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Since becoming an official U.S. holiday in 1914, Mother's Day has staked its claim as the busiest day of the year for the restaurant and floral industries, and is the third-largest day of the year for greeting card companies. In 2022, it is estimated that Americans will spend $31.7 billion on flowers, dinners, shows, and all the other Mother's Day staples.
But that doesn't mean you need to spend a lot to show mom you care. Whether yours has a green thumb, loves the great outdoors, or just likes to treat herself, we've rounded up 15 unique Mother's Day gifts you can pick up this year for $30 or less.
1. SipCaddy Bath and Shower Cupholder; $15
Make your mom’s bathtime ritual just a little more luxurious by helping bring her favorite beverage right into the tub. This portable bath and shower caddy can hold beer cans, wine glasses, and even some cups and mugs, and it’s sturdy enough to hold up to 7 pounds on most tiled surfaces, thanks to the powerful suction cup. And when the inevitable spill happens, it's dishwasher-safe, so your mom won’t have to lift a finger to get it clean.
Buy it: Amazon
2. Women Who Dared Wine Glasses; $16
Your mom can celebrate some of history’s other great women with these inspiring wineglasses. Honoring Marie Curie, Susan B. Anthony, Clara Barton, and Sojourner Truth, each stemless wineglass features the signature and writings of their dedicated feminist icon, along with an image that symbolizes their most significant accomplishment. With this gift, you can “toast to women who dare to challenge social norms and push for progress.” That, of course, should include your own Mother’s Day heroine.
Buy it: Uncommon Goods
3. Harry Potter Knitting Magic Book; $15
If your mom’s a Harry Potter fan who just so happens to love knitting, look no further. This magical book features more than 25 projects based on the classic Harry Potter movies, and the patterns range from clothing items (like a Weasley Christmas sweater) to “movie keepsakes” (like a miniature, knitted version of Hedwig). Each pattern is accompanied by original costume sketches, fun facts about the movies, and behind-the-scenes stories, making it a better gift than even a Hogwarts letter. Include some sewing supplies (like this $18 Artika sewing kit) along with the book to make sure your mom is fully stocked for her first project.
Buy it: Amazon
4. The Little Women Cookbook; $21
Inspired by Louisa May Alcott’s cherished novel, this cookbook features recipes for the meals that play a prominent role in Little Women. Its five chapters include over 50 recipes for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and more, so whether your Marmee wants to make the same blancmange and strawberries that Jo (attempted) to make Laurie for dinner or Amy’s picnic lemonade, she’ll be ready. Bonus points if you bring your mom this book along with breakfast in bed (extra bonus points if you don’t burn your mom’s omelet like the March sisters did).
Buy it: Amazon
5. Garden Republic Indoor Herb Garden Starter Kit; $26
Help your mom find her green thumb with this “Herbs in the Burbs” starter kit, which includes organic, non-GMO seeds for cilantro, thyme, parsley, and basil plants, along with potting soil discs, burlap grow bags, plant markers, and a set of shears. You can even use the packaging as a planter box. With this kit, your mom will have fresh herbs all year long—and because they can grow either inside or outside, she’ll never have to go farther than the nearest windowsill to get them.
Buy it: Amazon
6. Roku Express; $29
Not all moms are tech-savvy, but they all deserve to be able to watch what they want, whenever they want. Take the guesswork out of streaming with this Roku Express media player. The simple HDMI cable plugs into the TV, giving your mom instant access to free, live, and premium shows. She can stream from all of her favorite TV apps, including Amazon Prime, Netflix, and Disney+, and the included remote makes finding her favorite show a snap. Now whenever anyone asks, “Where’s the remote?” you’ll know that it’s probably with mom.
Buy it: Amazon
7. Takeya Deluxe Cold Brew Coffee Maker; From $25
This cold brew coffee maker is the perfect gift for any mom who’s always on the go … so long as she’s had her coffee first. To prep this cold brew, all your mom needs to do is pour some coarse ground coffee into the fine mesh filter basket, fill the one-quart pitcher with water, cap it with the leak-proof lid, and set it in the fridge to steep overnight. Most pre-ground beans are too fine for cold brew, so save your mom a trip to the store by including a coffee grinder ($26) and a bag of whole bean coffee ($28) in her Mother’s Day gift bag.
