These Genius Mother’s Day Gifts Are So Much Better Than What You Usually Give

This frypan set from Greenpan is the kind of cookwear that’s built to stand the test of time. And speaking of test, the Valencia Pro pans won America’s Test Kitchen’s seal of approval for being the best on the market. This particular set comes with pan sizes 8-inch, 9.5-inch, and 11-inch, and they’re built from super-durable aluminum that’s resistant to utensil scratches. Coated with nonstick ceramic, each pan’s base is made for even heating on any kind of cooking surface. Even better, the aluminum used is recycled to cut down on waste, a factor that made the brand Good Housekeeping’s 2023 Sustainability Innovation Award Winner. You’ll want to snag this set ASAP — it’s more than 50% off, a deal unlikely to last long. To ensure your pans are stored safely, consider throwing a set of these pan protectors into your cart, as well.

This Petal & Pup headband is an effortless accessory that adds a romantic touch to any look. With a sweet, summery vibe, it comes in a yellow floral pattern and has a trendy twist design. The material has a satin sheen for a look that plays well with both casual and fancier looks.

Maybe you’re looking for one more thing to add to your Mother’s Day gift basket — or maybe you’re searching for an affordable gift to give mom friends — whatever the case, these shower steamers are a thoughtful option. Coming in a set of six different scents, these steamers are placed in the corner of a tub where water and steam release smells like lavender and grapefruit for soothing aromatherapy. These at the end of a long day? Yes, please.

The Triflora hanging planter from Canadian design company Umbra will create an ever-changing, natural statement piece on your mom’s wall. With three planters that can house herbs, vines, or succulents, they hang from a drapery rod that can be mounted to the ceiling or wall. The length of each planter’s ropes is also adjustable to customize the position of pots, whether your mom wants them staggered or in a neat row.

On its own, silk is a luxurious fabric that’s believed to be gentler on skin and hair — but Silvi takes it up a notch by infusing its pillowcases with silver ions, which the brand says has been clinically proven to get rid of over 99% of bacteria to help reduce breakouts and skin irritation. While genuine silk anything can be a bit of splurge, Silvi’s mulberry silk pillowcases are 20% off for Mother’s Day when you use code MUM20, making this the perfect time to treat a special mom in your life. And they come in nine pretty colors to coordinate with any bedroom decor.

If you’re looking to splurge, the Apollo wearable is a cool health-tech gift that uses low-frequency sound waves to promote less stress, more energy, and higher-quality sleep. The gentle vibrations help reset the body’s nervous system, giving either a boost of energy or a feeling of calm depending on what you might need. In a company-conducted study, participants experienced 40% less stress after using the wearable. Wear it as a watch or clipped to a waistband or shirt, whichever is preferred, though the brand does recommend it be placed near a bone. While it doesn’t track biometrics in the way that a fitness watch might, it can be synced with apps like Apple Health to see how it affects heart rates, sleep scores, etc.

The Huarache sandal from Nisolo is a classic summer sandal with its hand-woven design and water-resistant leather. It’s one of those versatile styles that works with a casual dress for dinner, jean shorts, or wide-leg capris, any bottom really — they’re that kind of wear-everyday shoe. The midsole is cushioned with shock-absorbing foam, and the outer sole is nonslip. Nisolo is noted for their transparency around labor and the environment. Each purchase comes with information about their environmental impact, and they’re also a certified B-corp company for their commitment to inclusivity and sustainability.

Sweet treats that taste good — and might even be good for you — are always the dream. Now, that dream is attainable with B.T.R. NATION’s dark chocolate superfood truffle cups. These flavorful cups blend cherries, unsweetened coconut, and cacao for that dark chocolate taste. (The cacao is sustainably sourced from family farms in Ecuador.) With six cups to a bag, these treats are sweetened with dates and monkfruit instead of added sugar. The brand says they’re also vegan-, keto-, and paleo-friendly.

Perfect for anyone who deserves a moment to relax, these Foria bath salts are infused with CBD, along with fragrant ingredients like cacao and rose. The botanical bath salts have a base of epsom and Himalayan salts, and CBD is sourced from certified-organic hemp. Use the code BATHSALTS50 to get 50% off right now.

