14 Places to Shop for Fun and Unique Mother’s Day Gifts

Want to get mom something botanical besides flowers for her special day? Urban Stems has a host of plants in a variety of quirky vessels. Case in point: The Cathy. This clever and low-maintenance xerographic air plant is the perfect arrangement for spring, and it’s quite easy to care for (we’re talking water-every-two-weeks easy).

Candles aren’t just pretty jars to plop on your coffee table. They’re meant to evoke all the senses. Spoken Flames gets it. This New York-based and female-founded candle brand sells “experiential candles” that you simply can’t find anywhere else, like this inspiring “F, Yes” trio (aka Focused, Fearless, Favored). When the burning flame is seen through the lens of a Spoken Flames Instagram filter (accessible on Instagram at @SpokenFlames), a meditative augmented reality experience follows. It’s the perfect way for Mom to tune out the noise of the world and go within.

If you’re looking for cute and colorful gifts for mom you won’t find anywhere else, start with Redbubble, a site chock-full of fun finds from independent artists. Founded in 2006, this Australian retailer’s mission is to give entrepreneurs a place to sell their quality, unique designs while helping consumers find clothing, decor, and crafts that speak to their interests. We love all of Redbubble’s out-of-the-box finds, like this adorable “Sloffee” mug by UK-based illustrator Sophie Corrigan.

The mom who loves a cocktail now and then will appreciate Haus, which specializes in low-alcohol aperitifs made from ingredients that aren’t cloyingly sweet. Commerce editor Sholeen loves their sips, which include Ginger Yuzu, Lemon Lavender, and Spiced Cherry. “It’s the kind of flavor that transports your taste buds to an island getaway when you’re actually just in your apartment,” she says. Haus’s sampler kit makes the perfect addition to a bar cart and is ideal for outdoor cocktail hours.

If you haven’t heard of JIGGY Puzzles, you’ve seriously been missing out. They feature images and original art that are so gorgeous, you’ll want to frame them once they’re complete. The “Reyna” puzzle is designed by Reyna Noriega, an educator and visual artist who lets her culture and experiences as a woman shine through in her work. Each puzzle includes a reusable glass tube, puzzle glue, a straight-edge tool to spread the glue, and a print of the art to come.

We can’t talk about Mother’s Day without mentioning Etsy. This shop is always on the cutting edge of cool (we look to them for trends, after all!), and they’re no different when it comes to gifting. You’ll find thousands of sellers with a wide variety of handmade and special items, like this personalized triple-ring necklace. “I purchased this for a 60th birthday and the recipient cried, real tears,” wrote one elated customer. “It’s one of the best gifts under $100 I have EVER gifted.”

We can’t decide what we love more about ourCommonplace — their impressive selection of ethically sourced beauty and wellness products or the fact that you can shop according to your values. This sustainable online marketplace even lets you browse according to the type of products you’re looking to support (BIPOC-owned, cruelty-free, etc.). The 8 Faces oil is a miracle balm that can tame flyaways, moisturize the face and body, protect dry hands, and fade marks. It’s the perfect gift for someone who loves practicing self-care but doesn’t want a ton of products to do it.

For something cool and completely different, Areaware is the perfect place to shop. The brand works with a roster of independent designers to create functional and stylish homewares, like this stackable planter by artists Chen Chen and Kai Williams. It cleverly integrates both a planter and saucer into one item — yay for multi-functions!

You’ll never be disappointed with Uncommon Goods and their vast array of cool, well-made, and out-of-the-ordinary options. Not only do they have an amazing selection of candles made by talented small business owners, but they also have a slew of great personalized gifts as well. We were instantly drawn to this personalized yarn bowl from clay artisan Leslie Nieto. It’s just right for a crafty mom who likes to knit in her spare time.

Moms who know their way around the kitchen ought to have Brightland‘s superior olive oils and vinegars on hand. The brand prides itself on sourcing ingredients from organic, family-owned California farms and using no fillers or artificial preservatives. Nothing Brightland creates is over-processed or fake, and we absolutely love their stylish bottles. “The Pair” is a giftable set of double-fermented vinegars, including PARASOL, a champagne vinegar made from Chardonnay grapes, and RAPTURE, a balsamic vinegar made with California Zinfandel grapes and Triple Crown blackberries.

This New York-based shop is the epitome of quirky, and that’s why it’s the perfect gift destination. If you aren’t lucky enough to live near their Brooklyn and Queens stores, Lockwood has made all of their unique mugs, apparel, and other colorful trinkets available online. Their curated Mother’s Day shop is full of interesting finds, like these socks, designed with plant parents in mind. If you’re looking for gift sets with a little something extra, they’ve got a variety of care bundles that are anything but boring.

There’s one thing pretty much every mom can always use more of, and that’s relaxation. We love Ostrichpillow for its innovative line of plush pillows designed with self-care in mind. The cozy neck pillow will totally envelop Mom in comfort and can go with her on the road, too.

If your mom prefers to write things down the old-fashioned way over using tons of tech gadgets, surprise her with one of the fun stationery finds from The Happy Planner. The company was actually founded by a mother-daughter duo whose garage-based business quickly blossomed into one of the coolest stationery brands around. Their colorful selection includes stickers, scrapbooking tools, and this beautifully designed “Stay Wonderful” planner.

Mom or not, any wine enthusiast would appreciate a bottle of Winc‘s expertly curated wines — or even a membership that gives them access to the brand’s gigantic inventory of international varieties. It’s a great way to get exposure to the thousands of different wine labels and vintages out there, like this 2018 Trés Chic Rosé that’s perfect for spring.