I do realize that there are all types of mothers out there — some who make excellent fruit tarts and possess a Julia Child-esque charm, sure, but plenty of others who are, say, extroverted and love power tools, or are scientists or patent lawyers, or sauvignon blanc moms who collect Rae Dunn mugs, or others yet who love afternoon tea and crocheting and hushed gossip. For instance, just because mine doesn’t drink doesn’t mean your boozer of a mom should wind up empty-handed. Also, there are all types of maternal figures out there who deserve celebration, not just moms. Maybe your mom is dead, or you don’t have a good relationship with her — or both! I say we expand this holiday to recognize all the mother figures out there. Maybe your “mom” was actually the mother of your best friend down the street, or the proprietress of your local gay bar, or your poor college ex who taught you to do laundry and manage your temper.
Whoever your mother figure is, they deserve some love — and these gifts are guaranteed to thrill them, delight them, and show them that you care.
Chocolates: a classic for a reason
Alongside flowers (see next item), chocolates are the gold-standard Mother’s Day gift, and for good reason: Chocolates are both extremely delicious and an effective way of conveying your love for someone.
There are as many types of chocolate boxes as there are mothers to enjoy them. For something a bit more elevated, the Pearls of the Forest Bonbon Collection is the most recent collaboration between San Francisco’s Dandelion Chocolate and New York-based HÅKAN Chocolatier. Each piece is an ode to chocolatier Håkan Mårtensson’s childhood home in southern Sweden and the forest fruits that grow wild there.
Or you can skip the rest and go right to the best: a 1-pound box of Nuts & Chews from See’s Candies. Still the GOAT—and the fastest way to my mother’s (and my) heart.
Nationwide, UrbanStems and The Bouqs Co. both offer stylish options at various price points. The Bouqs also has potted plants and beautifully preserved dried bouquets that last for months, which means she’ll think of you every time she walks past the dining room. A low-effort, high-reward gift—because your mother didn’t raise a sucker.
The world’s most useful tote
So much hype has been spent on what is written on the outside of tote bags that their fundamental design has been neglected almost entirely. Yes your Iowa Review tote makes a great declaration of what side you’re on in the culture war, but it is hardly practical.
I’d argue that this pro-level tote from Williams Sonoma is the ultimate lifestyle signifier because it actually helps you to live an amazing lifestyle. It has spaces for multiple wine bottles, plenty of room in the main compartment for sub sandwiches and beach towels, and even has a genius strap on the side for holding a bundle of fresh cut flowers — I’d imagine it would also work great for a baguette or a rolled up copy of the The Daily Worker. This tote would make an amazing gift for all kinds of moms.
A toaster from the future
Like Paul Simon said, we live in an age of miracles and wonders—and the Toaster from Balmuda is proof. In my opinion, the Toaster is the perfect gift. A price tag of ~$300 for a toaster can be too much of an indulgence for someone to buy themselves, especially because everyone (and their mother!) seems to share the wrongheaded opinion that their toaster already works “just fine.” But give your toast-loving mother the Balmuda — with its Japanese engineering and ingenious combination of steam baking and traditional toasting technology — and watch their mornings transform from routine to life-affirming. The Balmuda creates perfect toast: as golden as an eagle’s wing on the outside, and soft, steaming, and pillowy on the inside, no matter how thin-cut the bread.
I recently put five different toaster ovens to the test on a variety of performance metrics, and the Balmuda made perhaps the greatest impression for being such a joy to use. This thing can also reheat croissants, transforming even yesterday’s Costco pastry into something you’d happily munch at a café in the Latin Quarter. Maybe couple it with a few jars of fancy preserves — something Mom can smear on a thick slice of shokupan while happily taking a bite of perfect toast.
You could build her a little tapas kit: a few great tins (I humbly suggest referring to this very good guide I happened to write), a nice bottle of vermouth, maybe even some fancy potato chips. Bonus points if you promise to come over and eat it all with her. More of a cheese-lover? The Mother’s Day Set from famed New York fromagerie Murray’s Cheese makes it easy to make her happy.
The ever-expanding, Los Angeles-based lifestyle, food, and bath and body brand Flamingo Estate is akin to a sybarite’s general store. It’s so hot at the moment that it’s tempting to dismiss its mystique as hype, but the fact is, it does a spectacular job at making high-quality, very giftable products. If you’re in the market for anything from a candle or a new body wash to a box of avocados, the offerings from Flamingo Estate are guaranteed to be spectacular. We’ve already mentioned its superlative flower delivery service, and it’s also worth mentioning that it offers the status farm box on the West Coast à la moment.
I’m as excited to get my hands on its new Prinsesstårta candle (food candles—still trendy!) as I am to try its persimmon vinegar and rosemary and Ionian bergamot shampoo — and all of these picks make Mom-friendly gifts.
If Mom is more of a Sunday brunch drinker, consider a Bloody Mary kit: a mini bottle of Tabasco, a bottle of Zing Zang Bloody Mary mix (the very best there is), a jar of artisanal pickled green beans, and a bottle of habanero vodka, like the stuff from Hanson of Sonoma.
If your mom prefers a tipple at a more civilized hour, you really can’t go wrong with an amaro. I’m currently obsessed with the Montreal amaro brand Festif—especially the Festif Choux, which they describe as a Canadian take on Fernet. Délicieux.
My current favorite bacon is Benton’s bacon from Tennessee. It’s beloved by the next generation of Southern chefs, and I credit it with actually saving my life one particularly hungover morning in New Orleans.
For the sandwiches, I’m giving her a jar of my favorite jam: Mountain Fruit Company’s Always Apricot Natural Fruit Spread, made from Northern California apricots by a family company out of Chico.
I’ll leave you with a piece of advice. As I write this, I’m currently on vacation with my mother and recently found myself joining her — and about half a dozen other moms — in the pool for a morning aqua aerobics class. After class, I took the opportunity to ask what they really wanted from their own wayward children for Mother’s Day.
“Nothing I have to dust!” said one.
“That’s right!” said another. “Just visit! Just spend some time.”
To this, they all agreed: I am relaying the message, dear readers, that most of all, your mom probably just wants to hang out with you.