This serum is on the pricier side at just over $100, but for a truly luxurious, transformative (as the brand says) beauty treatment, you’ll be doing well to gift someone the Amrutini® True Brew Transforming Serum. It’s a luxurious soirée of ingredients, with over 40 rare botanicals and materials sourced from India. From regenerative muga silk to the elasticity-enhancing properties of tuberose, this serum is formulated to bring back vitality, brightness, and elasticity to the skin. And more good news: When you use code MOM15, you’ll be able to get $15 off any Love, Indus product.

For an under-$20 gift that’s also quite luxe, this body lotion starter set from Nativa SPA is ideal. The gift recipient will get smaller sizes of the brand’s quinoa-based lotion in four scents: quinoa, rosé, shea butter, and madagascar vanilla. Quinoa oil is touted for being rich in soothing, deeply hydrating omegas 3, 6, and 9 — aka the healthy fats that support our skin’s ability to regenerate and replenish. As warmer weather comes, these lotions will help heal winter’s dry skin.

This snack subscription box from Sakuraco will be an undeniably cool gift to receive that teaches its recipient about Japanese cuisine and culture as they enjoy tasty snacks. Each month’s box is filled with the snacks, teas, home goods, and art of local Japanese makers. This month’s “Moonlit Sakura” box, for instance, features treats like peach hibiscus tea, plum mochi, and pastel ichigo rolls. Each box also includes a 24-page booklet that has stories and information on where the snacks came from and, on the practical side of things, any potential allergens. There’s a new theme every time, which guarantees at least one fun surprise a month — always a good gift to give someone.

Spafinder is a service that helps people take a spa or wellness day by locating some of the best deals in their area on massages, facials, reflexology, and more. For Mother’s Day, they’re offering a special 20% off any eGift card of $200 or more when you use code MAMMAMIA. (If the gift recipient prefers a physical gift card, Spafinder is offering free shipping.) Once your mom has the gift card, she’ll be able to look up featured deals in her area.

For something cute and functional, this memory foam throw pillow will help liven up any living space. With cozy microfiber material, it has an eclectic zig-zag print that incorporates pops color against more neutral tones. This 20-by-20 inch pillow has a removable cover that can be machine washed whenever it needs a refresh.

A toothbrush might be on the more practical side of gift-giving, but this electric toothbrush also feels fun with its sleek, metallic design. Quip’s signature brush has timed sonic vibrations and guiding pulses to ensure your family members are brushing for long enough. Soft bristles are gentler on sensitive teeth and gums, and the battery lasts for three months. If you sign up for a subscription, you (or whoever you gift it to) will receive a new brush head and battery refill every three months. Choose from a variety of cool metallics, and use the travel cover as a mirror mount for the bathroom.

After the cold-weather season, some extra TLC can be required to really hydrate skin. That’s where Nativa SPA’s Smooth & Soothe Set comes in. First off, the scent is unique — it’s Madagascar vanilla blended with a hint of lemon. With the set, you’ll get the vanilla soothing body oil, body scrub, and a dry brush to promote exfoliation and help stimulate blood circulation. The body oil has 100% pure quinoa oil, which is known for being rich in antioxidants and good for replenishing your skin’s moisture, texture, and overall health.

On mornings when your mom is frying a single egg, she’ll be thankful for this set of mini ceramic nonstick frypans. Coming in a pretty pastel set of three, these pans each have a diameter of five inches. They’re the ideal size to fry an egg, make a personal-sized quiche, and more. Another bonus: These compact pans reduce the need to scrub and clean larger, cumbersome frying pans. The set comes with a cookbook for more snack-sized inspiration.

There are a lot of frames out there, but few offer a subtle artistic statement that enhances any photo or artwork it displays. This Prisma picture frame holds photos between two panes of glass that appear to be floating amid geometric gold wire. It’s also a flexible option, able to be hung on a wall or sit vertically or horizonally on a tabletop.

