Growing up, I always remember celebrating Mother’s Day and feeling like it was the start to a really fun time of year. Spring weather is getting to that perfect mix of coolness and sunshine, and my birthday is around the corner on Memorial Day, which means pools are open and summer is here. As a kid, this also signaled the end of the school year. There’s something magical about this time of year so it makes sense that we celebrate our mothers during it.

2020 was a difficult time for most and while I’m not a mother, I’m sure they experienced stress and worry at an all-time high during the pandemic. Wanting to make sure everyone is healthy and taken care of is at the core of most of the moms I know so during a time when there was so much unknown, I’m sure it was hard. Especially, when for a lot not being able to visit or spend time with their children or loved ones.

I wanted to take a different approach to this year’s gift guide and share some things that bring the experience back to our relationship with mothers that many lost out on last year. While many love being pampered and taking a day to be a little selfish, many of the moms that I chatted with prior to writing this post said those aren’t things they want this year. They’re looking for spending time together, functionality, support, and appreciation. So, I tried my best to sum up those emotions and ideas into the gifts below.

MAKE HER DAY

One thing I’ve noticed about the moms in my life is that even if they love a gift and appreciate the sentiment behind it, they aren’t the type of people to put themselves above other parts of their day. What I mean is that if the gift isn’t easily packaged into their day to day to life then it tends to not really get used. So, here are some ideas to brighten their day and make them feel special. The sense of scent is such a powerful thing and something that I always remember about my mom. Certain smells of her home, perfume, or car are always scents that follow her and my memories of her. Pura is a smart diffuser that connects with your phone to create custom scent schedules, has interchangeable scents, and can be left to an automated program. I received one for Christmas and love it! I have my go-to scents and interchange them once a month (sometimes longer depending on how much you use them), and the best part is that they are kid and animal-friendly!

Fresh flowers in the home always add a warm feeling to those in the home and we all know that the moms in our lives deserve them! A reader gave me the idea (Hey, Candace!) about floral subscriptions and I recently discovered Bouqs flower subscription. You can pick from three different plans, choose your date of delivery, and get exclusive discounts by subscribing. You can pick the arrangement size, style, and who gets the delivery. The stems arrive in bud form so they last longer until your next delivery. You can choose once a week, every other week, once a month, and every other month. Check out the subscription plans here.

In 2020 we all got creative in finding ways to connect with each other and we used our devices to do that more than ever. Zoom parties and weddings, reunions over FaceTime, and drive-by baby showers - we always found a way to connect and we found the importance in it again. Below are some ways to continue to share the connection digitally - connecting on video chat, watching a show together on Netflix, or sharing images with each other.

FUNCTION & FASHION

When sharing ideas on Instagram about what my mom followers needed most, tote bags with pockets and a lot of functionality were a top request. Whether it is a work bag, diaper bag, or carry-all to travel with, functionality is important to make sure you have what you need and it’s organized to make the best experience. I’ve added some totes below at different price points, but the main takeaway from my research is this handy tote organizer. Since it comes in several sizes it can work with almost any bag for added pockets and organization.

When it comes to actual bags, I recommend two. The first is by Barrington Gifts. The one linked is specifically a diaper bag with a lot of pockets, but their brand is high-quality and carries any type of bag you could want. A fun detail is that most are completely customizable with colors, monograms, patterns, etc. I received one as a gift from Kollin and love the look and design even years later. My second recommendation is an MZ Wallace bag. I don’t personally own one, but several of my friends do and I’ve borrowed one before for a weekend trip. Not only are they chic and carry a ton, but they also have a lot of pockets and have so many functions. a gym bag, diaper bag, chic carry all work tote or weekender bag, it can do it all.

OTHER GIFTS SHE’LL LOVE

Do you ever get that feeling while shopping of ‘this is just perfect for her!’ and you have to get it. Maybe you weren’t looking for that specific thing or even that person, but once you saw it you knew? Some of the items below did that for some of the women in my life and I wanted to share thinking they could work for a woman in your life too! Whether she loves to garden and could use a cute pair of gloves or loves a bubble bath while watching her favorite show on this bath tray, there is something here for the mom in your life (including yourself!).