– Ask a Real Mom – Mother's Day Gifts Moms Actually Want

“All that I am, or ever hope to be, I owe to my angel mother.” – Abraham Lincoln

Mother’s Day is just around the corner, and we’ve got your back finding the perfect gift for the incredible mom in your life. Whether it’s her first Mother’s Day or she’s juggling a house full of little ones, we at RegistryFinder believe that moms deserve to be celebrated and spoiled for all the love and care they give!

Curious to see what moms actually want for Mother’s Day? Let’s dive right in!

A Spa Day:

Spa Day

When we surveyed our group of moms about what they’re hoping to receive this Mother’s Day, we were not surprised to see a day at the spa topped the list!

Mom of two, Nicoleta N. shares: “As a mother, you’re constantly taking care of others, and sometimes you just need someone to take care of you!” – and we couldn’t agree more!

If you’re looking to give a special mom in your life a relaxing day at the spa but aren’t sure which services she’d prefer or what her schedule looks like, don’t worry—most spas offer gift certificates. With this, Mama can choose the services she’d love to pamper herself with on a day that works best for her!

 Personalized Gifts:

Personalized gifts are a creative and thoughtful way to show the beloved mom in your life how truly grateful you are for her irreplaceable role in the family.

Mom of two Brittany B. shares: “In motherhood, it’s easy to lose yourself in the mundane tasks of diaper changes and dirty dishes. Receiving a personalized item as a gift makes you feel deeply known and cared for, especially if they’re from your crew!”

If you’re thinking about giving a personalized gift this Mother’s Day, a few moms we reached out to shared some thoughtful and practical ideas that would certainly put a big smile on any mama’s face!

One standout option is this adorable mama crewneck. With the thoughtful touch of her children’s names on the sleeve, this is sure to be a cherished keepsake she’ll wear and love for years to come!


For the working mom (or long-distance grandmother), we absolutely love the idea of a personalized calendar. Patricia D. shares about the one she received for Mother’s Day, filled with photos of her six grandchildren:

My favorite part of the calendar is that no matter what kind of day I’m having, their sweet faces always bring joy and a smile to my face!”

If you’re looking for a thoughtful gift for a mom who wishes time would slow down, we recommend this custom handwritten wooden sign. It’s a sweet way for moms to hold onto their little one’s handwriting, imperfections and all. Just send in your handwritten note, and the designer will turn it into a beautiful piece of art that’s bound to be treasured!

Motherhood Photoshoot:

Photo Credit: Taylor Cruz

If you know a mom who loves filling the walls and shelves of her home with framed photos, a photoshoot is the perfect Mother’s Day gift! As a mom, I’m always documenting moments between my children and their loved ones, but I often forget to ask someone to capture the special moments between the kids and me. Gifting a mom professional photos is an excellent way to help her capture her love for her little ones—and it gives her plenty of beautiful shots to frame and cherish!

Some of my most treasured images are from this mommy-and-me painting session. Having a professional capture the moments of playing and making a mess with my toddler is a memory I will cherish forever!

A “Do Nothing” Day:

A “Do Nothing” Day

Picture this: A day when tasks like unloading the dishes, folding the laundry, and cooking dinner are simply taken care of! Mom and Nana, Anne K. shares:

“Giving mothers (especially moms of littles) a ‘day off’ is sure to ease her mental load.”

We can certainly all agree that a mother’s job is 24/7, 365 days a year, with limited time off and very few (if any) sick days. This Mother’s Day, hire a cleaning service, order in a meal (or two), or simply handle the nighttime routine so she can relax and enjoy the day with her little ones!

If you’re looking for a way to make her day off extra special, Anne also encourages partners to include “a big bag of chocolate for her to enjoy at her leisure!” — and we couldn’t agree more!

Handmade Gifts:

Handmade Gifts:

Mom of three, Carly W. shares that her favorite Mother’s Day gifts are made with love by her favorite artists: her children.

“There’s something special about the joy on your kids’ faces when they hand you the card or gift they made all by themselves!”

From this adorable handprint jewelry dish to this sentimental Mother’s Day handprint poem, the possibilities for handmade gifts are endless with a best friend like Pinterest!

Presence over Presents:

Presence over Presents

While a day at the spa and a morning spent admiring artwork made by tiny hands are undoubtedly beautiful ways to spend Mother’s Day, moms from all walks of life can attest that being present with their loved ones, especially on Mother’s Day, is the greatest gift they could receive!

Brittany L., mom of three, whose days of diaper changes and sleepless nights are a thing of the past, shares how special it is to spend quality time with her early adolescent kids.

Whether on a family bike ride or going for a walk along the beach, having meaningful, uninterrupted time together with them is something that money cannot buy!”

And there you have it – a list of what moms are actually hoping for this Mother’s Day, courtesy of our awesome moms!

Whether you’re a first-time mom wondering if you’ll ever shower again, a mom of littles reheating her coffee for the third time, a mom sending her adult child off to college, or a mom spending her weekends reliving the best parts of motherhood by playing with her grandchildren, we at RegistryFinder wish you a beautiful Mother’s Day!

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. The ideas are ours, but we may be compensated if you make a purchase by clicking on one of the links. Thanks for your support!

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