Even in the crowded wellness space, obé Fitness stands out for their wide range of workout options. As BDG Senior Commerce Editor Amy Biggart noted in her review, obé offers both on-demand and live classes, a feature that sets it apart from other online fitness programs. If the mom in your life isn’t a fan of the gym, gifting a monthly membership gives them the opportunity to choose from over 10,000 classes available in more than 20 class types — all from the comfort of home. From barre to HIIT, boxing to pilates, there are nearly endless options to get your heart rate up, sculpt, stretch, and more. Even better: Classes come in all shapes and sizes, from short five-minute workouts to an hour.

For the artisanal coffee lover in your life, there’s the pour-over travel mug from BrüMate. Made to brew the perfect cup on-the-go, this 20-ounce mug comes with a pour-over cup that rests inside, 10 biodegradable filters, and a leakproof lid. A video on BrüMate’s site gives instructions on the pour-over method, but in short: you heat up water, ready the coffee grounds, and pour the water over the grounds, sending coffee into your mug from the nesting cup. The mug will keep coffee hot for up to six hours — and it also keeps iced drinks cold for up to 24 hours. Some of the finishes (there are 12) are also dishwasher-friendly.

With a strikingly simple design, this set of four bread-and-butter plates not only come in handy for snacks, they also look good. Rimmed in bright red, these plates are sized just right for sides, sandwiches, and smaller bites — and they’re designed to be hearty, coming with a one-year no-chip guarantee. Dishwasher- and microwave-safe, they can be put in an oven up to 580 degrees. These plates are also versatile, fitting into a variety of kitchen aesthetics, whether rustic farmhouse or modern minimalism.

This airy sleep shirt from Sunday Citizen is a simple and cozy loungewear staple. It’s made with super soft modal fabric and has an oversize cut for an extra comfy feel. Available in three colors, it has a single pocket on the breast along with a V-neck cut for a true T-shirt feel.

• Available sizes: XS — XL
• Available colors: 3 (primrose, mint, and coal)

Greenlife’s electric skillet is a very handy tool to have. Stir fry, make pancakes, caramelize chicken wings — this skillet prepares a tasty meal wherever there’s an outlet. Holding a roomy five quarts of food, it can prepare food for the whole family, and you can fry, sauté, bake, grill, and steam. It also has a nonstick interior and handles that stay cool to the touch as you cook. Conveniently, the pan and lid are also dishwasher-safe. Choose from three colors, including two vibrant pastels: turquoise and pink.

If your mom is as big a fan of organization as she is beauty products, this organizer is right up her alley. With four trays and one brush holder, she’ll be able to keep her products, candles, jewelry, etc neatly displayed — and each compartment rotates 360 degrees. It’s a piece that looks so chic and soothingly organized on a bathroom counter, vanity, or dresser.

Another innovative oral health tool from Quip, their rechargeable cordless water flosser offers a deeper clean and less waste than traditional string floss. Choose from gentle or deep clean pressure options, as well as from two water-flow levels. A four-hour charge means the flosser lasts up to eight weeks (even with daily use). You can also opt for the replacement floss tip subscription that sends new tips to your door every three months.

These cloth diapers from EcoNap are sustainably made from recycled plastic bottles, absorbent bamboo, and organic cotton, and they’re the first plastic-neutral cloth diaper as certified by Plastic Bank. The diaper is cleverly designed to grow with kids from newborn to toddler ages. They also come in a wide array of prints designed by people like activist and I Quit Plastics author Kathryn Nelson. Her ocean-inspired prints look like they belong in a children’s book, and there are also gorgeous desert and floral prints to choose from.

Elevate your mom’s baking game with this baking slab from Made In. This slab is a dish with provenance — it’s crafted from a 202-year-old porcelain recipe, and with its simple style, it does indeed look like a dish that could be found in your grandma’s kitchen. Made in France, the slab is good for ensuring that baked goods (think sheet cakes or focaccia bread, dishes with a wide surface area) are evenly heated without over or underbaked spots. It’s microwave- and oven-safe up to 650 degrees Fahrenheit, and it’s temperature-resistant, which means it can go from the freezer to the oven.

Gift someone the full spa facial experience at home with Peak Scents’ Ultimate Facial Bundle. The set comes with an array of products from the brand’s rose phyto line — facial cleanser, toner, mist, and oil — in addition to a jade roller and a serum with hyaluronic acid and vitamin C. The brand’s propietary blend of rose and acai hydrates the skin with restorative, rejuvenating stem cells and peptides.

