokas for the mom-walker in your life. I love the idea of a fresh pair of Birkenstocks for the summer. And, of course, I have to link the Sambas I just got because they are so fun. Tyler got these for his mom for our family Christmas gift exchange and they were were a huge hit.

Bougie bags

Husbands, if you’re reading this: your wife deserves a nice bag this year. Here are my faves:

The Clare V. Midi Sac is exceedingly functional and safe in that I think every woman can get behind this style (full review here). I have worn mine daily since last spring and keep it in my tote bag when I am out with the girls too (btw, the Naghedi St. Barths tote is also an excellent choice for a gift).

If the woman in question is anything like me, she’s obsessed with Sézane’s bag collection. The Justine is jawdropping and perfect in every way (full review here). I also recommend the mini Milo–mine arrived last week and I’ll never be the same.

And if you’re not willing to commit to a bag (I get it), a cardholder is an excellent (and useful!) choice.

For the homebody + hostess

For an easy gift that she’ll get immediate use out of, stock up on a couple of colors of these Geometry tea towels. These are super absorbent and come in the prettiest colors: I love the light blue, peach, and sage.

A Hotel Lobby Candle is the perfect gift to give someone who “has everything.” The Amalfi collection is returning next week which I am unreasonably excited about. Both the Positano and Capri scents are unbelievably dreamy and perfect for summer. You can’t go wrong with Signature either.

You can’t beat a good old fashioned Anthro haul. I’m swooning over these “mama” mugs and all of their gardening supplies! This scalloped planter is calling my name.

Sézane’s gift shop page right now is the stuff of my wildest dreams.

Vacay supplies

Maybe the mother you’re celebrating this year is gearing up for a much-needed vacation. Or maybe she’s gearing up for a long summer overseeing splash pad chaos in the backyard. Either way, she’s going to need some juicy sun protection.

I got these sunglasses from Raen earlier this spring and, so far, have gotten two separate people to order them after trying mine on. The Basq tyle is SO GOOD. I have the polarized Honey color, and they are so summery and fun.

I have been wanting a new beach hat. I love this one because it has a nice wide brim and a tie string to keep it secure. I also love this little baseball hat from Clare V.

For the brand new mama

If we are dealing with a brand new or postpartum mama, go ahead and just order this whole list. JK.

I feel like a plush, comfy robe is ESSENTIAL in those early days. This lightweight one from Weezie looks amazing, and I have heard amazing things about Lake’s robes too.

An Osea body kit is always a good choice, especially for a new mom who could really use a 45 minute “everything” shower. (Use my code RUTH for 10% off at checkout!).

I always recommend the Kindle as a gift for new moms because, at a certain point, you do get sick of scrolling Instagram while you’re nursing. I spent many, many hours reading on my Kindle when my daughters were babies.

Photo book or gift from Artifact Uprising

If you’re searching for the ultimate crowd pleaser gift, consider the sentimental route. Artifact Uprising makes the most stunning photo books and gifts. I have been a customer of Artifact Uprising’s for 9 years–since we had our wedding album made in 2015–and everything we’ve ever made with them turns out beautifully. The prints and books are heirloom quality.

The color story books would make a flawless mother-in-law gift.

Use my link and code RUTH15 for a discount at checkout on your project with Artifact Uprising.