On Mother's Day, we try to celebrate the moms in our lives in the way they deserve. But that doesn't mean we have to overspend to do it.
If you plan on celebrating a number of important people in your life on Sunday, May 12, you don't have to look far to find gifts that are both meaningful and budget-friendly. Whether they love a dainty piece of jewelry or the way to their heart is through their sweet tooth, there's something for everyone on your list.
Mother’s Day shipping deadlines
If you want to ensure Mom’s gift arrives in time for the big day, here are a few shipping deadlines and guidelines to keep in mind:
USPS: Gifts shipped with Priority Mail will arrive between 1-3 business days. Gifts shipped with Priority Mail Express will arrive either the next day or in two days. Gifts shipped with USPS Ground Advantage are expected to be delivered within 2-5 business days.
FedEx: Gifts shipped May 7 with Express Saver will be delivered May 10. Gifts shipped May 9 with FedEx 2Day will be delivered May 11. Gifts shipped May 10 with overnight shipping will be delivered May 11.
UPS: Gifts shipped with UPS Ground Shipping are delivered within 1-5 business days, including Saturdays. Gifts shipped with UPS 2nd Day Air and 3 Day Select are to be delivered within two or three days, including Saturdays, depending on which one you select. Gifts shipped with UPS Next Day Air Shipping will be delivered the next day, including Saturdays.
Mother's Day gifts under $30
Tony’s Chocolonely 70% Dark Chocolate Bar
If Mom’s got a sweet tooth, indulge her cravings with a bar of fancy and delicious chocolate. The Shop TODAY team can attest that Tony’s Chocolonely always hits the spot.
Voesh Pedi Moments
Moms don't always have time to get to the salon. This pedicure in a box will give her the ability to have a little self-care moment right at home. It comes with a sea salt soak, sugar scrub, mud mask, massage butter and a dual-grit nail file. And if lavender isn't her thing, it also comes in four other soothing scents.
Zum Lavender Lemon Room Mist
Made with water, essential oils and glycerin, this great-smelling room spray has the perfect fragrance for relaxing the body while waking up Mom’s senses. It’s perfect to use anywhere, from the car to the closet.
Back to the Roots Organic Sunflower Grow Kit
If she wants to exercise her green thumb, this grow kit is a cheery pick that can help her do it. It includes soil, a mason jar planter and seeds that sprout in as little as seven to 10 days, according to the brand.
Seed Grow Kits
Give her everything she needs to grow her very own sunflowers. If she's not into flowers, you can select a giant sequioa or even bonsai.
Mom, I Wrote a Book About You
Here's a fully personalized gift that won't break the bank. The pages are filled with different prompts that will help you start writing and remind the recipient of all of the ways you love them. It makes for a great gift on its own, but you can make it all-the-more sweeter by adding some photos inside or pairing it with a bouquet of flowers.
Tell Me Your Life Story, Mom Guided Journal
Give your mom a chance to look back on her own memories, enlighten you and dish all about her late night college adventures, her honest, unfiltered thoughts on you as a child and more about her life.
LEGO Cherry Blossoms
If keeping real flowers alive isn't her specialty, she'll cherish this set of buildable cherry blossoms. You can build it for her or, if she wants to feel the nostalgia, she can build it herself. Plus, you can build out an entire bouquet with other flowers including daffodils, roses and sunflowers — all available for $15 or less.
Not Your Mother's Curl Talk To Go Mini Styling Set
Moms typically stick to the same products they've been using for as long as they can remember. If she has curly hair, switch it up by gifting her this travel-friendly kit of Not Your Mother's products. It comes with a mousse, cream and sculpting gel.
L'Occitane Cherry Blossom Hand Cream
As a busy mom, she knows more than a thing or two about making the most of the small pleasures in life. Give her a little taste of luxury everyday with this hand cream from L'Occitane, a go-to brand for several Shop TODAY editors.
Letters to My Mom
With prompts like “I always think of you when...” and “One thing I’m glad we share is...” gift each letter to Mom all at once or sporadically for year-round sentiment.
Glam Up Facial Sheet Mask Set
For the mom who spends a lot of time caring for others, consider giving her a gift that she can use for some much-needed “me time.” This 12-piece assorted sheet mask set is said to be easy to use and has over 20,000 verified five-star ratings on Amazon.
Cleverfy Aromatherapy Shower Steamers
This set of shower steamers is a Shop TODAY favorite. It’s a great way to gift Mom a little self-care moment and doesn’t have to be a whole departure from her routine — she can simply place one in the corner of her shower, breathe deeply and enjoy the relaxing ambiance.
Pavoi 14K Gold Plated Stackable Ring
A Shop TODAY writer favorite, this bestselling gold-plated ring boasts over 23,000 verified ratings on Amazon, and is a gorgeous stacking ring. If your mom is into jewelry, this is one not to miss.
Deux Not-So-Red Velvet Donuts
If she's vegan or gluten-free, she'll appreciate these sweet treats that have 47% less sugar than comparable donut holes.
