8 Mom-Approved Mother’s Day Gift Ideas

Finding the perfect Mother’s Day gifts to show the moms in your life how much you care can be tricky. This is especially true when they insist, like my mother, that the only ‘gift’ they want is for their children to come home to celebrate.

If you’re stumped, you’ve come to the right place, because the PEOPLE shopping team asked our moms what gifts they _~actually_~ want to receive this Mother’s Day, and chances are your mom would be happy with one of these picks, too. Snap up these mom-approved gifts, starting at just $16, now to ensure they arrive in time for Mother’s Day. 

Mom-Approved Mother’s Day Gift Ideas

Voluspa Mountain Lavender and Chamomile Scented Candle

Shopping editor Madison Yauger’s mom Paige “loves burning candles,” so she’s receiving this “relaxing lavender and chamomile candle,” which Yauger dubs “the epitome of summery scents.”  

“The coconut wax burns cleanly, and it’s under $40 for a thoughtful yet budget-friendly gift,” Yauger adds.

Wells Lamont Water Resistant Leather Gardening Gloves

“My mom is out in our yard for multiple hours throughout the year, so her gardening gloves tend to wear out quickly. This pair comes with leather palms and a Velcro strip along the wrist — both of which prevent her hands from getting dirty,” says senior shopping editor Lindsey Greenfeld of the gift she’s snagging for her mom, Ellen. “And at $16, the gloves are an affordable pick that will last her until next summer.” 

Birdsnap Smart Bird Feeder Camera, $100 with coupon

This smart bird feeder camera isn’t on my mom’s wish list, but she did mention that several of her friends are quietly hoping to unwrap this gadget on Mother’s Day. The camera uses AI to identify which bird species visit your feeder and snaps photos for you to enjoy. 

Apple AirPods Pro 2 Noise-Canceling Earbuds

“Don’t tell my mom, but my siblings and I are snagging her a new pair of Apple AirPods to replace the ones she lost earlier this year,” says senior shopping writer Averi Baudler. “They’re noise-canceling, compact, and fit nicely in the ear thanks to flexible silicone tips.” Baudler points out that her mom, Julie, did “drop a hint a few weeks back” she was eyeing these earbuds, and as Baudler says, “there’s no better gift than getting exactly what you asked for.”

Osea Undaria Algae Body Oil

My mom loves this luxurious body oil, but she considers it a splurge, and won’t buy it for herself, so it’s always one of my go-to gifts. According to my mom, the oil is “extremely hydrating,” smells amazing (it’s a mixture of grapefruit, lime, and cyprus with notes of mango and mandarin), and makes her skin look “more youthful,” thanks to its firming and smoothing properties. 

Cozy Earth Stretch Knit Short Sleeve Pajama Set

“My mom loved the long-sleeve pajama set I gave her for Christmas — they kept her warm without making her overheat during hot flashes. Now that the weather’s heating up in Las Vegas, where she lives, I thought this short set would be perfect,” shopping writer Toni Sutton shared of the PJs she’s snagging for her mom, Melonie, from the brand Oprah is a fan of, too. “She brings up those pajamas almost every time we talk, which definitely sounds like a hint for a summer version, so I know she’ll be thrilled when this gift shows up.” 

Snap up the gifts that best suit the mothers in your life soon — remember, Mother’s Day is on May 11. Keep scrolling to see more mom-approved picks. 

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