If your mom’s an amateur sommelier — or simply a casual wine drinker — she’ll likely appreciate this gorgeous decanter (available with four red or white wine glasses) from Made In Cookware. Coming from Italy, the decanter is designed with a wide surface area to efficiently aerate wine — but with a slim-enough profile to not overcrowd a table. The brand’s eye-catching minimal design stands out here yet again.

Perfect for morning family breakfasts or a grill party outside, Greenlife’s Family Fun grill is, above all, an individualized cooking experience. Coming with eight mini nonstick pans, eight spatulas, and a reversible grill/griddle cooking top, this grill lets each family member customize their omelet, pancake, burger, etc. Like Greenlife’s other products, this one is coated in a nonstick ceramic with an adjustable, removable temperature probe. Nonslip feet hold the grill steady while it’s being used.

Sets with a variety of samples are always a popular gift — they allow the recipient to try something that they might not normally treat themselves to. That’s the case with this mini mask bundle from Peak Scents, which comes with four trial sizes of its face masks and body scrub: almond honey, green clay, renewal peel, and coconut sugar scrub. These masks hit all the notes; they detox, hydrate, and exfoliate. Made with luxurious ingredients and organic oils such as pink kaolin clay and coconut milk, this bundle will give several mini spa moments.

These stylish sneakers from Nisolo take sustainable footwear to the next level. They’re made using recycled plastic from water bottles that would otherwise end up in landfills, and the soles are built from sugarcane-based green EVA with recycled cotton laces. Beyond that, they’re a trendy-looking shoe with a sock-like fit and a lightweight, shock-absorbing sole. Your mom will also likely appreciate their convenience — once they’re tied, they function like a slip-on that can be worn without tying and untying. Choose from three soft, neutral colorways.

For coffee drinkers who use milk or cream, this handheld frother levels up that cup of joe, latte, or cappuccino. Compactly sized — and with an accompanying stand — the frother whisks and foams milk for the coffee shop experience at home. Within around 20 seconds, the milk is ready to go, and the frother can be kept next to your coffee maker. It also comes in an array of bright colors. “I bought this SEVEN YEARS AGO and it still works as good as the day I bought it,” one Amazon shopper raved. “I've tried a few others and nothing compared to the power.”

This trigger point massager’s unique look is part of what makes it work so well. With a curvy design, it helps destress muscle knots in backs, shoulders, legs, and more, while also addressing pain trigger points from head to toe. At under a pound, the massager is also easy to move around the body — and it’s still sturdy with a fiberglass-infused plastic. It’s helpful for those dealing with pain from fibromyalgia, and on the more casual side, it’s also an ideal back scratcher. With nearly 3,000 five-star reviews, shoppers write, “Where has this thing been for my whole life?!?” and say it “gets right to where you need it the most”.

Upgrade your bed with this set of two cooling, plush pillows made to keep their shape night after night. Choose from down alternative or memory foam filling, either way they’re covered in a 250-thread-count cover. They’re also designed to work for any sleeping style, whether back, side, or stomach. And, a useful thing, they can be washed and dried when they need to be cleaned. With more than 20,000 five-star reviews, these pillows are a bonafide hit on Amazon.

For dry, cracked heels that call for extra attention, these heel sleeves are made for deep moisturization. Slide them on to hydrate heels with aloe vera, shea butter, and mineral oils that work together to heal cracked skin and calluses. Whether your mom’s feet or your feet could use some extra care, wear them for 20 minutes about two to three times per week to see improvement.

Oral care brand Lumineux has made a set of whitening strips designed to brighten and freshen teeth without the harsh effects that can result from peroxide or other bleaching agents. Made to be gentler on teeth and gums, the pack of 42 strips is intended to be enamel-safe and non-toxic. Unique ingredients like coconut oil, lemon peel oil, sage oil, and Dead Sea salt help whiten without causing sensitivity. “I have a very sensitive mouth and am unable to use most teeth whitening products…….until I found Lumineux,” one reviewer wrote. “It is very easy to use, produces noticeable whitening, all without any irritation at all.”