Uncommon Goods Ode to Home State Dish Towel
Whether they love their home state or dream of moving, this dish towel is a sweet gift that they’ll be sure to appreciate it. Each towel features a poem and an illustration that pays homage to the state of your choosing.
Uncommon Goods Frozen Wine Slushie Mix
Cheers to Mom with a glass of something fancy and frozen this year. This slushie mix is great paired wine for a boozy beverage, but also pairs well with non-alcoholic drinks for a fun and cool treat.
Old World Garden Glass Blown Sunflower Ornament
Blown glass ornaments make the perfect addition to any Christmas tree, so why not gift Mom with this beautiful gardening ornament for Mother’s Day? Mom can display the ornament during spring or when the holidays roll around, giving it a dual purpose that says “I love you” year-round.
Drinking Glasses with Bamboo Lids and Glass Straw
For the mom who is always on-the-go or prefers to enjoy her coffee out of an aesthetic cup, this four-pack of glassware — complete with bamboo lids and glass straws — are perfect for her.
Reviewers note that the glass is “quite thick” on these cups, meaning you can put hot or cold drinks in them without fear of burning or freezing your hands.
Erin Condren Wildflowers Notepad Set
Able to be personalized with Mom’s name and favorite colors, this stunning floral notepad from planner designer Erin Condren is the perfect place for jotting to-do lists or messages.
Kiss Salon X-Tend LED Soft Gel System
Give Mom the gift of skipping an expensive salon appointment this year and treat her to an at-home manicure kit. This revolutionary system is easy to use, needs no drying time and gives a gorgeous gel-like finish that the brand says will last up to two weeks.
Associate editor Kamari Stewart has recently become a fan of these after never having used an at-home kit before. She even plans on gifting her own mom one of these kits this year!
Rare Beauty Perfect Strokes Universal Volumizing Mascara
Mascara is one of those products that moms are always urging us to swap out right on time, so give her a piece of her own advice and gift her with one from well-loved brand Rare Beauty. With a thick applicator and tube that is easy to grip, this mascara is a triple threat, as it promises to volumize, curl and lengthen lashes.
Le Specs Plastic Measures
Sometimes all Mom wants in order to update her look is a new pair of sunnies. Shop TODAY editor Rebecca Brown loves this brand for its affordability and high quality. "Le Specs is always a winner. The brand makes such flattering styles, and they're practically kid-proof. Of all the sunglasses I own, these have stood up to my child bending the temples and hinges," she said. "I always feel put together when I wear them, too."
Stanley Classic Legendary Camp Mug
Stanley’s Quencher tumbler has gone viral again ... and again ... and again. It’s a Shop TODAY-approved pick for keeping your drink of choice ice cold, whether you’re on the go or lounging at home.
Benevolence Velvet Square Jewelry Box
Noted as one of Oprah’s Favorite Things in 2022, this affordable and portable jewelry holder includes a miniature-sized mirror, along with two compartments to separate necklaces, bracelets, rings and earrings, preventing them from tangling. Reviewers love the velvet finish that adds a luxurious feel.
A Littles & Co ‘First My Mom, Forever My Friend’ Bracelet
Our moms are our first cheerleaders, role models and most importantly, our first friends. While we may not say it out loud as often as we should, this bracelet will let her know just how much you appreciate her.
Betsey Johnson Bee Studs
These white and gold bee studs from Betsey Johnson are small enough to fit any mom’s style but glitzy enough to bring her lots of compliments.
Little Words Project Strength Bracelet
Give her a sweet reminder of all that she gives you with this sentimental bracelet. The simple stretch design makes it easy to wear and so easy to gift.
Caroline's Cakes Cake Bites
Senior editor Jess Bender is a fan of the lemon cake bites from Caroline's Cakes. "Caroline’s Cakes was kind enough to send me a sample of their 12-pack of Lemon Cake Bites and I was utterly impressed with every aspect of this product — from the sunny gift box to the moist interior to the white chocolate shell that complemented the citrus cake," she raves. "It also reads as expensive, but the fact that this is as affordable as it is was the sweetest surprise of all."
Chinllo Crossbody Shoulder Satchel Purse
If she needs a new everyday bag but won't buy one for herself, this crossbody is the perfect gift. It comes in several colors which one Shop TODAY writer says works for both dressy and casual outfits.
Alex and Ani Mom Charm Bangle Bracelet
Alex and Ani bracelets are a classic gift that go with everything. One side of the charm says "Mom" and the other side says "Bonded by love, connected for life," a sweet reminder she can keep near.
Stewart gifted this to her mom a few years ago and she says it's one of her favorite Mother's Day gifts to date.
Bonne Maman Ten Ways to Say I Love You
This pick will impress any foodie. It's a set of 10 mini Bonne Maman preserves and honey presented in an Advent calendar-like style, so she'll be surprised each time she reveals a new jar — and she'll be sure to think of you.