Buy it: Amazon
8. Wise Owl Outfitters Camping Hammock; From $30
Even outdoorsy moms want to relax after a long day of hiking. Give her a bed softer than the forest floor with this comfy camping hammock from Wise Owl Outfitters. The hammocks come in a wide range of colors—so your mom can relax in style—and they’re made of heavy-duty parachute nylon, meaning they’re durable, too. The hammocks are set up using adjustable straps (no knot-tying or hammering involved) and when they’re ready to be taken down, they can be rolled into their carrying case for easy storage. A single hammock weighs only a pound, and they won’t weigh down your adventurous mom as she takes on the wilderness.
Buy it: Amazon
9. Zen Breeze Essential Oil Diffuser; $25
Bring the spa to your mom with the oil diffuser that makes every day feel like a luxury vacation. This Zen Breeze Essential Oil Diffuser is compatible with most essential oils, and it can run nonstop or on a timer to give your mom her perfect amount of Zen. The diffuser includes an LED band that displays different colors (she can set it to her favorite or cycle through them all), so it acts as a soft lamp for day or night. And it has an auto-shutoff safety feature that turns the diffuser off once the water levels get too low. For moms who love to treat themselves, this gadget will save them a trip (and some money) to the local wellness center.
Buy it: Amazon
10. BAIMEI Jade Face Roller; From $12
Your mom will feel great from the inside-out with this jade face roller and gua sha set from Amazon. The roller can reduce dark eye circles and puffiness while tightening the skin. The heart-shaped gua sha has different edges that contour to parts of your face shape to help reduce muscle tension. Both facial tools are made from 100 percent jade, providing a natural beauty experience that doesn’t use any harmful chemicals or artificial products. Using these beauty devices only takes a couple of minutes, so they’re a great treat for even the busiest of moms.
Buy it: Amazon
11. DOZYANT Bamboo Bathtub Tray; $27
Moms need self-care, too, and with a bamboo bathtub tray, she'll be able to make her bathtime ritual even more relaxing. Whether she likes to read a good book or enjoy her favorite show in the tub, this tray can help her keep everything within reach without either item falling into the water. This bamboo pick is fully adjustable and includes a stemmed wine glass holder and a vented tray for soaps and candles.
Buy it: Amazon
12. Gaiam Premium Yoga Mat with Carrier Sling; $11
If your mom likes to relax by doing yoga, this mat from Gaiam is a great item to incorporate into her practice. At a quarter of an inch thick, this yoga mat offers plenty of cushioning (for yoga newbies, this can be especially important). It’s also 72 inches long, so even if your mom is 6 feet tall, she’ll be able to use this mat. In addition, this nonslip mat comes with a carrier sling so she can take it to a workout class, outdoors, or on a trip.
Buy it: Amazon
13. BeeVines Silk Sleep Mask, Set of 2; From $8
Sleep can be hard to come by as a parent. This set of two silk sleep masks contour to the bridge of your mom’s nose to block out light, helping facilitate a better night's rest. The masks are also designed to have extra space so your mom can blink without the mask pressing against her eyes. These sets are available in various color combinations and have adjustable elastic straps on the back, too.
Buy it: Amazon
14. Lovepop Mother's Day Tulips Card with Mini Bouquet; $13
Skip the real flowers this year and gift your mom a mini bouquet that’ll last well past the springtime holiday. This Lovepop Mother’s Day card and paper bouquet set is a heartfelt and beautifully designed option. Both items are decorated with faux tulips, but instead of the flowers popping out like a traditional Lovepop card, this one lets you take it out and display it.
Buy it: Amazon
15. AVITO Personalized Tumbler; $30
Make your mom feel special with a personalized tumbler water bottle. Because her name is laser-engraved into the tumbler, it won’t peel or fade away. This 20-ounce stainless steel bottle comes with a lid and straw, is dishwasher-safe, and can fit into cup holders. One of the best features is that it can keep drinks hot for up to four hours or keep them cold for up to 15 hours.
Buy it: Amazon
A version of this article originally ran in 2020, and has been updated in 2022 to reflect current pricing.
This article was originally published on www.mentalfloss.com as 15 Unique Mother’s Day Gifts for Under $30.
