20 out-of-the-box gift ideas for Mother’s Day.

Updated

With Mother’s Day around the corner, it’s time to choose the perfect gift. Yes, Mom is at the top of the list, but don’t forget about the other moms in your life. Think: Grandma, your sister, or even your favorite colleague who just had a baby. 

Mothers play a unique role in our lives — and they have their own unique stressors. The trick to giving the perfect Mother’s Day gift is to make it as thoughtful as possible. Need help finding something extra special? We put together this gift guide full of creative, practical and helpful ideas.



1. Help her tidy up.

mother's day gift idea house cleaning

“Cleaning” is always on her to-do list. This year, offer to tidy up the house for her so she can enjoy a couple of free hours doing, well, anything else.

If cleaning isn’t your forte, use Thumbtack to book a professional house cleaner who will have her space sparkling in no time.

2. Spruce up the garden. 

gardeningIs your Mom’s garden her pride and joy? Other than you, of course. Help her get in touch with a local gardener who can make the lawn, herb garden and flower beds thrive. 

Tip: If she’s looking to redesign her backyard or garden from top to bottom, go with landscapers in her area instead. 

3. Handle any home repairs and maintenance tasks. 

fence repair

Mom can handle anything, but on Mother’s Day, she shouldn’t have to. Take a weight off her mind and help her finish the home maintenance tasks on her list. Bonus points if you get ahead of any seasonal maintenance tasks.

If you aren’t confident in your skills, find a professional handyperson near her who will get the job done right. 

4. Get nostalgic together.

mother's day photo albumTake a trip down memory lane and capture her favorite moments in a family photo book. Reminisce together over funny family memories — like the outfits she made you wear as a toddler.

Tip: For old, worn-out photographs, find a photo technician to restore them for you.

5. Treat her to a spa day.

spa day on Mother's DayMoms do the most. They are practically a therapist, best friend and consultant all-in-one. Help her unwind and destress with a relaxing day at the spa near you.

Trying to save money? Grab a few face masks, bath gels or beads, nail polish, candles and her favorite snacks to enjoy a spa day at home. 

6. Make a family scrapbook together.

scrapbookingCollect old photos, letters and other meaningful items, and put your creative skills to the test. Don’t worry about it looking fancy — it’s all about keeping fond memories alive. And if both of you need a little guidance, search Thumbtack for experienced scrapbook makers in your area.

7. Help her reach her fitness goals.

mother daughter workout

She’s the strongest person you know, after all. Whether Mom’s new to weight-lifting or wants to train for a half marathon, help her reach her fitness goals by booking personal training sessions with a local instructor. You can also find pros who specialize in:

8. Plan an exciting getaway.

Mother's Day vacationMom deserves a vacation. And if she’s ready to travel, plan a trip she’ll never forget. Find out which places are at the top of her bucket list, or revisit her favorite cities. If you need help finding packages, booking excursions or setting up the perfect itinerary, hire a local travel agent to handle the heavy lifting. 

9. Treat her to a soothing facial.

woman getting facial

If Mom’s into skincare, a fancy facial is a great gift to consider. If she has a go-to spa, make her an appointment and give her the gift of a radiant complexion. If she wants a spa-like experience from the comfort of home, bring a licensed esthetician to her

10. Whip up a gourmet meal.

man cooking dinner

Nothing says “I love you” like making her favorite meal and enjoying it together. But if you don’t know your way around a filet mignon or can’t master miso-marinated short ribs — find a personal chef who will wow her this Mother’s Day.

11. Take a cooking class together.

cooking classSpend some quality time and improve your skills by taking a cooking class together. Find out what type of cuisine she wants to explore or a dish she’s always wanted to make. Then, look for cooking classes near you or contact private chefs in your area who may offer lessons.

12. Get her personalized, engraved items. 

engraved jewelry for mother's dayAdd a thoughtful touch to a piece of jewelry by personalizing it. Bring out her inner sparkle with a birthstone necklace or earrings. Engrave the baubles with her initials or a sweet message that she can treasure long after Mother’s Day. 

If she’s not a big fan of jewelry, you can engrave almost anything — from keychains to cheese boards. Check out Thumbtack’s array of engraving services to get started.

13. Learn a new skill with her. 

tennis lessons female instructor

For a memorable Mother’s Day gift, help her learn a new skill. Find out what she’d like to try — tennis, dancing, painting, singing — and book an instructor to show her the way. If you’re up for it: do the lessons together. Live far away? No problem — work with instructors who offer remote services. Use Thumbtack to find instructors and more lesson ideas

14. Stock up on her favorite treats and drinks.

mother's day gift ideaAt the end of the day, Mom deserves to kick back on the couch and sip a glass of wine or ice cold beer while eating something delicious. So, stock up on her favorites, whether it’s a vintage red straight from the vineyard, a box of glazed and frosted donuts from the bakery — or her favorite burger from the fast food joint down the street.

15. Send her flowers or a beautiful houseplant. 

Mother's Day flowersThis Mother’s Day gift idea is a classic for a reason. There’s nothing like a bouquet of her favorite flowers or a houseplant to put a smile on her face. Check out the florists in her area to ensure your gift will reach her in time for the celebration. Don’t forget to ask if they can add a card or small gift to the arrangement (think: a box of chocolates).

16. Fix up her home’s exterior. 

painting home exteriorDoes your mom’s house need a fresh coat of paint? Is her driveway or front porch in need of a pressure wash? Does her lawn need a trim? Use this Mother’s Day as a timely opportunity to help her polish her home’s exterior and get the place ready for summer.

Hire a pro (lawn care servicepainterpressure washer, etc.) to take care of it.

17. Revamp and reorganize her closet. 

organized closet

If Mom needs some help reorganizing, or just wants to add some new pieces to her wardrobe, an appointment with a personal shopper or home organizer may be the perfect Mother’s Day gift. 

Consult personal shoppers near her for an in-depth closet audit before going on a shopping spree together. If her clothing and accessories are feeling cluttered, book an appointment with a home organizer.

18. Do a tarot reading. 

tarot readingtarot reading is a unique way to “peek” into Mom’s life and show her what’s coming her way. After all, life is full of ups and downs, and tarot readings are a fun way to get a glimpse and make the best of things. 

19. Give her the weekend off. 

woman relaxing on bed

Moms are busier than ever — and they deserve a break. If the mom in your life (your sister, aunt, grandmother or friend) is feeling overwhelmed by their responsibilities, give her the weekend off. Offer to watch the kids, find a nearby pet sitter, run her errands and take care of the household chores. Free up her time so she can take a breather.

20. Reunite her with her pals.

unique mother's day gift ideasHas Mom been so busy with work and taking care of the family that she hasn’t seen her friends? Fix that for her this Mother’s Day. Call her friends, siblings or loved ones, and have them stop by the house for a surprise brunch or join a picnic at the park (just make sure Mom isn’t stuck cleaning up after it’s all over). 

Or, make reservations for them at Mom’s favorite restaurant. You can also book an activity — yoga lessons, anyone? — that she and her pals will enjoy.

Feeling extremely generous? Book a staycation for her and a few of her closest friends at a nice hotel in town.

Find unique gift ideas for Mom on Thumbtack.

Motherhood is one of the most rewarding yet toughest jobs in the world. That’s why this Mother’s Day is the perfect occasion to show your appreciation. Hopefully, this gift guide led you to the ideal gift.

And whenever you need to call in a professional to make their day, turn to Thumbtack.

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